For pop and rock music, I preferred the Gratitude, but as you can see in my sig, they're not that far apart.
I'd never, ever consider using the Gratitudes for rock music. The best and most interesting parts of rock music are the intricate guitar lines, drum/brush work, and screamed vocals, all of which are masked considerably my the Gratitudes obnoxiously overblown bass.
cant the "syrupy mid range" be interpreted as a good thing?
i like a liquid midrange that i can just melt into
the gr07 is my fave iem but thats not saying it doens't have faults
its spacious but a bit diffuse at the same time, theres no centralized image
its also mildly siblant so that can get annoying and noticeable when your A/Bing headphones
in otherwords the gratitude is not for a detailed freak, its a smooth easy going sound signature.
the midrange is natural and clear a bit warm but i would not say the midrange envelops you
i would love to get a pair of gratitudes because of that midrange you described and that bass emphasis--> easy listening for sure
Not really, not unless you like the sound of someone trying to sing through 3 panes of glass, which is basically what it sounds like because the harmonics are so weak compared to fundamentals.
I'd much rather have lean, clear midrange with rich texturing than an overly smooth, veiled midrange lacking detail.
The GR07 image is a bit diffuse, but it still images well enough for the listener to localize audio cues, and to create a sense of space between instruments. Everything is enveloped and overpowered by a dull bass hum with the Gratitudes.
The sibilance is an issue, but your brain will adjust. That's why I don't understand why people buy colored headhphones, because the brain is going to try its best to EQ them to flat anyway, essentially defeating the purpose. The difference is that truly flat headphones already have a natural timbre and tone, and colored headphones never will.
The Gratitude is not "easy listening." I don't consider having my ears pounded by bass and pierced by sharp treble to be easy listening. I consider the HD600 to be easy listening: mostly neutral with a warm tilt and smooth treble with excellent clarity, low distortion, and clean decay.