The Grado HF-2 Review/Comparison Thread - Page 26

Here's an update on the HF-2 paired with a Purity Audio KICAS Caliente, this time with the stock bowl pads. There's NOT more bass than I find optimal for my listening enjoyment. In fact, with the bowl pads, there's more of a delicacy to the sound, with really lovely highs, and a nicely balanced (again, a more delicate amount) of bass. The good news here is that, with the selection of pads, the level of bass from the HF-2 paired with the Caliente can be "dialed in" through the thickness of the pads used. Nothing new there, with Grados. I just wanted to update my observations from before (made with TTVJ Flat pads) with this additional finding. Along similar lines, even on a few albums which I've historically found to be more pronounced in the highs than I prefer, it's not too much with the bowls on the HF-2 with the Caliente. In fact, the highs on these albums have a really lovely - silky, satiny quality. So for my ears, with this combo, the bass can be dialed in through the selection of pads without the highs becoming a limiting factor.

Thanks for the update. I'm going to be pairing the HF-2 with a straight KICAS, not the bass-heavier Caliente variation, so hopefully it will be sufficient. I'm pretty sure that Skylab indicated that the difference between the regular KICAS and the Caliente wasn't very profound.

I generally prefer bowls with Grados, as I feel the need to try to coax out as much soundstage as possible from them, considering that they don't have a ton to begin with. Most indications are that the HF-2 sounds better with bowls, but I'm sure there's an element of preference there.

I'm still not 100% sure what to expect from the HF-2's bass. I've heard some describe it as less refined than the RS-1's, but greater in quantity.

There's the issue of burn-in, whereby it seems to start out (like the HF-1) as more of the one-note bass cloud variety, then tighten up as the hours add up to 200.

I think I will reserve my comments on HF2 sound and quality until I ACTUALLY received and heard the HF2. Even inferences or hyphothesis would need a fair amount of quantifiable data to suggest, which unfurtunately isn't really standard in a personal hobby. =|

I posted to thank Sbulack and Mr Sneiss on their minireview. It seems to be feeding my eagerness to receive my Hf2 and compare with my RS1. =)

I've got probably 175hours or a bit more on my HF-2. My RS-1 are always used with flats, whereas, happiness lies with bowls on the HF-2 for me. The usual setup for me (with them) has been Pico dac/ KICAS Caliente (MacBook as source) (alt is Pico amp/iMod). Warning - outside of high-level Grado's, my closed alternatives are various versions of Darths and listen primarily to jazz vocals, jazz intrumental, and some classical. Further, I should note that I've owned 325i, and RS-2....and they are long gone with absolutely no regrets.

If someone were to ask me what I would choose if I could only have two pairs of headphones (eschewing collector-priced headphones) - the answer would be a pair of fully-leathered (earpads & aftermarket headband) v.3 X-Deep Darths, and a pair of HF-2. The HF-2 are aprox. equal to RS-1/flats - but different. So, if you can afford both - then having both can be a good idea (can't wait for arrival of EAR HP4 to see what happens). I like using the Caliente because if the really low notes are in the recording - the Caliente will reproduce them giving complete satisfaction - a phenomena I first enjoyed with RS-1 plugged into it.
re: burn-in. Joe Grado used to say only 30hrs were needed - and that would be true for the largest incremental change in sound. But, changes occur far beyond that landmark. I had purchased a pair of Alessandro MS Pro's on the used market - who can say how many hrs were on them, but they were at least a year old. I'll swear to this day that they sounded better after my 5 months with them than when I received them........but were still not quite as good as the RS-1 IMO.

BushGuy, is your RS-1 a vintage pair?

Got a pleasant surprise this morning! Received #148. Will post some impressions and perhaps a pic or two soon. Gotta say though, I like em quite a bit more than the MS2i I previously owned.

Uberburger101: I have both a Vintage (Brn headband, orig. Grado wood box etc.) pair of RS-1, and a pair with serial aprox. 1100.

We will never know the frequency response, the sensitivity and the impedance? The termination is 1/8 or 1/4? To finish, could you help me with a good amplyfier for these HF-2, no very expensive

The specs are likely much like other Grado models in this range. The termination is 1/4"

As far as an amp, what if any equipment do you already have?

I thought they sounded pretty good right out of a Sansa e2xx, and they sound really nice out of an integrated amp's HP jack, and as soon as I get space cleared, I'll try them out of my Millet hybrid, which I strongly suspect will match well with them, since it does with SR-80i and -225.

Currently you prefer the HF-2 to either RS-1? Can I ask in what way?

Wich model ?

Uberburger101: "The HF-2 are aprox. equal to RS-1/flats - but different. So, if you can afford both - then having both can be a good idea...... "
To use a overused phrase - they provide an open window to the music......you should hear one of the John Pisano recordings thru them (suggest John Pisano/Joe Pass Duets).

Hmm, perhaps I phrased it wrongly then. How is the HF2 different from the RS-1/flats?

Pick one. Most of the Grados in this range are much alike in specs, with FR being the main difference.

Just an FYI, the typical hearing range for humans is 20-20,000 Hz, and the sounds in recorded music staying away from the extremes. Advertising range extending to 25k or even 35k Hz is nothing more than a sham.

Grado's increasing the frequency range as you move up their line...total sham advertising. The GS1000 frequency range is perfect for a dog, not humans.