It wasn't really a direct comparison to the SR-60s. No mention of ABing. The usual, laid back statement is there along with "detail being a step-up from SR60s". I've been listening to them all weekend and can't agree with this statement. I really don't consider this a comparison. He is describing the overall sound of the MS-1s and he did describe the price differences, though. He did not mention rolled-off highs compared to the SR-60 or darker tone, or better this or better that. Am I off?

Regarding the MS-Pro and RS-1...I've never heard them, so I can't make any comments on the sounds of both. I'd love to AB them though.

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Yeah, it wasnt exactly comparison. But why did SR60 cause him fatigue, when MS1 did not? We dont know, perhaps he just got used to them or perhaps they were different. As I said, I have seen more comparisons in the internet long time ago, but cant find them anymore. Just one in other forum where some person had SR-80 and MS1 and considered MS1 a lot better. No word on what pads he used on SR80, but he used hd414 pads on MS1.

I have a set of HD414s in the mail and I will try them out on the MS-1s and compare them again to the SR-80s and SR-60s. Who knows? Maybe people put these pads on right away and maybe the pads are significantly better? I'm open and will hopefully be able to try them out in a few days. I do notice that the SR-60s with comfies are more fatiguing than my SR-80s with bowls. But the SR-60s/MS-1s have a more forward and brighter presentation than the SR-80s.

BrookR1, concerning your next review, based on your review of the iCans I think you'll be fine.

When I referred to common knowledge in my previous post I specifically meant pads - I thought the consensus was bowls would bring out the treble rather than tame it as you wrote.

More on-topic, I took a little time to find a few posts from people who have heard both and heard differences, although I cannot say how many of them have ABed them directly of course. If you want the context just read the entire threads these are from, links are at the top right. They might have some additional information I overlooked, and some which will fit nicely into your conspiracy theory (from the John Grado interview, about him being tight-lipped concerning differences between Grado and Alessandro, though I personally believe he does this for other reasons). I went for the specific posts because presumably these threads are also littered with responses from people who have not heard both.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...11&postcount=8.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...91&postcount=5.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...71&postcount=5.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...5&postcount=10.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...98&postcount=3.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...1&postcount=14.

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You may be aware of this already, but keep in mind that there are differences in how the HD414s will perform depending on if they are unmodded vs. quarter modded vs. Vwap flat modded (1.5 inch hole completely exposing the driver) vs. quarter/reversed modded. I did them all (bought 3 pairs) and notice significant differences among them.

Which mod, if any, are you inclined to try? I prefer the Vwap flat mod & quarter/reversed mod (on my MS-1) depending on how bright a particular CD recording happens to be. I am curious how the HD414s (with Vwap flat mod) compare to your TTVJ flats!

Looking forward to comparing my bowls whenever they are delivered.

Thanks BrookR1 for doing this comparo. I found it very interesting. From what I've read on this matter before there should be quite huge differences. I've even read that the MS-1 are twice as fine/good cans as the SR60's.

As for post #29 regarding the differeces between the HD555 and HD595 I thought those were readily apparent with the music I listened to, which was a couple of metal albums I'm familiar with. I preferred the HD555 by the way.

yes. i believe the ms1 are a notch above the sr60. i tried my friend's sr60s and did not like them as much as my ms1s

I'm not a believer....but....I'm going to try burning both sets in a little longer. I have maybe 6-8 hours of time with my SR-60s and 2-4 hours with my MS-1s. I'll try 24 hours for each pair and return. I also unplugged the refrigerator and a fan in other room. Maybe this will help? I'll try to erase my mind of everything I've heard so far and try again in a few days.

Regarding the bowls...it's a little difficult to explain. With the bowls, the sound is less forward than the comfies. Cavernous? Clearer? Cleaner? 3 Dimensional? Less Sibilant? The highs and mids aren't as in your face. They're still there and don't sound rolled with bowls, they just sound less in your face and less fatiguing. I understand what you're saying...closer to your ears, more bass...farther...more treble...or the pads.

I'm sorry, but claiming that bowl pads "tame the highs" has completely destroyed your credibility, to me at least. I have both the comfy and bowl pads, and there is no question that the highs are more prominent when bowl pads are used... and this is consistent with every other comparison of the two pads that I've read.

My knowledge of acoustics also backs this up - high frequency, short-wavelength waves have a harder time penetrating through solid materials than low frequency waves. This is why when someone in another room is playing loud music, you'll only hear the bass. So, uncovering the foam from the front of the drivers should increase the high-frequency waves that reach your ears. Thus, the treble is more prominent - not exactly what I would call "tamed". No offense, but maybe you should have your hearing checked out before writing another headphone review.

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But then how many of these posts are by people who have heard both at the same time? Own one for a couple of years, listen to another for 30 minutes at a meet, and then you've heard both.

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I understand. it's the reason people quarter mod their comfies. but the drivers with the comfies are much closer to your ears. people complain that SR-80s require an amp...that they're harder to drive than the sr-60s. might be the distance.

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Probably a good idea. When I had my SR-80 (my 1st good set of cans) I noticed that the sound qualities changed some over a 24-48 hour period of use (cumulative burn-in time). This resulted in my having to adjust my EQ to keep the sound qualities where I liked them. I am noticing a similar phenomenon with my MS-1s (replaced the SR-80)...the sound qualities seem to be stabilizing now after a similar amount of useage. Regarless, the best sound improvements occured (IMHO) when I replaced those comfy pads. The sound simply became clearer across the frequency spectrum.

Of course, if one is not a believer in headphone burn-in then I'm just talking crazy. Feel free to ignore me.

I look forward to your update BrookR1!

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I believe post 29 was my post. Yes, the differences are readily apparent but less apparent than the sr60 vs ms1 to me.
Side question, Why do you prefer the 555s? the fatter midbass?

The ms1s brooksR1 has could be bunk by the way

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I think this part of the post got a litlle lost in the shuffle....
For me, this statement is spot on. The iGrado's have become my HP of choice over the SR60's (I would sell them if I had not of buggered them up so bad trying to remove the "pop right off" (pffft!) buttons) and other "higher end" HP's.

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That was my expectation of the Alessandros. The iGrados are the offspring between a Grado and a Sennheiser. Great sound...forward yet bassy, rich, and non-fatiguing but still detailed. I was disappointed when the MS-1s weren't like that...especially after I read all of the reviews. Much much brighter.