Are grados the best headphones for rock music? Will i need a headphone amp to reach there full... - Page 2

I love my Grados for rock.  I bought my MS-1s after buying my girlfriend a set of SR-60s and listening to some rock music; I knew I needed to buy myself a pair or else I would end up constantly borrowing hers, I loved the sound so much, and ordered them that week.  Before that I was using a pair of 7506s w/ beyer pads that I still use and love, but when it comes to rock, Grado (and Alessandro) really has it down.

SR225i gets my vote out of most Grados. You might want to avoid the 325i, I "downgraded" from the 325i to the 225i and it was the best headphone decision I made to date. I still love my SR225i and I don't know what to do without them while listening to Metallica. With that said, Grados are the best for rock IMO, just have to wait for another product from another manufacturer to beat it (which I find to be unlikely)

Quote:

Originally Posted by planx 

SR225i gets my vote out of most Grados. You might want to avoid the 325i, I "downgraded" from the 325i to the 225i and it was the best headphone decision I made to date. I still love my SR225i and I don't know what to do without them while listening to Metallica. With that said, Grados are the best for rock IMO, just have to wait for another product from another manufacturer to beat it (which I find to be unlikely)

I had the exact same experience. I wonder if there's any other Grado that had mids that are just as good and just as forward as the 225i? My impression of the 325is is that I got less forward mids for more mid-bass and treble.

Maybe I need to get a 225i with wooden cups sometime. I doubt the RS2 is anything like the 225i.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

 

I had the exact same experience. I wonder if there's any other Grado that had mids that are just as good and just as forward as the 225i? My impression of the 325is is that I got less forward mids for more mid-bass and treble.

 

Maybe I need to get a 225i with wooden cups sometime. I doubt the RS2 is anything like the 225i.

I remember us connecting the exact same way before haha. For now, I have no intention of modding my 225i atm. I just have the tape bowl mod and the reverse bowl atm and it seems good enough for me. Soon maybe i'll get it re-cabled and maybe a new cup.

I've been a 225i owner for a couple months, now. I upgraded to them from my Sennheiser HD448 and while I don't really listen to rock, but I can tell you that these are pretty godly for metal music, especially in the treble department. The bass is fast, has a satisfying little punch, is well defined and is fairly spot-on in terms of quantity for representing drums and bass-guitar satisfyingly. The mids are really quite something, great definition once again and a very satisfying *ring* to them, that's probably not the right word but they sound very full and 3 dimensional. From what I've gathered, the bright treble is the most controversial thing about these headphones, but honestly it's my favourite part. I don't know if I'd want my treble any other way for metal use, screeching guitar sounds properly amazing to be honest. Would I say that it became too bright or piercing? When it was being run straight from my sound card, yes. On occasion it would go just a little too far and be slightly piercing (not enough to be a real issue, but it's there). However, I am now amping them from a Little Dot 1+ with Mullard M8100 tubes and LT1364 opamp chip ($180 all up) and the treble doesn't do that any more. The bass also has more punch and authority, the phones are better defined and more energetic all-around. I think most of what I've described would stay true for rock.

In terms of comfort, they were awful the first day I had them, I really thought I'd made a big mistake with them because they were really hurting my ears (and they didn't sound great right out of the box for me). However, after a few days you break in the earpads and they become significantly comfier. The first night I couldn't really wear them comfortably for more than 30 minutes, but I'd say now I can listen for about 90 to 120 minutes before I want to take them off to rest my ears. Don't expect fantastic comfort at any point, but don't be put off them at first if you were to get them, they do improve. They will feel pretty weird when you get them, but stick with it. ONE VERY IMPORTANT NOTE You must stretch the headband out! I can't overemphasise this enough, because it probably makes up for at least 50% of the comfort change. When fresh out of the box, the headband is shaped to make the headphones almost touch each other when they're not being used. However, that will mean there's far too much pressure on your ears when you put them on, it will be agonising. You need to stretch them so that there's roughly 5 inches between each driver when they're not being used. This will relieve most of the pressure and improve comfort greatly. I would also recommend getting a leather headband for them, I knew I was going to do so before I ever owned them. The thin vinyl headband is the weakpoint of the 225i's quality. It will take them up a notch in terms of quality, comfort and aesthetics. Here's mine:

/mini-review

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeretixAevum 

I've been a 225i owner for a couple months, now. I upgraded to them from my Sennheiser HD448 and while I don't really listen to rock, but I can tell you that these are pretty godly for metal music, especially in the treble department. The bass is fast, has a satisfying little punch, is well defined and is fairly spot-on in terms of quantity for representing drums and bass-guitar satisfyingly. The mids are really quite something, great definition once again and a very satisfying *ring* to them, that's probably not the right word but they sound very full and 3 dimensional. From what I've gathered, the bright treble is the most controversial thing about these headphones, but honestly it's my favourite part. I don't know if I'd want my treble any other way for metal use, screeching guitar sounds properly amazing to be honest. Would I say that it became too bright or piercing? When it was being run straight from my sound card, yes. On occasion it would go just a little too far and be slightly piercing (not enough to be a real issue, but it's there). However, I am now amping them from a Little Dot 1+ with Mullard M8100 tubes and LT1364 opamp chip ($180 all up) and the treble doesn't do that any more. The bass also has more punch and authority, the phones are better defined and more energetic all-around. I think most of what I've described would stay true for rock.

