[phkd]

I was wondering if the headphile.com "woody" modification for the grado 225's was worth the extra $265 for paduak or $300 for the bubinga or purple heart, i mean in terms of sound quality. They sure look amazing (I emailed Larry for a full size picture and i have it as my background. If you want to PM me your email address i will send you the picture, or just email him). anyways, does anyone here have opinions on this matter?
thanks in advance
-AJ

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Why not just save up for an RS-1 or Pro Series Alessandro?

 

[tiberian]

rs-1s cost $695 without flats and IMO are overpriced unless you can get them used.

 

[Mr.Radar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 Why not just save up for an RS-1 or Pro Series Alessandro?

I've read that the SR-225 woody sounds very different from either of those. Check out the Seattle Meet Impressions thread for inpressions of the SR-225 woodies.

 

[elnero]

I talked to Larry about the 225 woody awhile back. At that time he felt most, if not all of the difference in sound was due to the cable change. The wood itself is pretty much purely cosmetic because it goes over the original chamber. So if your main concern is the sonic change you could probably just do the cable upgrade but I must admit the wood sure does add a nice touch.

 

[GuineaMcPig]

Hello-

Does Larry have a website that has pics/prices? I think a cable mod might be nice for me 225's.

~Jordan

 

[Mr.Radar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuineaMcPig Hello- Does Larry have a website that has pics/prices? I think a cable mod might be nice for me 225's. ~Jordan

Yes. It's at www.headphile.com

 

[phkd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 Why not just save up for an RS-1 or Pro Series Alessandro?

cause i already have the 225's. maybe someday though...

thanks all, especially Mr. radar for that link.

 

[GuineaMcPig]

I read the impression that people posted from the Seattle meet, and it seems that the reviews of the modded SR225's were universally glowing. Someone even commented that the mod makes the SR225's sound awfully close to the HP1000's, I believe. I believe the same person even preferred the modded SR225's to RS-1's/MS-pros.

So, the wood chamber is just a sleeve that goes outside the Grado plasitc one, correct? That would mean that there was a huge improvement just from the cable alone, right?

The skeptic in me says that no cable is going to make a $150 headphone sound better than a $700 one...but I am still intrigued, to say the least. Could other users who have modded 225's post some comments about them, specifically comparing them to the stock 225's and other stock Grado/Alessandro phones?

Thanks!

 

[Xanadu777]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuineaMcPig So, the wood chamber is just a sleeve that goes outside the Grado plasitc one, correct? That would mean that there was a huge improvement just from the cable alone, right?

Not exactly... The Grado plastic housings are separated and inserted into either end of the wood. They are different sizes so the wood has different ID's on either side which each plastic fits tight into. However, the middle channel that separates the two housings was left even smaller ID on purpose. This creates a wood baffle and has some influence on the sound. I just don't know how much, since I haven't done wood with a stock cable (and probably never will). Logically, the smaller mid chamber and reinforcement of the wood surrounding the plastic should have an effect. The marriage of the two is a known quantity, which I leave to others to represent...
Quote:

Originally Posted by phkd i have it as my background

Funny, my background is also of woody 225's...

 

[Sean H]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuineaMcPig The skeptic in me says that no cable is going to make a $150 headphone sound better than a $700 one...but I am still intrigued, to say the least. ? Thanks!

"Better" is a subjective thing, but in this hobby often the more you pay ends of being a matter of "splitting hairs" in the degree of difference in sound quality and so I am not surprised at all one could find a cable change to a $200 can (which is the price of the SR-225) sounds better than a $700 one. And when you are talking about the RS-1, I'm even less surprised.

 

[BowerR64]

Look how close the Frequency Response is on the grado line.

Of all the cans headroom has this line has the closest curve.

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanadu777 Not exactly... The Grado plastic housings are separated and inserted into either end of the wood. They are different sizes so the wood has different ID's on either side which each plastic fits tight into. However, the middle channel that separates the two housings was left even smaller ID on purpose. This creates a wood baffle and has some influence on the sound. I just don't know how much, since I haven't done wood with a stock cable (and probably never will). Logically, the smaller mid chamber and reinforcement of the wood surrounding the plastic should have an effect. The marriage of the two is a known quantity, which I leave to others to represent...

Xanadu777, would you also mod Alessandros?

 

[Xanadu777]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saint.panda Xanadu777, would you also mod Alessandros?

Assuming they are constructed the same, yes...