Alessandro owners: MS-2 = SR125 or 225?

[Beagle]

Does the MS-1 sound closer to the Grado SR125 or the SR225? Or, since it's said to be more neutral, does the MS-1 sound more like the SR200? Also, what are the physical differences that make the Alessandro phones more neutral than the Grado? Is it the lack of identifier button on the rear screen? Or are there other known differences? I'm really thinking of trying the MS-1 for a starter.

 

[Aman]

I think they sound closer to the 125s. The Grado SR225s are the most "extreme" Grado, the one that sounds most like the Grado sound - while the other ones have, IMO, only a few distinct differences.

The MS-2 sounds BETTER than the 125s, but has similar characteristics.

 

[Lisa]

MS-1 is a tweaked SR-125.
MS-2 is a tweaked SR-325.
That's all I know. I've never heard the Grados mentioned above, just the Alessandros.

 

[Shang-Ti Chen]

MS-2 is higher than both SR125 and 225. It's corresponding counterpart of Grado is SR325.

 

[SDA]

I've never heard the MS-1 (although that should change next week), but I'd guess something like what Aman said. In other words, that they have a signature like that of the SR-125 and not the SR-225, but that their balance isn't like the SR-125's.. in other words, they're what an SR-125 would probably sound like if you flattened its frequency response out some (less brightness for sure). Just a guess based on comments I've heard and what I know of them, don't treat it as anything more.

I know, I know, I'm not an Alessandro owner, but I say this based on more than groupthink.. I'd think that "tweaked Grados" would share a lot of the same general sound signature, and that what would change would mainly be the balance itself. Since the MS-1 is a tweaked SR-125, well..

 

[adhoc]

actually a simple method to determine which grado the ms-2 is the counterpart of would be to look at it's cup size. (heh

)

going by that method, it would certainly correspond to the sr325.

 

[Snufkin]

Having had a pair of MS-1s and a pair of SR125s to play with sidebyside last week I can safely say that the MS-1 is almost identical to the SR125

Some people may not even be able to tell the difference between them for certain music, a lot of the differences in sound can actually be attributed to the different pads (comfies for the MS-1, bowls for the SR125).

I found that the differences were most noticable in harder rock/wailing guitars/flailing drum tracks where the 125s were noticably harsher sounding than the MS-1, overall sonic signature of both models is a bee's thingy apart.

As far as the MS2 goes, like people have said it's closest to the SR325, but while I have heard both models on separate occasions I haven't had a chance to do a sidebyside.

 

[Beagle]

I figured the MS series were tweaked Grados but I wasn't sure what those tweaks were. Everyone claims the MS series are more neutral. I was wondering what differences in design account for this. The descriptions in the Alessandro site seem identical to the ones describing the Grados (voice coils, "de-stressing", wire etc.)

 

[Thisp]

I think the pads add to it.. the comfies take away a lot of the brightness. If you take them off, they sound very.. unnatural. Too trebleish, not natural. I think the comfies work with the Grados to make for a more neutral sound.

If they sound almost alike... good, the MS-1 is $50 less than the corresponding Grado. Yay Alessandro.

 

[adhoc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle I figured the MS series were tweaked Grados but I wasn't sure what those tweaks were. Everyone claims the MS series are more neutral. I was wondering what differences in design account for this. The descriptions in the Alessandro site seem identical to the ones describing the Grados (voice coils, "de-stressing", wire etc.)

apparently, a solution is painted over the diaphragms to 'destress' them.