The JVC HA-S500.. Appreciation, fan thread. - Page 192

Hmm, well I guess from your listening list, personally for me, the S500 doesn't really shine in classical and rock. Pop and house however they sound really good to me, some pop has annoying sibilance and highs, these will tame the highs well. I don't really get sweaty ears, though I live in a relatively hot climate country (Malaysia), but I understand when people say they do get it as the cans are closed and sealed with pleather pads.

 

The DT 235 looks pretty stiff to me. As for the S500, I'm pretty sure there are no fakes yet on the market, so the only thing you need to take heed now is the seller's rating. You can either buy them off ebay or amazon, should be ok.

 

cyloh did try to use the HM5 pads with the stock pads and he reported back that it still sounded good as full sized cans. I will try the HM5 mod cyloh did since we're living in the same state. I'll probably do the HM5 pads mod too, but I've got this new DAC + Tubeamp and now my Goldring DR150 sounds so much better than the S500 that I'm kinda hesitating to continue spending on them.

 

But we'll see how it goes.

Researching the bass lens and came across this
http://www.head-fi.org/t/452404/just-listened-to-some-fostex-t50rps-today-wow/4575#post_7873421

Funny how this is exactly what I was doing in theory
Edit: the S500s respond well to this technique
Edited by musubi1000 - 11/7/12 at 8:32am

Anyone know how these headphones, with ath pleathers, would fare with alternative style music for example red hot chili peppers? And maybe genres like Linkin Park (punk) too?

ath pad came in today. I'll see if these truly make a difference when I get home.

Okay, so I don't quite know how I'm feeling about the ATH pads as of yet. It does open the sound significantly of the S500, but it also reduces the bass by quite a bit. I won't say they're a wash yet, but the S500 goes through a drastic change without the stock pads.

 

After owning them for just two days, I still can't wear the S500 for more than an hour or two before my ears hurt. They're my first on-ear headphones, so I'm hoping I'll get used to them.

 

I have no experience with the others.

Well, just bought the AKG pads!

EDIT: What's the comfort on these?
Edited by gopanthersgo1 - 11/7/12 at 7:49pm

Stock pads? If so, the ATH pleathers are more comfortable (and IMO, sounds really awesome).

 

 

The stock pads did hurt my ears too. The ATH pads are quite comfortable. No more on the ear. It's over the ear now.

which pads would you guys recommend for me
theres the ATH-SJ5 DJ pleather, AKG K518DJ, ATH-ESW9, or HD25 Pleather pads

edit: perferably around ear
and my second need would be that it maintains the level of bass and extension (i listen to more pop/ house)

seems like the ath pleather and hd25 pads are more mid oriented, esw9 pads have more bass impact?
Edited by fuzzyash - 11/7/12 at 8:00pm

These headphones are perfect for alternative music. The Red Hot Chili Peppers sound great to me. I'm mainly a metal guy, but alternative sounds WAY better than metal in these so far. I assume that's because they aren't fully burnt in yet, I feel as if metal is the last thing to sound great during the burn in process. Linkin Park sounds insane! I was listening to In the End and I can't believe how good it sounds.

Yes, these phones are "fun" and they handle fun music very well.  That being said, mainstream music (no offense, i find it catchy too), rap/hip-hop, electronica, techno and the like just shine on the S500.  Im currently jamming out to Rustie and Lupe Fiasco pretty regularly.  

I don't think I've fully burnt these in, but I find them pretty disappointing for rock music so far. Electronic stuff is amazing, but I find that there's so much vocal and guitar stuff that I can no longer hear that I used to hear on a pair of Sennheiser HD205 headphones, which weren't exactly great headphones by any stretch of the imagination. I feel like I'm missing some meaty mids with these phones, even though othes say they aren't recessed.

I'm also personally finding the treble too much for me and I'm hoping they'll tame with continued burn-in. It's not quite sibilance, but just harsh to me. I am quite sensitive to treble, though, so i dont think it's a problem for everyone. That said, the treble is great for bringing out texture and detail and is especially good for watching movies. Same goes for the bass - phenomenal for movies and electronic.

And yes, I am using different pads. I actually tore the ones off of my HD205s for the sake of comfort. It decreased the bass a bit, which isn't really a problem for me and they opened up a bit more, too. And I can wear them forever now .

I'd be interested in finding out what opening the backs of these would do for sound stage and whatnot, but I have a feeling the treble would be even more emphasized.

Your ears sound like mine in terms of sensitivity to treble. Putting various velour pads on these as well as jury rigging the drivers into a cheap open heaphone resulted in PAIN.. You quickly loose your enthusiasm about the airy open sound when your ears start to bleed

Naw it isn't that bad but if you find them bright now, don't even try opening them up.