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Is upgrading even worth it?

post #1 of 15
2/3/07 at 4:30pm
Thread Starter 
I'm a self-titled "baby hard-core grado fan". My first "good" headphone was the SR60, which I got two years ago, and ever since, I've been completely satisfied by my purchase. I've listened to bunches of other headphones (AD700, K-501, DT880 '03, K81DJ, iM716, E4C), and in my opinion, nothing comes close to the way the SR60 reproduces sound. So far, I haven't been able to say anything's wrong with my SR60s at all. I haven't even been amping them; I've just been running them straight out of my Zen Sleek's headphone out.

In my case, is it even worth upgrading to something more expensive, like the Darth Beyer or the SR225? Even if the SR225 is supposed to be much better, what effect would it have on me, since I already think the SR60 is basically perfect? I'm itchy to spend more money on supposedly "better" headphones, but the realist inside me says that if I'm already satisfied, I should get far, far away from Head-Fi. What do you guys say?
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post #2 of 15
2/3/07 at 4:39pm
Don't kid yourself. This is head-fi.
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post #3 of 15
2/3/07 at 4:40pm
I'd say go for the upgrade with the 225's. They have that same Grado sound we've all come to love but better bass response and more detail in both the mids and highs. They truly are great and I believe they are 100% worth it.
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post #4 of 15
2/3/07 at 6:11pm
I reckon you should keep your SR60's. If its not broken, why fix it?

But I think you should buy a can which is like the complete oposite to the SR60. Something which is closed and doesnt leak. Something REALLY comfortable. Something with more soundstage.

So you can have 2 headphones for different purposes. That's what I'm doing anyway
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post #5 of 15
2/3/07 at 7:15pm
You like the Grado sound? Get some RS1s, a Zana Deux, and a CD12.
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post #6 of 15
2/3/07 at 7:27pm
Upgrade. You know you want to. Give in to your feelings. Don't be afraid.

SR225.

Amplifier...

SR225...
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post #7 of 15
2/3/07 at 7:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aflac View Post
...I already think the SR60 is basically perfect? I'm itchy to spend more money on supposedly "better" headphones, but the realist inside me says that if I'm already satisfied, I should get far, far away from Head-Fi. What do you guys say?
Only make improvements when your ears are asking for them. That way, you know what you're looking for, and that provides guidance to what might deliver it. If responding to a generalized itch to "try something better", then try ... what? ... to make ... what? ... better? Especially when you're already satisfied, this is the time to focus on your music, not your rig. This is a great time to respond to that itch to "improve something" by improving your music collection. And THAT's what the Music Forum is about. It's a really active and informative Forum where you can get lots of great ideas for new music to explore and satisfy that itch to spend more money. Aw c'mon, this IS Head-Fi!

My answer to this "Switch headphones vs Leave Head-Fi" question is:
Neither. At this point: stay on Head-Fi and switch Forums. The Music Forum awaits you.

Now, for later, when you ears ARE asking for more, you can get a LOT of what the SR225 offers PLUS a LOT of what the ER4S offers ALL in one set of Yuin PK2's - yup, portable buds easily driven by that Zen Sleek. I own all three sets of phones, and that's what I hear.

But, for now, focus on that Music Forum is my 2 cents.
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post #8 of 15
2/3/07 at 7:54pm
sbulack's post is 100% true. however, it'd still be good to audition the sr225s... you never know...
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post #9 of 15
2/3/07 at 10:34pm
There's nothing quite like Grado's, so naturally out of all the headphones you listened to, there's still only one pair that suites you. So if you decide to upgrade, go for some SR225's or possibly RS-1's.
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post #10 of 15
2/3/07 at 10:54pm
sbulack is right. but it's such an addictive passion, this quest for the perfect listening experience.

sometimes I wonder if this these forums would be as active as they are if most of the headphones and amps discussed were readily available for audition in stores. I find that I keep coming back waiting for a thread or a post to convince me to take a chance on someting new.

Currently, I'm tired of my sr80s and I find that my equipment isn't up to properly driving my recently added k501s. Thankfully, I'm okay with my kramer-modded ksc75s. for now. I'm 'this close' to pulling the trigger on a pair of hd580s from amazon so I'll keep reading until someone moves me to the point of purchase.
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post #11 of 15
2/3/07 at 10:59pm
If you knew the SR60s were perfect you wouldn't have started this thread, but if you only thought they were perfect...

Seriously, having owned four of the Grado models (and not being a Grado fan), there are improvements moving to the MS1 or SR225 out of even mediocre sources. Worth the price/performance hit? That's up to you.

As for leaving Head-Fi or upgrading, should the same question be asked about your experiences before you visited here? Were you really missing anything before? If so, what makes you think you're still not?

Personally, though I say run. The SR60s are good enough. So are even the KSC75s.
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post #12 of 15
2/3/07 at 11:11pm
I'd just skip ahead and buy the RS-1. It's the best expression of the Grado house sound you like. The GS-1000 and the HP-1/2/3, while excellent, don't have the same flavor of the rest of the line. In my opinion, the RS-1 is one of the few "classic" headphones still in production.

The improvement between the SR-60 and the RS-1 is large. I've A/B'ed them, and it's not even close. When people listen to my rig, the RS-1 is the one that makes eyes light up. They like, and sometimes love, the rest, but the RS-1 is loved across the board.

I'd look for a used one; they usually turn up around $500-$550. It'll work OK out of your DAP, but you'll be able to eventually build a rig around it. Get a tube amp then work on your sources.
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post #13 of 15
2/3/07 at 11:20pm
Coming from a person that, until about a month ago, thought the iBuds sounded awesome. I just have some k81djs but im going to get an iPod line out and a Go-Vibe V and next Xmas probably spring for some hd 650s or 590s

Nobody at school is even half as obsessed with audio that I am not, even though I am not completely obsessed, I find it fun when people drop their jaws cause i am spending $80 on headphones and almost 100$ for my amp stuff. And then the laughing begins when i tell them they are entry level and that ill probably drop 200-300 around xmas.

Anyways, upgrades are always fun. buy a set of phones from headroom and if you dont like them, send them back. I just wish i had a place around here to try out phones.
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post #14 of 15
2/3/07 at 11:35pm
if youre already satisfied, why keep looking. i'm really satisfied with my 225s and i dont feel like upgrading to the RS-1 or anything like that. But I expect that will all change when I go to the nyc meet
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post #15 of 15
2/4/07 at 12:20am
Whats the difference between the RS-1 and the RS-2?
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