Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › The Grado HF-2 Review/Comparison Thread
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The Grado HF-2 Review/Comparison Thread - Page 27

post #391 of 1528
7/28/09 at 5:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sakhai View Post
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.
Thanks for enlightening us Master Sakhai.

Perhaps you should take a look at the frequency response of the Qualia 010 and let us all know what you think of Sony?
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #392 of 1528
7/28/09 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sakhai View Post
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.
Did you have a point here? Or anything constructive to add? Like perhaps a FR measurement on the HF2? No? kthxbye
Reply
post #393 of 1528
7/29/09 at 1:23am
anyone else think the midrange is a bit recessed on the HF2? I keep turning up the volume to bring vocals up to where I like them, but then everything else is a bit loud. If I set the volume for the treble, then the mids are not loud enough. This is probably my biggest complaint sound wise so far.
Reply
post #394 of 1528
7/29/09 at 1:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhythmdevils View Post
anyone else think the midrange is a bit recessed on the HF2? I keep turning up the volume to bring vocals up to where I like them, but then everything else is a bit loud. If I set the volume for the treble, then the mids are not loud enough. This is probably my biggest complaint sound wise so far.
I am assuming you are using bowls (as I do) - I would say the mids are not as upfront as the rs-1, hp-1000, or ps-1. Using flat pads for proper balance on the rs1 and hp1000 automatically will give you more upfront full mids, I find the midrange a nice changeup to the typical upfront presence while still maintaining the nice dynamic liveliness. I personally don't have any issues with the midrange and find it a nice compliment to the hp1000's, so i wouldn't say recessed as a definitive value statement, but definitely not as forward as the hp1000 or rs1
Reply
post #395 of 1528
7/29/09 at 1:37am
I totally agree with both rhythmdevils & recstar24 concerning the mids and I do have a RS1 to compare to. To me this achieves a more balance sound and creates a larger soundstage as compared to the RS1. I am actually liking this can alot more than the RS1 in regards to more bass and no treble peaks - just smooth sounding. FWIW, I actually prefer bowls and using a tube amp to power them.
Reply
post #396 of 1528
7/29/09 at 1:58am
yes, I'm using bowls. I agree that there is no loss of clarity in the mids, the are airy and clear. But everything else with the HF2 seems forward, and the mids farther away. to use the "row" at a concert analogy, which I don't really like all that much to be honest, but it sounds to me like I am on stage with the performers, but the singer is off in the crowd Still singing into the microphone, but off from the rest of the band members.

I like what it does to the soundstage, but I guess I prefer the mids of the HP1000 (duh).

Is it possible that only the lower mids are back further in the mix? Because my other nit-picky thing is that they sound a bit lean in the upper bass or maybe lower mids, a bit clinical, as I have said before.

I like the midrange of the RS1, but find the upper ranges harsh, to a degree even with flats.
Reply
post #397 of 1528
7/29/09 at 2:13am
Im not finding the mids all that recessed. Coming from Senns, the vocals/horns are presented very well. Plus, I have matched tubes to get a sound sig I liked w/ bowls. I want to like the flats but the sound feels out of focus.
Reply
post #398 of 1528
7/29/09 at 2:52am
Out of the "box" I love the mids, but overall these cans need a little burning in for everything else to smooth out a little. Can't wait till I get 50-150 hours on these cans.
Reply
post #399 of 1528
7/29/09 at 3:45am
i don't have a problem with the mids at all, they seem to have more than the RS1i's. i use bowls with mine, i find them to be unlistenable when using flats; no soundstage, imaging is poor, too muddy, and the sound just goes all over the place. mine is close to the 300 hr mark, bass has toned down a little, being a bit tighter, more defined and less overwhelming. highs are nice, not as sibilant as before, but not as exciting as the 325i. i still don't feel like the soundstage is as open and wide as the 325i and it's not even close to the RS1i
Reply
post #400 of 1528
7/29/09 at 3:47am
I'm using my HF-2 with a Grado RA-1 amp and iMod. Not the most high-end setup, I know, but the sound to my ear is quite extraordinary - very fast, detailed, real, and engaging, without any brightness. I do notice a slightly recessed midrange as others have pointed out, and found that flats are more to my liking.
Reply
post #401 of 1528
7/29/09 at 3:52am
And I have to say - Edgar Meyer's string bass on the HF-2 is simply extraordinary. You can really feel the bow across the strings and the deep vibration with all the overtones. I've never experienced anything quite like it.
Reply
post #402 of 1528
7/29/09 at 11:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lousyreeds1 View Post
I'm using my HF-2 with a Grado RA-1 amp and iMod. Not the most high-end setup, I know, but the sound to my ear is quite extraordinary
...and that's all that counts.
Reply
post #403 of 1528
7/29/09 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 
Loving this cans. At first I noticed some sibilance in some albums, but after 70 hours of usage (approx) the sibilance listening to those albums is gone. They sound more neutral than the sr225 I have, and the bass has more "presence".

Still not as neutral as the Fostex T50RP or the ATH M50 but greatly enjoyable with metal/rock.

I must try these cans with the jumbo pads! They might be quite similar to PS1000 (due to the similarity in construction and materials used. Maybe these are some baby PS1000

EDIT: Well, I don't really know if I have used them 70 hours or more, but it might be past 100 hours. I haven't counted the usage time. I should have said after getting used to them and molding the bowls to my ears.
Reply
post #404 of 1528
7/29/09 at 6:46pm
Just received my HF1 HF2's today, and I gotta say with absolute certainty, that these cans sound completely awful right out of the box. The bass is bloated and overbearing, the mids are recessed and the highs are downright painful. The cable is too short and where they join they Y connector, both the left and right cables are pinched in an horrible way. The glue is another chapter in the novel, altogether. I'm willing to handle that with a grain of salt. It is what it is and one either has to eat crow or send them back.

With that said, I must point out that I am one of the biggest proponents of burn-in on this forum. I have owned many expensive but "junk pile bound" components that turn from Shrek to Prince Charming in just one hundred hours.
Many people here who's opinions that I trust totally have said that these HF-2's are a world class sounding headphone. I know that they will be. I'm looking forward to many future nirvanic hours of musical bliss with me and my new addition to my audio collection.

What's my point? My point is that if these headphones transition from trailer trash to Trump tower in the next 250-500 hours, then it should be regarded as the poster child to provide proof positive that burn-in is totally a factual process and anyone who doesn't believe in it, needs to take the ride from Red Hook to Rodeo Drive and come out of their cocoon.
Reply
post #405 of 1528
7/29/09 at 10:07pm
Has anyone tried them with HD414 pads yet?
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › The Grado HF-2 Review/Comparison Thread