Introduction
The Brainwavz HM5 is a closed dynamic circumaural head-phone which appears to be a clone of the Fischer Audio FA-003. There is also another similar clone by Lindy. OEM/ODM manufacturer appears to be Yoga Electronics. Response from owners at the moment suggest that the HM5 / FA-003 / Lindy sound similar/same.
Pre-amble (about me)
I'm a 44 year old music lover. I don't say audiophile - just love my music. Over the last couple of years, I have slowly changed from cheaper listening set-ups to my current entry/mid-fi set-up. I vary my listening from portable (i-devices + amp) to my desk-top's set-up (PC > coax > NFB-12 > HP). My main headphones at the time of writing are the Sennheiser HD600s, HM5's, a modded set of Alessandro MS1i, and a set of B2 IEMs. I previously owned Beyer DT880, Shure SRH840 and 940 + various other IEMs. I have auditioned quite a few entry and mid-tier cans, but have yet to hear any flagships (at current time of writing this review). I have very eclectic music tastes listening to a variety - from classical and opera to grunge and hard-rock. I listen to a lot of blues, jazz, folk music, classic rock, and alternative rock. I am particularly fond of female vocals. I tend toward cans that are relatively neutral/balanced - with a slight emphasis on the mid-range. I prefer a little warmth in the overall signature. I am neither a bass or treble head. Current amps = NFB12, GoVibe PortaTube, Fiio E11. Previous desktop set-up was a Fiio E7/E9 combo.
Gear used in this review
- Brainwavz HM5
- Sennheiser HD600
- Alessandro MS1i FWJ
- iPod4 + Fiio E11
- Audiogd NFB-12
I chose the HD600 for a comparison, as in other reviews, the FA-003 was often compared sonically to the HD600. This was in fact the main reason I bought it.
Packaging and Accessories
I purchased my HM5's from MP4nation. They come with a nice and well padded canvas case (similar to the case that I had for my DT880's), spare pads, a long (3m) and short (1.3m) cable, airplane adpator, and a 3.5-6.3mm adapter.
Technical Specifications :
Nominal impedance = 64Ω
Transducer = principle dynamic 42mm, closed
Ear coupling = circumaural
Frequency range = 10 - 26500 Hz
Sensitivity = 105 dB at 1 mW
Rated input power 100 mW
Weight w/o cable = 280 g
Weight w/1.3 cable = 323 g
Weight w/3.0 cable = 363 g
Jack plug = 3,5mm stereo with 6,3 mm screw-on adaptor
Frequency Response Graphs (+ others) - From InnerFidelity - FA-003 (none available currently for the HM5)
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FischerAudioFA003.pdf
Build / Comfort / Isolation
At first glance, the HM5 look as though they should be quite heavy. What is surprising is how light they are, and how light they feel once worn.
The headband looks similar to the Beyer DDT880 Pro. The head-band padding is adequate, and more importantly it is shaped to actually fit your head (Shure - this is how a headband should be). The extenders are metal, seem very solid and are adjustable with a solid click. The arms (to connect the cup) are a molded plastic - appears reasonably strong. The cups can be easily disconnected - so as long as parts were available, it would be easy to replace anything broken.
The cups are nicely shaped - and for my ears are completely circumaural. The pads are very thick - almost exactly one inch - but also very soft. This keeps the ear well away from the transducer. The clamp is quite tight, but due to the softness of the pads, once they've been on for a while, I don't really notice them. The pads are removed from the cup by a quarter twist, and are easily replaceable.
The rear of the cups can be removed by undoing 4 micro screws. This exposes the rear of the driver - but more importantly allows modding and also, should allow fitting of the Fischer wooden cups if so desired.
Because of the clamp and the thickness of the pads, isolation is very good. Not to the level of my B2 IEMs - but as good as I have had with a closed can. When I next travel around the world (later this year) I am definitely taking these - as they seem to be ideal (especially with having the airline adaptor) for long-haul travel.
The cable is replaceable, and the plugs are reassuringly snug fitting. To me they look like a standard 3.5mm mono plug - but it is the molding at the and which would have to be duplicated if you wanted to make a DIY cable. Fortunately the cables appear extremely sturdy and you are supplied with one at 1.3m (which I find very good for portable), and a 3m length if you require more cable for a desktop / home system.
Overall, these are very comfortable - with one small complaint - due to the thickness and softness of the pads, combined with the clamp, they can get quite warm after extended use. The good news is that the Fischer FA-003 velours should fit them. The hard part may be finding them. Comfort is slightly less than DT880 or Senn HD600 - but definitely in the same league.
