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Brainwavz Alara Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£410Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Brainwavz Alara Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Brainwavz Alara
5.0/10

Overall score

Score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

80%

5.0

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 98% of headphones
6.0

Value for money

Value for money
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

70%

5.0

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

â–¼Worse than 95%
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

52%

5.5

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 93%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Where to buy
    N/A~ £410
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Brainwavz Alara

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

52%

5.5

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.0
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Brainwavz Alara has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

70%

5.0

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

6.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
planar
Driver size
70 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 70 mm, larger driver size than 97.3% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
10 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Brainwavz
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
430 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 430 g, heavier than 96.2% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Brainwavz Alara vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 30 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    70 mm vs 40 mm
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 mm
  • 0.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 mm
  • 0.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 30 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    70 mm vs 40 mm
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 97.2% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (430 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    430 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 8 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 4.56x more expensive
    Brainwavz Alara is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£410 vs £90).
    £410 vs £90
  • 21.6% worse value for money
    Brainwavz Alara has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.98 vs 7.3).
    5.98 vs 7.27
  • 4.56x more expensive
    Brainwavz Alara is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£410 vs £90).
    £410 vs £90
  • 21.6% worse value for money
    Brainwavz Alara has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.98 vs 7.3).
    5.98 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Brainwavz Alara is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 97.2% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (430 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    430 g vs 218 g
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 8 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 9 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (94 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    94 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
Currawong
≈ estimated
28/01/2019
Hands-on review · sound tests and comparisons
Verdict
Brainwavz Alara is a good all-round entry planar, though its pads and price keep it from being an easy recommendation.
9.0
TotallydubbedHD
≈ estimated
16/01/2019
Hands-on review · sound, soundstage and comparison
Verdict
Brainwavz Alara is warm, fun planar headphones the creator can recommend, though a rival model sounds more open and detailed.
Not graded yet
Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

headfonics.com
20/02/2019
Hands-on review · Open-back planar headphones
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara is a solid planar that needs a decent amp, but its 430g weight and oversized headband can cause fatigue after a few hours.
pcmag.com
28/01/2019
Listening review · Open-back planar
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara is an open-back pair with deep bass and a wide sense of space that justify its high price, but sound leaks out to people nearby.
expertreviews.co.uk
18/01/2019
Hands-on test · Open-back planar
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara suits anyone who wants fun, punchy sound, especially for EDM, but its warm tone and headband fit may not suit everyone.
hear.audio
06/01/2019
Long-form review · Planar magnetic
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara is a comfortable, nicely built planar that leaks sound and feels heavy, with a headband that may not suit smaller heads.
audiophile-heaven.com
09/05/2019
Detailed review · Planar bass
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara is a deep, powerful planar with a lush, fun sound that suits bassheads, but its weight and open design limit it to home use.
H
head-fi.org
02/12/2018
Summary of the review
Brainwavz Alara - Reviews - Head-Fi
headfonics.com
30/11/2018
Initial impressions · Planar magnetic
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara is a lively, competent planar debut that sounds best with tube amps, but its heavy, large headband suits only some heads.
hear.audio
19/02/2019
Listening review · Head-to-head comparison
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara is a warm, easy-to-drive planar that's relaxing to listen to, but it lacks the punch and depth that better headphones deliver.
pcmag.com
28/01/2019
Listening review · Open-back planar
Verdict
The Brainwavz Alara is an open-back pair with deep bass and a wide sense of space that justify its high price, but sound leaks out to people nearby.
H
head-fi.org
02/12/2018
Summary of the review
Brainwavz Alara - User Experiences and Reviews (Including Dutch Community Contributions)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Brainwavz Alara

  • Punchy and vibrant audio signature with excellent bass depth and clarity
  • Relatively easy to drive for planar magnetic headphones, working well even with mobile devices
  • Solid, professional build quality featuring a robust metal frame
  • Includes high-quality accessories like a hardshell travel case and spare earpads
  • Smooth and liquid vocal presence, particularly for female voices
  • Generous padding with plush memory foam and velour contact surfaces for comfort

What customers don't like about Brainwavz Alara

  • Bulky and heavy design (approx. 430g) that can cause fatigue during long sessions
  • Headband is oversized and lacks enough adjustment for users with smaller heads
  • Open-back design results in significant sound leakage, making them unsuitable for public use
  • Soundstage is more intimate and narrow compared to other open-back planar competitors
  • High initial price point makes them less competitive compared to established alternatives like the Hifiman Sundara
  • Can sound slightly 'steely' or aggressive in the upper mids/treble depending on the track and source

Verdict

The Brainwavz Alara is a circumaural open-back headphone featuring 70mm planar magnetic drivers that deliver a vibrant, musical sound with a frequency range of 10 Hz – 40 kHz. It is remarkably easy to drive for a planar model due to its low 20 Ω impedance and 94 dB sensitivity, making it compatible with many portable sources. Main characteristics include a solid industrial build with metal cups, high-quality hybrid velour/PU leather memory foam pads, and a detachable 2m oxygen-free copper cable. Pros include its punchy mid-bass, clear vocal presence, and excellent imaging that creates an intimate but precise spatial field. However, cons include a relatively heavy weight of 430g, potential treble fatigue for sensitive listeners, and a headband design that may be too long for users with smaller heads.

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