Grado GS1000i vs Sennheiser HD800 - Page 2

I kinda like the GS-1000. I remember when they were the FOTM and might pick up a pair when they start dropping below $500.

Still, I've enjoyed the HD-800 much more. Yes, they've had a lot of backlash since they were introduced, but I still like them. If the HD-800 was discontinued (like the K-1000), they'd be hailed as a classic and prices would rise.

Funny, with the SR325s, the GS1000s are my least liked Grados. I do agree that the HD800s are a much better (and natural ) headphone.

More funny, I feel the exact opposite.  Perhaps the HD800 is just "different", not better or more natural.  At least, IMHO.  To each his/her own?

 

As they say, a picture says a thousand words:



The rather strong "U" shape of the GS1000s can appeal to some, no doubt, but in terms of pure performance to "audiophile" standards, it is pretty far from "natural sounding". Have a look at the deep sub bass response as well (along with the mid-bass hump).

Then if we look at the 50Hz square wave response, the GS1000s are far from ideal:



To help better explain this, please have a look through Tyll's new website:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/headphone-measurement-proceedures-frequency-response

The videos that Tyll has are particularly helpful.

Again, I can totally understand how some might prefer the GS1000s (I did not), but they are technically inferior to the HD800s IMO.
Edited by MacedonianHero - 4/27/11 at 7:19pm

I invariably judge headphones by looking at graphs.  It is ideal.

 

"Again, I can totally understand how some might prefer the GS1000s (I did not), but they are technically inferior to the HD800s IMO."

 

Thank you for understanding. 

I totally get it. I love the RS1s...they are far from measuring ideal...but man do they ROCK!

The GS1K are special cans with the right amp and the type of music they excel at being pumped through them. For classical music and when amped by the Woo6, I love them.

 

I think the attenuation of the human ear is subtle and dynamic. Invariably, it seems, whenever someone plunks down they're hard earned for a certain pair of headphones that person becomes irrational and begins defending a certain brand to the death. Weird huh? I think we become accustomed to anything after awhile. Be it a found dog, a wife, or a pair of headphones. I've tried and love all the high end headphones. Be they Sennheiser hd800's, Audizee LCD's, Grado gs1000i's, and Hifiman 6's. All sound pretty damn good. With the frequency responses of these products it's hard for me to understand what others believe they're hearing. Maybe I'm just a newbie. I'm leaning toward the Grado gs1000i's. Mostly for the aesthetics and the fact that they're made in America. The quest for perfection is great fun.