The Official Grado 325i Owners Club. - Page 180

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaryfirelady 

Okay, firstly, thank you for your help :) Just want to get the most out of them. And I guess learning is the best way!

Right, my cd player is a sony XA2ES

I am currently sitting with both headphones, comparing with a cd I know well (tina Dico with the danish national orchestra, so plenty varying sounds happening!)  I will take back what I said about the 80's being better. Its more of a matter (like maddin said) of probably being used to the 80's. I think the problem I'm experiencing just now is the 325's are quite bassy, which is good, but as a result, it feels like everything is mashed together (it's lacking clarity and definition between the instruments) Could this be more to do with the cd player? It feels like it could be.

 

I'm sorry I'm not being very clear!

 

Best thing I can describe is probably her voice, it feels like the bass levels are up on her voice, so it doesn't feel rounded.

Hehe, sorry about random updates, just listed to another bit, and I definitely think the base is up too much. 

Can this cause my clarity issues? If so, how can I resolve this?

Thanks again guys! :D

P.s Maddin, I love your ratty!! So cute!! :D

I tried to reply to you earlier, but the forum would not let me reply, anyway, I don't know if your Sony has a DSP mode or not, or if you are using any kind of equalizer or tone controls, if you are make sure they are flat (no increase/decrease) in frequency's. I use either a Sony CDP-701es or an Adcom GTP-400 to drive my Grado's with no such trouble.

Keep in mind that there is a big difference in the 80i and the 325is, which you very well may have to get used to, the 325is's are not as much in your face or attacking as the 80i, and also the 325is has much more of a fuller sound. I also felt this way at first, it's like the 80i reaches out and grabs you where as the 325is doe's not do this as much, but they still attack nicely IMO.

You will definitely feel the bass tighten up after a while and also the highs will tame down (at least in my experience) and once the bass tightens they will sound much clearer and the instrument's will be more separated and airy, plus don't forget your not used to the different sound stage also. With the 80i you hear every detail right in front of you, with the 325is it's a much broader range, also (IMO).

Weather or not burn in is fact or fiction (I) definitely hear that my 325is's changed with time, so give them some play time.

Do you feel you hear the same over emphasized bass through the ipod?

Grado's are very efficient to drive and should sound fine through both unit's.

Hey, Thank's for the advice joseph69 :)

Yeah, I really agree with you here. The 325is feel more natural. I can hear the quality from them, and really love them!

As I was having a good old listen last night, from my mac, I realised that the equilizer on itunes was on accoustic, so I turned this off, and it helped. But still not as high end quality as I feel I could get from these bad boys. So I did some research and bought myself a fiio E7. Second hand, so not too mcuh money. Was this the right move? I run an aging macbook now, so the sound card probably isnt great. As a result I get, what I would reseble to, a noise like broken cheap in ear headphones, you know when they crackle because the film is ripped? anyway, I'm getting that on the high ends. Not so much on my ipod, and the cd player is a whole different kettle of fish! 

So, really, after last night, I've figured out its definitely my limited setup! As I'm experiencing different problems with everything! Obviously the 325is are just too good!! ;)

Anyway, I guess this takes me onto the E7. I am going to use this through my laptop just now. Can I run it through my cd player as well? Just until I can buy an amp?

Moving onto amps... Would this solve my cd player issue? And if so, where shall I start? I had a surf about, liked the sound of the fidelity audio HPA-100. But they are expensive, so might hold out for a second hand one. I also heard a Pro-ject Head box MKII is a good one, for the money. Would this be a good place to start? 

 

I tried to reply to your post earlier, but once again the forum would not let me.

I'm glad that you think you've solved the issue with your component's. I can NOT give you info on the Fiio E7, because I have no experience with any portable,computer set ups what so ever, I only listen to Cd's through home audio equipment. As far as the crackling noise coming from the headphone's, I have experienced this with the volume controls on my home audio component's also. It turned out to simply be oxidation on the volume controls which was fixed by simply rotating the volume knob back and forth several times to wipe the oxidation off of the contact's, and it was fine after ward's, (fortunately I did not need to purchase deoxit to clean them). I would also be interested in purchasing a dedicated headphone amp if I didn't have my home component's. From reading  post's on head-fi and doing some other research, I'm not to sure that in my case I would benefit so much so I put it on hold for now. If I didn't have these component's I would have looked into the Bellari HA540,Little Dot MK1+,Little Dot MKlll, but don't take my word on these because I have NOT heard any of them, I just would have been interested in these particular model's personally. From reading post's, there are many different opinion's on headphone amp's, just as well as everything else, but I can say that different amp's obviously give different sound signature's, and some may match better with certain headphone's as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaryfirelady 

Hey! That's very helpful advice, thank you

I will try the torsion of the volume when I'm home! Its very likely to be that, as the CD player has been sat in a loft for years! (it was my dad's old one) so im assuming that will work!

