Screw HD800!
And I put my money for HP1000 journey.
Now, the ones I am getting have unlettered MS2 cups. So here are questions... I searched the forum but I want some clear answers.
1.) How's SR100 with original plastic cups compared with HP-1/2/3? How about with aluminum cups like MS2?
2.) Regarding no.1 question, is this worth to hunt for HP-1/2/3 frame? (I mean, there should be some people who have HP series with blown drivers...)
Impressions:
OK, now they have arrived.
I am not happy about them.
See, the bass is a bit overpowering sometimes (well, too much impacts) Well, they sound pretty tight, but I'd say too much quantity (but not as bassy as some of bassist Grado's I've heard)
*Edit: with less-clamping MS-2 frame, this overpowering bass is gone. Now bass is very clean and tight.
And I just don't hear the detail everyone is talking about. They are just another fine Grado, for me. Against HD650, K701 or my other reference cans, like any other Grados I've heard so far, HP1000s don't do well.
At Last, the biggest problem, is soundstage.
Like other Grados, soundstage is pitifully small and I can't stand this (and I doubt this would change if I put them on HP-2 frame.) I understand all Grados other than GS-1000 and PS-1000 would not bring great soundstage, but I wouldn't thought that these bring exactly same bad soundstage I have heard from other grados.
Because of this, whole sound is completely congested and makes me really, really tired (probably because I am trying to hear the details from the congested sound) to listen.
Now, positive things. They are really great for rock (due to powerful bass) and unlike other Grados, the bass is 'real' bass (not silly mid-bass bump)
These cans are indeed evidence that bass can be powerful AND detailed (well, besides just 'too much') At least bass quality is quite good while as powerful as D5000.
And there are no lame colorations in mids and highs I heard from other Grados. And they are not so fatigue as other Grados..... High is just right and I would not welcome any further strength in this area.
These cans may be better than other Grados I've heard/owned/have now but I won't say they are any better than other cans I have.
Well, my opinion may be changed as time goes but well.....
Still critically listening...
*The sound changed A LOT after I managed to reduce clamping force.
Second Impression:
With bass being clear and tight thanks to redced clamping force, the whole sound got airer and brighter.
Now it is more of Grado version of AKG K701.... only with slightly more impactful bass, strong mids and not too much high.
Again, little coloration or whatsoever other than obvious emphasis on high.... now it is fatiguing... but not as much as SA3000 and/or K701.
Overall I think they are indeed superior Grado and the best Grado I've ever heard.... but whether they are best among my other cans, the question remains.
Soundstage is still pitifully small. Big problem here.
And I put my money for HP1000 journey.
Now, the ones I am getting have unlettered MS2 cups. So here are questions... I searched the forum but I want some clear answers.
1.) How's SR100 with original plastic cups compared with HP-1/2/3? How about with aluminum cups like MS2?
2.) Regarding no.1 question, is this worth to hunt for HP-1/2/3 frame? (I mean, there should be some people who have HP series with blown drivers...)
Impressions:
OK, now they have arrived.
I am not happy about them.
See, the bass is a bit overpowering sometimes (well, too much impacts) Well, they sound pretty tight, but I'd say too much quantity (but not as bassy as some of bassist Grado's I've heard)
*Edit: with less-clamping MS-2 frame, this overpowering bass is gone. Now bass is very clean and tight.
And I just don't hear the detail everyone is talking about. They are just another fine Grado, for me. Against HD650, K701 or my other reference cans, like any other Grados I've heard so far, HP1000s don't do well.
At Last, the biggest problem, is soundstage.
Like other Grados, soundstage is pitifully small and I can't stand this (and I doubt this would change if I put them on HP-2 frame.) I understand all Grados other than GS-1000 and PS-1000 would not bring great soundstage, but I wouldn't thought that these bring exactly same bad soundstage I have heard from other grados.
Because of this, whole sound is completely congested and makes me really, really tired (probably because I am trying to hear the details from the congested sound) to listen.
Now, positive things. They are really great for rock (due to powerful bass) and unlike other Grados, the bass is 'real' bass (not silly mid-bass bump)
These cans are indeed evidence that bass can be powerful AND detailed (well, besides just 'too much') At least bass quality is quite good while as powerful as D5000.
And there are no lame colorations in mids and highs I heard from other Grados. And they are not so fatigue as other Grados..... High is just right and I would not welcome any further strength in this area.
These cans may be better than other Grados I've heard/owned/have now but I won't say they are any better than other cans I have.
Well, my opinion may be changed as time goes but well.....
Still critically listening...
*The sound changed A LOT after I managed to reduce clamping force.
Second Impression:
With bass being clear and tight thanks to redced clamping force, the whole sound got airer and brighter.
Now it is more of Grado version of AKG K701.... only with slightly more impactful bass, strong mids and not too much high.
Again, little coloration or whatsoever other than obvious emphasis on high.... now it is fatiguing... but not as much as SA3000 and/or K701.
Overall I think they are indeed superior Grado and the best Grado I've ever heard.... but whether they are best among my other cans, the question remains.
Soundstage is still pitifully small. Big problem here.
