ThurstonX
Headphoneus Supremus
How do you find the imaging of the HM5 pads? I think they are not angled like the Focus pads?
I always think the Hifiman phones could use some more extreme angled pad to bring the sound stage forward. I am already using the angled pads, plus the crossfeed function of my Corda Classic amp to bring the sound stage forward of my head. But with most music I still have this weird sound stage feeling of having the singer/guitarist on stage in front of me, but with the drummer playing beside/behind me. I think this is because of the relatively large hifiman drivers which makes a large amount of sound behind ears.
My Sony SA3000, and the newly acquired SR325e (being on-ears) both have their drivers placed in front of ears to have the correct bass image.
I'd have to do a direct comparison listening for that. I was listening to a few things last night that I'm familiar with, and which I think demonstrate a headphones' imaging, a things were placed in space where I expected them. So the HM5 pads passed that test. If I get a chance today, I'll do the same with both pads and get back to you.
My HM5 pads are slightly angled using crescent-shaped inserts cut from the thickest Creatology non-adhesive foam (website says 6 mm thick, but it's really 5 mm), and back vents made using the thinner self-adhesive foam. I don't think I'd use thicker or double-stacked foam on the vents, but I might try thicker crescent inserts to steepen the angle.
I've got DIY pads that are angled at least as much as the FocusPads, but the sound stage is still mostly width. Vocals are more between the ears than in front of me. By comparison, the HE-560s excel at both staging and imaging; much more 3D.