Michael G.
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2005
- Posts
- 354
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- 17
As I'm up for a Grado RS1i listening session, my rule of fit comes to mind.
Hold the bowls (if you're using standard Grado bowl earcups, as I do) with your index finger on the backside of each bowl. Put the headphones on, and using the placement of your index fingers as an index, line up the backside of the bowls with the backside of your ear. Do not let the bowls overlap the backmost edge of your ears. You'll notice that this alignment will not allow the bowls to completely encircle your ears, but instead produces a "bowl forward" placement that positions the earcups and drivers approx. 3/8" more forward on the head than usual. Because the drivers are no longer centered directly over the ear canals, you'll need to raise the volume level on your amp slightly in compensation. You may also need to adjust earcup height very slightly, upward.
Once you've adjusted the volume level, you'll notice that the Grado *soundstage* has now greatly improved. Although the "bowl forward" wearing style might take some getting used to at first, after a while you'll come to appreciate that your ears are staying cooler and don't sweat as much as they once did. Those small airgaps created around your ears by the bowl forward placement help your ears stay cool and comfortable, more so than with standard over-ear placement.
Time to go listen to some Dr. John...
Hold the bowls (if you're using standard Grado bowl earcups, as I do) with your index finger on the backside of each bowl. Put the headphones on, and using the placement of your index fingers as an index, line up the backside of the bowls with the backside of your ear. Do not let the bowls overlap the backmost edge of your ears. You'll notice that this alignment will not allow the bowls to completely encircle your ears, but instead produces a "bowl forward" placement that positions the earcups and drivers approx. 3/8" more forward on the head than usual. Because the drivers are no longer centered directly over the ear canals, you'll need to raise the volume level on your amp slightly in compensation. You may also need to adjust earcup height very slightly, upward.
Once you've adjusted the volume level, you'll notice that the Grado *soundstage* has now greatly improved. Although the "bowl forward" wearing style might take some getting used to at first, after a while you'll come to appreciate that your ears are staying cooler and don't sweat as much as they once did. Those small airgaps created around your ears by the bowl forward placement help your ears stay cool and comfortable, more so than with standard over-ear placement.
Time to go listen to some Dr. John...