OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Brainwavz HM9 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£120Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Brainwavz HM9 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 HM9
5.1/10

Overall score

Score
5.1/ 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 96% of models
Score components

80%

4.9

Technical score

20%

6.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 96% of headphones
6.5

Value for money

Value for money
6.5/ 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 91% of models
Score components

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 91%
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 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 95% of models
Score components

52%

5.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.3

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 95%
6.1

User score

User score
6.1/ 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 97% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

User ratings

30%

4.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 97%
  • brainwavz-hm9
brainwavz-hm9
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 HM9

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 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 95% of models
Score components:

52%

5.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.3

Calls & Controls

4.9
User score
User score
6.1/ 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 97% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

User ratings

30%

4.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.1
Popularity
Popularity
4.3/ 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 65% of models
Popularity:
Brainwavz HM9 has a popularity score of 4.3 points, which is lower than that of 64% of products in this category.
4.3
Value for money
Value for money
6.5/ 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 91% of models
Score components:

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

6.5
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
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% 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
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
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.
Show more
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
350 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 350 g, heavier than 91.1% of headphones and equal to 0.8% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Brainwavz HM9 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 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
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 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
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 24 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (134 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    134 dB vs 110 dB
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 24 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (134 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    134 dB vs 110 dB
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 2 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 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.
  • 60.6% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (350 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    350 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.
  • 32% lower user score
    User score
    6.1/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Brainwavz HM9
    the average pair of headphones
    Brainwavz HM9 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.06 vs 8).
    6.06 vs 8
  • 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.
  • 11.1% worse value for money
    Brainwavz HM9 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.54 vs 7.3).
    6.54 vs 7.27
  • 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 neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 32% lower user score
    User score
    6.1/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Brainwavz HM9
    the average pair of headphones
    Brainwavz HM9 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.06 vs 8).
    6.06 vs 8
  • 11.1% worse value for money
    Brainwavz HM9 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.54 vs 7.3).
    6.54 vs 7.27
  • 35.3% less popular
    Brainwavz HM9 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (4.34 vs 5.9).
    4.34 vs 5.87
  • 60.6% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (350 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    350 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.
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 1.5 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (2 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    2 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 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.
  • 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

9.0
Geekanoids
≈ estimated
14/03/2014
Hands-on review · build, comfort and sound impressions
Verdict
Brainwavz HM9 is surprisingly good in build and sound and is well worth a look, though earcup movement is limited.
Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

headfonics.com
18/08/2013
Hands-on review · Closed-back headphones
Verdict
The Brainwavz HM9 is a warm, bassy all-rounder with a helpful inline mic cable, though its bass lacks punch and its treble is soft.
T
techpowerup.com
29/11/2013
Summary of the review
MP4Nation Brainwavz HM9 Headphones Review
S
stereo-head.it
12/09/2014
Summary of the review
Hm9 | Stereo-Head
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Brainwavz HM9

  • High build quality with extensive use of metal and durable aluminum
  • Thick, plush earpads and a padded headband provide excellent initial comfort
  • Superior passive noise isolation that effectively blocks external environments
  • Includes a rich accessory bundle with three detachable cables and a hard-shell case
  • Foldable design makes them convenient and portable for travel
  • Warm sound signature with decent bass response suitable for certain genres like hip-hop

What customers don't like about Brainwavz HM9

  • Can become very uncomfortable during long listening sessions due to significant weight and clamping pressure
  • Pleather pads can trap heat, making ears feel sweaty in warmer conditions
  • Sound can be perceived as 'veiled' or dark, with some users noting a lack of clarity in certain frequencies
  • Midrange may feel recessed or 'boring,' leading to less emotional vocal performance
  • Heavy build may lead to hotspots or physical fatigue on the head
  • The hinges are known to be somewhat loose or 'floppy,' lacking a solid locking mechanism when open

Verdict

The Brainwavz HM9 is a sturdy, foldable, on-ear (supra-aural) headphone featuring 40mm dynamic drivers with a frequency range of 10Hz to 24kHz, a 40Ω impedance, and a sensitivity of 104dB. Built with a high-grade aluminum frame and plush protein leather memory foam pads, it is designed for a warm, bass-forward sound signature and excellent passive noise isolation. Key advantages include its durable 'tank-like' build quality, high portability, and a generous accessory bundle that includes a hard carrying case and three detachable cables (1.2m, 3m, and a 1.2m cable with an in-line microphone). However, it is noted for being relatively heavy at approximately 350g, having a high clamping force that can cause discomfort during long listening sessions, and a 'veiled' or dark sound profile that may lack treble sparkle and midrange detail.

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