Southy013
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2012
- Posts
- 19
- Likes
- 11
Been lurking around these parts for a while now. Followed the threads on the FA-003 pretty close, but eventually ended up pulling the trigger on what I think was the last of the recent Amazon stock of the Brainwavz HM5 at about $60 bucks less than what I would have paid for the FA. Anyway, had an interesting exchange with the fine folks at Frogbeats, who gave me their take on the interchangeability of these models, and thought it was worth sharing:
"We are well aware of both the other models and that they come from the same OEM manufacturer. However that's not really our place to question the RRP that Fischer has given us or which ones are better/cheaper to get in. Lindy only sell on Lindy, and Brainwavz aren't interested in dealing with us because we would take custom from MP4Nation, which would cause problems.
As you will start seeing everywhere, many earphones are rebrands of other OEM models. Brainwavz, infact, doesn't create any of their earphones and they are all rebranded OEM models (as can be seen by the B2 which is identical to the DBA-02). If you look at the new MEElectronics A161P, you will see it's a rebrand of an OEM model which is also the Fischer Audio SBA-03. Unfortunately we have no control over who decides to use that OEM model, and neither do the actual companies (like Fischer Audio) unless they have a contract in place with that OEM manufacturer.
The price differences are quite significant, I agree, and naturally people will go for the cheaper priced one. Especially as they sound identical. We most likely will never be able to directly compete with companies that are based out of Asia, because we have to pay tax and run through several legal channels which hits us with bigger overheads than a simple operation in Asia. The only thing we can offer over those brands is (we hope, or so people have said) a great customer service and delivery service. The shipping prices aren't cheap, but you get them within 48 hours and there are never any issues with that. Added to the fact you don't pay tax when they come into the country.
We will never be able to do anything about the disparities in prices other than discuss it with Fischer Audio and see if they want to come to a compromise, but even then it could be months till a decision is met. We will continue to supply Fischer Audio because people prefer to go for them as a brand in general, and they do have a slight design change which makes them quite a bit nicer than the HM5s."
I think many of us who have been debating this can rest pretty well assured that these 3 models are in fact the same product (the newer, nicer cup design from FA notwithstanding).
That they took the time to write a response, nay, an opus like this makes me wish the price disparity wasn't quite so great, as it really makes me want to patronize Frogbeats.
"We are well aware of both the other models and that they come from the same OEM manufacturer. However that's not really our place to question the RRP that Fischer has given us or which ones are better/cheaper to get in. Lindy only sell on Lindy, and Brainwavz aren't interested in dealing with us because we would take custom from MP4Nation, which would cause problems.
As you will start seeing everywhere, many earphones are rebrands of other OEM models. Brainwavz, infact, doesn't create any of their earphones and they are all rebranded OEM models (as can be seen by the B2 which is identical to the DBA-02). If you look at the new MEElectronics A161P, you will see it's a rebrand of an OEM model which is also the Fischer Audio SBA-03. Unfortunately we have no control over who decides to use that OEM model, and neither do the actual companies (like Fischer Audio) unless they have a contract in place with that OEM manufacturer.
The price differences are quite significant, I agree, and naturally people will go for the cheaper priced one. Especially as they sound identical. We most likely will never be able to directly compete with companies that are based out of Asia, because we have to pay tax and run through several legal channels which hits us with bigger overheads than a simple operation in Asia. The only thing we can offer over those brands is (we hope, or so people have said) a great customer service and delivery service. The shipping prices aren't cheap, but you get them within 48 hours and there are never any issues with that. Added to the fact you don't pay tax when they come into the country.
We will never be able to do anything about the disparities in prices other than discuss it with Fischer Audio and see if they want to come to a compromise, but even then it could be months till a decision is met. We will continue to supply Fischer Audio because people prefer to go for them as a brand in general, and they do have a slight design change which makes them quite a bit nicer than the HM5s."
I think many of us who have been debating this can rest pretty well assured that these 3 models are in fact the same product (the newer, nicer cup design from FA notwithstanding).
That they took the time to write a response, nay, an opus like this makes me wish the price disparity wasn't quite so great, as it really makes me want to patronize Frogbeats.
