[PurpleAngel]

So I just ordered the HA-S500-Z (gunmetal) from ace_of_bicycle2004, in Japan.
and the Velvet ATH AT ESW9 replacement pads from wang_yifei, from Shanghai, China.
I'll post the shipping times when they arrive.

 

[Dsnuts]

Ya you are late to the pad party. We got more than the stock pads these come with going on. We first tried some velours. Sennheiser HD25 velours fit but not the best optimal sound from them. Then there was the ATH velours bought on ebay. Flattens the bass end.  Then there is the HD25 pleathers which clears up the mids form the HD velours and then there was the ATH leathers which ends up sounding perfect as it will get. 
 
We are experimenting with different pads. Yes sound tuning through pads. Each pads brings a different sound to the HA-S500. They all sound pretty good to my ears but some change the stock sound much more than others. The ATH leathers opens up the sound channel. Lessens the bass a bit with a bit mid forward sound which ends up sounding fantastic. I think you will enjoy these headphones as all of us have. This pad swap is just extra. And the Sony headphones were a recent find. The idea of a open HA-S500 driver swap.
 
It isn't because the stock sound or build is bad per se. We just feel there is enormous potential for something even greater with these carbon nanotubes.

 

[Dsnuts]

Ya I remember when I was using the ATH velours I threw in a 2nd foam insert from the HD25 which gave the sound a bit more body and tamed the highs a bit..For guys that have the velours. Try throwing in different thickness of foam in the middle to tune the sound a bit.

 

[cel4145]

Quote:

So I just ordered the HA-S500-Z (gunmetal) from ace_of_bicycle2004, in Japan.
and the Velvet ATH AT ESW9 replacement pads from wang_yifei, from Shanghai, China.
I'll post the shipping times when they arrive.

 
Ace of bicycles is very fast. You'll probably have them within about a week. 

 

[ateke]

i got mine from buyfromjapan via ebay. on the back of the package it says it is made in china right so does on the 3.5 mm jack. it is not fake right?
 
and i am also looking for a portable carrying case for ha-s500
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Case-for-Audio-technica-Headphones-ATH-SJ3-SJ5-ESW9-ESW10-SQ5-FW5-/251159303189?pt=US_Rack_Cases_Hard_Cases_Bags&hash=item3a7a42d415
 
will it do the work

 

[Dsnuts]

The ATH- SJ5 is very similar in build to the HA-S500. We even use the pads from them. Those are the ATH leathers we are talking about. So ya that case looks perfect for the HA-S500..
 
Just so you know. Everything is made in China it seems now a days.

 

[waynes world]

Quote:

i got mine from buyfromjapan via ebay. on the back of the package it says it is made in china right so does on the 3.5 mm jack. it is not fake right?
 
and i am also looking for a portable carrying case for ha-s500
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Case-for-Audio-technica-Headphones-ATH-SJ3-SJ5-ESW9-ESW10-SQ5-FW5-/251159303189?pt=US_Rack_Cases_Hard_Cases_Bags&hash=item3a7a42d415
 
will it do the work

 
I also purchase my HA-S500's from buyfromjapan (I haven't received them yet). Please don't start talking about fakes! But I will not worry about it based on dnuts comforting words lol
 
Edit: they also have great 99.6% postive feedback, so I'm definitely not worrying.

 

[Doc-holliday]

Ok well the "ATH Velour's" (or to be more specific the velvet pads that fit the Audio Technica ESW9) are a no go for me.

After about an hour I found myself with tinnitus in my right ear. This is presumably me trying to get the levels I want from the bass and mids. They are just way to bright with these pads on. Tried to do things to balance it out more to no avail.

I'm thinking the pleather version that is coming in will be a better fit for my taste.

 

[Dsnuts]

No worries about fakes fellas. These are simply too new to dupe and on top of that why would anyone dupe a $55 headphone..A Sennheiser IE8 $400 earphone yes. A $55 JVC HA-S500. I don't think so.
 
@Doc lower your volume. Lol. I can understand the ATH velours let too much sound out so you end up raising the volume. They are so comfy though but does end up being a bit on the bright side of neutral.

 

[gideonMorrison]

I can officially confirm that both the Chinese and Japanese packages are both made in China. As of this moment there are no fakes. Hopefully forever. However there were dupes made of the ath-es7 and those aren't quite expensive. For now, we're safe.

 

[Doc-holliday]

I wouldnt be so sure. There are also two types of pakaging. One type from chinese sellers and the other from japanese sellers. They might both be MADE in china but i wouldnt take my chances purchasing from a china seller.

 

[cel4145]

Quote:

No worries about fakes fellas. These are simply too new to dupe and on top of that why would anyone dupe a $55 headphone..A Sennheiser IE8 $400 earphone yes. A $55 JVC HA-S500. I don't think so.

 
I agree. There's not even a big enough market for these yet to make it worthwhile to produce a fake. 

 

[Gee Simpson]

I know this is off topic but I'm thinking of buying an mp3 player. I was wondering which produces the best sound quality?

 

[gideonMorrison]

Get a sansa clip+ and don't look back. Extremely good value for price.

 

[cel4145]

Quote:

I know this is off topic but I'm thinking of buying an mp3 player. I was wondering which produces the best sound quality?

 
If you want an inexpensive one, get a Sansa Clip+ or Clip Zip. The SQ is comparable to $100 mp3 players. And you can buy a micro SDHC card to boost the storage capacity. So a 2GB Sansa Clip+ with a 16GB card will run you right around $40 from Amazon. Once you get it and SDHC card, load the Rockbox third party firmware on it. That will give you additional audio tweaking capability, such as a 5 band parametric EQ.