Try ZMF adapter ring for ZMF pads

@marie 1947 I tried them as well (I’m a big ZMF fan, both headphones and pads!) but they didn’t work well for these headphones

Am

Your review seems to match how I heard my Grado RS2e when I got them. After listening to them for about a month though, the Grado sound changed greatly. I saw reviews about how
Grados need burn in time, they weren’t kidding. I didn’t realize it to so long though, but then again I’m a casual user.

That said this review probably doesn’t reflect the actual Grado GS3000x true sounds. So far my own Grado RS2e has flatly outclassed my planar headphones in terms of sound quality, accuracy, and over all enjoyment. It’s like you bought cheap tickets to a concert at the back of the seats to gradually getting on the stage. I’m hesitating on getting the GS3000x because I may get PTSD trying to break in a new Grado for a month. Uggg decisions…

Well @psy472 I just sold mine after couple of years. It simply didn’t get the ear time and wasn’t able to compete with my better headphones. It was nice for what it could do well, but too limited in some areas (low bass, natural timbre). But, tastes are subjective and you may enjoy it!

Got a link to "Beautiful Audio"? I couldn't find them easily using search.

Here you go @Bonobo Loco :

https://www.beautifulaudio.biz/

Thanks so much for posting this story @goldwerger. Really enjoyed the review. I’m wondering if I read it right that after all this, you ended up selling the GS3000x headphones. What outperforms them at a similar price point? I’ve recently made my first foray into Grado’s wood headphones and I’m planning on getting beautiful audio pads for them, but am also looking at alternatives that might suit my ears better. Thanks for any suggestions.

@bondanbon yes I have. I haven’t unused them, I let them go. Long run, I’ve found them too bright and lacking in bass extension.

For alternatives around this price tier, I’d point to the Tungsten (my review) which, subjectively, is far superior to my ears. Even cheaper, the Hifiman Arya Organic (which I don’t own). A little more expensive, but close to price, both the ZMF Atrium Open and Closed (my review) are among the best headphones to my taste. Many other examples, but just a quick few to give you some ideas

Thanks so much for the pointers, @goldwerger. Very helpful in my explorations. I was hoping the wood might help tone down some of the brightness of my SR80s, which I find fatiguing. I expect it will help but I’m discouraged to hear that grado’s top offering may still have some excessive brightness. I appreciate the review of the tungsten which I had yet stumble over in my searching. They look amazing but also very heavy. I had seen Hifiman but have been seeing complaints about build quality from that brand. Have you tried the newer LCD 5s? Those look pretty amazing (but also somewhat heavy).

Sorry, meant the new MM-500 from Audeze not the lcd-5