Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Newbie Looking for Comfortable Alternative to Grado
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Newbie Looking for Comfortable Alternative to Grado

post #1 of 16
11/5/11 at 3:22pm
Thread Starter 

I am new here and new to quality headphones and this site and  am looking for a pair of over ear headphones for in home listening to a wide variety of music, mostly blues, folk, rock, acoustic guitar. There is very little to test where I live so I am looking for some recommendations for headphones primarily but amps as well for those who wish to offer suggestions. \

Objective:

I prefer tube amps for stereo listening so plan to get a low cost tube headphone amp (under $250)  to experiment with headphones. I listen through a squeezebox III . For headphones I also want to keep the cost to no more than about $300 . I will probably get a better DAC as well as budget permits.

 

The only decent headphones I have tried are a set of Alessandro MS-1's that I borrowed. I really like their sound. More bass would definately be better but not if it compromises on the mids and highs as the MS-1's are nice in that department.

 

What I don't like about the MS-1's are the comfort. My ears hurt after awhile , get hot , etc. 

If it wasn't for the comfort issues I would order a set the same or a nicer pair of Alessandros/Grados. I don't think I want to waste a bunch of time trying different pads, on ear is just not comfortable to me.

 

So due to comfort issues think I want over the ear style. Open back is fine if it means better sound for the dollar . Higher efficiency would be nice so I could listen to my Galaxy S without an amp but it is not critical.

 

I was thinking from reviews that maybe Audio Technica might work but really have no idea - Suggestions ?

 

Reply
post #2 of 16
11/5/11 at 3:43pm

Sonically speaking you're going to have make a compromise, nothing sounds like an Alessandro or Grado

for rock especially in that price range. There's a reason why people put with up with 1948 styling and

awkward comfort ~ we're not all sadomasochists smily_headphones1.gif

 

You'll probably get the usual recommendations like the Denon D2000 and Shure 840

~ they do rock 'ok' but have no business knocking on Grado's door for natural reproduction.

 

Best I've heard that comes close is the LCD-2. Sorry if sound quality is still number

regardless of your other requirements you're going to have to make a sonic compromise.

 

The fact that you don't want to amplify anything either makes your situation look

dire.

Reply
post #3 of 16
11/5/11 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 

Sonics are number 1, comfort number 2 and not needing an amp would be 3rd on the list so I can live with the necessity to amp if I means I can meet the first 2 goals.


Edited by Inniswhe - 11/5/11 at 4:49pm
Reply
post #4 of 16
11/5/11 at 4:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inniswhe View Post

Sonics are number 1, comfort number 2 and not needing an amp would be 3rd on the list so I can live with the necessity to amp if I means I can meet the first 2 goals.



I like the AKG 272HD ~ it doesn't get enough love on Head-Fi. Crystal clear, balanced and closed.

 

It won't offer up the dynamic coloration that makes the Grado/Alessandro line so unique but

they will reproduce what is on the recording with authenticity and a natural sound for a closed can.

 

Very comfortable too as you can see..

 

A full sized iPod Classic, Sansa Fuze or Cowan will drive them nicely.

 

AKG_K272HD.jpg


Edited by Gwarmi - 11/5/11 at 5:00pm
Reply
post #5 of 16
11/5/11 at 5:01pm

 Audio Texhnica ES7 or Ultrasone HFI 580 or Sennheiser HD598 or Beyer DT770

Reply
post #6 of 16
11/5/11 at 5:12pm

AFAIK Ultrasone (I have tried pro700) and Audez'e LCD-2 (preferable rev.2) will both do a decent job.  Some people have suggested Audio-Technica AD-2000 is good for metal due to the energetic and detailed sound, but I don't think you're going to get any decent bass impact out of the AD series.

Refer here for more discussion of Audio-technica: http://www.headfonia.com/audio-technica-ad-series-ad300-ad700-ad900-ad1000prm-ad2000/

Audez'e LCD-2 is going to probably need a specific amp to have decent PRAT (like Burson, Audio-GD balanced, Violectric V200) so you're looking at a big spend there, round $2000 with any of these setups.

