Looking forward to your detailed comparisons between ZMF Ori and Brainwavz HM5 angled leather pads!
Here's a quick comparison of the ZMF Ori pads and the HM5 angled leather pads.
The HM5 pads are more angled, being thicker in the back and thinner in the front. This is probably more pronounced in practice, as the HM5 pads use stiffer leather, and possibly stiffer foam. The Ori pads with the lambskin (currently all that's available) and the foam they use win out in terms of comfort. Being softer, they should compress more, bringing the cups slightly closer to one's ears. Sound-wise they're basically the same in a cursory listen. If one is scientifically inclined, one could, no doubt, find differences worth mentioning. Not my bag, baby. I'm all about maximizing listening pleasure. Never even bothered with the Sound Science forums herein
Truly, I used a standard set of test songs of varied character and could not detect any notable differences in a single pass with each pair of pads.
I couldn't mount the HM5 pads on my HE-560 due to a few factors I can't be bothered to correct right now. Certainly they can be mounted, but I can't speak to that pesky problem of clearance under the yokes. The Ori pads are so comfortable on the HE-560 that I won't be trying others anytime soon. So, listening comparisons were done with the HE-5LE. They really are exceptional cans, once properly modded IMO. They're more balanced and detailed than the HE-560, which I prefer over the HE-500. That I scored a pair for $350+ just shows great deals can be had if one is patient, and a bit lucky.
So, if I were debating between the Ori pads and the HM5 angled leather pads, I'd spend the extra $10 or whatever and get the Oris. This is not meant as a knock against the HM5 pads. Indeed, I won't be ordering another pair of Oris immediately, if ever. For me, being able to roll both pairs on two of my three HiFiMAN cans is great, and that I've FINALLY found a pair of GREAT pads that can be mounted and unmounted on the HE-560 with relative ease makes the Oris an absolute must-have, and a bargain to boot. I'm not joking when I say I've probably spent more on pads than the bloody HE-5LE
But that's this hobby/passion for ya.