Grado Fan Club!
Jul 28, 2016 at 8:03 AM Post #32,971 of 64,913
Well I purchased my first Grado, a SR-60E that I got for portable though I ended up using it more for my desktop system as they sound better and scale more than I expected. Seems I'm really liking the Grado sound, much more liquid and round than I expected. I'm liking it more than I expected I would, especially considering I'm coming from much more expensive headphones. Some reason I always forgot to get a Grado. The treble while a bit aggressive(especially before the initial burn-in) isn't really fatiguing to me, especially on tubes. Main issue I noticed is a bit of glare but I assume because it's the low-end model and slight confusion with more complicated music. No real issues with comfort even with the stock pads. I am planning on tinkering with mods on this headphone, will start with simple dampening mods. I'm not sure what to expect from higher end Grado, though I would like to get a pair that's a bit darker, has a cleaner sound, and has a bit better transients. I have no clue how the different models of the E-series of Grados are supposed to differ from each other. Would like some suggestions on what direction I should go in the Grado line-up.

while I don't have that many models (SR-60i, SR-80i, SR-225i, SR-225e, RS2e and have heard RS1e, GS-1000i/e, PS-500e), I have found that the SR-225e is the sweet spot in price to performance to me and with some mods can be made to get to the RS2e level in some ways.  Biggest change is taking the SR series driver and putting them in wood cups, with some sorbothane on the back of the driver and some dynamat around the cups it helps to clean up the sound and smooth out the over all sound.
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 8:22 AM Post #32,972 of 64,913
  while I don't have that many models (SR-60i, SR-80i, SR-225i, SR-225e, RS2e and have heard RS1e, GS-1000i/e, PS-500e), I have found that the SR-225e is the sweet spot in price to performance to me and with some mods can be made to get to the RS2e level in some ways.  Biggest change is taking the SR series driver and putting them in wood cups, with some sorbothane on the back of the driver and some dynamat around the cups it helps to clean up the sound and smooth out the over all sound.

 
That is a good news for people who have 225e, and a bad news for people that saves monthly to get the rs2e, hehe, lol.
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 10:21 AM Post #32,973 of 64,913
Family Photo time!


 
Check out the cable size difference!
   
How long have you had the 60e, meaning how long ha it been run it. You may find it fills out in the bass with more play, if you only had it a short while.
 
I can't advise where to go up the line, because I only have the 225e. I can say that I owned the 125i and preferred them over the 60i. ...Also that general opinion is that the RS2e is very popular. The GH-1 if you can them are is the jewel is some Grado fans crown. The GH-1 is reported absolutely not to have an aggressive top-end, if I recall correct. I am sure a GH-1 owner will tell you.

 
I have G-cushs on my GH-1, and to me, the treble isn't aggressive, it also has especially good extension with the Gs.
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 10:52 AM Post #32,974 of 64,913
So... to everybody that heard my rant some time ago about how a store treated me, thanks again. I'm getting an rs2e just several days ago. It will reach me next week. Thanks for everybody that taught me the value of voting where my money goes, to businesses that treats us well and ditch those who doesn't. :)
 
@whirlwind, goodluck on your sale. That's a more than fair offer you got there.
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 4:48 PM Post #32,975 of 64,913
  while I don't have that many models (SR-60i, SR-80i, SR-225i, SR-225e, RS2e and have heard RS1e, GS-1000i/e, PS-500e), I have found that the SR-225e is the sweet spot in price to performance to me and with some mods can be made to get to the RS2e level in some ways.  Biggest change is taking the SR series driver and putting them in wood cups, with some sorbothane on the back of the driver and some dynamat around the cups it helps to clean up the sound and smooth out the over all sound.

I am curious how the 60e compares to the 60i in sound. My 60e doesn't have the red driver, just gray. Not sure if that matters as it's not really bright and the bass does have some impressive impact and extension for an open-back and I'm coming from the Nighthawks, though doesn't have the near limitless excursion the Hawks have. Plenty of bass for the bassy genres. This is when amped though. Will need to look into the SR-225e. I may open my 60e's up soon and add some dampening to help with cup resonance. Don't have dynamat or anything but I do have some things in mind. How much the Grado's scale and their excellent tonality tells me these are excellent transducers. 
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 6:58 PM Post #32,977 of 64,913
  I am curious how the 60e compares to the 60i in sound. My 60e doesn't have the red driver, just gray. Not sure if that matters as it's not really bright and the bass does have some impressive impact and extension for an open-back and I'm coming from the Nighthawks, though doesn't have the near limitless excursion the Hawks have. Plenty of bass for the bassy genres. This is when amped though. Will need to look into the SR-225e. I may open my 60e's up soon and add some dampening to help with cup resonance. Don't have dynamat or anything but I do have some things in mind. How much the Grado's scale and their excellent tonality tells me these are excellent transducers. 

There is a noticeable difference between the "e" and "i" 225, the "e" is a much warmer and smoother headphone and after modding them I like the G pads on them better than the L pads while my GF likes the L pads better, so its something you want to try out.
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 6:17 AM Post #32,979 of 64,913
 
 
 
Quote:
Hey David what is the mod? Is it the distancer?

sorry for the late reply, went to dinner with GF and some friends.
 
The mods I did to the SR-225e are: dynamat around the out shell, open 2 vent holes and some sorbothane on the back of the driver.  The dynamat  was also used to seal the inner and outer halves.

 
First picture shows what the sorbothane looks like on the back of the driver (PX-100ii driver)
Second show the 2 opened vent holes (tried some dynamat on the back of the driver in this picture)
Third shows the dynamat around the outer cup and felt on the back of the button
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 6:42 AM Post #32,981 of 64,913
Wow

Look definitely out of my diy skill at the moment

Not that difficult to do these mods, hardest part is getting the cups open and there is no soldering needed.  The first picture is for reference only since I didn't take a picture of the SR-225e driver with the sorbothane on it.
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 10:34 AM Post #32,982 of 64,913
 Quote:
  Not that difficult to do these mods, hardest part is getting the cups open.

Look definitely out of my diy skill at the moment

Very easy to split the drivers/cups, have patience, and just use a blow dryer to heat up the glue a little bit, and use some strength to pull the them apart…use more strength than heat. 
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 11:01 AM Post #32,983 of 64,913
  Very easy to split the drivers/cups, have patience, and just use a blow dryer to heat up the glue a little bit, and use some strength to pull the them apart…use more strength than heat. 

I'm one of those that like the soak the grill side in a pan of hot water for the first time I try to open them up, after that its easier with the blow dryer.
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 1:54 PM Post #32,985 of 64,913
My rs2e just arrived from Singapore. Quite happy with it. I guess my imagination exceeds reality. I remember when I own them the first time, the rs2e was like the curtain that covers 325e was opened and the transparency difference between the two is somewhat significant.
 
Maybe my 325e mellowed out after burn-in so now that I just compared the two, it's not that much different from each other in terms of transparency? Sure, the difference is there, but it's not as eye opening as when I own them the first time. Or maybe I'm just so used to my 325e and fx850 (which have good resolution), that the rs2e now sound good but not eye-openingly transparent.
 
It's still amazing -especially given the genres I used them for-, I was just expecting to be blown away with the sound as if the singers holographically appear next to me, sort of. That was my impression when I first got my rs2e. Of course at the time I was left with bad taste over the store I immediately sold the rs2e. (But wanting to repurchase them ever since). So now I got them again, good store, good service, good product. I'm happy, heheh!
 

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