Introduction & Build Quality
The SennGrado is a mod in which the drivers of the Sennheiser PX-100 II are removed and mounted in Grado style wooden cups. Variation between pairs, of course, is very large. The wooden housings are chosen by discretion of the modder. Your pair will most likely not sound the same as my pair.
Some mods will opt for the smaller housings similar to the RS1 / RS2. My pair has deeper wooden cups, which frankly look quite ridiculous when worn. Of course, these are not portable headphones, and there are no mirrors within close proximity of my listening station. This is a non-issue.
They are, however, quite gorgeous to marvel at when they are not being used. The cherry wooden cups feel very solid and are of high quality. This is exactly what I was searching for when I was considering the purchase of the SennGrado. A pair of beautiful wooden headphones under ~$200. In this regard the SennGrado passes with flying colors.
The cable is also surprisingly nice as well. Very thick and braided with cloth, terminating into a 1/4 inch plug. Slightly prone to tangling and kinks, but very nice and supple.
The headband, though comfy, is easily the biggest downside of the headphone. The hinges are made of very thin plastic. I am afraid that they may crack or break off eventually.
Long-term durability is a concern. However, with considerate care these headphones should be perfectly fine. When not in use, I keep mine stowed away in the case that comes with the HD 650. Have I mentioned that they look absolutely gorgeous? If I already did, the statement warrants repeating: They're gorgeous.
8/10
Comfort
Comparable to Grado headphones. Not as heavy as the SR-325. Earpads are fine, but can get itchy when worn for extended periods of time. The bowl pads are awful, and alter the sound in a way that I do not find enjoyable. More on that later.
6/10
Impedance & Sensitivity
The PX-100 ii is rated at 32 ohms and 114 dB SPL/V. They are quite efficient and do not need extra power from dedicated amps. I am able to power these out of my desktop computer's line out and iPod just fine.
When plugged into a Magni/Modi Schiit stack, however, this pair of headphones unfortunately creates audible lower end distortion in the left ear cup, and render the headphone unlistenable. There is only one other pair of headphones I have encountered this issue with, and that is the AKG K240.
This may be because of an improperly seated driver or a damaged cable. All other headphones I have tested with the Magni do not have this issue.
Sound Quality
All this is info is great and all, but how do they sound?
Here are the measurements from Innerfidelity. Measurements are a great way to get a quick and objective idea of what a headphone sounds like.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennGradoDIYModifiedJoeDoe.pdf[1]
The SennGrado, despite its amusing moniker, does not sound like any Grado I have ever heard. Instead they sound more akin to the Audio Technica line of AD500/AD700/AD900. The sound is entirely dependent on the pads that you use. I personally hate using the bowl pads. Not only are they unbearably uncomfortable, but they make the headphones extremely bass-heavy. Some may like it, but I don't. I prefer using the supra-aural ear pads, as they are similar to the Sennheiser PX 100 ii. Hell, you can be like /u/2800fps[2] and MacGyver Beyerdynamic pads onto them if want to. https://imgur.com/a/1kaKo[3]
Here's a quick run down. Compared to all of the other headphones in my collection, it is like a combination of the V-Moda M-80 and AKG K240, with a midrange that almost rivals the HD650 (yes, seriously). The pads sit on the ears like the M-80, and presents a full midrange like the AKG K240. The 2 kHz peak will create some unwanted sibilance with vocals. If a singer has a breathy or nasal voice, you will certainly notice it. Treble is similar to the M-80; it is recessed and in the background. The bass, surprisingly enough, is very impactful. Sub-bass creates some harmonic distortion, increasingly so as it goes deeper. Depending on the genre of music, it can be a pleasing distortion. If you like the sound of OTL tube amps, this would be a neat way to get a similar experience.
Soundstage/Imaging
These headphones are very good at providing that "outside-of-your-head" soundstage. Music sounds like it is being played in a large auditorium rather than a small concert venue. In fact, the width of the soundstage is one of the headphone's biggest strengths. Want to provide your friend compelling evidence that open headphones sound better than most closed headphones? A listening session with the SennGrado would do quite nicely.
