Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › The NEW JVC HA-S400. Affordable Carbon Nanotube cans for the masses.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The NEW JVC HA-S400. Affordable Carbon Nanotube cans for the masses. - Page 23

post #331 of 1189
10/7/12 at 7:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dsnuts View Post


Not at all. These actually sound great for hiphop but I would have to give the nod to the bigger drivers that are in the HA-S500 for hiphop..For 1/3rd the price of the HA-S500 however it makes it easier to get one of these instead and even get some pads in there and still save. Both do bass very well.

 

The one aspect of carbon based drivers is their bass ability. Nothing lacking including bass..

 

So, with the ATH leather pads on both, how do they compare in sound? Bass, mids, highs comparisons!
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #332 of 1189
10/7/12 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dsnuts View Post


Not at all. These actually sound great for hiphop but I would have to give the nod to the bigger drivers that are in the HA-S500 for hiphop..For 1/3rd the price of the HA-S500 however it makes it easier to get one of these instead and even get some pads in there and still save. Both do bass very well.

 

The one aspect of carbon based drivers is their bass ability. Nothing lacking including bass..

Thanks man, that's all I wanted to know. I order the CAL! at the same time as the S400, and I was going keep the CAL! and try the S400 and return it, but now I might just keep it.

Reply
post #333 of 1189
10/7/12 at 10:09am

A/Bing the HA-S500 and the HA-S400 with ATH leathers.

 

I think over all, sound signature of the HA-S400 is a bit warmer than the HA-S500 and it was evident when I just did this A/B. The HA-S400 is an easier listen as the mids are more forward and I noticed the highs are toned down a bit on the HA-S400 vs the HA-S500. Overall definition and resolution is better on the HA-S500. Better separation and cleaner sound.  But the HA-S400 makes up for it with a warmer sound presentation that is smooth up top and more fuller in the mids making them an easier listen.

 

I actually like that the HA-S400 is tuned differently which I mentioned before. To my ears the HA-S500 does sound like the higher end more expensive brother to the HA-S400 but the HA-S400 does sound a bit less analytical and more musical..The balance on the HA-S500 is stellar as you guys should know using the ATh leathers. IT is the mid forwardness with smooth treble that makes the HA-S400 appealing in it's own right. It sounds great using the ATH leathers on them. For sound I would rate it like this with the pads .

SQ

AKG LE518 >= ATH leather> ATH velour>>>>Stock

 

Comfot

ATH velour> ATH leather> AKG>= Stock

 

Overall balance of comfort and sound

ATH leather is actually the clear winner here. I really like the even more forward smooth sound of the AKG pads however they feel pretty much the same as the stock pads. Which is stiff.


Edited by Dsnuts - 10/7/12 at 10:22am
Reply
post #334 of 1189
10/7/12 at 11:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dsnuts View Post

A/Bing the HA-S500 and the HA-S400 with ATH leathers.

 

I think over all, sound signature of the HA-S400 is a bit warmer than the HA-S500 and it was evident when I just did this A/B. The HA-S400 is an easier listen as the mids are more forward and I noticed the highs are toned down a bit on the HA-S400 vs the HA-S500. Overall definition and resolution is better on the HA-S500. Better separation and cleaner sound.  But the HA-S400 makes up for it with a warmer sound presentation that is smooth up top and more fuller in the mids making them an easier listen.

 

I actually like that the HA-S400 is tuned differently which I mentioned before. To my ears the HA-S500 does sound like the higher end more expensive brother to the HA-S400 but the HA-S400 does sound a bit less analytical and more musical..The balance on the HA-S500 is stellar as you guys should know using the ATh leathers. IT is the mid forwardness with smooth treble that makes the HA-S400 appealing in it's own right. It sounds great using the ATH leathers on them. For sound I would rate it like this with the pads .

 

My opinion is that the S500 is slightly hyped in the treble, which can give the false impression of better resolution, etc., etc. Treble hyped headphones in general can trick you into thinking that they are more detailed because they shove those frequencies in your face in a skewed way.

