[Swoosh]

What does it matter if they're all the same? The HM5 are an awesome pair of headphones and you won't regret buying them.
 

 

[SteveSatch]

I just listened to many Beatles songs and I could hear no distortion.  All my listening has been with ipod with LOD to Fiio E11 to HM5.  My ipod files are ripped at 320 bitrate...I rip my files for my two channel setup for use with Squeezebox and actual speakers as lossless FLAC, but I don't use my headphones on this setup.  Anyway, my ears haven't heard anything on 320 bitrate mp3 files.

 

[treal512]

Quote:

A little premature don't you think?
 
I have the HM5 and haven't noticed any distortion.  I'd like to know from headphonatic:
 - what's his source?
 - what are his source files (eg properly ripped from CD)?  What bitrate?
 - how loud is he listening?
 
FTR - I have zero distortion at normal listening levels - HM5 direct from iPhone or iPhone+E11, or desktop with NFB-12.  Portable is all 256aac (originally ripped from CD and transcoded properly using dbaudiopoweramp).  Desktop is all FLAC.  I have Queen's Greatest Hits - and it sounds fine to me.
 
BTW - the actual review (from TrustedReviews) stated this:
 
 
It never said anywhere that the sound was distorted - and he didn't even really call them harsh either.  If he was used to the rolled off treble of some of the Senns - it speaks for itself.  These are not (IMO) harsh or distorted.
 
Just setting the record straight.

What is a little premature? Whatever you think it is, no, I don't think it is, Brooko. I have a pre-order booked and I'd like to know what kind of product I'm getting.
 
I asked him if he could provide details on said distortion. The FA-003 thread mirror was labeled as a "initial report" with a source attached for reference. My point in linking the two phones was to see if there were any similar reports considering these are virtually sister headphones. So no, not really considering this is what headphonatic said:
 
 

He is somewhat right, the Hm5's aren't very smooth in the upper mids. They are kinda slow in the upper mids, i have had distortion some where in that area.

 
From the replies, it would seem this is more than likely an isolated incident.

 

[Brooko]

Quote:

What is a little premature? Whatever you think it is, no, I don't think it is, Brooko. I have a pre-order booked and I'd like to know what kind of product I'm getting.  

What I meant was your comment on the previous page ......
 
"Distortion?? Wat? Did you all buy these new? How long ago? Please provide more details when you can. I may cancel my pre-order!!"
 
Even the review thay linked to said nothing about distortion.  There has never been any comment about distortion on any HM5 thread I've read, Then along comes headphonatic with one comment - and you're talking about possibly canceling your pre-order?  Like I said - it may be a little premature .......
 
I don't know what headphonatic's issue is - but I think you'll find the vast majority who've ordered these are really enjoying them - and I don't think it's an issue (speaking from first hand experience).  I hope this helps.

 

[treal512]

The resulting posts have helped show that it is more than likely isolated with headphonatic. Yours, not really. I'd still like to hear from him to see what he is doing to produce this distortion though.

 

[SteveSatch]

Quote:

The resulting posts have helped show that it is more than likely isolated with headphonatic. Yours, not really. I'd still like to hear from him to see what he is doing to produce this distortion though.

Agreed.  I wonder what bitrate of files he is listening to and how loud.

 

[keanex]

I've not experienced any distortion through my HM5, I would chalk any claims of it up to the source or something in the chain.

 

[headphonatic]

Quote:

A little premature don't you think?
 
I have the HM5 and haven't noticed any distortion.  I'd like to know from headphonatic:
 - what's his source?
 - what are his source files (eg properly ripped from CD)?  What bitrate?
 - how loud is he listening?
 
FTR - I have zero distortion at normal listening levels - HM5 direct from iPhone or iPhone+E11, or desktop with NFB-12.  Portable is all 256aac (originally ripped from CD and transcoded properly using dbaudiopoweramp).  Desktop is all FLAC.  I have Queen's Greatest Hits - and it sounds fine to me.
 
BTW - the actual review (from TrustedReviews) stated this:
 
 
It never said anywhere that the sound was distorted - and he didn't even really call them harsh either.  If he was used to the rolled off treble of some of the Senns - it speaks for itself.  These are not (IMO) harsh or distorted.
 
Just setting the record straight.

It's nothing too bad, I finally found out it was actually the files that were bad when I tested them out on my friend's speakers, CODE GREEN guys. Other than that the HM5's have no distortion. I listen to 320 kbps mp3's BTW
 

 

[treal512]

 
Alright, thanks for the follow-up!

 

[129207]

OMG MY PAIR OF HM5-003-CD880-LINDYRAYCARFABRAINWAVZ HAVE SO MUCH DISTORTION RIGHT NOW CANCEL YOUR PREORDER NOAW!!!
 
(listening to 64kbps rips of distorted guitars)

 

[ironstar]

I saw only HM3s on sale here. Sad no HM5s.

 

[atomikn00b]

Quote:

OMG MY PAIR OF HM5-003-CD880-LINDYRAYCARFABRAINWAVZ HAVE SO MUCH DISTORTION RIGHT NOW CANCEL YOUR PREORDER NOAW!!!
 
(listening to 64kbps rips of distorted guitars)

i'd like this if i could.
but yes. no distortion on my end either
 

 

[jipan]

So I take it the upper mid of HM5 is just like what the review from trustedreviews.com said (not overly smooth like sennheiser)? Just another proof than Lindy=HM5, I guess.
----------------------
Now I'm even eager for HM5, previously I'm thinking between Senn HD518 or HM5. In fact, I can save, like 20-22 dollars by going for HM5.
Can't wait!!!

 

[t-800]

Well I ordered my HM5's at mp4nation, hope it does not take too long for them to ship.

 

[RipR0arin]

I listen to flac files and notice no distortion.