The NEW JVC HA-S400. Affordable Carbon Nanotube cans for the masses. - Page 43

Do the work yourself. Quit stalling, just get the s400 already.

WOW I just got my HM5 pads and put them over the stock pads.

They look amazing, they are now the most comfortable headphones I have ever owned, and they also sound PHENOMENAL.  The treble and high mids come forward a lot in a good way.  The treble is really textured and sparkling!

I have never heard a more exciting sound.  I let my little brother borrow these for a week and then I let him try them on after the mod and his eyes immediately lit up by the improved sound.

I am comparing to my FXT90 and these are really a lot better.  That was not something I could say before this mod.  Pics coming soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayang 

WOW I just got my HM5 pads and put them over the stock pads.

 

They look amazing, they are now the most comfortable headphones I have ever owned, and they also sound PHENOMENAL.  The treble and high mids come forward a lot in a good way.  The treble is really textured and sparkling!

 

I have never heard a more exciting sound.  I let my little brother borrow these for a week and then I let him try them on after the mod and his eyes immediately lit up by the improved sound.

 

I am comparing to my FXT90 and these are really a lot better.  That was not something I could say before this mod.  Pics coming soon!

Cool! Looking forward to the pics. Cute (and others) really dig the HM5 pads on the S500 as well. I'm very happy with the ath pleathers on the s500, but am looking forward to trying out the ath velours (once I get them) on the s500 (with the "tape over the vents for more bass" mod). But, I am also getting more and more interested in these HM5 franken-pads lol!

Mini review:

My JVCS400s with HM5 pads over stock pads.  I think it looks great!!

Guys, this is definitely my favorite headphone sound now.  The difference this pad mod made is night and day.  This is the HM5s over the stock pads.  I stitched them together at the back so that the HM5 would cling to the stock pad.

The bass is still there but the midbass has been toned down, and sounds a LOT more natural.  The treble and mids come forward and the smooth treble sparkles with a LOT of definition and refinement.  It is still warm, but doesn't sound bloated at all...  The note thickness is just perfect, it's clearly a little embellished with more midbass but it's not half as apparent as it used to be.

I think this is the sound that every consumer headphone aspires to be: warm with great sub-bass, lush but smooth and effortless mids.  Dare I say the sound signature reminds me to the LCD2 on a Red Wine amp??

But there's more: I wondered for a little while, what was making these sound so different and good, and I realized that it's SOUNDSTAGE.  This is some seriously good soundstaging coming out of an otherwise intimate-sounding can, and it's like someone opened the windows for some fresh air.  It's better than the FA-003 (HM5) was.  Very enveloping and 3D on good tracks.  Instrument separation is also really good.

I think the S400 has demonstrated that its drivers are clearly very capable, the sound across the frequency range is extremely textured and detailed.

Comfort is now 6/5.  Comfort alone makes these pads worth it.  Most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, more than the HD555 and the FA-003.  The HM5 pads are real pillows.

I just can't say enough good things about this!  I haven't been this excited about cans since I got my first PX100s, haha.

Sound, Comfort, Looks are all A++ now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayang 

Mini review:

My JVCS400s with HM5 pads over stock pads.  I think it looks great!!

 

  

 

Guys, this is definitely my favorite headphone sound now.  The difference this pad mod made is night and day.  This is the HM5s over the stock pads.  I stitched them together at the back so that the HM5 would cling to the stock pad.

 

The bass is still there but the midbass has been toned down, and sounds a LOT more natural.  The treble and mids come forward and the smooth treble sparkles with a LOT of definition and refinement.  It is still warm, but doesn't sound bloated at all...  The note thickness is just perfect, it's clearly a little embellished with more midbass but it's not half as apparent as it used to be.

 

I think this is the sound that every consumer headphone aspires to be: warm with great sub-bass, lush but smooth and effortless mids.  Dare I say the sound signature reminds me to the LCD2 on a Red Wine amp??

 

But there's more: I wondered for a little while, what was making these sound so different and good, and I realized that it's SOUNDSTAGE.  This is some seriously good soundstaging coming out of an otherwise intimate-sounding can, and it's like someone opened the windows for some fresh air.  It's better than the FA-003 (HM5) was.  Very enveloping and 3D on good tracks.  Instrument separation is also really good.

 

I think the S400 has demonstrated that its drivers are clearly very capable, the sound across the frequency range is extremely textured and detailed.

 

Comfort is now 6/5.  Comfort alone makes these pads worth it.  Most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, more than the HD555 and the FA-003.  The HM5 pads are real pillows.

 

I just can't say enough good things about this!  I haven't been this excited about cans since I got my first PX100s, haha.

 

Sound, Comfort, Looks are all A++ now.

Those look great!

I am just waiting for somebody to sacrifice a pair and make them open back to see how they sound 

I made mine semi open with 4 port holes per cup. Sounded excellent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayang 

Mini review:

My JVCS400s with HM5 pads over stock pads.  I think it looks great!!

