augustwest
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2003
- Posts
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“Fatman & Little Boy” – the tale of two MS-2’s
For a period of time I had both the MS-2 "classics" & the MS-2i Alessandros. I recently sold the MS-2 "classics” to another Headfi member, but in the interim while was waiting for payment to arrive I had both on hand to compare. Listening to both, with the bowls mounted the standard way, there is a tremendous difference in the sound. I’m not sure why George (Alessandro) is minimizing the difference, other than he may be trying to discourage mass demand by people who are going to use the phones for evil “hi-fi” purposes. We all know now from a recent post that this is to be discouraged.
The bass is in much greater abundance with the new MS-2i, than with the original version. Though I wouldn’t say they go any lower. The bass with the new can is firmer, warmer, with a greater sense of dimension & all the way around better. Like the older MS-2, the ‘i’ version has the same type of restrained “highs” that make them preferable to the Grado line. The mid’s in both are fluid and just plain great!
Owners of the old MS-2’s shouldn’t totally despair, however. The “classic” with the bowls attached in the standard way has a very detailed analytical slightly dry sound to it, which more than any other Grado reminds me of the Joe Grado HP series, without being quite so boring. When I “reversed” the bowl pads the bass on the “classic” model they approached the bass of the newer model. When doing this with the “classics” it also narrowed the “soundstage” considerably. So in effect the MS-2i model, has the bass with slightly greater “soundstage” as well, giving them a different and more pleasing sound, with the added comfort of the bowls. Curiously enough when I tried reversing the bowls on the MS-2i, it didn’t have much effect at all. I have not tried them with the “flats”, although would like to.
In comparing the two headphones the MS-2i’s appear to be much larger. This is only an optical illusion, when I measure them with a ruler they have exactly the same sized sound chamber. The difference in appearance is purely cosmetic with a larger lip that gives them the appearance of being bigger. Thus the “Fatboy” tag. Therefore the substantial difference in sound must come from a driver that has been revamped in a major way.
Many here at “Headfi” have claimed that the “sweet spot” of the Grado line up is the SR-225. I have always contended the “sweet spot” is in fact the MS-2, when considering value for the dollar spent. Well now that “sweet spot” has become all that much sweeter. I titled this thread, “Fatman & Little Boy”, because that was the name of the first two atomic bombs developed by the United States, and the new MS-2i is truly “DA-BOMB”
Happy listening,
- augustwest
For a period of time I had both the MS-2 "classics" & the MS-2i Alessandros. I recently sold the MS-2 "classics” to another Headfi member, but in the interim while was waiting for payment to arrive I had both on hand to compare. Listening to both, with the bowls mounted the standard way, there is a tremendous difference in the sound. I’m not sure why George (Alessandro) is minimizing the difference, other than he may be trying to discourage mass demand by people who are going to use the phones for evil “hi-fi” purposes. We all know now from a recent post that this is to be discouraged.
The bass is in much greater abundance with the new MS-2i, than with the original version. Though I wouldn’t say they go any lower. The bass with the new can is firmer, warmer, with a greater sense of dimension & all the way around better. Like the older MS-2, the ‘i’ version has the same type of restrained “highs” that make them preferable to the Grado line. The mid’s in both are fluid and just plain great!
Owners of the old MS-2’s shouldn’t totally despair, however. The “classic” with the bowls attached in the standard way has a very detailed analytical slightly dry sound to it, which more than any other Grado reminds me of the Joe Grado HP series, without being quite so boring. When I “reversed” the bowl pads the bass on the “classic” model they approached the bass of the newer model. When doing this with the “classics” it also narrowed the “soundstage” considerably. So in effect the MS-2i model, has the bass with slightly greater “soundstage” as well, giving them a different and more pleasing sound, with the added comfort of the bowls. Curiously enough when I tried reversing the bowls on the MS-2i, it didn’t have much effect at all. I have not tried them with the “flats”, although would like to.
In comparing the two headphones the MS-2i’s appear to be much larger. This is only an optical illusion, when I measure them with a ruler they have exactly the same sized sound chamber. The difference in appearance is purely cosmetic with a larger lip that gives them the appearance of being bigger. Thus the “Fatboy” tag. Therefore the substantial difference in sound must come from a driver that has been revamped in a major way.
Many here at “Headfi” have claimed that the “sweet spot” of the Grado line up is the SR-225. I have always contended the “sweet spot” is in fact the MS-2, when considering value for the dollar spent. Well now that “sweet spot” has become all that much sweeter. I titled this thread, “Fatman & Little Boy”, because that was the name of the first two atomic bombs developed by the United States, and the new MS-2i is truly “DA-BOMB”
Happy listening,
- augustwest
