I think this is really SR325 teritory (more so than RS-1's, which for me gets the nod for allround use, though).

I haven't heard, only read about MSP, and I am curious if they are the better performer in electro/high energy rock, compared to RS-1.

i also want to know that too...although i don t think you can beat 325 for indie/hi energy rock

Where you at DanG ?

If anyone can answer this he can.I own the MS-1 and use it for everything.No regrets (got it for 75.00 + free shipping before grado put a stop to the %25 off )

Yes please, do pop in, Grado+Allesandro toprangers

Just a note, _trying_ to make myself very clear: I'm not looking for anything that possibly beats the [attack/impact/tight fast bass]* of SR325.
Just curious whether the MSP leans more towards to the challenge than the RS-1 does, thus surpassing the RS-1 as my top candidate for one-and-only headphone.

*) I do trust you know what I mean by this quality... I believe it's also commonly refered to as the *slam*

Thank you!

the msp's are better for classicals(and large and small scale symphonic works). The rs-1s have a bit more oomph and drive.
The top end does have more energy on the msps. In my mind that would just be problematic with those high quality rock recordings.

It would of course be better just to try em both and compare.

k.s.

well one thing Grado does not lack is slam !

The Alessandro series are special Grado designs created to be more accurate , thus less euphonic than the regular line .

Dang has compared the RS-1 to the MS-Pro extensively, he owned both , and he preferred the MS .

Maybe do a search and pullup his review

rickamundomonster

The MSP has more detail than the RS-1, but I have ONLY READ this, I haven't heard both personally.

I never owned the RS-1, though I'm pretty sure Vka has. He did have the MS Pro and the HP1 also.

It's been a while since I heard the RS-1... when I compared the MS Pro to the HP1, the MS Pro had a more energetic sound both on top and bottom yet was still clear. From when I heard the RS-1, the MS Pro was a clearer-sounding headphone. It is good for "electro/high energy rock," though I like the HP2 now (guess I'm used to it) since I don't need any extra energy. I loved the MS Pro with classical because it seemed to impart a little energy (or rather let it shine regard to other aspects) to the music.

I don't really listen to what you would probably call electro rock, mainly classic rock stuff nowadays (lots of Zeppelin and Floyd these past weeks) and the HP-1000 really does a great job with it as it lets everything get through unadulterated. But the MS Pro is very similar to the sound of HP1000, whereas my impressions of the RS-1 were that the sound is in a way different -- more tonal equalization I'd say than either the MSP or HP1/2.

Thank you for your inputs!

So the MSP doesn't beat the slam of RS-1.
From this and all else I've gathered on MSP vs RS-1, I will lose my idea of MSP as an _all-in-one_ phone, but rather concider it a more interesting alternative than the RS-1 to _complement_ the RS325.
Might seem a bit odd to some of you, but it's not like the MSP will see much less use than the 325; 50/50 is more likely.

Conclusion: The RS-1 is still the topcandidate for all-in-one. Only I now scrap the all-in-one approach alltogether. For headphones, that is; hopefully I will be able to decide on an all-in-one amp for the 325 and MSP. Leave that for more researching...


P.s. KShaft: I'd try them and compare if I had the chance. No such luck in my town (country even), I'm afraid.
They don't even stock RS-1 in Stockholm - had to make special arrengements in order to audition them. And when you decide to order one through one of three Grado retailers, it'll set you back 9990SEK (<$900).

Apoptygma, I figured that might be the case but ya never know.

Even though the msp's were brighter, I prefered them to the rs-1s. I thought the mids were superior.

You can get the msp's in taiwan for CHEAPER than you can here!
Go figure...

good luck in your search,
k.s.

Quote:



I'd say that's a bad conclusion. I think the MS Pro is a much better all-in-one headphone than the RS-1 -- if you have at least somewhat decent components behind it. It was certainly a great all-in-one headphone for me and I could live with it just as well as with the HP2 I have now. The reason I have an HP2 now and not an MS Pro is my wallet! I sold off the MSP when I needed money, and when I had the cash to burn again I bought the HP2 for very nearly the same price as I got the MSP.

Apoptygma from your name and where you come from(Scandinavia )I guess you are a fan of Apoptygma Berserk .325 is just amazing for their sound. I have a friend who is a fan too , heard their album from my 325 and was blown away by the impact of the Gradoes. buing them leaves you more money for a better amp too

DanG,

Bad conclusion?

I appreciate your favourable experience with the MSP as allround for your listening.
All I'm saying is that the concept of all-in-one, would only work for me if I get impact on a scale between SR325 and RS-1.

As I said though, the path I'm now looking at is SR325 + MSP, rather than to pursue the all-in-one concept.




mecano,

Yessir, I dig Apop Pretty bad name though IMO... figured it probably wasn't taken.

You mention "their album". They've made four full-lenghts + some EP, Maxi and compilation discs since '93. See if your friend has the debut "Soli Deo Gloria" or "The 2nd Manifesto".

And you're so right about the phones. Apop + SR325 is a slamdunk match made in outer space

P.s. Sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with your local Grado dealer. Hope you hear something positive from Gradolabs soon. Let us know on your thread!

I believe it was their last album,he has some other stuff from them although I don’t know about the ones you mention I ll have to ask him .he came to my place with some CDs from his collection-he is very much into electronic/industrial not only from recent bands but also from the 80s(Skinny Puppy,Front 242,Whethermen,Front Line Assembly etc)and even the pre-industrial kraut rock legends like Neu! and Kraftwerk.and after this visit and meeting with my 325 he became a Grado fan but of course following the situation with the local Grado dealer he is reluctant to buy one

Quote:



I meant bad conclusion as in bad for the MSP. I think you'll find it's a headphone that has a lot of energy and "slam." It doesn't have the cut-your-face-open-oh-my-ears-are-bleeding brightness of the SR325. It's just not an unnaturally harsh headphone the way I found the SR325 the several times I listened to it on various equipment. It's a very elegant headphone -- when you're listening to elegant music -- yet it can pass across all the energy you throw at it, plus more. Unless, of course, this high-energy stuff you listen to depends on the equipment to create the energy?