Creative Aurvana Live! vs Brainwavz HM5

[lemons]

Hi,
 
First post, so please be nice.
 
I am not particularly musically orientated, but have made a legitimate attempt to search for a new pair of headphones for music/gaming purposes.  Both these headphones receive favourable reviews, so some expert help/some opinions of people who have experienced both headphones would be awesome.
 
I have read about the Superlux HD668B as a decent alternative, as well as the JVC HARX700, but both these models seem hard to procure for a reasonable price.
 
Thus, I have narrowed my options (I am still open to others) to the Creative Aurvana Live! and Brainwavz HM5, both of which can be had for around $80-$90.  Which are the better headphones for the price (especially in relation to sound)?
 
*Note:  My requirements are:
-Decent sound
-Detachable 3.5mm cable
-Comfort
-Decent build quality
 
Thanks.

 

[KG Jag]

I have the CAL! and the Brainwavz is on the way.
 
I'm not sure where you can get a new Brainwavz for $90 or less.  So if you know where, please spill it to us.  The CAL! is currently almost $75 at Amazon, but not long ago went for the low to mid $50's.
 
If you can get the HM 5 for $90 or less, jump on it (if it is legit).
 
With the normal spread of $52 to $75 for CAL! and $120 to $140 for the HM 5.  It's a budget vs. additional value calculation and reasonable minds will differ.  Even going sound unheard on HM 5--and relying strictly on reviews, both formal and informal--I would to the the HM 5.

 

[syNRG]

HM5s are excellent. Just got mine literally a few hours ago. They're AMAZING
1. Sound quality is excellent for me. But i'm no audiophile
2. The cord is detatchable
3. Comfort on the HM5s are excellent
4. Build quality is pretty good. They feel and look sturdy.
This was really brief but check out my impressions here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/603245/brainwavz-hm5s-are-here-unboxing-and-impressions

 

[lemons]

Cheers for the responses.
 
I'm in Aus, and here is an example from a local retailer:
 
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA2065
 
I am not sure if is the HM5 now though, it says 'generic'. Would anyone know if these are the real deal?  They sure do look the same.

 

[Llloyd]

Even though it's not HM5, it's extremely likely to be the same headphone.  there are many iterations of the HM5 for varying prices under different names.  It's been discussed around here before.  I think in the hm5 review thread.

 

[lemons]

I had a look, but I could not find anything concrete about different versions of the HM5 that are guaranteed to have the same driver, so I am unsure.

 

[Llloyd]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/586430/ficher-audio-fa-003-brainwavz-hm5-lindy-premium-hi-fi-headphones-what-differences-what-similarities-which-of-these-to-choose

 

[MattTCG]

I might be a buyer of the hm5 <$100. It's just one of those hp's that I'm on the fence about. I'm sure they will turn up on the for sale forum here soon...

 

[lemons]

Quote:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/586430/ficher-audio-fa-003-brainwavz-hm5-lindy-premium-hi-fi-headphones-what-differences-what-similarities-which-of-these-to-choose

Thanks for the link, but it is still not 100% clear; however, more people are leaning towards them being the same than not.
 
 

 

[Llloyd]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/591028/on-the-hm5-fa-003-lindy-hi-fi-thing
 
here's another one.  I remember the general consensus was that nobody could prove they were actually different headphones in any way.  It's probably just an asian OEM that gets slapped with different brands.  I remember seeing the unmarked ones before, and yeah, they're extremely similar.

 

[shadow419]

OEM :  http://www.yoga.com.tw/style/content/CN-10-2c/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2000&name_id=78835&rid=45198&id=292588

 

[lemons]

Thanks for the links; it is now clear that these headphones are likely to be the generic/unbranded OEM.

 

[syNRG]

Quote:

Cheers for the responses.
 
I'm in Aus, and here is an example from a local retailer:
 
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA2065
 
I am not sure if is the HM5 now though, it says 'generic'. Would anyone know if these are the real deal?  They sure do look the same.

I'm in australia too. Just go to jaycar. They're reputable and the only reason i went with the HM5s was 'cos i ordered them a few hours after someone told me about the ones at jaycar  
The only difference is what's in the package. To my knowledge, the HM5s have a few more accessories in the box than some other brands such as lindy's and Fischer
 

 

[lemons]

Quote:

I'm in australia too. Just go to jaycar. They're reputable and the only reason i went with the HM5s was 'cos i ordered them a few hours after someone told me about the ones at jaycar  
The only difference is what's in the package. To my knowledge, the HM5s have a few more accessories in the box than some other brands such as lindy's and Fischer
 

Nice! Haha.  Where did you purchase yours from?  Also, kudos for updating your progress with them
 
 

 

[syNRG]

Quote:

Nice! Haha.  Where did you purchase yours from?  Also, kudos for updating your progress with them
 
 

Got mine from MP4nation
Got fedex shipping and only took 5 days from the day fedex picked them up from mp4nation, to when i was able to pick them up (or you might get home delivery-i didn't because i wasn't going to be home during delivery hours) 
Overall, i love them Got the fiio e11 amp for a discounted price, which doesn't really help the headphones in terms of amping. But the bass boost is needed for me since i listen to a lot of hip-hop and rap. There's the link: they still have the fiio e10, e11 and e6 if you purchase the HM5s
http://mp4nation.net/catalog/brainwavz-hm5-studio-monitor-headphones-p-663.html?zenid=98b503fd1bfa66420f7e12d71fa186e9
Update us on what you get