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The NEW JVC HA-S400. Affordable Carbon Nanotube cans for the masses. - Page 5

post #61 of 1189
9/25/12 at 1:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghostfit View Post

I've only briefly heard the ATH ES55, the S500 is closer to the ATH phones which has more mid bass, but I feel the S500 sub-bass goes deeper. S500's Mids and Highs are a couple notches above the ATH.

The S400 are more balanced sounding to me and are outstanding because nothing is lacking just as nothing is overwhelming but when called upon, their sub-bass matches that of the S500.

So are you implying, although the es55 costs double the price, the s500 and s400 are the better hp's? I don't like thumpy bass, I'd rather want it to be deep and feeling it, rather than hearing it. I've owned the m50 and hated it, totally overrated. Fun, transparent and engaging are my keywords.
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post #62 of 1189
9/25/12 at 8:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD View Post

 

So the S500 has more midbass bump than S400?

 

In a way, yes but you'll hardly notice the midbass bump unless you've got the 2 headphones side by side.

 

If I may describe the mid bass/ lower mids interaction of the 2 phones it would be as follows:

 

On the S500, mid bass seems to occupy some of the same space of the lower mids, the mids suffers a little resolution loss as a result. For example when electric guitars and vocals exists at the same time the voices loses some emotion. Mind you the mids are not recessed but they lack that intimate feel of the S400.

 

On the S400, the closest I could describe the interaction would be that the mid bass and instruments sounds like they're wrapped around the vocals with ample space between to discern clearly each musical instrument complementing the vocals with all it's naunces.

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post #63 of 1189
9/25/12 at 9:03am

OK thanks, which do you concider having a better balance between subbass and midbass? I really need a bass emphasis for hardstyle that I listen to most of the time these days but I also need balanced subbass & midbass presence, I need both that punch & rumble and preferable as good balance between it as possible.


Edited by RPGWiZaRD - 9/25/12 at 9:06am
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post #64 of 1189
9/25/12 at 9:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gideonMorrison View Post


So are you implying, although the es55 costs double the price, the s500 and s400 are the better hp's? I don't like thumpy bass, I'd rather want it to be deep and feeling it, rather than hearing it. I've owned the m50 and hated it, totally overrated. Fun, transparent and engaging are my keywords.

 

LOL, I was actually considering a pair of ATH WS55 at a local audio outlet when I had a listen to the ES55 and couldn't decide before I saw the latest JVC headphones. You should be able to find lots of comments of the comparision between S500 and the M50 over at the S500 thread.

 

I think you should get a pair of the JVC latest. If you like cinematic, in your face, sounds get the S500, they are easily the best phone for movies, computer gaming. If you want something comparable to a good pair of audiophile grade speakers, get the S400, the vocals will grab you by the throat and won't let go ! biggrin.gif

 

 

 

I know I've mentioned previously that the S400 doesn't have as wide a soundstage as the S500, well I was wrong ! I've heard several tracks now that showed how wide the S400's stage can really go !   ....in DSnut's words   ..."Minds officially blown !"

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post #65 of 1189
9/25/12 at 9:38am

Well to me these are so inexpensive for both bought on ebay. Why not get both. I kinda like that they have different dynamics. Now that I think about it. I love my FXD70 as much as I do my FXD80.  Both having different dynamics.. The cost of both of these are half price of a M-80 which are currently collecting dust at the moment waiting to be sold. Those sound absolutely dull compared to my HA-S500.

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post #66 of 1189
9/25/12 at 9:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD View Post

OK thanks, which do you concider having a better balance between subbass and midbass? I really need a bass emphasis for hardstyle that I listen to most of the time these days but I also need balanced subbass & midbass presence, I need both that punch & rumble and preferable as good balance between it as possible.

 

I think you'll find the S500 more to your liking, it has more mid bass emphasis compared to the S400 which is slightly mids emphasis.

 

The basshead side of me can certainly appreciate the bass and rumble of the S500. Folks who prefers a more mid oriented signature should go for the S400.

 

 

...Aw WTH   ...they're affordable to buy both, Just go for it !

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post #67 of 1189
9/25/12 at 9:50am

By the way RPG. Believe it or not you can sound tune these headphones with a simple pad swap. The HD25 velours are costly but ends up giving the HA-S500 the most mid forward and bass presentation for the headphone while lessening the highs a bit at the same time. The ATH leather pads end up balancing the sound the most. Lessens the mid bass causes the mids to shine much more over the stock pads..

