The JVC HA-S500.. Appreciation, fan thread. - Page 210

You don't get better detail retrieval by simply going from 16/48 to 24/96 though. Here is a good article to read about: link.
Edited by ClieOS - 11/17/12 at 8:06pm

That was a very long but very good read. Yes I agree on the audio game relying on confirmation bias and the placebo effect. 5cm interconnects costing hundreds of dollars will be favored more than radioshack's interconnect. However a lot of people swear on 24 bit having better details and dynamic range and I honestly have no issue with both opinions.
ClieOS I have opened a thread in lowyat.net's audiophile section regarding coaxial and optical connection for DACs and forummer/moderator lex had replied concisely how 24 bit DACs are better, and upsampling audio do help with the quality. I suggest maybe the two of you could have some discussion on this issue and share some of the outcome with us.

Also, can you share your UD100 review link? I'm on my phone now, its quite hard to navigate.

UD100 review is here.

I am not saying 24/96 DAC doesn't provide audible improvement as some of these DAC does have superior design, but it hardly has anything to do with whether it is 16/48 or 24/96 (or 24/192), but more to do with optimizing a particular topology / circuit design to perform at its best. Saying 24/96 must be better is like saying airplane must be better than car as transport, when all you need is to go to 3 block away for grocery.

Wow what a perfect analogy.... If you see me stealing that feel free to take credit for it

It is something I've had to explain a few times.

Do these sound similar to the ATH-M50 with the bass mods and HM5 pads?

IMHO, Better than the M50's, but I only heard the M50's for about 10 minutes at a friends, but a ton of others love the HA-S500 more than the M50's.

Ha, that wasn't so smart of me to comment about the 16 and 24 bit DACs with a sweeping generalization, so I stand corrected.
The hifimediy DAC has some good parts inside, though the implementation is more important than the sum of the parts inside. We'll see how people compare them.
Cyloh compared the HM5 pad mod to the Audio Technica A2000x which is considered a flagship headphone. So from there alone you can judge that the pad modded S500 surpasses the M50 by a large margin. This is without the bass mod mind you.

A lot of S500 owners here also prefer them over the M50, some vice versa. I've only listened to the M30, so I can't comment much on the M50.

**edit: changed the A1000x to A2000x.
Edited by penmarker - 11/18/12 at 1:09am

I own a S400 with HM5 pads and I have never heard a better headphone for under $400. (WITH the pad mod)

 

 

 

First of all the HM5 pad mod makes these headphones one of the most comfortable ever.  Think along the lines of the A1000x except lighter, without the funky weight distribution and without the weird headpads.

When you put the HM5 pads on the first thing you will notice is that suddenly there is this VERY nice soundstage that is second only to open cans like the HD598.

 

The sound is phenomenal.  I find it hard to believe how perfect the sound signature is - it's warm but has a very clear midrange, a great smooth and textured treble, and very punchy and well-controlled bass that has air and spaciousness due to the improved soundstaging and distance from the ear, which removes bloating (when I press the pads into my ear I get a much more intimate closed sound and more bass resonance).  The bass is at a quantity that I am sure will please people who are just borderline basshead AND people who like a more neutral signature.

 

I can't say enough good things about it.  The thing is, I find it hard to imagine that the S500 sounds much better than this with an HM5 pad mod; I've heard the S500 has a more U-shaped response compared to a \ shaped response of the S400.  The thing is, with the HM5 pad mod, the S400 sounds VERY well-balanced across the spectrum, with highs sparkling and a midrange with just the right amount of warmth.  So I highly recommend using the S400s if you want to do a HM5 mod.

 

JVC is really onto something with these CNT drivers.  I have a pair of KSC75s next to me and I would have to say the JVCs equal them in value/price; if the KSCs can match $100 headphones, the JVCs with pad mod can hold its own against $500 headphones.

 

Here you have the IDEAL portable headphone for $31 + 16:

- Outstanding sound signature (consumer friendly and warm with very clear mids and highs)

- Outstanding soundstaging

- Outstanding comfort

- Outstanding build quality in both headphone and cable

- Great looks

- Light weight

 

Now how about that.

Edited by Hayang - 11/18/12 at 12:53am

ok just another alternative to the bitumen sheet, simple alternative touch be 3M mounting tape, and a layer of kitchen aluminum foil over it to damp the cups?

this is an example of the bitumen sheet i used for sound proofing/dampening my tin can of a van (sorry still can't post pictures)

http://bitumensheets.blogspot.com.au/

since aluminum is non-reactive to magnetic sources, it should be a safe material to put close to the drivers. It should bring the potential of the cans to a whole new level. Going on a road trip tom, shall mod my cans when i'm back!
Edited by superstylefacto - 11/18/12 at 5:13am

Does the UE6000 win over the s500 in all other aspects (bass, clarity, imagery, soundstage)?
Edited by Keegster396 - 11/18/12 at 6:03am

One question... How do I put on the HM5 pads?

To anyone interested in buying HM5 pads, take a look at the Jaycar Pro Monitor Headphones. They're $50, but they're completely identical to the BRAINWAVZ HM5 and the Fischer Audio FA-003 (made in the same factory [Yoga, in Taiwan] with the same components, and they have the same carrying case). They come with a spare set of pads. Would you want to spend $17 for pads, or $50 for the second best value in audiophilia (HA-S500s coming first, obviously), and "HM5" pads for your JVCs?

Additionally, Fischer Audio released velour pads for their FA-003. They'll obviously fit the HA-S500s, so now it's just a matter of finding a place to get them.

Ok, I think I'll get the UD100, as the HifiMeDiy is supposed to be darker sounding. Where do I buy the UD100?

 

But that's the thing about it, you can't get those jaycars for $50 unless you live in Australia or something. If you can get these in the states for that price, they will sell like hot cakes since BRAINWAVZ is asking for like $150 for them and people on head-fi have given them really great reviews. The same applies for the Fischer Audio cuz they are the same headphone so........ It is a good point you brought up but this seems impossible to get for that price. Do they even sell these headphones in Asia??? I tried looking them up at taobao.com, etc and no one seems to sell them, hmmmm that's strange since they sell all kinds of junk so I am really surprised that no one carries this supposedly great sounding set since it is made there.