 

In terms of comfort, they were awful the first day I had them, I really thought I'd made a big mistake with them because they were really hurting my ears (and they didn't sound great right out of the box for me). However, after a few days you break in the earpads and they become significantly comfier. The first night I couldn't really wear them comfortably for more than 30 minutes, but I'd say now I can listen for about 90 to 120 minutes before I want to take them off to rest my ears. Don't expect fantastic comfort at any point, but don't be put off them at first if you were to get them, they do improve. They will feel pretty weird when you get them, but stick with it. ONE VERY IMPORTANT NOTE You must stretch the headband out! I can't overemphasise this enough, because it probably makes up for at least 50% of the comfort change. When fresh out of the box, the headband is shaped to make the headphones almost touch each other when they're not being used. However, that will mean there's far too much pressure on your ears when you put them on, it will be agonising. You need to stretch them so that there's roughly 5 inches between each driver when they're not being used. This will relieve most of the pressure and improve comfort greatly. I would also recommend getting a leather headband for them, I knew I was going to do so before I ever owned them. The thin vinyl headband is the weakpoint of the 225i's quality. It will take them up a notch in terms of quality, comfort and aesthetics. Here's mine:

 

 

 

/mini-review

Where did you get the leather headband?  Looks great, would love to do that to my MS1i.

Headphone Lounge http://headphonelounge.com/products/grado-headbands/ however my two-tone one is a prototype, it's not a mainstay product. If you were interested in a two-tone, contact Jin (the fella who makes them). He's very friendly and might be willing to put one together for you.

I love my sr80i, maybe a modded t50rp if you like modding (currently outperforming my Grados, quite tunable)? Really though, you can't go wrong with the Grado line for rock and they are quite moddable themselves which is something to keep in mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeretixAevum 

Headphone Lounge http://headphonelounge.com/products/grado-headbands/ however my two-tone one is a prototype, it's not a mainstay product. If you were interested in a two-tone, contact Jin (the fella who makes them). He's very friendly and might be willing to put one together for you.

Thanks, I just emailed him...  The price is not bad, so I am def. getting a set regardless.  Thanks for the link!  I appreciate it!

No worries mate.

Many people do not even find the Grados to be the best for rock anymore. I think they're a bit overhyped in that department, though that doesn't mean they are overrated headphones. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NimbleTurtle 

Many people do not even find the Grados to be the best for rock anymore. I think they're a bit overhyped in that department, though that doesn't mean they are overrated headphones. 

Could be over hyped, but it does live up to the name. To this day, I can't find a single headphone more enjoyable for rock than my SE225i and a few other Grados I tried (RS1i, RS2i, PS1000)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocksounds18 

i was thinking max 200 dollars. i heard the 225i are good. since you have experince whats your opinion on the right one. also whats a good headphone amp for little cash that i could get?

The 225i is the sweet spot in the Grado line up, they are the best bang-for-the-buck Grado. They do most music very well with Classic Rock as a stand-out. As mentioned, some find them uncomfortable for long sessions If you find that's the case for you try some flat pads, the Grado comfys, the TTVJ flats (my favorite)  or there are some Senns that can be modified. A lot of people like the Senns. 

HF2 owner here. I find that in the mid-fi price bracket, a sub $400 HF2 is better than the HD 650, DT 880, and K701 for rock. It's much more colored then the 3 reference headphones, with low subbass, a midbass hump, and rolled off highs, but it is fast, puts you very close to the music, and has a aggressive yet, non-fatiguing sound. 

I can see where Grados would have issues in the flagship price bracket, as I think my HE-6 is better than even the PS1000 at most genres, including rock. But if you listen to mostly rock and pop and all you want to spend is $200-$300, buy a Grado. 

I have grado 60's, 325is, rs-1 and magnums but I also have denon's, a T1, lcd-2.2 and probably some others.  My absolutely favorite and most listened to phone by far and for all music are my magnum 325 v4's.  Very underrated (by people who haven't heard them anyway).  I personally like the 325's but for anyone with 325's who want to try something else the magnum mod may be worth looking into.  There's not even a point in listening to my rs-1's.  I went to a meet recently and 2 poeple there with gs1000's said the magnums were the best headphones they ever heard.