Audio Redneck
Spaceman Spiff
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If you order off of their web site (http://www.alessandro-products.com ) it's $99 with free shipping. I don't know if thats regular or just a special.
Alessandro MS-1 vs. Grado SR-125
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sTaTIx
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what are the differences between the grado 80s and the grado 125s? From what I've heard, the Alessandro MS1s are nothing but tweaked versions of the 80s.
Possum
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$99 and free shipping (Priority Mail) has been the price for a long while (at least 1.5 years), so I don't think there's any rush. You might have to e-mail them a few times after you order to get your status and make sure they sent it.
Audio Redneck
Spaceman Spiff
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Quote:
From the Grado spec sheet they are the same except for the voice coil is wired with a different/better (aka ultra-high-purity-long-crystal or UHPLC) copper. Also, the 125 has a 1/4" plug and the 80 has a 1/8"
| Originally posted by sTaTIx what are the differences between the grado 80s and the grado 125s? From what I've heard, the Alessandro MS1s are nothing but tweaked versions of the 80s. |
From the Grado spec sheet they are the same except for the voice coil is wired with a different/better (aka ultra-high-purity-long-crystal or UHPLC) copper. Also, the 125 has a 1/4" plug and the 80 has a 1/8"
Autumnal
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Last year I auditioned the Grado RS-60, RS-80, and RS-125 in a fairly serious 90-minute session at a hi-fi store. Brought a bunch of my CDs (Miles Davis, Mahler, Stones, Ry Cooder, Judi Collins, Bothy Band, plus my very own neo-Celtic CD), and used high-end sources (Marantz CD player and Carver preamp) in a private listening room. I took my time and gave all three cans a good workout. The salesman assured me that the demo headphones were each at least a year old, so I presumed they were adequately broken-in. The 60 had the comfy pads, the 80 and 125 had the bowl/doughnut pads, and I switched pads between the three cans during the audition to check the differences.
My reactions were typical of comments posted on Head-Fi by Team Grado members. Each step up the line offered sonic improvement. Overall, the 60s sounded bright, colored, and had the least bass; the 80s were slightly thicker and less detailed in their sound, perhaps because of the stronger bass whomp; and the 125s were clearly the best balanced of the three. Fit and comfort were better with the comfy pads, of course, but, since they were unmodified (no nickel-sized cutout mod at the store), there was a slight attenuation in presence and detail compared to the bowl pads.
The price/performance curve seemed about what I expected. The 60s were the bang-for-buck winner, the 80s represented probably the best overall value, and the 125s offered slightly superior performance, but at a steeper price.
When it came time to buy a pair of Grados this year, I didn't hesitate to order the Alessandro MS-1. $99 with free shipping cinched it. I also liked that they come with the comfy pads and your choice of connector (either standard 1/4" phone plug or a 1/8" mini-plug with a 1/4" sheath adapter---I got the mini).
Without an actual A/B comparison test using similar equipment in controlled circumstances, it's tough to offer any but the most subjective, memory-based comparisons. That, of course, will not stop me. I was surprised to discover that my MS-1s do not remind me at all of the RS-80s. They're much cleaner, obviously kissin'-cousins to the 125s in my memory. The biggest difference, however, is that my Alessandros don't seem to be quite as wild-and-wooly as any of the three standard Grados I auditioned. The classic "in-your-face" Grado sound has been mollified somehow in my MS-1s. While I would hardly call them "laid-back," their sense of presence is slightly less urgent or pushy than the lower-end Grados. The difference may be subtle, but it's significant, and very pleasing, at least to my ears.
I'm immensely happy with my MS-1s. Of all my recently acquired herd of headphones (gaggle of cans?)---including Senn 580, Philips 890, Sony V6, and Koss KSC-35---the MS-1s are my favorite for listening without a dedicated amp. Yeah, the Senns are awaiting amplification to show what they can do, the Philips are awfully comfortable, and the Koss are amazing for clip-ons, but for sheer listening enjoyment directly out of mid-fi sources (Powerbook laptop, JVC CD deck), my MS-1s are the winners---warm, detailed, punchy, altogether engaging, and I don't personally find them uncomfortable at all for extended listening sessions.
I just bought erix' stunning little metal-cased CHA-47 amp (thanks again, erix!) and have ordered a Markertek mini-to-mini interconnect. As soon as the cable arrives, I'll post my amped impressions of the MS-1s. They should really sing then!