 

  

 

Guys, this is definitely my favorite headphone sound now.  The difference this pad mod made is night and day.  This is the HM5s over the stock pads.  I stitched them together at the back so that the HM5 would cling to the stock pad.

 

The bass is still there but the midbass has been toned down, and sounds a LOT more natural.  The treble and mids come forward and the smooth treble sparkles with a LOT of definition and refinement.  It is still warm, but doesn't sound bloated at all...  The note thickness is just perfect, it's clearly a little embellished with more midbass but it's not half as apparent as it used to be.

 

I think this is the sound that every consumer headphone aspires to be: warm with great sub-bass, lush but smooth and effortless mids.  Dare I say the sound signature reminds me to the LCD2 on a Red Wine amp??

 

But there's more: I wondered for a little while, what was making these sound so different and good, and I realized that it's SOUNDSTAGE.  This is some seriously good soundstaging coming out of an otherwise intimate-sounding can, and it's like someone opened the windows for some fresh air.  It's better than the FA-003 (HM5) was.  Very enveloping and 3D on good tracks.  Instrument separation is also really good.

 

I think the S400 has demonstrated that its drivers are clearly very capable, the sound across the frequency range is extremely textured and detailed.

 

Comfort is now 6/5.  Comfort alone makes these pads worth it.  Most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, more than the HD555 and the FA-003.  The HM5 pads are real pillows.

 

I just can't say enough good things about this!  I haven't been this excited about cans since I got my first PX100s, haha.

 

Sound, Comfort, Looks are all A++ now.

WoW looking good there, these HM5 pads seems to be a great combo with not just the S500s but the S400s as well hmmmmm, dang looks like i need to cop a pair ASAP!!! That 5% coupon still good? LMAO. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhymenoceros 

how is isolation with stock pads? ok for public trans?
pls be honest wih your responses, i just want a straight answer. if they're poor at isolating so be it.
e: also if you have any good suggestions for a well isolating portable under 50 if possible that fits a very large head it would be appreciated!

These don't isolate well at all, when the music is off you can hear everything clear as day, BUT when the music is on it isolates pretty well. You don't hear much around you when the music is on a good loud level. For what it's worth it makes you really focused on the tunes and not your surroundings. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosshorn 

I made mine semi open with 4 port holes per cup. Sounded excellent.

hey mosshorn, since you mentioned one of your S400 drivers got destroyed from your little semi-open operation, I might be able to make good on the agreement. Doc might trade me his S400s, so those might end up going toward your experimentation.  Just waiting for doc to give me the latest news and we might finally get this thing in the bag. Will let you know soon, but looks like you already had tons of fun without my contribution.

Are the HM5 pads a good improvement for softer rock music like the Beatles, Sting, The Police, Great Big Sea or The Tragically Hip? I might get a setup like that for my parents this year...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfwalcer 

hey mosshorn, since you mentioned one of your S400 drivers got destroyed from your little semi-open operation, I might be able to make good on the agreement. Doc might trade me his S400s, so those might end up going toward your experimentation.  Just waiting for doc to give me the latest news and we might finally get this thing in the bag. Will let you know soon, but looks like you already had tons of fun without my contribution.

That would be awesome, thank you a ton! ^_^ I haven't got to try much more than the 4 hole as of late (actually finishing up my ps1 CDP tomorrow), but I was gonna keep going up in holes until it was fully open. The only issue I see from it being totally open is flabby bass, but I got a bunch of T50RP mats that I can use to help with that 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosshorn 

 

That would be awesome, thank you a ton! ^_^ I haven't got to try much more than the 4 hole as of late (actually finishing up my ps1 CDP tomorrow), but I was gonna keep going up in holes until it was fully open. The only issue I see from it being totally open is flabby bass, but I got a bunch of T50RP mats that I can use to help with that 

I need DAT BASS to kill meng!!! Been messing with my S500s again and did the tape mod in full, my god that BASS is crazy. LoL Maybe you can tape up the one open slot on these S400s or add like a felt/ tape bass disk on your open S400s to see how the bass would improve. 

If the trade is able to go through with doc, I am gonna tell him to send the thing straight to you and let you have fun with them. BUT as our agreement went, I want them sexy open S400s back once you do something magical to them. heeeee

So get to work!!! LoL

Nice, I noticed you live in the states so that would make things much easier. ha

P.S. Get Drilling!

Quote:

Originally Posted by invalid404 

Are the HM5 pads a good improvement for softer rock music like <snip> The Tragically Hip? I might get a setup like that for my parents this year...

The Hip. Your parents have very good taste!  But that ain't soft music.. that's rock and roll

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAYNENUMM 

 

The Hip. Your parents have very good taste!  But that ain't soft music.. that's rock and roll

 

It's rock n' roll for old timers like you WAYNE but for us yougin's it's soft music. LoL

Now that's hard. LoL Enjoy!