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The GRADO SR-60 Appreciation Thread - Page 11

post #151 of 762
2/18/05 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Helter Skelter
From a comfort standpoint, there's just no contest, Sennheiser has it hands down. This wasn't even remotely a surprise, though.

For sound? Tough to say right now as I only just got them and they're still going through burn-in. So far, they do seem to share some similarities in overall sound. The SR-60 has more oomph to the bass, but the HD595 has better detail and overall clarity (though the SR-60 isn't bad in either of these regards).

I definately prefer the HD595's imaging and soundstage. Claims of the SR-60 having a "forward" soundstage were not without merit. There have been a couple tracks where it felt like the music was actually coming from a bit behind my head. The HD595 in comparison is just wide open and airy, and it's much easier to pick out and follow individual instruments.

The SR-60 sure is fun, though. I just came back from walking to the store while listening to some Bloodhound Gang and just had this huge grin on my face the entire time.

They have some similar traits, like I said. The share bit of the same smooth treble, and seem to be well balanced with a bit of a warmer sound. It's almost like they take a different arrpoach to the same basic sound. I think they complement each other well.

So far, I like 'em both (is that even allowed around here?). I still see the HD595 as my fave 'phone for most situations, but the SR-60 has passed inspection so far and will certainly see more use.
Thank you, I appreciate the straightforwardness.

I myself would like to have them in my (small) collection. But at 140€ I wouldn't buy them. If at the American price tag I might rush to the shop before even making up my mind .

The problem is, how much more can you get from a Grado than the SR60 'standard' ? I wouldn't regard Grados as one of the ultimate examples of high-end sound quality and realism. But sure I think it would be more than worth it for the SR60 at a reasonable price.

Edit: honestly, at the moment I wouldn't know what else/more to wish than HD595 and 650 already give me. I just feel like I've found my 'sweet spot' and I can comfortably sit there for rather long...
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Grado Prestige Series SR60i Headphones
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post #152 of 762
2/18/05 at 10:42am

Alessandro cans

Quote:
Originally Posted by seeberg
Also, for paspro: Do you have a chart for Alessandro's cans? I'd like to see how much they go for compared to their US counterparts.
As far as I know they are not available in the UK so they have to be ordered from Alessandro's web site. I don't know if Grado imposes restrictions on the export of these cans outside the US or not like they do with their own headphones...
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post #153 of 762
2/18/05 at 10:45am
seeberg:
Negative. Impedance doesn't mean everything. Newer models of the HD595 are 50 ohm (the Grados are all 32 ohm). They are quite sensitive, though. I have the older 120 ohm model and they do great unamped. They both improve with an amp, of course, but you don't need one.

Andrea:
I think your best bet would either wait for someone willing to ship internationally to sell a pair here, or to order the MS-1 for $100. If you can get a pair for a good price (that is, what you can get them for here in the states), I think they're a worthy addition to any collection, if only to have access to the Grado sound. If not, be happy with the HD595, pick up the KSC-75 instead and don't worry about it too much.
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post #154 of 762
2/18/05 at 10:46am
paspro, those prices are the discounted amout, not the RRP..which is £750 for the RS-1

Basically 1:1 ratio, and not exchange rate + VAT/customs ontop. It would be cheaper importing a set, then paying charges then buying within the UK :-(
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post #155 of 762
2/18/05 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Necros
paspro, those prices are the discounted amout, not the RRP..which is £750 for the RS-1

Basically 1:1 ratio, and not exchange rate + VAT/customs ontop. It would be cheaper importing a set, then paying charges then buying within the UK :-(
This is true! I used as reference the pricelist of Headroom for the US and the minimum prices I found in UK web shops because they are more representative of the real "street price" of Grado cans in the UK. The RRP prices are truly extraordinary!
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post #156 of 762
2/18/05 at 10:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa
The SR-60s were the first Grados I ever heard and I loved them instantly. Before that the best I sound I had heard in many years were the PX100s. But I couldn't get the SR-60 to be comfortable (long story, but short, there was something pulling on the right cord.)
I returned the SR-60s and bought the KEFQ1 speakers later. The KEFs have a simular sound which I love too. After I was spoiled by the KEFs I got the MS-1s.
I never had that WOW facter with the MS-1s. I think because I was spoiled from the speakers. But I do remember that the SR-60s have a more fun and upfront midrange and lower treble. And I sometimes wonder if I would still like the SR-60s better because of that.

So long story short. The MS-1s are less fatigueing which is better for long listening sessions for me. The SR60s might be just what the docter ordered for you.
Your answer makes me believe that I did the right thing. You are a kind and consolable girl.
Anyway I don't think that I could like MS1 better, because I never got that wow-factor with any of my about 30 more expensive headphones in my long life, as with Grado SR-60.
Perhaps we could close this forum, After long debating for a couple of years, the decision is that Grado Sr60 is the best headphone ever.