They do sound more open than the HD 600/650. However, the HD 600/650 does a better job with imaging. It's easier to place where musicians are onstage.
Treble
The SennGrado does not have the hot treble characteristic of Grado headphones. It is almost as if the drummer is using nylon brushes instead of drumsticks. Frequencies past 3 kHz are recessed, but there are some uneven dips and peaks up to 10 kHz. This means most of the time hi-hats, cymbals, and snares are usually soft, but present. However, if you enjoy listening at louder volumes you may find yourself reaching for the volume knob with those Classic Rock and Electronic tracks that are mastered brightly.
Midrange
The highlight of the SennGrado. It is very nicely done, and was the most surprising aspect of the SennGrado for me. I was expecting it to sound like the SR-60's aggressive midrange. Not so. Again, it sounds similar to my AKG K240, which slightly emphasizes the lower midrange. The HD650 also does this as well, and this is a tuning that many people prefer, myself included. Sounds a bit lush, but natural.
Bass:
This is very much a love/hate thing for me. Because the bass becomes audibly distorted the deeper it gets, the headphone does very poorly with genres that use acoustic instruments for the bass section. I notice this issue mostly with Classical, Folk, and some Jazz music. But with Rock and Electronic? You can imagine how it would benefit those select genres. I enjoy it from time to time, but the added distortion due to the resonances in the wood housing interferes with my enjoyment of certain albums. Make no mistake about it, the bass is not of high quality. But it is very fun to listen to every once in a while with certain albums.
Conclusion
So. Would I recommend the SennGrado mod? I originally purchased this in search of a <~$200 wooden headphone that is aesthetically pleasing. I primarily wanted to obtain one as a conversation piece, a unique oddity to show to friends as they visit. In fact, it was my intention to sell the headphone after trying it out of curiousity.
The SennGrado does exceed my expectations, sonically. It is my affirmation that compared to the Grado RS2 (the official wooden headphone from Grado labs) the SennGrado surpasses it in audio fidelity. The frequency response is suited towards a less fatiguing listening experience with rolled off treble, but audio hobbyists who swear by neutrality will remain unimpressed. The bass response, gives an impactful "oomph", which is either entirely complimentary to the selected music or wholly inappropriate, depending on the genre of choice. The measurements graphs provided by InnerFidelity may initially give the impression that these are bass light headphones, but taking into account the 30 & 300 Hz Square Wave and high %THD+noise measurements will show that it is clearly audible.
I commend the SennGrado for its impressive midrange. Vocals, guitars, strings and brass instruments sound fantastic. It may very well be that the midrange only seems amazing in comparison to the rest of the frequency response, but notwithstanding it provides for a very enjoyable listening experience.
Should you run out and purchase the materials necessary to assemble one for yourself? Well, the process will certainly require a couple evenings dedicated to the project, and the handiwork of the craftsman is especially deterministic of the end result's quality of build. If you are okay with that, then yes, I believe that this is absolutely a project worth taking on.
For those of us who are not DIY inclined, however, that answer becomes much trickier. There is no one sole modder that is selling these -- e.g. Mr. Speakers -- and variability between pairs is one of the highest I've ever seen with the mod sharing the same name. Prices vary, though I believe they range from ~$150 to ~$220. Furthermore, my pair will most likely not sound identical to your pair. Build quality is inconsistent. You may receive a pair like mine that has drivers which look quite garish when exposed,[1] or it could be beautifully crafted through and through . If possible, open up a conversation with the seller before purchasing.
There is a reason why the seller would be willing to part with the headphone, and that is because it is not a headphone for everyone. It does, however, provide a very unique presentation which may or may not captivate you. I remain somewhere in the middle. I've spent many dozens of hours listening to the headphone, and I still enjoy poring through my music collection nearly every day with the SennGrado, despite having access to headphones which are technically superior. That is more than can be said about other headphones I've acquired over the years.
