Grado GR10: Blissful Harmonics (Final Review Added) - Page 2

The most..  unassuming..  non-flashy top tier IEM out there. I can't tell if they're 10 dollar stock IEMs or skullcandies or the GR10/08

Very safe for commuting in dodgy sub-urban areas i guess?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilzc 

The most..  unassuming..  non-flashy top tier IEM out there. I can't tell if they're 10 dollar stock IEMs or skullcandies or the GR10/08

 

Very safe for commuting in dodgy sub-urban areas i guess?

I agree that they definitely don't look that expensive so it's be safer commuting in dodgy sub-urban areas. Although if I'm in those areas I'd probably not want both my earphones in so I can hear what's going on around me..

I think it's more the Iphone output stage than the need for amp. Things will still change for a while besides. Nice to hear you're already getting a good result.

I think it's unnecessary and more of a sidestep in sound. The iPhones already do these IEMs justice, the Grado GR10 is 32ohms which will require a DAP that at least has an output impedance of 4ohms, the Iphone4/3GS are half and 1/4 of this and thus will give you a pretty uncolored sound that will represent the nature of the IEM. The MA are very sensitive as well, not much power required. I think the CLAS/Amp set-ups are overblown imo, if I were to amp I'll just use a UHA6S and be done with it and even that is marginal. The newest Cirrus Logic DACs are very competent, don't let others tell you otherwise, that money is better spent on customs or other IEMs. 

I have owned or auditioned many MA-based IEMs (big fan of them by the way) and I also feel that they do not need amping, nor does amping make much of a difference out of an ipod touch 3G.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inks 

I think it's unnecessary and more of a sidestep in sound. The iPhones already do these IEMs justice, the Grado GR10 is 32ohms which will require a DAP that at least has an output impedance of 4ohms, the Iphone4/3GS are half and 1/4 of this and thus will give you a pretty uncolored sound that will represent the nature of the IEM. The MA are very sensitive as well, not much power required. I think the CLAS/Amp set-ups are overblown imo, if I were to amp I'll just use a UHA6S and be done with it and even that is marginal. The newest Cirrus Logic DACs are very competent, don't let others tell you otherwise, that money is better spent on customs or other IEMs. 

I would generally agree with this. That more amp isn't needed. I was referring to the amp's character or overall quality and not it's ability to drive. He's found something that just sounds better to him. I personally don't know the current Iphone as DAP's sound.

In the other GR10 thread, I gave some burn in experiences yesterday that may help if you're interested, Austin. I'll just copy and pm it to you.

Inks is also right. Properly implies electrically sufficient which the Iphone apparently is. You are putting a qualitative spin on it which is also fine but hard to determine from your post. I think we just need to understand the perspectives to come to a proper understanding of terms.

Originally Posted by Austin Morrow 

That's actually what I mean, there easy to drive, but not properly driven, and they will sound better, IMO, out of a small portable amp.

They are properly driver via iPhone and they may actually be more true to the source that way depending on the amps, most amps will actually make them sound more colored (though some like that). You're just getting a different color of sound. When it's a very clean competent amp (UHA6S), then it will perhaps improve the response and all the other goodies, but improving from the iphone4 is small at best IME, it just doesn't blow the iphone away. 

Interesting thread. After owning the e-Q7 and having moved to the GR10 I can safely say I pretty much agree with the impressions in the OP. I do find the bass on the e-Q7 slightly punchier than on the GR10 though. Just curious, what portable amps do people generally pair the GR10 with?

With the LOD it's no biggy and you can find an amp that has a preferred balance but INKs is right about the overall quality of the iphone amp (if similar to the touch 4). My issue with it is the player portion. I was comparing my touch 3 to touch 4 again yesterday, and I still prefer the 3 via LOD and stock player but as a stand alone, you can tell the amp is better on the 4 when using EQU as the comparison player. I prefer the EQU player on the 4 but not on the 3. Try using EQU as your player and you may feel fine about the going straight in sans amp. If the iphone 4 is similar to the touch 4. It's a bit cool and could use a better harmonic with it's stock player.

 I suspect your holding off more comment while breaking them in. Good on you. While I can usually get the jist of an IEM early in the process even if they move subtley there after, I found that these do take more time. They won't warm up, open up and not sound mid-centric until you run them hard at the end.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin Morrow 

I now have then burned in 80 hours (give or take a few) and have been going back and forth between the e-Q5, GR10, HP-TW21R, and the GR07. My full review will be up sometime tomorrow.

That combination should make for a great comparison! Looking forward to your impressions my friend.