325i to harsh for me : What should I do ?

[pathologique]

Hi !

I've had the 325i for 2 months, and I'm about to sell them... I simply find the highs too harsh.

At first I absolutely loved those cans, but I just can't listen to them for more than half an hour before they start to hurt my ears...

I REALLY like the crystal-clear "in your face" sound of grados... but I'd like something with more bass and softer highs...

Should I sell the 325i (well, that's my plan right now) and try a "lower" grado or MS (since I can't affort RS-1/RS-2 for now) ?

 

[blinx]

do you have an amp? if you dont i'd suggest getting a millet hybrid

my 325i's were only listenable on it, the pa2v2 just was too harsh for me

 

[MaZa]

There are few possibilities you might want to consider:

Try Alessandro line.

Get another Grado, SR325i is known to be quite bright.

Get Flat pads. Boosts the bass and softens the highs. Kills soundstage and little bit of excitement though, but it might be worth it.

 

[ryanhayn]

get some flats for sure. then when your ears get used to that, switch back to the bowls. that's what i did...it works. also, mess with your EQ.

 

[kramer5150]

Might also want to try OP amp rolling, the XM4 is socketed right?

Source matters with those cans. +1 vote for flat pads.

 

[3x331m]

I use both EQ and amps with warm signature to control the forward high on Grado phones.

 

[milkpowder]

Flats are horrible with the SR325i! The bass is simply overwhelming and it overtames the highs. The mids become all messed-up and you just lose everything that was great about the SR325i. Getting a tube amp and a bit of EQ would probably be your best bet. Otherwise, try and get your hands on some of the less treble-offensive Grados like the HF-1, SR225 or the Alessandro MS-2i.

 

[Blackmore]

Are you handy? You can modd them with LIBERATORS and some damping material. KEES own one that I have heard, just great sounding phones.
Otherwise Alessandro line or SR225 maybe.

 

[bdh]

I also found the 325i highs a little harsh with some albums. I like the sound, so I decided to try the RS-2. It has close to the same sound, maybe a little better even, I'm still breaking them in, but don't have the harsh highs and they are almost feather light in comparison. Once in awhile you can find a used pair on the for-sale forum. I also prefer the reversed bowls.

 

[F107plus5]

Well; if you like "everything" about the SR-325i but the brightness, then a real good choice would of course be the Alessandro version of the same thing! It even sells for cheaper there in Canada! I haven't heard them side-by-side so a bit of further study may be required, but I suspect that they may have a lot of the same attributes.

They are even a good complement to my HD600s!

You could swap the SR-325i with MS2i and only your inner-ear will notice the difference!

 

[Jam_Master_J]

I find SR-225s on a Millet Hybrid are noticeably more tame than my old SR-325s on a pimeta.

 

[Davesrose]

I'd also try using a copper interconnect instead of the ALO dock. That's probably giving you some extra treble on an already bright headphone. Is it too bright even just on the ipod? The Grados should be easy enough to carry with just the ipod. I'd save up for a good home tube amp for home listening.

 

[MD1032]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaZa /img/forum/go_quote.gif Try Alessandro line. Get Flat pads. Boosts the bass and softens the highs. Kills soundstage and little bit of excitement though, but it might be worth it.

Exactly what I would recommend. I'm not sure I would use the flats on the 325i's... it might kill the highs too much, but I can surely recommend the MS-2i's.

 

[Jam_Master_J]

I've gotta disagree with flat pads if you want the same general character but just slightly reduced highs. Flat pads take away the deep bass slam and replace it with muddy upper-bass. Flat's also take away the air and a good bit of the soundstage.

Flats really change the personality, which some people may like but it sounds like you just want tamer highs only.

 

[rockbottom]

I'd say try the Alessandro or up/downgrade to another Grado.

Just got my RS1s, but strange...no serial number...