[Gradofan2]

I demoed the GS1000s and was very disappointed with their sound - sounded way too distant, and weak. And, of course, they kept slipping down / off - weak clamping. I didn't want to "mess with" the headband, but, it didn't appear that it could be made to provide a tight / firm clamp.

It seemed that the combination of the huge pads, and their weak clamping contributed to their distant, weak sound - held the drivers too far from my ears. Their sound improved remarkably, when I pressed them closer to my ears.

Are there any "pad mods" / other mods that improve the sound of the GS1000s - make them sound less distant, and more powerful, similar to the RS-1s, but better?

I've looked through a lot of the GS1000 threads, and seem to recall some "pad mods" somewhere - but, there didn't seem to be any certainty.

I'm asking... in part... in light of the new PS1000s, which I presume will have the same limitations as the GS1000s.

 

[Blackmore]

Every mods I tried, didn't worked for me, cos they loose the balance and become less accurate and to heavy with bass. I stop doing this after several times. Fist use them with yellow Sennh pads and second as combo, yellow pads and comfys and no one worked well, however second one was "better". The last possible option, which I didn't try, is to buy original GS1k pads, cut the edge for like 1 cm to put them closer to the ears, but after I bought EAR HP4, I stopped thinking of it at all.
What they need is an upfront sounding source and amp with good mids in general, but even then, bad recordings will never shine anyway.

 

[Scooterboy]

Hi Gradofan2,

Have you heard the new GS1000i? The reason why I ask is that I recently purchased a RS-1i and these phones are spectacular especially on classical recordings. I was also told that Grado is using new drivers and cabling on their new models.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooterboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Gradofan2, Have you heard the new GS1000i? The reason why I ask is that I recently purchased a RS-1i and these phones are spectacular especially on classical recordings. I was also told that Grado is using new drivers and cabling on their new models.

No... unfortunately - though, I'm sure they're GREAT!

I'm not sure I want to... I just don't want any more "temptations"... or... to accumulate any more toys.

I have too many now, because I can't seem to "make up my mind" and can't seem to find "just the right combo" that I'm sure is "as good as it gets."

I'm trying to "deal with my issues" - I've pledged to myself, and my wife, that I will, and that I'm not going to accumulate the vast array of toys, that I've seen others accumulate on this forum, which they can't possibly listen to frequently enough to justify. Pretty incredible really.

"I will not buy another toy... I will not buy another toy... I will not buy another toy..."

 

[Audio-Omega]

Does RS1 provide a good clamp ?

 

[blazeops]

The handband can be adjusted for less or more clamping force. Underneath the band is a narrow metal piece that can be bent.

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooterboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Gradofan2, Have you heard the new GS1000i? The reason why I ask is that I recently purchased a RS-1i and these phones are spectacular especially on classical recordings. I was also told that Grado is using new drivers and cabling on their new models.

Doesn't make a difference. I have the new drivers and cable and expereince the same issues as GradoFan. You push them in a little and the sound improves.

.

 

[limpidglitch]

Maybe they're just not for you? You will never manage to transform the GS1000 to a 'better' RS1. Completely different 'phones with completely different characteristics. I think the only way you can improve on the RS1 is to upgrade downstream.

 

[robm321]

I think you'd need more time with the GS-1000s. Same headband as RS-1 and should be just as tight even though the pads are bigger.

The RS-1 is in your face aggression. You won't get that from the GS-1000. It's more neutral and has a more expansive sound without the artificial aggression while retaining good speed.

That's the issues many had that prefer the RS-1. To those that want that I say the PS-1 has that same sound with improvements but a different timbre (I prefer the RS-1 timbre).

 

[rds]

If you put your hands on the gs-1000 cups you change the sound a lot. It is actually because you are blocking some of the rear baffle. It just distorts the sound really.
It's very surprising how sensitive that baffle is. I can hear the sound change with my hands a foot and a half away from it.
If you have gs-1000s at home try it. Put your palms flat to the back of the cups (while on your head) and slowly move them away while still in line with the cups. See when the sound stops changing. For me it was at about a foot and a half. I was really surprised.