Georg
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post #157 of 762
2/18/05 at 11:00am
Thank you n° 2
I won't neglect those ideas. But with the Koss's it isn't a much different affair here... grrrrrrr!!
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post #158 of 762
2/18/05 at 11:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Helter Skelter
Impedance doesn't mean everything. Newer models of the HD595 are 50 ohm (the Grados are all 32 ohm).
Sennheiser's website do list the impedance of the 595's as 50 Ohms nominal, but Headroom's graph shows values above 150 Ohms on most of the spectrum . Maybe that's the older model they measured then. In any case, the 595's (at least older model), have an impedance curve which has a prominent peak around some lower frequencies (apparently somewhere between 50Hz and 100Hz). This is characteristic of most sennheisers:



All grados (and some other brands of headphones) have an almost perfectly flat impedance curve. That means, the amplifier powering them "sees" the same load across the full audio spectrum:



Don't know exactly how that might benefit sound though (my guess, maybe makes it easier to get good PRAT?).
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post #159 of 762
2/18/05 at 11:53am
rsaavedra--
the current HD595 is 50 ohm, 112 dB 'sensitive'. That is, any normal portable player will most easily power them.
The graph you quote refers to the 120 ohm.

Yes the impedance peaks up notably as compared to the typical Grado.
But I was surprised to find that even with the about 200 ohm impedance of my amp you can't clearly notice any bass humps around the concerned spot.


As a result, the '0 ohm' output of all portables will serve the 595 simply as well as a Grado.
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post #160 of 762
2/18/05 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrea
But I was surprised to find that even with the about 200 ohm impedance of my amp you can't clearly notice any bass humps around the concerned spot.
A peak in the impedance does not at all necessarily correlate with a peak in the response at that frequency. In fact, if anything it would rather suggest the opposite, too high an impedance at some frequency would possibly lower the ouput at those frequencies with respect to the rest of the spectrum. But the actual final frequency response of the driver depends on much more than just the impedance curve. So no, I didn't mean to suggest this has any direct correlation with flatness or lack of in the frequency response.


PS. I might have some fixation with this technical detail, this is not the first time I submit a post about it (see here).
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post #161 of 762
2/18/05 at 12:22pm
From my limited knowledge of amplifiers, impedance variances itself shouldn't affect the frequency reponse of the speakers, but it it means your amplifier has to be able to suppy enough current during these transients?

I know my floorstanders speakers are pretty hard to drive, nominal impedance is 4Ohm. There's a review on the model that's "two up" from and previous revision..I think @ 60hz impedance is 2.2Ohm! So they do need decent amps, and I guess the same is for headphones..
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post #162 of 762
2/18/05 at 12:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by seeberg
mhcarlos, what kind of pad are you cutting? The 414 replacement pad is best for the mod, it'll get you optimal results.
seeberg - Thanks. Is it worth it to get replacement pads for the SR-60? I'm was thinking maybe if it was the SR-225, then I wouldn't hesitate getting Todd's flat pads or vwap pads, but how much mroe quality can you get from the 60 with pro-modded pads?
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post #163 of 762
2/18/05 at 1:02pm
I actually took some bowl pads and reversed them last night on my SR60's. While being about as comfortable as when they're not reversed (maybe even a tad more "scratchy" feeling until you get used to them), it provides noticeably more bass than the bowl pads when installed in their regular orientation, and avoids that slightly "cloudy" feeling that the stock comfys can give the SR60's.

I would love to try out the flats some time, but $30 for pads, when I only paid $70 for the headphones is a bit much. Not that they wouldn't greatly improve the sound from what I've read, but because eventually the pads will need replaced, and that can get quite pricey at $30 a pair!

I'm going to have to get some Senn pads and do the hole mod to compare.

Does anyone have any of these pre-cut and dyed black since v-wap no longer offers them? I can do it myself, but I'd rather not.

Anyone tried any other colors when dying the Senn pads?
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post #164 of 762
2/18/05 at 1:15pm
What on earth is wrong with the pads of Grado SR60? Is it some older type that was uncomfortable? I find the pads extremly soft, big and comfortable.

Georg
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post #165 of 762
2/18/05 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsaavedra
Don't know exactly how that might benefit sound though (my guess, maybe makes it easier to get good PRAT?).
... I wouldn't choose phones based on its impedance curve =) ...



Freq resp curves show how a product would 'sound' like in a very basic term, while impedance will roughly show how well an amp can drive them. Low imp transducer will demand more current or something like that (no EE here =).
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Grado Prestige Series SR60i Headphones
$72.95 at
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