 

With a good source and amp, there is nothing lacking with the S400, which can make the S500 sound slightly brash and artificial.

 

Just my 2 pesos

Reply
post #335 of 1189
10/7/12 at 2:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lmswjm View Post

 

My opinion is that the S500 is slightly hyped in the treble, which can give the false impression of better resolution, etc., etc. Treble hyped headphones in general can trick you into thinking that they are more detailed because they shove those frequencies in your face in a skewed way.

 

With a good source and amp, there is nothing lacking with the S400, which can make the S500 sound slightly brash and artificial.

 

Just my 2 pesos

I concur and you have my blessing

Reply
post #336 of 1189
10/7/12 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dsnuts View Post

A/Bing the HA-S500 and the HA-S400 with ATH leathers.

 

I think over all, sound signature of the HA-S400 is a bit warmer than the HA-S500 and it was evident when I just did this A/B. The HA-S400 is an easier listen as the mids are more forward and I noticed the highs are toned down a bit on the HA-S400 vs the HA-S500. Overall definition and resolution is better on the HA-S500. Better separation and cleaner sound.  But the HA-S400 makes up for it with a warmer sound presentation that is smooth up top and more fuller in the mids making them an easier listen.

 

I actually like that the HA-S400 is tuned differently which I mentioned before. To my ears the HA-S500 does sound like the higher end more expensive brother to the HA-S400 but the HA-S400 does sound a bit less analytical and more musical..The balance on the HA-S500 is stellar as you guys should know using the ATh leathers. IT is the mid forwardness with smooth treble that makes the HA-S400 appealing in it's own right. It sounds great using the ATH leathers on them. For sound I would rate it like this with the pads .

SQ

AKG LE518 >= ATH leather> ATH velour>>>>Stock

 

Comfot

ATH velour> ATH leather> AKG>= Stock

 

Overall balance of comfort and sound

ATH leather is actually the clear winner here. I really like the even more forward smooth sound of the AKG pads however they feel pretty much the same as the stock pads. Which is stiff.

 

Thanks for you impressions and comparisons here! Been anticipating the S400, will have them tommorrow! Just today I discovered something huge with my S500.....I was playing around with placement on my ears, and discovered a open space behind my ears (kinda). Anyway, I moved them forward on my ears until the space was closed......I was shocked at how the soundstage got bigger, and the vocals came more forward! I am able to reproduce the placement, and it really works for me. Surprise, surprise, just when I thought after eight hundred hours of listening to these they were done with improvements! I am not expecting the S400 to better the S500 in any way with my gears, will know more tommorrow night!
Reply
post #337 of 1189
10/7/12 at 5:09pm

I think it will just come down to more of preference. Owning both of these you guys already know how I feel about em. To my ears the HA-S500 has the better resolution and definition. The HA-S400 has the better musicality but retains much of the Carbon nanotube precision we all love..It is just a shame that we are reverted to swapping pads to get full potential out of these headphones. Look forward to your take on them cute..These do sound good with the ATH- leathers. Might have to buy another set. 

Reply
post #338 of 1189
10/7/12 at 5:21pm
I bought three pairs of AT velours, and three pairs of AT leathers, so I'm set for pads for a while......don't use the velours, and set the stock pads aside as well. I have a pair of AT-W1000X that I modded with AD2000 drivers and a DHC cable upgrade that I braided myself, thought I was "there", and now I don't listen to them at all, can't stop using the S500, FXD-80. Although I feel I have an advantage listening only from my PC, jRiver Media Center 16 with Audiophile settings and "crossfeed", optical glass Siliflex to my Audio-GD DAC and tube amp.......I have everything ripped EAC to wav's. I have $20.000 in speakers, subs and amps, and I haven't even turned all that on for over two months............why? The JVC Carbon Nanotubes are the real deal!
Reply
post #339 of 1189
10/7/12 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cute View Post

I bought three pairs of AT velours, and three pairs of AT leathers, so I'm set for pads for a while......don't use the velours, and set the stock pads aside as well. I have a pair of AT-W1000X that I modded with AD2000 drivers and a DHC cable upgrade that I braided myself, thought I was "there", and now I don't listen to them at all, can't stop using the S500, FXD-80. Although I feel I have an advantage listening only from my PC, jRiver Media Center 16 with Audiophile settings and "crossfeed", optical glass Siliflex to my Audio-GD DAC and tube amp.......I have everything ripped EAC to wav's. I have $20.000 in speakers, subs and amps, and I haven't even turned all that on for over two months............why? The JVC Carbon Nanotubes are the real deal!