Im fairly confident about the fiio. I went for it because its cheap, and from what I've read on here, no one has had a bad word to say. So figured it would be a good place to start.

As for the amp: I have (again, family left over parts) an old fidelity amp, plugged only for DVDs and iPod. I was going to connect the cd player up. But a) I would have to sit on the floor to reach the setup when using headphones, and b) the amp doesn't have a heaphone jack anyway, so id still have to hook straight up to the cd player. So I figured just buying a dedicated amp, set up with the cd player, next to the sofa, will solve all of my problems!

As for the amps, I only thought fidelity cause I already have one, and so know it. And those ones you mentioned, I have also looked at. So it would be interesting to find out people's opinions with the grados

I also encountered the same situation with my listening area, which is why I contemplated buying a headphone amp. Also (I currently sit on the edge of the couch to listen to the headphone's).

I know there are plenty of post's about the Little Dot's I mentioned, but the only post I came across for the Bellari, the guy wasn't too happy with it, but like everything else that's just a personal opinion,(hearing is believing). Let us know how you make out with the distortion/crackling, and if you purchase an amp which one and how it sound's with the 325is's.

Hi there, im new on HeadFi as im kind of new in audiophile world.

Im a owner of the Sr325i and their a problem, after getting addict to the grado sound with my Allessandro Ms-1 i upgrade to them to have a more detailled and friendly sound, but the left speakers make sometime a little distortion when the bass take too much place, the right one did not seem to make this crippling noise. First i was thinking its because the metal grill or plastic cup stick to it was shaking or something but im not sure now, perhaps its a hair on the back of the driver or, and i dont wish that, something inside the driver like the voicecoil that is broken...

I was wondering if some of you encounter the same problem and solve it?

In fact, the Ms1 has this kind of problem too! But im sure about this one that it was due to the plastic grill wich i will replace one day...I kind of became crazy here, cause a love hate relationship happen to my ears since in crave for the perfect sound, i wish they were less analytical but hey...thats the audiophile disease a guess!

I will be very happy to have some opinions or solution about this Sr325i weakness. Thanx a lot in advance and sorry for my poor english im french and some technical words lack but will try to explain more accurately my problem if somebody answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nymphonomaniac 

Hi there, im new on HeadFi as im kind of new in audiophile world.

Im a owner of the Sr325i and their a problem, after getting addict to the grado sound with my Allessandro Ms-1 i upgrade to them to have a more detailled and friendly sound, but the left speakers make sometime a little distortion when the bass take too much place, the right one did not seem to make this crippling noise. First i was thinking its because the metal grill or plastic cup stick to it was shaking or something but im not sure now, perhaps its a hair on the back of the driver or, and i dont wish that, something inside the driver like the voicecoil that is broken...

I was wondering if some of you encounter the same problem and solve it?

 

In fact, the Ms1 has this kind of problem too! But im sure about this one that it was due to the plastic grill wich i will replace one day...I kind of became crazy here, cause a love hate relationship happen to my ears since in crave for the perfect sound, i wish they were less analytical but hey...thats the audiophile disease a guess!

 

I will be very happy to have some opinions or solution about this Sr325i weakness. Thanx a lot in advance and sorry for my poor english im french and some technical words lack but will try to explain more accurately my problem if somebody answer.

What kind of distortion sound do you hear?

Being that the distortion was coming from the left driver on you MS1 and it is also coming from the left driver of your 325is, are you sure it's not a problem with your source?

What are you driving the headphone's with?

Hi, thanx for the quick feedback.

This is the kind of distortion you can hear when a bass is suppose to be clean and its not because something is shaking somewhere, it can happen when your wall shake cause of your subwoofer, but in good headphones...its not normal!