Listening Set-up
My main set-up with the HM5 is PC > Coax > NFB-12 (low gain) >HM5. For a portable rig, I use iPhone4 > HM5. For the purposes of this exercise - to compare with the HD600 straight out of the iPod4, I'll also be using the Fiio E11 (via LOD). Note - I initially was going to use my PortaTube for comparison with the HD600 - but the HM5 is so easy to drive that I ran the risk of channel imbalance because I was so low on the pot.
Sound Quality
The HM5 for me are
good for their price. They are quite natural sounding - one of the most natural sounding closed headphone I have heard to date (with only issue being some hollowness in the bass - more on that later). They seem reasonably well balanced across the spectrum - with good extension at both ends. There is some sparkle at the top end - but it's not enough to overly exaggerate the highs. A quick summary of the main sound quality headings:
Detail/Clarity - Detail is good - but quite not as detailed as the HD600 (or the DT880). They are very clear though - and sound very good especially with acoustic instruments. They do appear to be a little more forward than the HD600 - and do exhibit a little more reverb - which for me sits them below the HD600 in terms of overall refinement and clarity. For the cost - the level of clarity is good.
Sound-stage - Seems reasonably good for a closed can - but not overly expansive or deep. Instrument separation I found quite pleasing. Listening to Julia Fischer playing Tchaikovsky's violin concertos definitely gives a sense of space at first - but when switching to the HD600 you suddenly realise that while they are good for a closed can - they are simply not in the HD600's league for staging, timbre or realism. For a closed can though, they are have a better than average sound-stage.
Highs - Very good. No trace of sibilance or harshness, with good detail. They are slightly more emphasised than the HD600's and give surpisingly good presence. I tend to use jazz now to look specifically for presence in the highs. For this test I was using Diana Krall's "Black Crow" for the contrast between cymbals and piano - and The HM5 handle it very well.
Mids - The HM5 does mids well. They are focussed with a slight hint of warmth - and give a feeling of intimacy - similar to the HD600. For this test I'm listening to Alison Krauss (Paper Airplane). I often use the song 'Dustbowl Children' for comparison - as the acoustics are wonderful. I think the HM5's mids are ever so slightly more forward than the HD600 - but this could be the smaller sounstage. Even with busier tracks, there is no sign of congestion.
Bass - Here's where things get slightly interesting, There is definitely nice extension n the HM5 (as there also is on the HD600). The main difference here is in presentation with the bass on the HD600 being extremely well textured and defined. The HM5 is almost there - but on really punchy tracks it can exhibit a very faint boominess/reverb.
Almost a hollow sound. I have to admit that despite this I do like the HM5's bass. It's there when you need it, and doesn't sound over or under-done. Impact is very good while still retaining balance.
Power Requirements
The HM5 has 64 ohm nominal impedance - but what surprised me is how sensitive these are. They are absolutely ridiculously easy to drive. Straight out of my iPhone (unamped) my 32 ohm MS1is take almost exactly 50% volume for a nice listening volume. The HM5 at 64 ohm use the same volume. They do sound wonderful out of the NFB-12 - but I have to use low gain or they go too low on the pot.
Comparison HM5 vs MS1i and HD600
Hm5 doesn't have the top end of the MS1i - but is quite similar in the mid range, and has more impact in the bass. Compared to the HD600, the HM5 has a little more sparkle up top, again similar mid range (maybe a touch more forward) and the bass is similar - but does not have same texture or refinement. In sound stage comparison, the MS1i is on-stage, the HM5 is front row, and the HD600 is perhaps 4 or 5 rows back. For detail, all 3 headphones have good clarity - with the HD600 ultimately showing better micro detail and placement (as it should). Comparing realism, the MS1i is what I bought it for - an incredibly edgy fun but coloured headphone - ideal for rock and blues - it's not realistic but I love it. The HM5 is closer to the HD600 - but it does not match the naturalness of the HD600, nor the texture or sense of 'being there'. For what it brings to the table in comfort, isolation, and value - that is a pretty good achievement.
Conclusion
The HM5 was not designed to compete with the HD600 - and for the $100-$150 price bracket, it is great value. Compare to other popular cans in it's price bracket - Shure SRH840, ATH M50 etc, I can see the HM5 being an excellent studio monitor, and also a very engaging headphone for private listening. It does well with practically every genre I've tried it with (and that includes classical). I have even used it for gaming - and it does well with both directional acuracy and fun factor. They are quite good for portable use, and I think will be very durable long-term. If I was to sum these up in four words - I would simply say - "Incredible value / great sound. It's not a closed HD600 - but it does share some similar sonic qualities for audio lovers on a budget. Definitely recommend the HM5 as a value proposition for an entry level to quality audio.