I like it.
The SennGrado is a mod in which the drivers of the Sennheiser PX-100 II are removed and mounted in Grado style wooden cups. Variation between pairs, of course, is very large. The wooden housings are chosen by discretion of the modder. Your pair will most likely not sound the same as my pair.
Some mods will opt for the smaller housings similar to the RS1 / RS2. My pair has deeper wooden cups, which frankly look quite ridiculous when worn. Of course, these are not portable headphones, and there are no mirrors within close proximity of my listening station. This is a non-issue.
They are, however, quite gorgeous to marvel at when they are not being used. The cherry wooden cups feel very solid and are of high quality. This is exactly what I was searching for when I was considering the purchase of the SennGrado. A pair of beautiful wooden headphones under ~$200. In this regard the SennGrado passes with flying colors.
The cable is also surprisingly nice as well. Very thick and braided with cloth, terminating into a 1/4 inch plug. Slightly prone to tangling and kinks, but very nice and supple.
The headband, though comfy, is easily the biggest downside of the headphone. The hinges are made of very thin plastic. I am afraid that they may crack or break off eventually.
Long-term durability is a concern. However, with considerate care these headphones should be perfectly fine. When not in use, I keep mine stowed away in the case that comes with the HD 650. Have I mentioned that they look absolutely gorgeous? If I already did, the statement warrants repeating: They're gorgeous.
8/10
Comfort
Comparable to Grado headphones. Not as heavy as the SR-325. Earpads are fine, but can get itchy when worn for extended periods of time. The bowl pads are awful, and alter the sound in a way that I do not find enjoyable. More on that later.
6/10
Impedance & Sensitivity
The PX-100 ii is rated at 32 ohms and 114 dB SPL/V. They are quite efficient and do not need extra power from dedicated amps. I am able to power these out of my desktop computer's line out and iPod just fine.
When plugged into a Magni/Modi Schiit stack, however, this pair of headphones unfortunately creates audible lower end distortion in the left ear cup, and render the headphone unlistenable. There is only one other pair of headphones I have encountered this issue with, and that is the AKG K240.
This may be because of an improperly seated driver or a damaged cable. All other headphones I have tested with the Magni do not have this issue.
Sound Quality
All this is info is great and all, but how do they sound?
Here are the measurements from Innerfidelity. Measurements are a great way to get a quick and objective idea of what a headphone sounds like.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennGradoDIYModifiedJoeDoe.pdf[1]
The SennGrado, despite its amusing moniker, does not sound like any Grado I have ever heard. Instead they sound more akin to the Audio Technica line of AD500/AD700/AD900. The sound is entirely dependent on the pads that you use. I personally hate using the bowl pads. Not only are they unbearably uncomfortable, but they make the headphones extremely bass-heavy. Some may like it, but I don't. I prefer using the supra-aural ear pads, as they are similar to the Sennheiser PX 100 ii. Hell, you can be like /u/2800fps[2] and MacGyver Beyerdynamic pads onto them if want to. https://imgur.com/a/1kaKo[3]
Here's a quick run down. Compared to all of the other headphones in my collection, it is like a combination of the V-Moda M-80 and AKG K240, with a midrange that almost rivals the HD650 (yes, seriously). The pads sit on the ears like the M-80, and presents a full midrange like the AKG K240. The 2 kHz peak will create some unwanted sibilance with vocals. If a singer has a breathy or nasal voice, you will certainly notice it. Treble is similar to the M-80; it is recessed and in the background. The bass, surprisingly enough, is very impactful. Sub-bass creates some harmonic distortion, increasingly so as it goes deeper. Depending on the genre of music, it can be a pleasing distortion. If you like the sound of OTL tube amps, this would be a neat way to get a similar experience.
Soundstage/Imaging
These headphones are very good at providing that "outside-of-your-head" soundstage. Music sounds like it is being played in a large auditorium rather than a small concert venue. In fact, the width of the soundstage is one of the headphone's biggest strengths. Want to provide your friend compelling evidence that open headphones sound better than most closed headphones? A listening session with the SennGrado would do quite nicely.
