The JVC HA-S500.. Appreciation, fan thread. - Page 204

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Originally Posted by fuzzyash 



jvc fxz 100/200?

Not any use to me....I can't use IEM's. 

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Originally Posted by penmarker 

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Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca 

I don't hear anything like a veil.

 

The S500 has occasional problems with some highs, compared to the DT 990 and HD 650, but usually they're really good.

I'm glad I'm not out of my mind. Although not totally. What amp are you pairing the S500s with?

Currently, I have two setups.

• JDS Labs' ODAC + O2 combo; and
• Behringer UCA-222 + Matrix M-Stage.

The M-Stage is a good sounding amplifier although not quite the performer that the ODAC+O2 is. It tends to smooth out those naughty bits. The ODAC+O2 is ruthless. On to the S500:

When the soprano soloist hits the high notes in in "Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis", especially in movements 22 and 28, it can be piercing and uncomfortable. You could verify it for yourself except it's an obscure piece of music which I wouldn't recommend to anyone who isn't a dedicated fan of Baroque music. The '990 (and '650) sail right through ... at 5x (and 7x) the price..

I did find some other high-pitched noise with the S500. After a short comparison, I heard the '650 and '990 (with both setups) making similar sounds. They're not quite the same, but it wasn't good on any of them. Can't blame headphones for a bad recording.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keegster396 

How do you guys think the S500 fares against the ath-m50s?

In my opinion?

I had the M50 for two days, listened to them, and took very good care of them. I didn't really care for them. Then they went back into the box to become a birthday present for an IEM-wearing friend. His wife really likes them.

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Originally Posted by Keegster396 

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Originally Posted by gideonMorrison 

Well since the m50's suck hardcore, logic tells me the s500 must be better.

Lol that's two votes for the JVCs. How bout s500 vs. higher end stuff like hd598, Q701, K550? I know some of those are open or semi-open, but I'm curious about what league of headphones I would have to get into to get something better than the S500.

Maybe the Fostex T50RP at ~$95? They definitely have a different sound.

Originally, I thought they were good. I went through a few weeks of being disappointed with them. Now, I'm impressed again.

so ATH pleather or HM5 pads? Pleather still king? do the HM5 pads even fit? or requires modding?

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Originally Posted by Blinxat 

How do these compare to high end sets like HD25, DT1350, maybe V-Moda M80?
 

Having both VModa M80 and JVC HA-S500.

What i can say M80 is considered neutral headset. imho, it is what song/music should be played.

S500 is forward and loud. It is what people want to hear from the song/music :)

I'll give impression on HD25-1 ii later. it is still on the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by izaku 

I'll give impression on HD25-1 ii later. it is still on the way.

Interested in that comparison! Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Keegster396 


Lol that's two votes for the JVCs. How bout s500 vs. higher end stuff like hd598, Q701, K550? I know some of those are open or semi-open, but I'm curious about what league of headphones I would have to get into to get something better than the S500.

Let me put it that way - did NOT hear the 3 cans in question, bar 701 I hated to death. Stax Lambda Pro and AKG K1000 are the "opposition" to JVC here.  Except for the tiny little soundstage - HA-S500 are not that far behind overall as to render themselves for seldom going to phones. They best both of the high end designs in dynamic range - at least equaling them at soft volume and exceeding them at full throttle. One thing you will absolutely have to do is replacing the stock pads - see whatever description of reported SQ is most down your lane and get those pads. And - most important - burn them in as well as you possibly can. 

My honeymoon phase, as someone put it a couple of posts ago, is over. Since bigamism in headphones is not considered bad or crime, I am happy to report  HA-S500 has been accepted as a member in my "harem" - for good.

My HA-S500s are no longer in stock condition. Nothing irreversible done to them by now - I am sytill trying to improve their sound without having to go to the irreversible mod(s). One area that definitely need some more work to be done on are the plastic cups - by far the worse part of HA-S500 - they do not do justice to the superb drivers at all. 

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Originally Posted by Achmedisdead 

Me too! 

MUCH more $$$, I am afraid. At least with stock cans.

Something a dedicated modifier might be capable of doing is Fostex T50RP and mod them to his/hers liking, for a total outlay of say twice the cost of HA-S500 - that has a chance of beating overall SQ of the HA-S500. Detail and precision of the HA-S500 drivers, particularly in the high(er) range(s) is so high most, if not all other dynamic cans, have trouble matching. Which leaves orthodynamics and electrostatics as likely candidates for even higher SQ - of these, T50RP are the least expensive and can be powered by similar amps that drive HA-S500 well.

Can someone compare these to the Denon D 2000 and Sennheiser Hd 25-II.