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i'm very interested in how you feel the ha-s500 with hm5 pads stack up against the he-400. i have the pads in hand and had the s500 bnib ... just wondering if i should bother getting the s500 again ... or if i should go for something a little more upscale.
I need to find a HM5 pad option. Also, I need to locate some pictures of how it would appear. I have plenty of leather, pleather and velour to make pads using high-density foam, as needed. However, I also have a pair of HM5 pads that are a bit "abused" as I reworked them eight-ways-to-Sunday as I was trying to better adapt them for Fostex use. I might have to revisit the pair I have, though, and see if I can't devise a method to put them back into operation. More to follow on that front ...
I do have some initial impressions of the S500s which I've been using with my regular headphone rig: Yamaha integrated 2-channel amp + Squeezebox as well as with my Asus DG sound card, and the Asus U3 USB sound card option. The HA-S500 is a somewhat different beast than the HE-400 headphones. Yet, while different, it is also alike in some ways. The bass capabilities of the HA-S500, to my ears, can get quite near that of the HE-400s. Plus, the mids and upper frequencies of the JVC option are not horrible and do respond nicely to some EQ adjustment. The HE-400s, while an excellent headphone - in my opinion are not necessarily without flaws either. There can be sibalance noted with female vocals, which can be resolved with a slight EQ adjustment, too. The HE-400s were also not as comfortable and great fitting as I had liked, so I went about sewing a new leather headband cover, and used cotton batting to increase the comfort and thickness of the band. This brought my HE-400s right into where I really now love the fit and am pleased as punch. The JVC option is a great, guilt-free option that allows major portability so the headphones can literally be used anywhere the HE-400s can't be. The great sound that you are used to at home can be carried with you wherever you go. Yet, the JVC does suffer from a comfort issue - with the current ear pads. However, I will remedy that situation real soon and make lemonade out of lemons. More to follow on the impressions as I work on solutions ...
Also, wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year !! I kept my senses last evening and only partied with some unsweetened iced tea and hung out with my family. However, yesterday afternoon, I did make up a nice marinade of plain yogurt, curry, green peppers, garlic, onion wedges and garam masala (7-spice mix.) After a good 7 hours of marinade time, I was out shortly after midnight, using my grill, with the cast iron grates to cook my chicken, and then the vegetables on skewers. Finally, I then made a tikka / butter chicken sauce which I used as a base to add to my chicken and grilled vegetables. This was then served over basmati rice. Yes, I love Indian food, and ended up staying up until nearly 3:00 a.m. with the cooking. But, it was all worth it as the food for today is fresh and very tasty.