The JVC HA-S500.. Appreciation, fan thread. - Page 302

after comparing them the whole day with the m100 i have to say, that the m100 might do some small things better (little more detail, better soundstage depth) i really started liking these little cheapos more and more and maybe i wil stay with them and send the m100s back. they do better in the sub bass area than the vmodas. not only in quantity but bass seems more realistic some how. last word not said yet, but... another thing is that the m100s are the most uncomfrtable cans i have ever worn. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofastreamer 

ok, i have to make some corrections to my yesterday`s comments:

 

as i said my configuration right now is, papertowel stuffed stock pads and k518 foam layer on top of the grill. that has calmed the highs quite a bit, so far, i can tolerate them now. so i gave them another brief listening this morning and i still miss soundstage depth and layering. there is simply no difference between a songs fore- and background. width and imaging would be borderline ok, but the lack of depth is really annoying.

 

but:

 

the bass is sooo addicting. i cannot stop listening to it. never heard such a fundamental but controlled bass from any headphone. the rest of the spectrum is nothing special but not bad either, isolation is quite good, as is comfort. so maybe we two will become friends. 

the bass might be good enough to tolerate the downsides, although i am a serious soundstage lover. we will see, what happens, when the m100 arrive today. 

 

i will keep you updated.

 

edit: i have some hm5 pads on the way, what diameter should the  rings have?

I think the correct size for the o-rings is 2 5/8" diameter 3/16" thickness but it sound like thicker than 3/16th" would be even better. Rumor has it that Napa Auto Parts carries tons of o-rings, I'm heading down there as soon as I get my HM5 pads and will let everyone know. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofastreamer 

after comparing them the whole day with the m100 i have to say, that the m100 might do some small things better (little more detail, better soundstage depth) i really started liking these little cheapos more and more and maybe i wil stay with them and send the m100s back. they do better in the sub bass area than the vmodas. not only in quantity but bass seems more realistic some how. last word not said yet, but... another thing is that the m100s are the most uncomfrtable cans i have ever worn. 

Wow! Great that you gave them a chance!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7S Cameron 


I use them completely stock, and they are one of the best pairs of headphones I've ever had.

Same here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by musubi1000 

The S500s are one of the best "protables" ever. The noobs have no friggin idea how good they have it now. the old portables never had any degree of sub bass. not to mention extended treble

Yup, you're right.  I sort of feel sorry for those who feel that the stock ear buds for the iPod are "good enough."   Or, maybe that could be a good thing - as they don't have to open their wallet to keep this hobby going?

In any regard, I'm enjoying the HA-S500.  I'm logging some good time with the ELE DAC, too.  Paired with my Magni, it's not doing bad at all.  

Edit: Looks like my Muse DAC might arrive tomorrow, too.  Good thing, since it's a 3-day weekend for me.

I know that this is a tough question here, but I've got to ask...

I've been considering getting the S500/HM5 setup for a few weeks (total price for me = $80).  But now I've got a chance to get some used UE6000s for $125.  Are they worth the extra $45?

What i am looking for in a headphone:

• I don't care much about noise cancelling
• I want a large soundstage
• I want an accurate and flat response (although I don't mind tweeking an EQ)
• I want extension <20Hz
• I don't really care about comfort that much
• They don't have to be super portable

I listen to: Trance 50%, Trip Hop %10, House 20%, Trailer Music (dramatic classical) 5%, Hard Rock 5%, Drum&Bass 5%, Downtempo 5%

I've read the following from you guys:

Dsnuts:

Let me put it this way. I just got today the new UE6000. Fantastic sound but you know what. Those don't blow away the sound that is on my HA-S500. In fact I had to hear them for several tunes just to get used to them. The resolution on the HA-S500 and clarity is top notch in my opinion..Spend the money get the HA-S500.

sfwalcer:

WoW that's reassuring to hear. Can't wait for you to do an A/B between these two, though the UE6000 seems like the best choice if people want to go for a higher end can that will give you the most bang for the buck. These are interesting times for audio gear indeed. 

rickdohc:

Dsnuts "doesnt blows the S500 away"... me thinks the Ue6000 is better.

