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325is or RS1i?

post #1 of 48
2/4/10 at 11:26am
Thread Starter 
See below.
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post #2 of 48
2/4/10 at 6:32pm
You are definitely right, it takes a listen to know if the sound is right or not. You may need to set aside a budget and simply try buying some of the phones used or for a good price. If you aren't satisfied, trade em or sell em and go to the next one on the list.

I can only really comment on the D2000, but like you said, you are going to have to listen to them no matter what. I like the Ultrasone sound. If you like how they sound, I could definitely give you some ideas.
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post #3 of 48
2/4/10 at 7:59pm
the 225I and amp would be a nice fit. and the cups do soften up, your ears get used to them and than its just like wearing anything else.
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post #4 of 48
2/5/10 at 5:06am
Thread Starter 
I don't think the shop had any Ultrasones so I can't test em out .

I do like the SR225's, will they be a significant improvement over my A700s? I didn't actually bring them to China with me so I can't do a direct comparison... though maybe the shop has a pair.

I'd still like to know if the 325s are worth the extra cost over the 225s. Would the 325s with my budget amp sound worse than the 225s? I'm going to be buying a new sound card, probably a Forte, how well would it work with the 325s?

Thanks for the replies.
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post #5 of 48
2/5/10 at 6:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by owenhan View Post
I don't think the shop had any Ultrasones so I can't test em out .

I do like the SR225's, will they be a significant improvement over my A700s? I didn't actually bring them to China with me so I can't do a direct comparison... though maybe the shop has a pair.

I'd still like to know if the 325s are worth the extra cost over the 225s. Would the 325s with my budget amp sound worse than the 225s? I'm going to be buying a new sound card, probably a Forte, how well would it work with the 325s?

Thanks for the replies.
Well, many people stress too much about getting the right headphones, and with that attitude, they will never get em. 2 at a time is the way to go. Find one that you would really like to try, and get it. If you really enjoy the sound, keep um as long as ya can!!! Hold off on trying out more phones until you need some new blood. When the budget allows, snoop out another pair. Test those out exclusively and give them some time. Then, go back and compare what you enjoy more as an exclusive can. Make your decision... rinse and repeat

That is going to be my loophole for this Head-Fi addiction. Feel free to use it yourself or adjust as you see fit
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post #6 of 48
2/5/10 at 8:51am
Thread Starter 
Lol thanks for the advice.

Well I went back for another listen. Brought my ipod along. Setup was 320 mp3 and alac from the ipod -> some $50 fancy gold plated 3.5 to rca cable -> graham slee novo.

I listened to the 225, 325 and k701 this time. Spent a loongg time comparing the 225 to the 325 and honestly found it very difficult to tell them apart, though the 325's pads are still more comfortable. And the heavy aluminium housing feels very nice. Not really sure if I can justify the $100 price difference but if I had to choose... tbh I'd probably go with the 325, they just look, fell and sound so right.

I was worried that maybe I couldn't tell the difference between the 325 and much cheaper headphones so I had a listen to the sr60. Thankfully there was a significant difference though it wasn't easy for my untrained ears to pick up on initially. For anyone who didn't already know the sr60's are pretty amazing for the price.

I then compared the 325 to the k701 and they sound reaaally different even to a nub like me. The 325s sounded much brighter and after a while listening to the 701 the 325s even began to sound harsh. But the 701's do seem just a little lacking in bass and I just like the overall sound of the 325's better. I can't explain it well since I'm not familiar with sonic lingo. A huge downside to the 701's for me were how uncomfortable they were compared to the 325's. The bottom of the pads seemed to press pretty hard on a rather soft and sensitive part of my neck.

To sum it up I'm pretty sold on the 325's, which means I'm probably going to need a new amp and source. I was thinking Forte -> Novo, but at around $350 the Novo seems a little expensive. However it seems like the best, or perhaps one of the only, ones the shop has between $150 and $500. If I hear enough good things about the Novo I'll probably buy it. The alternative is ordering something in from the US and I'm just too impatient to start listening.
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post #7 of 48
2/6/10 at 12:50am
Thread Starter 
bump
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post #8 of 48
2/6/10 at 1:42am
I second the choice on the 325is'. I bought a pair for christmas for an upgrade from sr60i's and I really enjoy the difference in the higher ends. I am using an ibasso d10 cobra and they seem to drive them well enough for me. The grado's really stand out in the jazz department, and work very well for gaming too. Since they are detailed with not much clutter sound, it's easy to pinpoint the position of things while you are playing games.
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post #9 of 48
2/6/10 at 2:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ironman31 View Post
I second the choice on the 325is'. I bought a pair for christmas for an upgrade from sr60i's and I really enjoy the difference in the higher ends. I am using an ibasso d10 cobra and they seem to drive them well enough for me. The grado's really stand out in the jazz department, and work very well for gaming too. Since they are detailed with not much clutter sound, it's easy to pinpoint the position of things while you are playing games.
Ok cool, I'll look into the ibasso but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get my hands on one.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Novo? The 325's are already fairly bright and I heard that the Novo is also a slightly bright amp, would they be a bad match? I'll go back to the shop and do some more listening.
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post #10 of 48
2/6/10 at 5:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by owenhan View Post
Ok cool, I'll look into the ibasso but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get my hands on one.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Novo? The 325's are already fairly bright and I heard that the Novo is also a slightly bright amp, would they be a bad match? I'll go back to the shop and do some more listening.
i believe you can order the ibasso from their website.
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post #11 of 48
2/6/10 at 9:13am
Your experience with the K701 vs the SR325is is interesting. Very much like mine. I've begun to realize that your long term favour of one pair of cans as opposed to another will be based on how much you accommodate for them and in what way. If your ears have to adjust for harshness or some sort of excess colouration, then fatigue will likely set in. It's a lot better if your ears have to increase sensitivity. It's more relaxing and you can listen for hours. This is why I personally prefer my ALO K702's to my SR325is for general listening. However, when the SR325is has a great recording behind it that doesn't show up its tendency to produce a strident top end, it's really very good.
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post #12 of 48
2/6/10 at 9:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wmf View Post
i believe you can order the ibasso from their website.
I'd probably need to listen to it first, and I really want something in my hands asap, I'm pretty impatient.

