Really a great and informative review.
These are hard to beat for the price whe looking for a neutral headphone for both desktop and portable use.
Be sure to look for Yoga Electronics products in the future!

Love your review especially the pictures, already preordered a pair to hopefully arrive at the end of Feb. or early March.

Nice review! I agree, great photo's. I linked this to my main post about the HM5's over on mp4nation,and again, great work!

Fischer Audio = bulk buyer/rebrander of Yoga Electronics, it seems...

Was wondering what is the difference between HM5 vs FA-003?
Is it only the velour pad, or sound quality & build also slightly differ?
Thanks

I haven't heard the FA-003, but it appears all the comparisons done so far indicate that sonically the FA-003, HM5, Lindy and Jaycar version are all same - with slightly differing accessories (eg velour pads on the HM5). Saying this though - the velour pads are bound to make some sort of difference. I tried the HM5 because I needed to know what the fuss was about. I still regard them as good cans for the money - but in the end I sold mine. The slightly hollow / reverby bass got me in the end. I should also add that I no longer own any closed cans now - very happy with my current Beyer DT880s, Grado SR325is and Senn HD600s. They cover all of my bases - and if I want isolation, I just use my IEMs.

I'm looking for a set of portables which I can lug around in my college campus? So far, I'm oscillating between the HM5 (available for $150 USD locally), the V-MODA 80 and the HD25-1 II. How does the Hm5 fare against these? I've heard that both HM5 and the HS25s are bot quite neutral. Which would you recommend over the other?

Hi - sorry, cannot give advice as I have never heard the V-Moda, and only had a very brief listen to the HD25-1 II. Be aware though that the HM5 is full sized circumaural, whilst the other two are more true "portables" - both on-ear rather than over ear. For real portability (ie while out and about), the HM5 IMO would be too big / bulky.

I see. Well, I've been reading on these over the past hour and I'd have to agree. I guess what is attractive about these headphones is that they are priced very aggressively over the HD25 while still being neutral and having good extension in the treble and the bass - not an easy task at such a low price. Were I to go with these, I could easily invest in an a Fiio E11 or E17 and (possibly) get a better deal. Better comfort as well...
But looking at the images, I agree that these would be far too bulky.

They are good value - especially if you consider the equivalent from Jaycar (http://www.jaycar.us/productView.asp?ID=AA2065&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1015#4). So far seem to be same headphone - maybe slight difference in accessories and possibly quality of the pads - do the research on Head-Fi, there are quite a few threads on them. Makes it cheap enough to get both though if you are interested. Have fun!