Doc-holliday:

Does the UE6000 win over the s500 in all other aspects (bass, clarity, imagery, soundstage)?

Great points Dsnuts, especially about reselling them.  How does the soundstage compare between the modded S500 to the UE6000?  Doc seems to think so, but i don't know if he was comparing the UE6000 to a modded S500 with the HM5 pads, which, as you said, make a difference.

Well I haven't commented on this thread in awhile, although I might have been the first one to hear and fall in love with S500. To be honest, I put the ATH pads on the S500 and fell out of love with it. Just didn't have enough bass and magic for my ear anymore. So today I finally tried the tape mod over the holes (along with the ATH pads) in hopes of increasing the bass. It did increase the bass some, but still too much brightness in treble and mids. So put my iTunes eq on R&B (usually never use my eq), and got closer to the sound I was looking for (stronger bass, with mids forward and treble toned down). I got even closer to the sound I was looking for. Then an idea came into my head to cup the headphone outer shell with my hands and push in (still using the ATH pads and taped vent mod). The sound I was searching for bursted through! Now I had a dilemma, because to get the S500 sound I wanted I needed to: use the ATH pads, tape vents, use eq, and push cover the headphone with my hands and push in. lol ....That doesn't sound like a fun way to listen to music all day.

Finally, I thought to myself that just maybe going back home might get me back to where I needed to be with the S500. So I put the eq on flat again, took off the ATH pads (but left the vents taped). I put the original pad back on and BAM!! The bass I was so searching for (with mids still forward and treble taken down a notch or two) reappeared! So I'll probably sell my ATH pads to anyone who wants them. I've found my perfect sound with the S500 and I'm in love with them again by going back home with a slight adjustment.

as i cannot comment on the ue6000 but on the even pricier m100. tell you what? i enjoy the s500 even more. why? the vmodas have some emphasis in the upper bass, which makes them to muffled for a so called high end portable. sub bass is about the same as on jvc, but somehow the jvc has better texture in bass. soundstage is a tad wider on the vmodas and instrument placement, sound stage depth and layering is also slightly better. treble sounds more natural on the m100. but: it is not and in no way 6 times better. not even two times. they are more heavy, way more uncomfortable and do not isolate as good as the jvcs. i also think, that they are not as good build as the older m80s. i feel, that the headband has its weak points.

to sum it up: if you wanna go higher end, go straight dt1350, dt70 or whatever. m100 might be something to consider, if they fit your ears better than mine.

i would say, they are on the level of dt770 le, and mdr-1r which are about half the price and even better build and way more comfortable. 

sorry, i know, you mentioned the ue6000, but i needed to write that down :-)

@streamer

Keep them comparos of the m100s coming, really diggin' them since they along with the UE6000s were considered as "upgrades" if i ever decided to buy more $$$ headphones. But my HM5 modded S500s is still kicking my @ss in every way. I am content baby!!!

@Jonny

Yeah man, i would get that UE6000s for that price if they are in good condition. These S500s you can always get cheap and is getting cheaper now since the Jpn currency is low. The S500s responds amazingly well to simple pad changes and mods. So when you are feeling a lil' frisky and want to mess with some headphones these are it. They are still blowing my mind after all this time with that HM5 mod.

Oh and speaking of doc, where he been of late. Guess too busy playing in the big leagues and forgot about us here in the little leagues. :  (

Also Jonny you can't take that docs' opinions that seriously, he jumped ship for those damn Philips Uptowns. LMAO

@ericp

YA MON!!! We bass lovers can rejoice due to that tape bass ports mod. Know i know i can trust your impressions more than Ds' now cuz you love to hear these S500s exactly how i love to hear them DAT LUSH CNT BASS!  I want mo' BASS. LoL

Try stuffing the stock pads with some paper towels or cotton/ or a mix of both, you might like these S500s even more.