spent about 5k on audio gear this year     newly acquired genelec 8030a     headphones.. hd800 the obvious one with silver dragon 4pin and adapter kit, the other 2 grados 325i, akg 702   cables:  moon audio blue dragon xlrs, analysis plus silver oval xlrs, moon audio blue dragon...

1. what do you mean graininess 2. what other IEMs can out-grado10 grado-10? i.e. in acoustic, vocals, and transparency department?

okay i might get one of the two.. so it is gonna be MK6+ or MK8 SE?

Quote:     thanks for taking the time to respond, much appreciated.

Quote: thnx very informative

if any body else owns monsoon planar speakers and can confirm that these designs are somehow different seeing as they don't seem to have cones, feel free to do so.

just bought some used monsoon mm-700.. wondering why the speaker wires don't have markings on them.. and they don't even have L/R markings

the beats.. lul name

well one obvious fact is that when the more tech-savvy generation grow up and gain more financial prowess, many industries will change.. headphones might not even be as we know it in the future.. perhaps it will be wireless technology that finally gives it the boost, who knows, once they...

Quote: i've tried akg 702 with little dot 1+.. i think akg 702 may be a little more laid back and better suited for "legit" music listening.  i seem to actually like music presentations that energize me rather than making me feel warm and fuzzy and laid back etc.. i am a little afraid to...

Quote:   so i guess only HD800 can truly be characterized as having great imaging ability?  from all the reviews i've been reading about it etc.. it seems they have a bright (not sure if forward) signature also.  i am seriously starting to consider HD800.  my closet concern is that...

well sounds cool.. my akg 702 has its perks even tho i like my grados 325i more.. and i've never listened to that model you mentioned.. would like to hear if you find anything interesting from that setup

I've never listened to a balance setup to tell the difference between balance and single ended, and i guess some people will say grados isn't exactly an "accurate" headphone, i wonder what a balanced set up will do to the sound.   I am also curious as to what other "sparkling" headphones on...

by audiophile standards ya.. 80i is for beginners to start enjoying music.. 325i is clarity on a different level.  it's easy to compare because it's the same brand.  i don't know if 325i is the best value for $300 phones but i personally like it.. you should look around for second opinions.  you...

well the way i saw it was that the first series range from 70~300 then it jumps to 500ish and then to 1k.. and it didn't seem like the 500ish grado phones were getting such a drastically higher rating/review.  i wasn't about to spend 1k this early on a grados headphone either.. so i went for...