Grado Fan Club! - Page 436

Hey guys,

Just bought my first pair of headphones, and decided on the PS500s after testing lots of cans that were in the $500-1500 range. I felt these ones were the best for me. I have one question, would the Fiio E7K or the E17 be suitable to use as an amp for these headphones? Any other portable amps that would be better than those for sound? 

Thanks!!! Looking forward to your responses. 

Wow, that's one hell of a nice pair of headphones for your first ones! Congrats! To date, the PS500s are my favorite phones. 

PS. Don't be afraid to just drive them right from your player/source. My 500s plugged into my Kindle Fire is one of the most enjoyable listening/movie watching experiences I've come across. They're very easy to drive. 

JDS Cmoy is a good start. John will even optimize it for low impedance like Grados or IEMs, if you ask.

http://www.jdslabs.com/

Congratulations on your PS500 and sorry for your wallet.

Thanks! That's just how I buy things, I like to get the best from the beginning to avoid losing money by upgrading later. It serves me well. I spent hours auditioning headphones. I compared them to the Sennheiser HD700 and Hifiman HE500. I felt these were better, however the HD700s were great as well, I wasn't a big fan of the sound the HE500s made, but they were very good too. (I see you have the GS1000 as one of the pairs you own, is it just me, or does the PS500 sound significantly better? I wasn't a good fan of those).

Yes, they sound great unamped, but what portable amp could help increase the listening volumes, and make them sound better. Is the Fiio E7k and E17 a big upgrade? What am I looking for? I've searched threads and theres too many opinions that it doesn't provide me with a clear answer.

Can someone help me out? lol

The GS1ks are weird. Unlike the other Grados, these seem to really need a nice amp in order to sound their best. I agree about the PS500s...I prefer them over both the T1s and the GS1ks. And I really like the T1s and GS1ks lol. 

I found the PS1000 and GS1000 were lacking for me a bit. 

I was blown away by the PS500s on the other hand. I got a nice discount when I ordered them so it was a no brainer for me. There's so much hype on these forums surrounding the HE500/HE400, I'm surprised the PS500s don't get the same level of attention. I think the previous headphones they made polarized people's opinions of Grado that lots of people haven't bothered even checking them out. I think music sounds more "fun" on these than anything I've ever listened to. :)

Totally agree...I will say, though, that I love how when I come on here each day, it seems like there's almost always at least a post or two from someone saying how they bought their first Grados and are loving them. Certainly no headphone is for everyone, but just as with my own experience, seems like many people are pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy these things once they give them a chance. I enjoy having a small collection of phones for variety, but I would be lost w/out my Grados. 

Do any of you who own the PS500 listen to them with G-Cush pads?

Can't do on-the-ear cushions so it's G-Cush for me.  Here's the weird part, after ten months(!) of comparing, I chose the 325is over the 500, G-Cush'd both.

Mileage always varies.

Can't do on-the-ear cushions so it's G-Cush for me.  Here's the weird part, after ten months(!) of comparing, I chose the 325is over the 500, G-Cush'd both.

Mileage always varies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by myears 

I would prefer to get a brand new sr80i with L-cush than paying 150 US$ for something else,  just saying, although I've never heard the sr225.

You certainly can't go wrong with the SR80i, they're ridiculously good for the money. I'm use mine with the comfies, because when i'm at the computer, i wear my glasses and the comfies are, well, more comfortable. I'm listening to them as i write this, off my old Pioneer reel to reel tape and Marantz reciever, and they sound great.