The JVC HA-S500.. Appreciation, fan thread. - Page 328

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofastreamer 

great, thank you, now it is understandable even for my donkey brain!

If you say so. haha The donkey gets a beat down if he still don't get it!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofastreamer 

i recently listened to a mahler symphony and i had the hd650. believe me, the s500 renders classical orchestra more realistic. 

It has been a loooong time I haeard 650s at friends's - and yes, s500 is way more realistic with classics. 600/650 never appealed to me after electrostatics, s500 does.

My current s500 setuo is AT velours, all 3 ports taped over, with some damping inside cups. They do miss low end extension of Stax Lambda Pro, they still tend towards shouting at certain high(er) frequencies and can be very annoying with some piano tracks - but they are quite outstanding in most other areas with classics. I find the stock pads way too bassy and closed in in the treble - not that I feel using any other pads is wrong, just saying what I found the best compromise for my ears so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynes world 

@Seekky ... go for at least 200 hours, and be thankful I'm not saying 2000 hours like dsnuts said at on point LOL!

@Kierkes... you can get them at auto-parts stores.

Hey! He only said 1000! ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by analogsurviver 

It has been a loooong time I haeard 650s at friends's - and yes, s500 is way more realistic with classics. 600/650 never appealed to me after electrostatics, s500 does.

 

My current s500 setuo is AT velours, all 3 ports taped over, with some damping inside cups. They do miss low end extension of Stax Lambda Pro, they still tend towards shouting at certain high(er) frequencies and can be very annoying with some piano tracks - but they are quite outstanding in most other areas with classics. I find the stock pads way too bassy and closed in in the treble - not that I feel using any other pads is wrong, just saying what I found the best compromise for my ears so far.

Is it necessary to do the damping if taping vents??

I've only got 2 vents taped each side and the bass isn't too wobbly.

i found out, that the more dampening material is put behind the driver, the more boomy becomes the bass. same with tapening vents. i always thought, that drivers need air for bass (bassports). with the s500 it seems to be the other way round.

Quote:

Originally Posted by geko95gek 

 

Is it necessary to do the damping if taping vents??

 

I've only got 2 vents taped each side and the bass isn't too wobbly.

I am far more concerned with midrange than bass -  therefore some damping in cups. I am still critical of that high(er) frequency resonance that manifests iself as "shouting" on vocal, flute, piano etc - because everything else on s500 is so clean and distortion free. That damping can not totally eliminate it, bur is better/more tolerable with it. Were S500 anything less, I would not have been bothered by that relatively small flaw - but given their near immaculate performance anywhere else that resonance really feels like a sore thumb - whenever the music material hits it, it really hurts.

I am working at the time on a turntable and preparing for the forthcoming recordings - sorry no time for translating Bruel & Kjaer test results on S500 and HA-S770s. But yes, impedance measurements and distortion readings for s500 indicate a problem at  approx 4500 Hz ( resonance ) and distortion that peaks at approx 3500 Hz ( slightly below 0.4%) and , to a lesser degree, again at 6300 Hz ( 0.2 % )

Above 5 kHz, it is at 90 dB SPL or lower levels, below 0.1 % - which is astonishingly good result and the reason why they sound so clean. It is below 0.2 % from 1000 to 2000 Hz, with that peak between 2000 and 5000 Hz.- and of course, in the bass so small a driver can not escape relatively high distortion. Nevertheless, distortion is appreciably lower than in similar cans and that peak in distortion between 2 and 5 kHz is all that more audible and annoying. It is possible to do "something" about it, ther is not much one could do about distortion of so small driver in bass - which is reasonably good per se. Once compared to Stax Lambda Pro, it is clear that it does not extend that low and is ever muddier with increasing loudness - but that is against one of the most accurate  cans for bass that dwarf s500 in price. I find that distortion higher up in midrange incomparably more troublesome.