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post #68 of 1189
9/25/12 at 1:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghostfit View Post

 

In a way, yes but you'll hardly notice the midbass bump unless you've got the 2 headphones side by side.

 

If I may describe the mid bass/ lower mids interaction of the 2 phones it would be as follows:

 

On the S500, mid bass seems to occupy some of the same space of the lower mids, the mids suffers a little resolution loss as a result. For example when electric guitars and vocals exists at the same time the voices loses some emotion. Mind you the mids are not recessed but they lack that intimate feel of the S400.

 

On the S400, the closest I could describe the interaction would be that the mid bass and instruments sounds like they're wrapped around the vocals with ample space between to discern clearly each musical instrument complementing the vocals with all it's naunces.

 

What pads are you using on the S500?

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post #69 of 1189
9/25/12 at 9:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cute View Post

 

What pads are you using on the S500?

 

Stock 'itchy and hot' pads on both S500 and S400, I've tried the ATH Velours but didn't quite like them, I'm currently waiting the delivery of the ATH leather which you recommended (and DSnuts endorsed wink.gif) to see if they'll make me prefer the S500 over the S400. 

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post #70 of 1189
9/26/12 at 5:19pm

 

So today the AT pleathers came that cute recommended (on the right). I compared these with the K81DJ pads (on the left) that I got a little hysterical over since first listen. The AT's have a larger opening, are thinner, and have a tighter fit on the S400's. That said, the AT pleathers are looser than all of the other pads I have tried. It's because that both of these are loose fitting, IMO, that they yield better clarity than every other pad I have tried. I believe the loose fit allows a venting property that makes everything else sound somewhat muddier in comparison.

 

Compared to the K81's, the AT's sound brighter, leaner, have a lot less bass and subsequently better bass control. The differences are significant. It will be a matter of preference for what pads you find better. My strong preference is to the sound of the K81DJ pads. Clarity being king, my second choice would be the AT pleathers. I just find that the K81's for me are more neutral, and are more capable of strong realistic bass when called for. Here is my list of pads I have tried in order of preference:

 

Winners:

1. K81DJ

2. AT Pleathers

 

Less clarity:

3. Sennheiser Pleathers

4. Sennheiser Velours

5. AT Velours

 

Trash recommendation:

Stock pads

 

I can't get over how different each pad sounds. The differences are not subtle. It literally only takes a few seconds to tell these a part.

 

This concludes my ear pad excursion. Thanks to all. Happy listening!

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post #71 of 1189
9/26/12 at 5:35pm

BTW, I can't believe the S500 thread has 68,000 hits and this thread only has 3,300. My S500's are packed away in storage FWIW.

Just an observation...

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post #72 of 1189
9/26/12 at 5:44pm

Have you tried them ATH leathers on your HA-S500? If not you should..

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post #73 of 1189
9/26/12 at 5:55pm

Will do...  Hopefully it doesn't push the S500's any futher passed the brighter side of neutral.

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post #74 of 1189
9/26/12 at 6:05pm

Wait till you hear the HA-S500 using them it sounds great. Just a guess but I am thinking the stock pads and the AKG pads will actually sound more proper on the HA-S400 over the ATH leathers. It has everything to do with the smaller driver size 30mm to pad size ratio. The proper pads for the HA-S500 are the ATH leathers. So I have been telling the guys on the HA-S500 thread. The ATH leathers I feel is actually a necessity to get the sounds of them corrected.

 

On the HA-S400 the ATH leathers might not sound as good. Perhaps a bit too wide for the drivers. As you are reporting. But for the HA-S500. It is a different story. I can't see how anything else is going to sound better actually. 


Edited by Dsnuts - 9/26/12 at 6:12pm
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post #75 of 1189
9/26/12 at 7:24pm

Just been doing some quick A/Bing. The AT pleathers do sound better on the S500's than the S400's. I still prefer the K81's on the S500, but the preference is smaller than on my S400's. Using baroque chamber music and piano jazz with heavy percussion as reference. Piano and cymbals are great instruments for determining neutrality. If it's too bright, piano will sound artificial and cymbals will sizzle. If it's just right, you forget that you're supposed to be listening critically and get lost in the music. Here's my prefs:

 

1. S400/K81

2. S500/K81

3. S500/ATpleather

4. S400/ATpleather

 

Any other pad combos, and you're missing the magic IMO


Edited by lmswjm - 9/26/12 at 7:26pm
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