...now that I'm back home with my K701, rock feels even more odd with these headphones.
Quick background: I was away (way away, like 3 hours) on a semi-vacation and I saw this low-key audio store amongst all the other drab stores, stopped by, and saw a wall of Grados (up to RS-2), and Senns (up to 595).
Equipment: I only tried it through my headphone out and with an amp from the store and a silver cable again from the store, since i wasn't expecting this at all, and I was traveling with the minimum (iPod and KSC75).
Observations: Even with this rushed and mediocre setup, I heard very distinguishable things from this rarely talked about Grado model.
First off, it crushed any myths I heard about Grado bowls and the sound, as well as soundstage (maybe the RS-2 is an exception with the sound and soundstage?): Very comfortable, did not crush the ears at all; it fact, it enveloped my ears much like the K701. As for the sound, even with the silver cable, it was indeed a tab bit on the bright side, but not so much as hurtful. For soundstage, nothing felt in your face; it was like sitting a fair amount away from the singer and band, but enough to be engaged.
The sound overall is best described as tight and controlled, with maybe fast decay. Many of you know the Ultrasone test CD, and I listened to the first track (clarinet, tuba, etc.) as well as Elvis and The Beatles and Steely Dan.
Clarinet and tuba both sounded rich in quality (I have been in band for quite some time, so I know what they really sound like, yet I felt like that decayed a tad bit too fast. Vocals were clear and seemed to never mix with the instruments. The strength of Grado came through with the guitar and drums, of course; very energetic and with a quality I could not describe, but it made you forget about analyzing them and just enjoy it. Bass was round and pretty much complete, but perhaps from the silver cable felt a bit sharp. Mids were of course the stars of the show, being unique for Grado, and for treble it was accurate, yet maybe the silver exaggerated it a bit.
This is the first headphone I listened to that I have to admit is too much fun not to like. I keep mentally kicking myself for not brining my Jumbo Cryo and Hornet (one guy in the store asked what equipment I use, and when I rattled it off, him and the guy next to him were totally
), but this was better than nothing. I also regret listening to one of the top Grados, because now I know nothing less can satisfy my now-spoiled ears.
Thanks for listening in, and I hope others can benefit from this to determine whether the Grado sound is for them. To me, this was EXACTLY as if the K701 and the KSC75 mated and this was their offspring.
Remember though, that according from many people from Head-Fi (I don't know if anybody disagreed with this), the RS-1 and RS-2 are noticeably different in overall sound signature and presentation.
Oh, and the RS-2 weighed as much as a feather it seemed; way less heavier than a K701 and looked cheaper at first glance, but the retro appearance and the finely crafted wood more than made up for that.
Quick background: I was away (way away, like 3 hours) on a semi-vacation and I saw this low-key audio store amongst all the other drab stores, stopped by, and saw a wall of Grados (up to RS-2), and Senns (up to 595).
Equipment: I only tried it through my headphone out and with an amp from the store and a silver cable again from the store, since i wasn't expecting this at all, and I was traveling with the minimum (iPod and KSC75).
Observations: Even with this rushed and mediocre setup, I heard very distinguishable things from this rarely talked about Grado model.
First off, it crushed any myths I heard about Grado bowls and the sound, as well as soundstage (maybe the RS-2 is an exception with the sound and soundstage?): Very comfortable, did not crush the ears at all; it fact, it enveloped my ears much like the K701. As for the sound, even with the silver cable, it was indeed a tab bit on the bright side, but not so much as hurtful. For soundstage, nothing felt in your face; it was like sitting a fair amount away from the singer and band, but enough to be engaged.
The sound overall is best described as tight and controlled, with maybe fast decay. Many of you know the Ultrasone test CD, and I listened to the first track (clarinet, tuba, etc.) as well as Elvis and The Beatles and Steely Dan.
Clarinet and tuba both sounded rich in quality (I have been in band for quite some time, so I know what they really sound like, yet I felt like that decayed a tad bit too fast. Vocals were clear and seemed to never mix with the instruments. The strength of Grado came through with the guitar and drums, of course; very energetic and with a quality I could not describe, but it made you forget about analyzing them and just enjoy it. Bass was round and pretty much complete, but perhaps from the silver cable felt a bit sharp. Mids were of course the stars of the show, being unique for Grado, and for treble it was accurate, yet maybe the silver exaggerated it a bit.
This is the first headphone I listened to that I have to admit is too much fun not to like. I keep mentally kicking myself for not brining my Jumbo Cryo and Hornet (one guy in the store asked what equipment I use, and when I rattled it off, him and the guy next to him were totally
), but this was better than nothing. I also regret listening to one of the top Grados, because now I know nothing less can satisfy my now-spoiled ears.Thanks for listening in, and I hope others can benefit from this to determine whether the Grado sound is for them. To me, this was EXACTLY as if the K701 and the KSC75 mated and this was their offspring.
Remember though, that according from many people from Head-Fi (I don't know if anybody disagreed with this), the RS-1 and RS-2 are noticeably different in overall sound signature and presentation.
Oh, and the RS-2 weighed as much as a feather it seemed; way less heavier than a K701 and looked cheaper at first glance, but the retro appearance and the finely crafted wood more than made up for that.
) Either way, the smell really makes a nice experience when combined with the amazing sound. It is also something that you might find further places it apart from the K701s and other non-wood headphones.
