BmasterX: A Fun and Engaging IEM

I have collected numerous sets of IEMs over the past several years, but few of them get consistent use. This is where the BASN BMasterX sets itself apart from my many other IEMs. I have been listening to it over the past month, and while its not perfect in its default tuning, they have quickly earned their spot in my daily rotation.

To provide some context, I listen to my personal music collection which has over 26,000 songs, the majority of which are FLAC. I am not very treble sensitive, and I can still hear without issue to a little over 15,000hz. I rarely stream music, spending most of my time listening to music on one of my DAPs (Hidizs AP80 Pro Max/Fiio M11 Plus/Shanling M0 Pro). I have been testing/reviewing IEMs for almost 4 years now as an Amazon Vine reviewer. My music tastes are relatively diverse listening to Trance, EDM, Jazz, 80's Pop and Synthwave, Hard Rock, Rap, Heavy Metal, and some K-pop. I used to play guitar, but that was many years ago. I have larger size ears and a decently long/wide ear canal according to the tech who took my ear molds. This is just to provide you an understanding of where I am coming from.

Back in 2023, I was provided a review sample of the original BMaster5, and it is one of my favorite IEMs. It's decently balanced sound, great comfort, and robust accessories make it a set I still use almost daily. Unlike the BMaster5, I ordered, and paid for, the BMasterX with my own money. I hoped that the BMasterX would match up, or exceed my experience with the BMaster5, and I am glad to say that it does this in most ways. It was also easier to make sound excellent with a little EQ that anyone can apply. So what makes the BMasterX the newest IEM to enter my daily rotation?

The unboxing experience of the BMasterX is both familiar as well as distinctly different. Inside the box you will find the IEMs which appear to be a resin build with a metal faceplate. The build feels durable and premium which gives me confidence they will last for a long time. The BMasterX comes with 7 sets of tips (4 silicone/3 foam) whereas the BMaster5 came with 12 sets of tips . That being said, I feel that the tips for the BMasterX are an improvement for both fitment and comfort using quality silicone that is akin to some premium aftermarket eartips I have purchased. They are more than enough to provide a good seal while also blocking outside noise very well. You are also provided a magnetic leatherette case in contrast to the hard-shell case and pouch of the BM5. I feel that the leatherette case is less bulky and easier to throw in my bag without compromising on protection when compared to the hard case. While the cable is basically the same quality as one of the two cables provided with the BM5, the single cable that comes with the BMasterX has an interchangeable termination that allows you to switch between the standard 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced, and with this model, a USB-C connector that can be used with your phone, tablet, or other such device. You're also provided with a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter for use with your home audio interface. I like this cable change a lot as finding a balanced cable for the BM5 was extremely difficult due to its use of Pentaconn connectors to connect the IEMs. The BMasterX also uses a more common MMCX connector meaning that you have access to a broad assortment of aftermarket cables if you so choose. Outside of this, you are also provided with an IEM cleaning tool and a clip to easier cable manage your IEMs if that is your preference. All of this for $20 less than the BM5 ($30 if you forgo the USB-C Add-on), making this robust accessory package a strong value add.

Fitment and comfort of the BmasterX varies between great to exceptional. With the provided eartips, I feel the fitment is excellent with comfort being good for about 1.5 hours before I needed to take a break or make adjustments. There is minimal wobble and the only fatigue was inside my ear canal. When switching to my preferred aftermarket tips (SpinFit NEO size S), the comfort is absolutely exceptional! I have worn these IEMs for multiple hours on end with no issues with canal fatigue. Furthermore, there is absolutely no wobble, and the passive noise cancellation performs better than many of my ANC devices. Personally, I find the comfort of the BMassterX to be even better than the BM5 which is high praise as it is a big reason why they are my favorite IEMs. BASN have done an excellent job with the ergonomics of these IEMs. That alone will ensure these are one of my first choices for daily use.

What makes or breaks a good IEM is the sound. If you don't like the sound of your IEMs, then they will not get used regardless of how comfortable they are. While by default I would not consider these a neutral or reference set of IEMs, they are absolutely fun and engaging without sacrificing too much on timbre or detail. This is especially true if you are a fan of music genres like trance (BT, Orbital), EDM (Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia) , and 80's synthwave (Tears for Fears, Men Without Hats). I would describe the overall sound as a well tuned "V" shape with a little extra helping of upper bass. Most of the time I found this to add warmth and body to drums and male vocals, but on occasion I did feel that the bass had a little more bloom than I would like. This was especially noticeable with bands like Sum 41, System of a Down, and other Heavy Metal adjacent music. The good news is that it is an easy fix with minimal EQ adjustment. Just cut between 2 and 3 decibels at 250hz and/or reduce 1 to 2 decibels at 150Hz and the bloom basically disappears leaving you with a more balanced presentation that is excellent across most genres of music. This is by far the easiest EQ I have ever done to bring an IEM to my preferred sound. With that little adjustment, these IEMs went from a decently strong 6, low seven, to a solid 8 to low 9. When combined with the exceptional comfort, I have no doubt that these will become one of my most used IEMs, possibly dethroning my BM5 set. I am sure that I could fine tune the frequency response more to get closer to a reference sound, but I feel that it is unnecessary as I have not found any other frequency range to be bothersome in my testing over the past month, and tuning them more would negate the fun and engaging sound these IEMs provide.

Technicalities are another place where the BMasterX shines. I get details from these IEMs that are on par with my favorite IEMs, most of which cost significantly more than this set. Another feature that I really appreciate from the BMasterX is the separation and spaciousness they provide. This was one of my favorite features of the Bmaster5, and I am so glad that it carried over to the BMasterX. Distance and panning are on par with some of my open back headphones which does not happen often. They are not HD800s levels of space to be sure, but they are excellent for IEMs which often sound confined and intimate. This was shown most when listening to tracks like Tears for Fears Woman in Chains as well as BT's Berlin where tones shot out from the middle to far distance. It did this without sacrificing the micro details that I look for when listening to my favorite IEMs. Overall, I feel BASN are getting closer to hitting the sweet spot between coloration and reference sound, and I could not be happier.

As if it needed further clarification, I really like these IEMs. BASN are getting increasingly close to making some of the best IEMs in the space at a price that balances value to performance. With some very minor tweaks, I feel they can make a truly stunning IEM that needs no EQ, that would make most consumers excited to perform or listen to their music. I look forward to using this set for years to come, and If you're looking for a set of fun IEMs with excellent comfort and a strong accessory package, than I can easily recommend the BMasterX to be on your short list to consider.

Article written by Shane Cutting
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