So I've had the HM5s for about a month now.  I use them on my morning and evening commute every weekday, so about 1.5 hours a day -- with weekend use, call it roughly 8 hours a week.   Over that time, I have really grown fond of these cans.  My initial concerns about "loudness" in the...

Quote:   That's exactly what I was trying to communicate -- there just isn't a lot of space between the instruments.  Of course, this is the first set of closed-back cans I've had in about 30 years, so I have no idea if this is typical of the type.   One thing I did notice, though, is...

The HM5 definitely are not as warm as the 650s.  But they both have a very smooth, non-fatiguing treble, but not so rolled off that you feel you are missing out on detail.   No doubt the 650s are the more refined of the two -- but that shouldn't even be a question.

Have not flown, but have worn them on the NYC subway.  They are ok at isolation.  Certainly better than the open-backed HD650s I had been using (yes, I am crazy.)   You can still hear some of the rumble, but it is relegated to the background.  For the most part, I don't find it interferes...

Finally got my HM5s in the mail yesterday.  Listened to them at work yesterday and was really pleased with the sound.  Running from my ipod through my JDS Cmoy Amp.  Really like the sound.  I do see a similarity to the signature of the 650s.  Nice clarity, perhaps a touch more treble, but not...

I ended up with the Brainwavz HM5.  After a month wait, I got them yesterday.  So far am very pleased with the sound.  They are big, but I don't mind wearing full size on the subway.  In the past have used in the subway Grado SR125s, AKG 240S and, most recently Senn HM650s.   The Brainwavz...

At long last, my Brainwavz are in hand! Have not listened to them yet, but initial impression is they are very light, yet feel well built.  Nice clean look to them as well.  Tried them on and they are quite comfortable, although with a fairly strong clamping force.   Can't wait to actually...

I paid the extra for EMS.  Although I thought that was a private courier service like UPS or FedEx, it is actually express mail from Hong Kong.  I got a Hong Kong Mail tracking number, but if you enter it into USPS.com, you get more detailed information about where it is in the US.   Mine...

From USPS.com:   Processed Through Sort Facility     March 29, 2012,     11:31 am       ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)      My HM5s are in New York City!  I am in New York City!  It's only a matter of time now.   Hoping they are delivered with the late mail today...

So I noticed in my tracking information is says to check it through the hongkongpost.com website.  The tracking number begins with an EA.  They also say that tracking information may not be available for 5 business days.   However, I paid extra for EMS shipping.  Is EMS related to Hong Kong...

So what exactly is the deal with wood cups?  Is there a dramatic improvement in the sound?  And more importantly, I am planning on using the HM5s in a portable setting.  Can you use wood cups in a portable setting?  Will they withstand the elements, especially light rain?  Or are they really...

Quote: I got my shipping notice also.  I put the pre-order discount towards the expedited courier shipping so I'm hoping to have the Brainwavz at some point this week!  

From MP4Nation Forum Admin:     Brainwavz HM3 and HM5 now in stock, we will extend the preorder price till end of Sunday.   Woo hoo!  Finally!  Shipping is imminent.  Been waiting since middle of February here.

What was it you said earlier?  "Please read more carefully in the future"?  Looks like we are all guilty of that.   Quote:   So where is the part about you not noticing the 650s flaws without having heard other cans?   Lawyered.  

You said that, before you had listened to the likes of the T1 and other $1,000+ cans mentioned, that you did not realized the flaws in the HD650 sound.  Thus, the 650s on their own, do not seem to exhibit the flaws you mentioned, but rather they are only noticed on comparison to the more...

Quote: You are comparing a set of cans that retails for $500 (and until recently, could be easily found for quite a bit less) with three cans that are between $1,000 and $1,300.  Of course the ones that cost between two and three times more should sound better.  But that is hardly a...

The wife is at dinner with friends.  The baby is asleep.  And I am enjoying a glass of red wine while listening to Damien Rice through the HD650s powered by the Little Dot MKIV.   No critical listening or trying to find flaws in the equipment or the recording.  Just relaxing and enjoying...

If you can do in-ear monitors, the Etymotic 4S is very flat.  The portable 4P is also quite flat, but there is, I believe, a bit of bass boost.

I have a Little Dot MKIV that I use with my HD650s and it is fantastic.  There is more than enough power.  I leave the gain set to either 4 or 5 and I rarely find myself potting past 10:30.  I have turned it all the way up to 3 or 4 and it gets blisteringly loud without really a trace of...

Wow.  Since this is taking a turn for the metaphysical, I'm going to jump into the deep end...   ::Takes a puff::   Are you sure that you ever actually had that set-up at all?  Maybe it was just a figment of someone else's dream, man.   ::Passes it on::

Every time I think I'm out, they pull me right back in again.   I love my PSB speakers -- have had them for over 10 years now.   Those cans look very interesting and promising.   Will be on the look out for reviews.

Quote: Don't be so sensitive.  I think what Il Mostro was responding to was your characterization of my and one other's comments that Ety sound quality was not their strong point.  Reread the posts and you will find that not to be the case.  

I've owned two pairs of Ety 4Ps and (I think) the 5 (keep losing the damn things).   I disagree that sound quality is not their strong point.  To the contrary, they are excellent sound quality and, as I said, when you get a proper seal (which can take some practice) are almost perfectly...

The Etymotic 4 series IEMs do an amazing job of sound isolation.  Although, like most IEMs, they can get uncomfortable after a while.   In addition, the sound, when you get a good seal, is almost perfectly flat.  Like almost uncannily flat.  Fantastic if that's what you're looking for, but...

IMO, save your money.  The ever so slightly incremental improvement that aftermarket cables provide (if any) is not worth the expense.  I say "if any" because I do not believe there have been any tests with any scientific method/accuracy that shows the effects/benefits of aftermarket cables.  ...