The NEW JVC HA-S400. Affordable Carbon Nanotube cans for the masses. - Page 27

I think it is just a matter of deciding on what sound you prefer (or both). I'll try to add some more input as I get more of a chance to try them if that will help. I'm sure others are getting theirs in between today and the next couple days too which will help to hear from them too.

 

I got the S500, and I have no interest in getting the S400 at this point. At some point in the future when I have a little extra cash, maybe....but I love these S500's so I'm happy enough with them for now....especially with the oh-so-comfy HD25 velours. I have no interest in buying any more pads, either. All these guys want to keep experimenting, more power to them.....I'm happy with what I have. Total investment....$47.10 for the S500, and $23.50 for the HD25 velours. 

I don't know if the CAL! was defective or what but the S400 beats it easily. I got the CAL! yesterday and I let it burn in over night, I listened to it  this morning and found the bass to be a bit light and muddy so I did an A and B and the S400 had more bass. Not only was it louder but it was cleaner and had more impact. I listened to both of them on my Fuze+FiiO E11 with the bass set to 1 and EQ set to normal.

Now that was a big surprise since the CAL! is listed as a basshead can. If the CAL! is a basshead can than the S400 should also be on that list. 

At this point I'm pretty disappointed with the CAL! so I'm packing it up and sending it back to Amazon.

Edited by RoMee - 10/11/12 at 11:30am

 

 

Those get  8.5 point score from Joker.   maybe they need more burn-in?

They sound good, it's just that they're light on bass, for a basshead headphone I was expecting basshead level bass. 

 

EDIT:

I wasn't expecting a sh*t load of bass like the crossfade and I thought it would at least be like the WS55 but nope, it was pretty light for the type of music I listen to. Hiphop, dubstep, etc. 

I can see non-basshead calling it bass heavy, but for me it was lacking, kinda like the M50

Edited by RoMee - 10/11/12 at 12:20pm

...wow RoMee that's surprising...can you go into a little bit more detail on the other aspects of the comparison if you've had a chance because my S400's should be here tomorrow...I am just wondering how much break in these will require in comparison to the fx-40...seems like these 40's are still breaking in at 150 hrs...this is always the danger in reviewing any of these new nanotubes so early in the process...anyhow I feel at this price I will be happy either way...any additional feedback always appreciated...thanks!!

 

 

Joker said my ATH-FC700's had "big bass" and even went so far as to describe them as "bass-heavy", and I've never felt that way about them at all. I think they are nicely balanced. So I always take that into account when I read his reviews, knowing that he and I clearly hear things differently. Reading his comments on the CAL and comparing them to your impressions of the CAL goes along with my thought....he must be somewhat bass-sensitive. 

I can't give a fair comparison because the CAL! only had about 10 hours of burn in, and my impression was from a 2 hour listening session, and the CAL! is already packed and ready to be dropped off.

The CAL! is a good headphone, I can see a lot of people liking it, and maybe I should had given it more time but for me the bass wasn't what I expected. It was beaten by a $30 headphone with a 30mm driver. On a few songs (for example Rhinna shut up and drive and David Guetta Nothing Really matters) the bass got a little muddy on the CAL!, that wasn't the case with the S400.

 

 

I've never read any of his review so I didn't know he considered them bass heavy. But I have read plenty of other review complementing the bass, that's why I bought it. Everyone has their own opinion of how much bass is too much bass and in my case the bass was lacking.

Edited by RoMee - 10/11/12 at 2:54pm

Sorry to interject on the neverending CAL discussion but I just wanted to show a pic of the S400W with black pads. I think it looks really nice and a more masculine. The grey+white+silver+black I think is really classy.

^ Hey doc are those ATH Pleathers I see on your white S400s? Looks pretty spiffy. LoL So those ATH pleather really improved that much for you in sound over the stock pads huh? Damn might have to cop a pair of these ATHs then, so I can use it on my S500s as well as my S400s. Another day another pad.

Recieved the 400 today and have to say,
initial impressions were a strange mixed bag..

powerfull, bassy, but very dark and congested with aspects of deepness... upper mids were not there and lower mids very forward & congested.

I was initially dissapointed but while listening and taking off my head, something happened..
As I was lifting them off my ears suddenly they sang beautifly...but it went away quickly when I let go..

What the h*ll is going on? I thought, and then realized as just lifting them off my ears slightly made a huge a difference.

So now I put them aside to burn while I look for pads.
These stock pads are a nightmare on this amazing unit.

@ghost

 

What pads do you use on your S400s? I don't remember you talked about changing the stock pads on these, so do stock ones sound the best to you then??? Just wondering.....  

Well, I've burned mine in for 12 hours or so. They are definitely a good headphone, and for $25 they are great. But... they are not the equal of the S500 to me at all. The missing definition in the bass is very noticeable.

 

If I hadn't been listening to my S500s all day long (and for the majority of the last couple of weeks) it might not be as obvious. I tried them with the HD25 velours as well, but it didn't change much. Just my $.02.

Well yes they certainly are Sir. Good eye.

Yea I'm almost gunna want to A/B them against the stocks again tonight because they just LOOK so similar but sound...... different story. I really believe it is a seal issue. The AT pads have slightly larger opening as we all know but their softness allows for a nicer seal (not to mention nicer comfort).

I was gunna go for the whole blue and white thing but that ain't happenin'.... like I said the HD25 club does not support the S400.....

Ordered HA-S400W's from MacMall yesterday, also ordered ATH pleather earpads from Amazon. Hope to get them both next week and start some serious burnin' in. JVC has been one of my favorite headphones companies over the past five or six yaears, I'm very excited about my new 30 mm carbon nanotubes.