Anyways, the point is that if you feel the need to mod these phones then they are not the right phones for you.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rds /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you put your hands on the gs-1000 cups you change the sound a lot. It is actually because you are blocking some of the rear baffle. It just distorts the sound really. It's very surprising how sensitive that baffle is. I can hear the sound change with my hands a foot and a half away from it. If you have gs-1000s at home try it. Put your palms flat to the back of the cups (while on your head) and slowly move them away while still in line with the cups. See when the sound stops changing. For me it was at about a foot and a half. I was really surprised. Anyways, the point is that if you feel the need to mod these phones then they are not the right phones for you.

Yes... you must be careful not to block the air flow from the ports / baffle - by holding them in a manner to avoid that. Pressing them a bit closer to your ears, gives them a louder, more immediate sound, with more prominent bass and mids, yet with out the "muddy" effects of the "flat pads."

And... yes... if you prefer the closer, more immediate sound - you will refer the RS-1s to the GS-1000s.

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes... you must be careful not to block the air flow from the ports / baffle - by holding them in a manner to avoid that. Pressing them a bit closer to your ears, gives them a louder, more immediate sound, with more prominent bass and mids, yet with out the "muddy" effects of the "flat pads." And... yes... if you prefer the closer, more immediate sound - you will refer the RS-1s to the GS-1000s.

I've done the same move to mine just like you did. But it seemed to muddy them up as well as what you say.

.

 

[KevinR70]

There was a thread on a mod about fastening the bowl further down on the driver (you will actually be able to see about an 1/8" of wood around the bowl were it attaches to the driver). I can't locate the thread, but there was a picture for reference. It is a free mod that essentially puts the drivers a little closer to your ears, without changing the sound signature as dramatically as putting RS1 bowls on the headphone. It's a subtle improvement IMO that is easy to do.

 

[MONVMENTVM]

Here you go:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sim...1000-a-409437/

Just try around a bit. You can push back the whole pad or just a part of it. I'm prefering them with just the front half of the pads pushed in. You can see in the first pic what I mean: On one cup I pushed the whole pad back and on the other just a small part. Just try around and see how you prefer it. As I said I have the half that points to my face pushed in. As an effect the difference in sound balance and sound stage is just subtle, but I like it that way as it doesn't change its sound signature completely, while it slightly brings out the mids.

 

[s1rrah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MONVMENTVM /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here you go: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sim...1000-a-409437/ Just try around a bit. You can push back the whole pad or just a part of it. I'm prefering them with just the front half of the pads pushed in. You can see in the first pic what I mean: On one cup I pushed the whole pad back and on the other just a small part. Just try around and see how you prefer it. As I said I have the half that points to my face pushed in. As an effect the difference in sound balance and sound stage is just subtle, but I like it that way as it doesn't change its sound signature completely, while it slightly brings out the mids.

I have settled on using that pad mod as my full time listening mode. Thanks to the OP for the idea! It brings the soundstage a tad closer, mids a tad more up in the mix, and overall, just a hair's breadth more towards the RS1 (but still far different).

Another thing I've noticed is that the GS1000's require a good 5 or 6 notch volume increase over the RS1's listening level simply because the driver is so far from the ear. I have/have had both and like them both but I will say that the GS1000's took a LOT of getting used to.

I love them now ... but if I listen to any other headphone for an extended period of time, they require another round of brain burn-in(tm) to fully appreciate.

They are certainly not for everyone and they certainly don't do everything well, but the things they do excel at ... small room chamber music, jazz, classical, etc. ... make them worth owning in my opinion. They are the most refined and articulate headphone I've heard so far and I've currently got SR225's, K701's, HD650's in the house and just had a set of AD2000's in the house as well.

But can't stress enough. You've got to get every other headphone out of the room for at least a week to get used to their genuinely unique sound presentation. Takes some brain burn-in for sure ... (I believe in that more so than headphone burn in, but that's just me) ...

(BTW: with the right tubes, the GS1000's are excellent with the RSA Raptor!)

YMMV.