How does it rank compared so the mdr1 momentums and the p5's?
 
Any good

I've been in the head-fi niche for a little over 4 years now and have owned over 40 pairs of headphones during that time.  If you see any of my current posts today, you will see that I still strongly recommend the Creative Aurvana Live to people getting into the hobby, as I still consider them probably the best valued headphones.
 
I haven't heard the momentums and P5s, but have owned the MDR-1Rs in the past.  I think it's a bit unfair to compare the CAL to these other headphones, as it only costs a fraction of the cost, but audio-quality wise, I think the CAL can definitely hold its own to the MDR-1Rs.  the MDR-1Rs are definitely more sexy in its design and are quite the looker, but I think they are way overpriced at the 180-200 dollar range.  The CAL shares a similar sound signature to the MDR1Rs in that they are somewhat laid back with strong mid bass emphasis, and I would say perform at about 90% of that of the MDR1-1r.  Drawbacks of the CAL is that the build feels fragile, and its cable feels kind of thin and puny and non removeable.  However, the CAL occasionally dips down to the 60 dollar range on Amazon, and for that price I think its a steal.

my first "good headphones"
 
they're just as good as they were several years ago. excellent sound quality, very solid comfort, better bass than expected, but poor build quality and a short cable
 
if the price weren't so inconsistent they might be one of the top two or three recs on this site.

ninjames said:

  my first "good headphones"
 
they're just as good as they were several years ago. excellent sound quality, very solid comfort, better bass than expected, but poor build quality and a short cable
 
if the price weren't so inconsistent they might be one of the top two or three recs on this site.

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At what price would you say they are a good deal

speakers said:

  At what price would you say they are a good deal

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they're $80 right now, but they've been lower. In my opinion, they are well worth 80 and I don't think I can name better headphones at $80. but again, they've been lower. There's just no way to tell when they're gonna be lower. i purchased mine on July 11, 2011 for instance .. for $60.

ninjames said:

  they're $80 right now, but they've been lower. In my opinion, they are well worth 80 and I don't think I can name better headphones at $80. but again, they've been lower. There's just no way to tell when they're gonna be lower. i purchased mine on July 11, 2011 for instance .. for $60.

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How do they stack up to some of the more popular higher priced headphones 

I find them to be better than the brainwavz hm5, and probably equivalent to the athm50 (m50s are better build quality but more uncomfortable)

They sound great, how is the soundstage and imaging?

I have not heard the CAL but I own the Noontec Zoro HD (got for $50) and have seen several reviews comparing them to the CAL, all of them said the Zoro HD is at least as good.

garypham said:

I find them to be better than the brainwavz hm5, and probably equivalent to the athm50 (m50s are better build quality but more uncomfortable)

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za warudo said:

I have not heard the CAL but I own the Noontec Zoro HD (got for $50) and have seen several reviews comparing them to the CAL, all of them said the Zoro HD is at least as good.

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How is the imaging and soundstage Gary?
How good do you find the noontec, i read the reviews but i just dont like the looks

imo, the imaging and soundstage is average for a closed pair of headphones.  In this aspect, open headphones will always trump closed headphones just due to design.  I no longer own my pair of CAL, but i roughly remember it having better soundstage than M50s.  The CAL however, are very comfortable and have a very pleasant overall sound signature which I found to be very pleasant with most genres of music without ever leaving me feeling fatigued.