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I'm fairly new to these headphones, but I've heard a lot of good things about them.
In the big "headphone recommendation" thread, I was recommended these headphones for a future purchase (they will be for my brother as a Christmas gift).
How would these headphones fare for:
(in order of preference from what I've heard him play)
- J-pop (especially female vocals)
- Anime soundtrack (J-pop?)
- piano/instrumental
- some non-mainstream hip hop (Shing02 or Nujabes)
- some J-rock (The Pillows)
And these will be driven through an iPod Touch 2G and/or MacBook with some "meh" quality files (< 320 kbps).
Lastly, I've heard that the earpads are removable. In the case my brother doesn't like the stock earpads, where could I purchase a different set of earpads?
Thanks for any feedback you can provide!
From my previous reply to a similar question:
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I just got these in the mail today. I ordered them exactly 2 weeks ago from an ebay seller called "buyfromjapan" i believe. As I've never had good headphones (never had any headphones to be more specific), I can't really compare them to much except my audio system at home which cost significantly more than these, but generally I really like the sound. The bass is nice and deep with a little help from my phone's bass booster, and even without it its not bad at all. I don't know if it's just me but I feel like its lacking something...it might just be that when I'm used to listening bassier songs that the ground vibrates under me because of my sub....wish I could could get that from headphones lol
I think my only real complaint is that they do get uncomfortable for me after about an 30 minutes or so of use, but then again I've literally never owned headphones before so maybe its just a getting used to kind of thing.
No it's not just you or just getting used to kind of thing, the stock pads are not so great to say the least, comfort AND sound wise. But there are lots of pad mods/ replacements that would make these sound a million times better. The ATH Pleather/ AKG pads I believe makes these S500s as well as the S400s sound the best. Links if you need it, the ATH Pleathers are the most comfy besides velours..........
ATH Pleathers:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ear-Pads-Audio-Technica-ATH-SJ5-DJ-Style-Headphones-Black-/261120868931?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D3123184649684698189%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D251141456324%26
AKG DJs:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-New-Replacement-earpad-AKG-K518DJ-Leather-ear-pad-/261110634277?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D3123209210757302410%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D261079367853%26
AND Doc's fav HD25's:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357361-REG/Sennheiser_075527_H_75527_Ear_Cushions.html
All 3 above sound the best it seems, although I have yet to try the ATH or the HD25.....
Oh bavman, go burn those new S500s of yours real good, a good 24hours makes a HUGE different in sound from open box, well for me at least it did...... cuz after some burn in, everything you felt lacking now is gonna come together, and esp if you get those ATH or AKG pads man these things sound amazing.
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Regarding the genres of music and source material, these S500s are not picky about the quality of the recording at all. It is not revealing, therefore all genres sound great on them, even old mixtapes of low quality sound really decent on them, as in older hip hop albums that are mastered poorly. I listen to a lot of the musical genres you listed but it is of the Korean variant, and these S500s make all of them shine. These are truly the jack-of-all-trades but it does it all beautifully.
Hey I have read some of your reviews and impressions on the V Moda M100 thread, and you seem like a pretty cool/ nice dood. One of the more level headed ones on that thread that's for sure. LMAO Maybe you can give as an A/B on these S500s vs. your V Moda M100s if you don't mind. That is after you give them some good burn-in and get a good set of pads on these S500s. Or stuff the stock pads with some paper towels, cuz this does wonders for the sound of the stock pads just a heads up. But I already know you'll been having a stuffing party over there at the m100 thread as well.