About the MS1, the distortion stop when i press the plastic grill, with the Sr325i it dont...I look with a little flashlight in the back inside to see if something wrong..appart from perhaps a hair i dont see anything.

My source isnt HiFi...its Ipod classic, Sony mp3, Macbook or hometheatre amp...

When this problem occur with some tracks (like Alva Noto or bass heavy jazz) i compare them with my Ultrasone Hfi-580 and the bass just flow normally...this distortion problem doesnt happen with hi frequencies.

Im sure its a vibration issue but due to what...hell know?

If you just purchased them, If I where you I would go right back to the distributor and let them know and try to get a different pair.

Well, its a used pair that I buy, and i was thinking that one of the secret quality about Grado its the fact that you can repair anything all by yourself

.

They sound good in many way, if i compare them to the Ms1 the detail is less agressive but more pleasing to the ears and the soundstage is more accurate, instruments separation is beautifull without being over-analytical, and the texture is richer. The music in this headphones feel very precious. I dont think their more bass tough, it didnt kick out loud so its good for toms but not so for big beat. The bass in Ms1 can interfere with other frequencies wich i didnt feel it happen with the Sr325i...Grado headphones seems to have weakness with bass in general, their signature sound can be joyfull for some music and disastrous for other i think...

Still, the distortion problem is seriously unatural and i need some advice...before opening them i will like to know if their a treat that cover ALL type (or alot) of reparation you can do to solve problems that can occur with Grado...anybody know?? Just find mods thing on the net, wich is interesting but not for now.

Thanx for any advice!

Sometimes I would love to get myself a pair of SR-325i again. It has been one of the headphones I have loved most through the years. I sold them last year and I do regret it today. They are like an old Italian sportscar - they have true soul and their very own taste. 

You sound like you're in the same situation as me.

I got mine second hand. And thought something could be wrong, but it turns out. the guy I bought them from had only used them for a handful of hours. So they still need to be burned in. Everytime I use them, they are getting better. Now I'm just suffering from amp problems.

Could this be your issue? Not that I know anything, just a suggestion! Good luck with them dude!

^^ They definitely do get better with age ;)

I documented about 150hrs of burn in time on my 325i's and so far so good. Very good actually. I just did 6-8hrs at first at lower volumes and slowly worked my way up to longer hours at higher volumes. I just played my usual playlist on repeat, no pink noise. I think it worked out well. The low end improved a lot and probably the most. I now feel it rumble on some songs with deeper bass such as The Weeknd's "The Party & The After Party" and "Same Old Song". It's not overpowering but it is a very satisfying rumble. It responds very nicely on tracks with lighter bass too. It's faster and punchier now.

For the highs, they never had sibilance to me to begin with but I find they are now smoother overall and especially on higher volumes. It's still bright but in a much more controlled manner. Definitely not as piercing as when they were brand new. In other words, I can now listen to them at higher volumes without being bothered by the brightness of the headphones. 

My girlfriend who is a vocalist with well trained ears (I hope!) had a listen to them brand new and after break-in. She noticed the bass improved the most. I actually didn't even tell her I was breaking them in so if she noticed the bass, then that's good enough to me. She agrees the highs rolled off too. They already sounded great at first. Now it's just a real treat to the ears. 

To others who just got them, wait till you've put some hours to them. You're in for a treat! 

PS: I got my cMoyBB from JDS Labs and ended up returning my FiiO E11. To me, they sound better paired with my 325i's over the E11. The Bass Boost was also better than E11's EQ 1 and/or 2 setting. If you have several headphones/earphones, then maybe the E11 is better. I know at $45, I almost wanted to keep it too.

^^^ +1 to that.  I thought I made a mistake when I first got them.  But now after many hours they are calming down (highs are not painful anymore) and the bass is picking up a bit.

I don't know, the first thing I noticed when I got my pair was the bass was a lot more powerful than I expected, to the point I thought they were too muddy at first, then I just got used to the sound, to where I sometimes feel they're too bright.  It started driving me crazy to the point I did the driver-fabric hole 'mod', screwed up the sound, got them sent back for new drivers.  When I got them back they sounded exactly the way they were post-mod.  I had to send them back again because the left driver was much louder than the right.  Got them back, and they sounded just the way I remember post-mod.  Only difference is I grew to love them for what they were