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ninjames said:

Is there any reason to get the Brainwavz branded version? Or are those exactly the same? Does Brainwavs do anything to theirs at all? Tune it a little? Something like that?

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The accessories are different. The HM5 comes with a 1/4" adapter, extra earpads, airline adapter, a 1.3 meter cable, and a 3 meter cable. The Digitech (the branding on the clones) doesn't include the airline adapter or the shorter cable, but has everything else.  According to general consensus, there is no difference in the sound between FA-003, HM5, or Digitechs (I haven't heard all of them so I can't speak to that).  Oh and the logo stamped on the earcups is different

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ar cascade said:

The accessories are different. The HM5 comes with a 1/4" adapter, extra earpads, airline adapter, a 1.3 meter cable, and a 3 meter cable. The Digitech (the branding on the clones) doesn't include the airline adapter or the shorter cable, but has everything else.  According to general consensus, there is no difference in the sound between FA-003, HM5, or Digitechs (I haven't heard all of them so I can't speak to that).  Oh and the logo stamped on the earcups is different

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I really am digging the Brainwavz sound but if those can be had for $50 I don't think I have the brand loyalty to pay more than double that if the sound really is the same..
 
EDIT: Do you know if there's some kind of warranty on them if bought through Jaycar?

Quote:

ninjames said:

I really am digging the Brainwavz sound but if those can be had for $50 I don't think I have the brand loyalty to pay more than double that if the sound really is the same..
 
EDIT: Do you know if there's some kind of warranty on them if bought through Jaycar?

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Jaycar has a 2 week return policy and 3 month warranty.  The FA-003 thread has a good bit of commentary on the sound by those who have compared the two.  http://www.head-fi.org/t/491632/review-fischer-audio-fa-003-a-neutral-champ/2505

So I finally received my Jaycar's today..
On the first listen, I immediately thought to myself: "holy schiit, there is something very sennheiser'ish about them..
 
Well, curiosity got the best of me.. I think the following pics speak for themselves:


 
I will update with my impressions later; but so far, I can see/hear why people mention they are competent to higher end headphones..
 
Oh, I thought you'd all get a kick out of this..

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aleki said:

Oh, I thought you'd all get a kick out of this..

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Now that is awesome. Looks uber comfy.

Are those the HD650 being compared to?

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ironsnake said:

Spoiler: Quote%3A%20Originally%20posted%20by%20aleki

 

 

Are those the HD650 being compared to?

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yup! those are the jaycar cups on the HD650 headband by the way. element dimensions and clip points are virtually identical; although the mounting mold isnt, so 650 cups wont clip to the jaycar headband.
Sound... well, sound is awsome, but imaging isnt quite as omnidirectional as the 650's(still much better than the M50). My initial impression: somewhat dry mid-bass but with great range, incredibly resolved treble but manages to be far less agressive than the M50's and D2000(Bass extension similar to the M50 but with HD650 resolution).. For $57, I feel like I just robbed a house and took something quite valuable. I know resale would be an issue considering how low people have seen them go, but if anyone was looking for a solid $70 headphone, I have absolutely no reservations in recommending the "Digitechs" to anyone; even paying HM5 price is fair value
That said, I think the HD650 owners can sleep easy knowing they still have a more sonically refined product.
 
Edit: more driver pr0n:

vs.

 
Extras:

How does B2 (DBA-02) compare with HM5 (FA-003)? I heard B2's bass is rather anemic. What about soundstage and imaging?
 

 
The Russian measurements show that DAB-02's bass rolls off quite a lot, compared to FA-003.
 

 
But there's another measurement from a head-fier that shows DBA-02's bass is pretty flat.
 
Thinking about getting B2 as an upgrade to HM5, but I will wait for my M4 first.

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kingpage said:

How does B2 (DBA-02) compare with HM5 (FA-003)? I heard B2's bass is rather anemic. What about soundstage and imaging?
 

 
The Russian measurements show that DAB-02's bass rolls off quite a lot, compared to FA-003.
 

 
But there's another measurement from a head-fier that shows DBA-02's bass is pretty flat.
 
Thinking about getting B2 as an upgrade to HM5, but I will wait for my M4 first.

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From my experience, B2s have x than HM5s:

1. Less bass body (bass is quicker)
2. Less sub bass (the very lowest thump)
3. Less of a dip in the mids
4. More... sparkle? (noticeable with cymbals)
5. Smaller soundstage
6. Much more "3D" soundstage, more holographic? Don't know how to say.
7. More detailed to my ears, sounds effortless.

 
(Using trimmed comply p series on B2s.)

You should consider the Meelectronics A161p over the DBA02, I've not heard the DBA02 but the A161p are rock solid.

I'm only thinking of buying from mp4nation because of the price and free Fedex. I wish I could buy a Brainwavz version of SBA-03/A161. But I heard mp4nation will have a new dual balanced armature IEM soon. I doubt it'll be this soon. Let see if I'm tempted to get B2 next week or so, or I'll wait and buy something else from mp4nation. When my M4 arrives in a couple of days, I'll know better whether I'll get some B2 to replace my HM5, or keep my HM5 and wait for the new dual BA.
 
Headphones' soundstage is not that big anyway; I've got speakers for that. More holographic/3D headstage sounds interesting. I loved the slightly u-shaped sound of CAL!, and I also love the balanced sound of HM5. I had PL-30 before, and thought it sounded pretty good for the price. However, I wasn't too satisfied with its lean bass. I'm worried B2's doesn't have enough bass quantity there to give me immersion.
 
HM5 is quite light for a big full-size can, but I'm leaning towards IEMs so that I (almost) won't feel anything on my ears while watching movies or listening to music.
 
KmhK, would you recommend B2 for watching movies? Is B2 as airy as HM5?

Quote:

kingpage said:

More holographic/3D headstage sounds interesting.

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I should say that if it was a surround speaker setup, there would be more coming from the centre channel. Everything is also slightly more focused than with the HM5s.
 
Quote:

kingpage said:

KmhK, would you recommend B2 for watching movies? Is B2 as airy as HM5?

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No, and no(?). B2s sound slightly artificial, unnatural.
-Movies usually have very low bass. B2s don't deliver rumble very well.
-If your source is noisy, you will hear hiss through the B2s during the quiet(er) scenes. HM5s have less hiss.
-The vertical soundstage (as in x,y,z axis, there is less of y) is noticeably smaller than HM5s.
-HM5s are more immersive in my opinion.

Thanks for the quick reply.
 
My E10 is quiet with a zero output impedance, except for picking up the EMI from mobile phones, so it should be fine with the B2. Source files could be an issue, but it shouldn't be too different from HM5.
 
 
 
I have always doubted the accuracy of the FR graphs from doctorhead.ru, especially their IEM graphs.
 
Evidence: http://www.head-fi.org/t/484569/review-fischer-audios-dba-02/2865#post_7010718
 

 
The black line is bass boost from E10. I'm pretty sure B2's bass is as flat as other TWFK based IEMs. Besides, I could always boost it a bit more with my amp if the bass wasn't strong enough. (It's time to read more reviews of dba-02 and b2)

The Brainwavz HM5 is now on sale on MP4Nation ($109.5), does anybody knows if they still supply the case / bag?

Again for a neutral yet musical IEM I need to plug the A161p I recently reviewed. I've not heard the DBA02 but the A161p seem in the same category, they are outstanding for the price. Also I know Brainwavz is working on their M5, don't know how long that will take though.