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How big of an issue is the comfort issue with the Grados?

post #1 of 29
5/16/05 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
I'm used to my Senn HD590's and I can listen to them for hours at a time. Is this possible with the Grados? Anyone care to comment who has both either the HD590/HD580/HD600's and some Grados so I can get an idea?

I have read about the C-pads that you can get for the Grado's to help with the comfort issues but I have also heard they change the way they sound as well and not necessarilly for the better.
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post #2 of 29
5/16/05 at 6:43pm
The comfort issue is exagerrated IMO. You just simply have to be tough and bend the headband so that it better conforms to the top of your head so the cans don't dig into your skull.

I haven't tried any Senn though so I'm not sure if they feel lighter than air or what. They look kind of heavy and I'm not crazy about the pad on top. What if it had a mind of it's own and didn't want to release your head from it's grip?
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post #3 of 29
5/16/05 at 6:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kram Sacul
The comfort issue is exagerrated IMO. You just simply have to be tough and bend the headband so that it better conforms to the top of your head so the can don't dig into your skull.
Yup, if the top of your skull is a little rounded or pointed (like mine), a few seconds of bending fixes things nicely. All else fails? - $12 beyerband or diy padding on the oem band.
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post #4 of 29
5/16/05 at 6:53pm
I find my SR-60s more comfortable than my HD-600s.
On the other hand, my unbent SR-225s are pretty uncomfortable.
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post #5 of 29
5/16/05 at 6:56pm
I believe that comfort is largely determined by head size and shape. Grado Labs headphones are no exception to this and I have observed a correlation between large head size and discomfort of Grado Labs products. It has been my own experience that The Prestige Series SR60 thru SR225 (not including SR325i) are very comfortable because of the lightweight plastics used in their construction. The tension of the metal alloy headband can be easily adjusted unlike modern designed all plastic headphones. You may however find that with smaller head sizes, the fit of Grado Labs products that use metal alloy cups may be compromised because of the increased weight (hence exclusion of the SR325i and Headphlie pads). It has been noted throughout many discussions on the topic that the OE ear-pads are stiff and may cause irritation. You should note that the pads will eventually soften-- though it is largely dependent on their age from the original date of manufacture. I suspect that you will find the stiff cable and endlessly rotating cups much more problematic than the overall ergonomics of the headphones.
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post #6 of 29
5/16/05 at 7:16pm
i think its just a little unfair to evaluate comfort between circum-aural and supra-aural cans. some may just prefer over-the-ears in general, then by default, grados most likely become "uncomfortable."

anyway, compared to other supra-aural cans i've tried. my sr60 is by far the most comfortable. the headband can be adjusted/bent to just about any clamping pressure. and the comfy pads are not "itchy" on my ears (as some have complained) - on the contrary, they are very cozy on my ears. (i sleep with these on) so i'd have to believe if one likes supra-aural cans in general, grados would be a fine choice for comfort. (though i have no experience with bowl pads, nor the heavier 325i/rs1/rs2 models)
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post #7 of 29
5/16/05 at 7:19pm
I've been listening to my MS-1s all day at work and haven't had a comfort issue, but one thing is they tend to get a bit warm. but that doesnt really matter!

Luke
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post #8 of 29
5/16/05 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 
I guess from what I had read the comfort issues weren't so much with the headband but with the earcups being uncomfortable on your ears (hence why people were buying the C-pads or whatever they are called).
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post #9 of 29
5/16/05 at 7:34pm
I've never experienced a problem with my MS1's - Really though, It's a personal thing... You've just got to suck it and see!
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post #10 of 29
5/16/05 at 8:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by newguru
I'm used to my Senn HD590's and I can listen to them for hours at a time. Is this possible with the Grados? Anyone care to comment who has both either the HD590/HD580/HD600's and some Grados so I can get an idea?

I have read about the C-pads that you can get for the Grado's to help with the comfort issues but I have also heard they change the way they sound as well and not necessarilly for the better.
I love my unmodded SR-80s, but, to me, they simply are not comfortable headphones.
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post #11 of 29
5/16/05 at 8:32pm
Well I just got a pair of MS-2is today. I have had them on for about 3 hours with out pain. I had to move the headband around once in awhile just to adjust. I have a small head and did not see a need to bend the headband. My ears do get hotter than with my 650s but they do not hurt. I think the headband will be more of an issue for me. They are not what I would call comfortable but they are not uncomfortable.
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post #12 of 29
5/16/05 at 8:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by James63
Well I just got a pair of MS-2is today. I have had them on for about 3 hours with out pain. I had to move the headband around once in awhile just to adjust. I have a small head and did not see a need to bend the headband. My ears do get hotter than with my 650s but they do not hurt. I think the headband will be more of an issue for me. They are not what I would call comfortable but they are not uncomfortable.
What are your initial thoughts comparing the new MS-2I's to your 650's in sound?
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post #13 of 29
5/16/05 at 9:25pm
Comfort, like most things, varies from person to person. You'll just have to try them and see if you like them. I found them very uncomfortable for a long time, but I've come to adjust. But if someone finds them uncomfortable to the point of giving up on the Grados, I can't fault them for that. Keep in mind, you're going from one of the most comfortable headphones -- the 590. That could be an abrupt change.
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post #14 of 29
5/16/05 at 10:04pm
There’s no comfort issue with Grato’s. They’re like gentle caressing your ears with the finest……….




Mitch
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post #15 of 29
5/16/05 at 11:26pm
what hasn't been mentioned: with either comfies (drilled out) or vwaps (and i'll assume flats from Todd, too), one can put the center of the driver just about anywhere. and thus adjust the sound pretty much to one's liking. circum-aural are much more limited; my 580s and 600s went just one place. the bowls are dreadful, don't bother or judge the quality of grados with them. and no, no one can figure out why John Grado is in thrall to those monsters.

just don't attempt any fast head fakes; only professionals can get away with that. the rest of us send the dang things flying.
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