--Bill
My reactions were typical of comments posted on Head-Fi by Team Grado members. Each step up the line offered sonic improvement. Overall, the 60s sounded bright, colored, and had the least bass; the 80s were slightly thicker and less detailed in their sound, perhaps because of the stronger bass whomp; and the 125s were clearly the best balanced of the three. Fit and comfort were better with the comfy pads, of course, but, since they were unmodified (no nickel-sized cutout mod at the store), there was a slight attenuation in presence and detail compared to the bowl pads.
The price/performance curve seemed about what I expected. The 60s were the bang-for-buck winner, the 80s represented probably the best overall value, and the 125s offered slightly superior performance, but at a steeper price.
When it came time to buy a pair of Grados this year, I didn't hesitate to order the Alessandro MS-1. $99 with free shipping cinched it. I also liked that they come with the comfy pads and your choice of connector (either standard 1/4" phone plug or a 1/8" mini-plug with a 1/4" sheath adapter---I got the mini).
Without an actual A/B comparison test using similar equipment in controlled circumstances, it's tough to offer any but the most subjective, memory-based comparisons. That, of course, will not stop me. I was surprised to discover that my MS-1s do not remind me at all of the RS-80s. They're much cleaner, obviously kissin'-cousins to the 125s in my memory. The biggest difference, however, is that my Alessandros don't seem to be quite as wild-and-wooly as any of the three standard Grados I auditioned. The classic "in-your-face" Grado sound has been mollified somehow in my MS-1s. While I would hardly call them "laid-back," their sense of presence is slightly less urgent or pushy than the lower-end Grados. The difference may be subtle, but it's significant, and very pleasing, at least to my ears.
I'm immensely happy with my MS-1s. Of all my recently acquired herd of headphones (gaggle of cans?)---including Senn 580, Philips 890, Sony V6, and Koss KSC-35---the MS-1s are my favorite for listening without a dedicated amp. Yeah, the Senns are awaiting amplification to show what they can do, the Philips are awfully comfortable, and the Koss are amazing for clip-ons, but for sheer listening enjoyment directly out of mid-fi sources (Powerbook laptop, JVC CD deck), my MS-1s are the winners---warm, detailed, punchy, altogether engaging, and I don't personally find them uncomfortable at all for extended listening sessions.
I just bought erix' stunning little metal-cased CHA-47 amp (thanks again, erix!) and have ordered a Markertek mini-to-mini interconnect. As soon as the cable arrives, I'll post my amped impressions of the MS-1s. They should really sing then!
--Bill
Audio Redneck
Spaceman Spiff
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Hey thanks for that mini reveiw, Autumnal! Both the sonic AND the purchasing experience. (So have you put a nickle-sized hole in your comfy pads?)
Autumnal
Thanks for the review. It seems like that a lot of the people here appreciate the MS1 over the SR125. I think I am about ready to make this purchase.
Anyone have anymore reviews and comparsions of the SR125 and MS1?
Thanks for the review. It seems like that a lot of the people here appreciate the MS1 over the SR125. I think I am about ready to make this purchase.
Anyone have anymore reviews and comparsions of the SR125 and MS1?
skippy
Making Grados better through surgery.
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there are a lot more ms1 to sr125 comparisons if you search headwize. i got my MS1 from music musem last year and they gave me a nice discount.
Audio Redneck
Spaceman Spiff
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Skippy,
I did a search for music musem / music museum and didn't come up with anything. Got a link or a number?
AR
I did a search for music musem / music museum and didn't come up with anything. Got a link or a number?
AR
skippy
Making Grados better through surgery.
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i think the # is (856) 582-8139
sTaTIx
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Did a quick search for Music Museum @ the Lycos Yellowpages and came up w/ the following results:
Music Museum
405 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
(856) 589-4318
Music Museum
405 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
(856) 589-4318
Wow... I remember reading this old thread.
Anyway, I thought I might let all of you know that I bought the MS-1 and I have very very happy with them. I just recently bought a CHA-47 amp also, hoping to get more out of the MS-1.
Anyway, I thought I might let all of you know that I bought the MS-1 and I have very very happy with them. I just recently bought a CHA-47 amp also, hoping to get more out of the MS-1.
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