After being able to go from the SR-125's to the 325's and finally to the RS-1's, I had to sell all of my phones a little while back to help me take care of other things. That was a depressing event, as I had grown to really like the Grado sound. I'm in a little better situation now, and I have been watching for used deals, and I was able to grab a very nice used pair of SR-325's (the black ones) with both bowl and flat pads on audiogon. I've never listened with the flat pads, and I've read a lot of threads here about the difference they make, so I jumped at the opportunity. I definitely prefer the RS-1 to the SR-325 (although I am still also very satisfied with the 325, and I don't think the RS-1 are $400 better), but after having a chance to listen with the flat pads, I have to now say that the SR-325's with the flat pads beat out my old RS-1's with the bowl pads. Now I'm left wanting my old pair of RS-1's so I can put these flat pads on them! These flat pads totally smoothen out the sound! I've never considered the Grado's harsh or overly bright, but I can imagine that anyone who would think that would have a very different opinion listening w/the flat pads. It's strange because I've tried taking the comfy pads, inverting them and cutting the circle out, and I still preferred the bowl pads, and yet the flat pads are the best.

I'm back in the Grado game...and it feels damn good!

I prefer the flat pads too. They're also more comfortable than the bowls to me. I am very disappointed that Grado discontinued them and don't make replacement flats any more. I even emailed them about it.

If anyone knows of a source for these pads, for the love of God tell us here!

hokiefritz, you're right...that's one thing I forgot to mention...the flats are also a little more comfortable to me than the bowls...

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I second hokiefritz's plea for a source for the flat pads...I just need one!

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Looking at your signature ze-ant I see you are also looking for a HeadRoom Static (now discontinued).. ahem.. lets see then: you need a single flat Grado earpad (discontinued), a HeadRoom Static (discontinued), to pair with your HP1's (discontinued.)
Is there any part of this stinking hobby that you are making easy for yourself??

I have bowl pads on my 80s. But, I wouldn't mind trying a pair of the flats on them just for kicks.

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M Rael, I think you will agree with me when I say that the hardest part of this stinking hobby is not being able to find all of that (discontinued) stuff but being able to find enough of the 'green stuff' to be able to afford them, when you're lucky enough to find them