Recabled Grado Questions - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

wharfrat1 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 10:19 PM

I've been trialing out some Grados, and I have a few questions on some of the recabled Grado's you carry.

Which one of your cables do you recommend with the RS-1. With this particular cable, what type of differences can I expect in the sound. I know this a preference based, but I would love to get your opinion as I'm sure you have listened to them with all of your cables.

I see that you recommend the Cardas cable for the 225. I have the Cardas cable for my HD-650's, and I know what it brings to those. Why do you recommend it for the 225's?

Finally, 1 last, tough question. I know you heard the HD 800's, albeit very briefly at CES. I have a pair on order, and being that I am big Sennheiser fan and based on the great reviews, I have no doubt I will love it. My goal is to get down to 2 sets of cans. I figure the HD 800 will be #1. I am looking for something to compliment it, and I figured Grado's are so unique in their sound, that they may work the best. I know this will be tough, but based on your brief listen, do you think a recabled pair of RS-1's or SR-225's would provide a nice change of pace phones to compliment the HD 800's?

Vandal · #2 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 10:54 AM

I'd like to know about the cardas and the SR 225 too.

David_N · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 04:52 PM

As would I

drubrew · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2009, 06:50 PM

Sorry for late reply. First let me say this is based on my ears and listening habits/perceptions. Our ears are all built differently and are sensitive to different sound signatures. The Grado's are all like Studio Monitors very up close and personal sounding. Some are a little too forward in my mind that being the SR125 and SR225. For these 2 I feel they need to be smoothed out and warmed up a bit. The Cardas Headphone cable is the warmest I know of and does a better job than our cables at taming the high end shrew on these two phones. For the SR325i which has the most low end of the bunch, I like a nice neutral sounding cable. Thus the Blue Dragon is my first pick as it will tighten things up and define the sound more. Of course the bass heads out there always go with the Black Dragon which will add more weight and presentation. For the RS-2 and RS-1 in 80% of the situations the Black Dragon is the best choice as it adds weight, increases the presentation and smoothes out the sound very nicely. Of course I do a few Silver Dragons for those who are die hard detail freaks. I have used the RS-1 with Silver Dragon recable as my reference phone for when I build equipment and test cables. As it allows me to hear the changes I have made in my system very easily. It is a good reference tool for me. The Black Dragon is more musical sounding with this phone over the Silver D.