They do sound more open than the HD 600/650. However, the HD 600/650 does a better job with imaging. It's easier to place where musicians are onstage.
Treble
The SennGrado does not have the hot treble characteristic of Grado headphones. It is almost as if the drummer is using nylon brushes instead of drumsticks. Frequencies past 3 kHz are recessed, but there are some uneven dips and peaks up to 10 kHz. This means most of the time hi-hats, cymbals, and snares are usually soft, but present. However, if you enjoy listening at louder volumes you may find yourself reaching for the volume knob with those Classic Rock and Electronic tracks that are mastered brightly.
Midrange
The highlight of the SennGrado. It is very nicely done, and was the most surprising aspect of the SennGrado for me. I was expecting it to sound like the SR-60's aggressive midrange. Not so. Again, it sounds similar to my AKG K240, which slightly emphasizes the lower midrange. The HD650 also does this as well, and this is a tuning that many people prefer, myself included. Sounds a bit lush, but natural.
Bass:
This is very much a love/hate thing for me. Because the bass becomes audibly distorted the deeper it gets, the headphone does very poorly with genres that use acoustic instruments for the bass section. I notice this issue mostly with Classical, Folk, and some Jazz music. But with Rock and Electronic? You can imagine how it would benefit those select genres. I enjoy it from time to time, but the added distortion due to the resonances in the wood housing interferes with my enjoyment of certain albums. Make no mistake about it, the bass is not of high quality. But it is very fun to listen to every once in a while with certain albums.
Conclusion
So. Would I recommend the SennGrado mod? I originally purchased this in search of a <~$200 wooden headphone that is aesthetically pleasing. I primarily wanted to obtain one as a conversation piece, a unique oddity to show to friends as they visit. In fact, it was my intention to sell the headphone after trying it out of curiousity.
The SennGrado does exceed my expectations, sonically. It is my affirmation that compared to the Grado RS2 (the official wooden headphone from Grado labs) the SennGrado surpasses it in audio fidelity. The frequency response is suited towards a less fatiguing listening experience with rolled off treble, but audio hobbyists who swear by neutrality will remain unimpressed. The bass response, gives an impactful "oomph", which is either entirely complimentary to the selected music or wholly inappropriate, depending on the genre of choice. The measurements graphs provided by InnerFidelity may initially give the impression that these are bass light headphones, but taking into account the 30 & 300 Hz Square Wave and high %THD+noise measurements will show that it is clearly audible.
I commend the SennGrado for its impressive midrange. Vocals, guitars, strings and brass instruments sound fantastic. It may very well be that the midrange only seems amazing in comparison to the rest of the frequency response, but notwithstanding it provides for a very enjoyable listening experience.
Should you run out and purchase the materials necessary to assemble one for yourself? Well, the process will certainly require a couple evenings dedicated to the project, and the handiwork of the craftsman is especially deterministic of the end result's quality of build. If you are okay with that, then yes, I believe that this is absolutely a project worth taking on.
For those of us who are not DIY inclined, however, that answer becomes much trickier. There is no one sole modder that is selling these -- e.g. Mr. Speakers -- and variability between pairs is one of the highest I've ever seen with the mod sharing the same name. Prices vary, though I believe they range from ~$150 to ~$220. Furthermore, my pair will most likely not sound identical to your pair. Build quality is inconsistent. You may receive a pair like mine that has drivers which look quite garish when exposed,[1] or it could be beautifully crafted through and through . If possible, open up a conversation with the seller before purchasing.
There is a reason why the seller would be willing to part with the headphone, and that is because it is not a headphone for everyone. It does, however, provide a very unique presentation which may or may not captivate you. I remain somewhere in the middle. I've spent many dozens of hours listening to the headphone, and I still enjoy poring through my music collection nearly every day with the SennGrado, despite having access to headphones which are technically superior. That is more than can be said about other headphones I've acquired over the years.
I like it.