Quote:
Originally Posted by aimlink View Post
Your experience with the K701 vs the SR325is is interesting. Very much like mine. I've begun to realize that your long term favour of one pair of cans as opposed to another will be based on how much you accommodate for them and in what way. If your ears have to adjust for harshness or some sort of excess colouration, then fatigue will likely set in. It's a lot better if your ears have to increase sensitivity. It's more relaxing and you can listen for hours. This is why I personally prefer my ALO K702's to my SR325is for general listening. However, when the SR325is has a great recording behind it that doesn't show up its tendency to produce a strident top end, it's really very good.
I can definitely see how listening to the 701/2's would just be a more relaxing experience. And some recordings really do sound fantastic with the 325i's, but it's just a shame that in many of my songs the s's, t's and snare drums come across a bit harsh. I really like the 325i's but I just don't feel entirely comfortable spending so much money on something I'm not 100% satisfied with.

I went back again today and listened to the 325i's again as well as the rs1i's. I'm starting the feel that the 325i's are a bit bright for me and the sibilance can be borderline harsh, and its starting to bug me a little. Maybe burn in will make a difference?

The rs1i's were much warmer and took some of the edge off the 325i while still sounding extremely detailed. I really like these but they're $750 as opposed to $350 for the 325i's. They're even more expensive than the 325i + Novo. However I heard that Grados are relatively easy to drive so maybe I could just drive the 325i or rs1i from the amp of the Forte?

So now my dilemma is this. I need to choose between:

1. RS1i + Novo $1100
2. RS1i $750
3. 325i + Novo $700
4. 325i $350

Source will probably be an X-Fi Forte using the onboard amp if not buying a Novo.
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post #13 of 48
2/6/10 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 
Bump. Really need help arriving at a decision soon.
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post #14 of 48
2/6/10 at 12:36pm
Well, you should be a happy camper for some time to come using the RS1i and Novo.

I don't see a DAC there though. What will your source be? Great sound starts from the source.
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post #15 of 48
2/6/10 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by owenhan View Post
I'd probably need to listen to it first, and I really want something in my hands asap, I'm pretty impatient.



I can definitely see how listening to the 701/2's would just be a more relaxing experience. And some recordings really do sound fantastic with the 325i's, but it's just a shame that in many of my songs the s's, t's and snare drums come across a bit harsh. I really like the 325i's but I just don't feel entirely comfortable spending so much money on something I'm not 100% satisfied with.

I went back again today and listened to the 325i's again as well as the rs1i's. I'm starting the feel that the 325i's are a bit bright for me and the sibilance can be borderline harsh, and its starting to bug me a little. Maybe burn in will make a difference?

The rs1i's were much warmer and took some of the edge off the 325i while still sounding extremely detailed. I really like these but they're $750 as opposed to $350 for the 325i's. They're even more expensive than the 325i + Novo. However I heard that Grados are relatively easy to drive so maybe I could just drive the 325i or rs1i from the amp of the Forte?

So now my dilemma is this. I need to choose between:

1. RS1i + Novo $1100
2. RS1i $750
3. 325i + Novo $700
4. 325i $350

Source will probably be an X-Fi Forte using the onboard amp if not buying a Novo.
I have been for some time very disappointed with my MS1 so I spotted a good deal and when straight to the rs1. When I got them I was again very disappointed the difference from the MS1 wasn't that much...

After awhile I received my Hybrid tube minimax that I got recommend for having a synergy with grados and pluged it to an aliendac and was a bit better but by no means what I would call remotely near to an hi.fi sound.

Finally I got borrowed an DacMagic and I just got WOWed the difference was astonishing the sound detail was unbelievable,warm and fluid it felt like liquid music =P. I tried with the MS1 and I can say it was much much better but of course the RS1 is a entirely different beast not on the same championship.

So all I can say is make sure you get a good Amp that goes well with the phone and a good source as I believe this is critical before going to expensive headphones and the minimax+rs1 is definitely a great match I recommend.
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