Grado modders go Magnum - Page 137

I no longer have the set that was tested, but they were in cups/band identical to this

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootsit 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 

That explains much. My reason for asking is, I have been thinking for ages of some means to persuade Larry at Headphile to build a Magnum Vixen, but all accounts of people who have asked were negative, as Larry apparently is offended that anyone other than him would make wood cups for Grados (even though what I'm asking has nothing to do with that). What I want, basically, is a pair of full-size circumaural Magnums. I suspect that the sonic results will not be so great, however.

What do magnum drivers have to do with wood cups?

 

Also, does he know that Grado makes wooden cups for Grados? This seems like such an asinine, childish thing to take a stand about.

It's probably more likely that he tuned the Vixen for 325 drivers and people ask him to do crazy things he doesn't want to be responsible for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootsit 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 

That explains much. My reason for asking is, I have been thinking for ages of some means to persuade Larry at Headphile to build a Magnum Vixen, but all accounts of people who have asked were negative, as Larry apparently is offended that anyone other than him would make wood cups for Grados (even though what I'm asking has nothing to do with that). What I want, basically, is a pair of full-size circumaural Magnums. I suspect that the sonic results will not be so great, however.

What do magnum drivers have to do with wood cups?

 

Also, does he know that Grado makes wooden cups for Grados? This seems like such an asinine, childish thing to take a stand about.

 

It's probably more likely that he tuned the Vixen for 325 drivers and people ask him to do crazy things he doesn't want to be responsible for.

Am I correct in thinking that the vixen is basically no different from any other full woodied grado?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootsit 

Am I correct in thinking that the vixen is basically no different from any other full woodied grado?

I'm thinking that this is not the case because the size of the Vixen enclosure is much larger. If you go to headphile.com you can see pics and the difference is pretty obvious.

OK so I'm listening to the new drivers now. I won't do a true A/B test because it requires me to solder and de-solder a bunch, and I hate doing that more times than I have to. Anyway, the the V5s sound GREAT. The best way I can think to describe the change is better bass extension--there are lower notes coming out now than before. Very nice. Further, the bass that is there is tighter. I found a touch of muddiness in the bass on the V4 sometimes. With the V5 , the issue is gone. Also, the V5 treble extension is better.  I have to say, I'm very impressed and totally glad I purchased the new drivers. One other thing is I think the tone is a little "richer" on the V5. However...it might just be because of the variation in my particular set of V4s that it seems this way. Hope this is helpful to some!

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootsit 


V4s muddy? Hmmm. There really was a lot of variation in those drivers.

Don't get me wrong...V4s are not muddy at all compared to most headphones. I was just trying to explain that the V5 is more "crisp." I also listen to music at a high volume, so that contributes to it too.

The V5 is more v-shaped in sound signature. Once I have reconstructed my V2 set with the V4 drivers I'll be able to compare better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelostMIDrange 

I no longer have the set that was tested, but they were in cups/band identical to this

These look like the cups you sold me. Same reddish markings on them.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootsit 

Mr Midrange,
Have you ever heard a full aluminum Magnum build?

He has, and he wasn't a fan of the highs, specifically.. But, I'll let him chime in :)

7keys, your set is from the same block of wood.......I heard a aluminum set (symphones recent alum) and for me it was a little super-natural. In other words a little too much frosting and not enough cake. A little too much 'headphone experience' and not a natural enough sound. But it's a cool sound and i'd recommend the alum cups over wood cups generally speaking. They will be a little heavier though.......on a diff topic, I recently swapped in a set of pink driver sr60's into the cups pictured above and with a little e/q to tame the upper end, they sound quite nice.  Ridiculously nice bass on these old drivers (as were mag v4's), great mids, but still a touch hot up top. The plastic housing on the original set seemed to create more distortion and hotness than what the drivers themselves contribute. Compared to mags i'd say the old grado drivers are a bit more balanced and less colored throughout the mids, or at least until we reach the upper mids. Magnums have a nicer and smoother top end though...........after listening to many grado's from ps500 rs2/1 hf2, sr series, mags. all in various cups, I've come to A definite conclusion that if encorporated into a mag v6, would be something special. And that is this. magnums and grados of most kinds have an achilles heal in the upper mid to lower treble. It must be difficult for that driver style for whatever reason. Bass was fine on v4's and on these sr60's, so that is proof that can be achieved. upper end treble is also fairly easily achieved as i've heard realistic cymbals reproduction on many different mags and grados. The only real problem i've encountered on all grados and mags with the exception of the hf2, is the upper mid to lower treble. Grado's house sound is largely found here imo and it's not good, not natural, not pleasing to someone who wants anything close to a natural or reference sound. Now magnums also suffer in that area but the issues or peaks must be different as the grado house sound is gone but that area is still too colored. So, if i could get my mits on a driver tweek ala v6, it would be to go back to v4 bass with a minimal 100-200 hz hump and spend some energy flatlining the upper mid to lower treble so snare drums and acoustic guitars sound less colored. The magnum already has a wicked clear background, all the dynamics and clarity inherent to grado style phones. Just find out why the hf2 works so well in the upper mids/lower treble and incorporate it into a magnum and it's a hit imo. There is no grado that does that area well other than the hf2 to my ears. And this means that a jtm45 marshall sounds right, as does a jmp from '83 with 6550's vs a plexi, vs an ac30 vs a hiwatt etc. Jimmy page's martin acoustic will sound correct as well which it does not on a mag or any other grado.....on the snare drum issue I have, it must be different peak than the grado peaks because I do not have that issue with grados, so that is a purely magnum problem. But i'm a stickler for natural sound, more than the average joe. But to be reference class, the magnum needs to be tweeked in that area alone. All the other ingrediants have been proven. Put that driver in a yet to be designed one-piece aluminum cup 1 1/8" long and you've got an improved hp-1000 .........godspeed.......

Grados have a 2K peak, which is why Tyll dislikes them.