Since most of the people on this thread are into trance and similar, you probably do not lay so great importance on clean midrange - therefore rather little critical notes regarding midrange. If you listen to anything acoustic, it is another story. This distortion is unlikely to be affected by pad changes - it is inherent to the driver. If and when I get some positve results regarding this, I will let you know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titobustillo 

Hi. I have the Jvc ha s400, with tape mod. Do you recommend me to buy the S500? I dont know if the difference is so big to pay more money for the s500.

Well, think about it mate. ;)

30mm drivers vs 40mm. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by analogsurviver 

I am far more concerned with midrange than bass -  therefore some damping in cups. I am still critical of that high(er) frequency resonance that manifests iself as "shouting" on vocal, flute, piano etc - because everything else on s500 is so clean and distortion free. That damping can not totally eliminate it, bur is better/more tolerable with it. Were S500 anything less, I would not have been bothered by that relatively small flaw - but given their near immaculate performance anywhere else that resonance really feels like a sore thumb - whenever the music material hits it, it really hurts.

 

I am working at the time on a turntable and preparing for the forthcoming recordings - sorry no time for translating Bruel & Kjaer test results on S500 and HA-S770s. But yes, impedance measurements and distortion readings for s500 indicate a problem at  approx 4500 Hz ( resonance ) and distortion that peaks at approx 3500 Hz ( slightly below 0.4%) and , to a lesser degree, again at 6300 Hz ( 0.2 % )

Above 5 kHz, it is at 90 dB SPL or lower levels, below 0.1 % - which is astonishingly good result and the reason why they sound so clean. It is below 0.2 % from 1000 to 2000 Hz, with that peak between 2000 and 5000 Hz.- and of course, in the bass so small a driver can not escape relatively high distortion. Nevertheless, distortion is appreciably lower than in similar cans and that peak in distortion between 2 and 5 kHz is all that more audible and annoying. It is possible to do "something" about it, ther is not much one could do about distortion of so small driver in bass - which is reasonably good per se. Once compared to Stax Lambda Pro, it is clear that it does not extend that low and is ever muddier with increasing loudness - but that is against one of the most accurate  cans for bass that dwarf s500 in price. I find that distortion higher up in midrange incomparably more troublesome.

 

Since most of the people on this thread are into trance and similar, you probably do not lay so great importance on clean midrange - therefore rather little critical notes regarding midrange. If you listen to anything acoustic, it is another story. This distortion is unlikely to be affected by pad changes - it is inherent to the driver. If and when I get some positve results regarding this, I will let you know.

I think I'm feeling the same things you are with my vocals problem..that sore thumb. Could you link me to your damping mod? I could try it :) That, HM5 pads and if necessary taping some of the ports.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtaylor991 

I think I'm feeling the same things you are with my vocals problem..that sore thumb. Could you link me to your damping mod? I could try it :) That, HM5 pads and if necessary taping some of the ports.

No link so far, I will post a photo. The fabric I used is called "elastic jersey", as it proved to have the highest sound absorbing properties and conforms nicely to irregular shapes; did not apply it as circle to the bottom inside of the cup only ( as can be done with felt ) , but entire cup, as much as it can get without interfeing with the possibility to assemble everything back together. I used a double sided tape, again of the pliable/conforming variety, to mount the fabric.

Yes that "thumb" is sore indeed ...

Of course, it is the most troublesome with vocals - I simply tried to give instrumental equivalents which are affected in the same way.

My friend is getting the S400,

So i think i can do a little comparison once i get them.

And probably modding the S400 also (if she allows).

Hi!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfwalcer 

@ streamer dood.

 

This is for you since you don't understand the cotton stuff mod for the stock pads with the HM5 over them. The one i did for these somics are similar. Should be self explanatory really. Enjoy!

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/637699/50mm-driver-open-air-full-size-cans-pop-out-of-nowhere-sound-amazing/270

Cant read all that thread man, can you give me a quick review of those Somics compared to the S500?

Price? where did you buoght them?