Ultrasone can be quite good for metal and rock, but if you think Grado have a hot treble, wait 'til you try Ultrasone.  Your_ears_will_bleed.  Pretty good bass though.

Shure 840, Denon D2000 and Audio-Technica M50 all will do a decent job with metal, but they are all closed and won't sound open like your grado - ie. they will have a slightly heavier, slower sound by default.

 

If comfort is an issue with the Grados, you can try some of the different pads they have, but they will still make your ears hot.  Maybe there's an in-ear-monitor that will suite your needs in terms of the Grado sound without comfort issues.

Reply
post #7 of 16
11/5/11 at 5:24pm

its all about the denon d-2000's

Reply
post #8 of 16
11/5/11 at 6:31pm

Different ear pads are an option.  You could replace the stock pads with the Senn HD414s, or the Grado G Cush pads.  Just a thought...

Reply
post #9 of 16
11/5/11 at 8:25pm

HD414 pads.

Reply
post #10 of 16
11/5/11 at 8:35pm

I really disagree with the options of the LCD2 and Denon D2000 as Grado sounding alternatives.

 

They’re not bad headphones but they sound very, very different to the Grado sound. bass emphasized, midrange suckout on the D2000 and shelved treble on the LCD2. like, not even close.

 

the Sennhesier HD-25-I is kinda close (although it sounds more congested and has way more bass impact than Grado) but I found it less comfortable than a grado headphone with the headband stretched out.

 

 

Reply
post #11 of 16
11/6/11 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 

It sounds like I have my work cut out out for me. I have been reading through the forums and came up with a short list of potential headphones. :

Beyer DT880 600ohm

AKG K702

AT ADH-A900

Denon AH-D2000 or D5000(used)

 

With at least a couple of these I understand an amp would be needed right away. I am hoping a cheaper tube amp would suffice for now. Of these what is the best for clear mids and highs , clear vocals and tight quality ( if not overwelming)  bass ?

I am putting the Denons on the bottom of the list because I don't want anything too bass oriented such that it would affect the mids and highs.  As long as the final choice has as much bass as the MS-1's I think I will be happy.

 

A good typical example of the type of music I listen to would be the BB King /Tracy Chapmen duet , The Thrill is Gone which I am listenign to now on the Alesandros.

Reply
post #12 of 16
11/6/11 at 3:43pm

I agree with your research. I'm really impressed with the DT880 600ohm for accuracy and range, but if you want more bass, the D2000 is your pick. I haven't sampled the K702 (though I have the K701, and love it for its refinement for classical), nor the A900. 

 

It would be so cool if you could sample these phones in advance. The DT880 is noted for its comfort, and the same for the K701/2. The Denon D5000 is gorgeous and has rich bass; Amazon has it for dirt cheap prices ($350); may be a refurb, at this price. 

 

 

Reply
post #13 of 16
11/6/11 at 5:48pm

Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 250-Ohm

Single tube headphone amplifier off eBay, prices start at $50, I spent $90 for mine.

Usually need a $7 digital multimeter (DT830) and a small philips head screw driver

to do fine adjustment to the voltage.

 

Total under $300

 

You can always buy a more expensive tube amp in the future.

Reply
post #14 of 16
11/7/11 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the beyer recommendation. I had

myself convinced to go either with the beyer DT-880 600ohm and a bottlehead crack amp or go with the AT adh900 without an amp. How would my two options compare ?
The bottlehead amp has good reviews but apparently is only suited to high impedance cans so if I don't lke the beyers I will have limited choices for cans
Reply
post #15 of 16
11/25/11 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 

Update:

 

I listened to a coworkers Senn HD595's. They were nice but did not excite me as much as the MS1's. Last weekend I had a chance to try all Grado's up to the SR325's and I liked the SR325's  so I bought a pair of used one's and ordered a set of G-Cush's to try as a fit option.

 

I now understand how the Grado sound is different and more forward than the Senn's. I understand how it may be coloring the sound and could get fatiguing but for now it is a nice place to start.

 

Thanks to those who input this thread.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Newbie Looking for Comfortable Alternative to Grado