[pedxing]

If budget is not a concern, I would aim for a higher end Grados. The SR-80 are tinny in my opinion, but some of my friends like them for rock and punk.

 

[radrd]

I'm seriously enjoying my new Beyer DT770 with rock/metal. But unfortunately, I've never heard any of the high-end Grados, so I couldn't tell you how they compare.

 

[Shurenuff]

I'm assuming the CD3000's would be pretty good for Rock/Heavy Metal. Am I right in my assumption?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I listen to mostly heavy metal, and I've been through a number of cans, and I can't say that there is one definitve metal can. It all comes down to what kind of sound you find most pleasing, whether that is a more natural sound or a more exciting, but colored sound.

I personally ended up preferring the former, and I found the HD600 and K1000 best for open cans (and the K271 for closed). The SR-325 takes the honors for colored open cans, and the CD3000 for closed (followed by the DT770).

If you will listen to anything other than metal, that music can help make this decision. The SR325 needs flat pads to sound best, but they make the soundstage virtually nonexistant, acceptable for some metal, but not for classical. All ther other can have better soundstages (increasing from DT770, K271, HD600/CD3000, K1000). If you can't afford at least a $500 amp forget the K1000, or a $350 amp, forget the HD600 and K271. The DT770 can get by with a cheap amp. The CD3000 and SR325 need not an amp, but sound much better with one.

Use those kinds of criteria to narrow down the choices, they try to buy two and return the one you like less.

 

[3lite]

Ok I think I will get a new rig with CDP.

My budget is around $1200-$1300.

Should I get the RS-1 RA-1 combo and a used CDP like a NAD C521i from eBay?

Do you think this is an overkill for metal music, iron dreamer?

 

[Hunter_Killer]

Nothing is overkill for metal. Why is it that some people think heavy or death metal is less "audiophile" than other genres will be forever beyond me. Every genre has good and bad performances, and good and bad songs. Stuff like Metallica and Opeth deserve the very best equipment

 

[Hunter_Killer]

Quote:

Originally posted by pedxing If budget is not a concern, I would aim for a higher end Grados. The SR-80 are tinny in my opinion, but some of my friends like them for rock and punk.

SR80 tinny? Thats very, very odd. Maybe your equipment sucks ?

 

[Magic77]

For Metal; I like the Sennheiser HD-280's or the AKG-K271S.

 

[ojnihs]

I currently use MDR-CD780's for heavy metal, progressive metal, and rock. I like them a lot and I'm going to upgrade to the CD3000's sooner or later.

 

[gratner]

I listen to a lot of metal... everything from Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, KISS, Alice Cooper... etc...

I have the Grado SR80s at home on my PC with the Audigy 2 Sound Card and I think they sound great. I'll admit I'm curious to find out how much of an improvement some of the better Grado cans would be though.

At work where I need a closed can, after trying a bunch of different ones I settled on the Beyerdynamic 770s which I run through a Headroom Little amp. This combination is excellent for metal.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally posted by 3lite Ok I think I will get a new rig with CDP. My budget is around $1200-$1300. Should I get the RS-1 RA-1 combo and a used CDP like a NAD C521i from eBay? Do you think this is an overkill for metal music, iron dreamer?

Like Hunter_killer said, there is no such thing as overkill for one type of music as opposed to another. I would however, try to ge the best source you can afford.. There is a sweet deal for a modded 222-ES on audiogon right now, something like that would really make your system shine. I'm not familiar with the RA-1, and I would prefer a more complex, powerful amp, but the reported synergy of the RS1 and RA1 makes it a believeable combo.

If I were in your situation, I would go after Hirsh's Music Series Pro in the FS forum, the Sony SACDP I mentioned, and the best amp you can afford while still leaving $50-$100 for a good interconnect.

 

[3lite]

I think I'll get this:

RS-1's (new): $650
RA-1's from audiogon: $200
Good looking CDP from ebay/audiogon: $400
Headphile Blackgold 0.5mm interconnects: $85

~$1300

I really want the RS-1s because of their aggresiveness, I read that the MSP's are neutral, which is the reason I don't like my current 580's.

What do you think

?

And thanks for all the replies!

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

You would definetly want to spend more on your source then on your headphones. Consider getting the grado sr225's and double your source budget...

Biggie.

 

[terrymx]

i probably would agree with NotoriousBIG_PJ. as for the headphones that i actaully heard, many will disagree, but i have to say the hd212pro. the bass punch and hard treble make the music as heavy as possible. good for music like skepticism. the sr60 is like for emotional rock, like anathema.

 

[terrymx]

Quote:

Originally posted by ch1nkster If you like V6's, you'll like A900's . Go get grados if you listen to rock stuff

whoa is that a paradox or something, how can you possible like the v6 in the beginning.