I was running in the treadmill at house while listening music with my fxd80 and i was thinking "how much money i would need to spend on a sound system that sounds just like what i am hearing so i can throw away these phones and just use my sound system and no more hazzles with things on my head or ears?"

I dont know the answer, i will start my journey, me thinks its going to be expensive. I will search if jvc uses NCT on sound systems.
Reply
post #340 of 1189
10/8/12 at 7:54am

 

Both the S400 and 500 finally arrived today. This is my 2nd pair of S500 by the way.

The first one transformed in to a full sized headphone.

 

 

Side by side. S400 on the left.

 

 

Without the pads.

 

 

A closed look.

 

 

S400 driver on the top and S500 on the bottom.

 

 

Similar cup chamber, or more or less the same actually.

 

 

S400 headband pads are made of hard foam/sponge material while the S500 is soft pleather.

 

 

S400 pads on the left, S500 on the right. No difference here.

 

 

The pleather on the S400 pad from behind is slightly glossy. Beyond that they seem to measure the same.

Reply
post #341 of 1189
10/8/12 at 8:06am

Anyone try the Sennheiser velours on the S400? 

 

I currently have Senn velours, ATH velours and ATH pleathers. I liked the Senn velours on the S500, but I've moved to the ATH pleather on there now. Just wondering what musical pad chairs to play with when the S400 shows up (without buying any more pads). happy_face1.gif

Reply
post #342 of 1189
10/8/12 at 8:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyloh View Post



Both the S400 and 500 finally arrived today. This is my 2nd pair of S500 by the way.
The first one transformed in to a full sized headphone.

Wow cyloh. Thanks for the pics. I knew I thot I remembered someone posting that they successfully did a full size transplant.

How did that work out for you sound wise? What did you say you put those drivers into again?
Reply
post #343 of 1189
10/8/12 at 8:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc-holliday View Post


Wow cyloh. Thanks for the pics. I knew I thot I remembered someone posting that they successfully did a full size transplant.
How did that work out for you sound wise? What did you say you put those drivers into again?


Yeah they went into the Philips SHP2000. A cheap fully plastic headphone.

 

I did a lot of work stuffing the chamber and dampening/mass loading everything. So far it sounds more balanced and more stage. Comfort is a huge plus.

 

---

 

Really digging these S400s straight out of the box.

Reply
post #344 of 1189
10/8/12 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyloh View Post


Yeah they went into the Philips SHP2000. A cheap fully plastic headphone.

 

I did a lot of work stuffing the chamber and dampening/mass loading everything. So far it sounds more balanced and more stage. Comfort is a huge plus.

 

---

 

Really digging these S400s straight out of the box.


keep us updated Please!

Reply
post #345 of 1189
10/8/12 at 8:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyloh View Post


Yeah they went into the Philips SHP2000. A cheap fully plastic headphone.

I did a lot of work stuffing the chamber and dampening/mass loading everything. So far it sounds more balanced and more stage. Comfort is a huge plus.

---

Really digging these S400s straight out of the box.

Great to hear on the 400. If you could PM me or post on here what method you used to remove the glue holding the S500 drivers into the plastic grill I would appreciate it. I am thinking if the S400 works out the way I want it to, I will start playing around with modding my S500 again and prolly put the drivers in a closed full size. I already tried an open set and Im firmly leaning toward keeping these closed as they were designed.

Thanks.

Doc
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › The NEW JVC HA-S400. Affordable Carbon Nanotube cans for the masses.