blackreplica
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2004
- Posts
- 237
- Likes
- 1
I guess you could say i am a lucky person. I am priviledged to own a PS-1 (for a couple of months now). And a friend of mine recently bought an Audio Technica L3000. I've been listening to them 'semi long term' everytime we meet up in uni, but i finally managed to get him to lend em to me for a day. It was a good chance to really sit down and compare the 2 cans, so i thought i'd share my views. And here they are:
Grado PS-1 wins hands down on stringed instruments. This includes violins, guitars, and bass. Strings sound more realistic, with better attack.
Grado PS-1 wins on horn instruments. The difference is not as large as with strings, but still very noticable. Horns have more 'bite' and the tone is more 'brass-like' if that makes any sense.
Grado PS-1 sounds marginally better on pianos, they are crisper and just sound more natural. There is a slight 'dull' edge on pianos with the AT L3000
L3000 wins hands down in the midrange. It is smoother, yet ruthlessly revealing. I can easily hear details in the midrange which were much harder to pick out on the PS-1. Vocals are richer, honey sweet with no hint of harshness. If there ever was a 'perfect midrange' then the L3000s have it. I prefer it a lot more to even the Stax Omega II and thats saying a LOT!
L3000 wins on bass. It has much better extension than the PS-1. The higher bass notes appear tighter and more impactful on the PS-1 but this is decieving because the relative lack of low end is artificially causing this perception. The L3000's bass is extremely linear, supremely well-behaved, and goes to ridiculous depths. The crown of 'OMG teh best bass evar!!!!!1111' award belongs with the L3000.
Its hard to say which is better at the higher frequencies, because they are so different. There is no doubt that the L3000 has a slightly rolled off treble (seems to be characteristic of closed phones?) but yet it retains the brutally revealing aspect seen in the midrange. There is also some 'life-sapping' at the higher frequencies. For instance, finger flicks and high hats have a different tone: they sound smoother, but duller. The good news is that there is definitely no detail loss anywhere and the sound of the ATs will NEVER fatigue you. Combine that with the superior comfort, and i could literally wear these things continously for years without end (and a part of me wishes i could, TBH!) The PS-1 treble sounds more lively, extended and realistic, but can get fatiguing over long periods. Combined with the lack of comfort, we are talking 'rip-these-cans-off-every-2-CDs' behaviour.
L3000 wins hands down on soundstaging. Very very good for a closed phone. Imaging is also more precise than the PS-1. Of course the PS-1 can't compare. Duh!! Its a grado!
Summary: If midrange/bass is your thing, skip the PS-1 and go AT. I seriously doubt it gets any better than this, at any price. If you primarily listen to instrumental tracks with lots of strings, horns, and love that 'just like being there in person' sound, then go the PS-1. Is it worth the money? To me, yes. I would gladly pay the AT's pricetag if i could afford it.
Hope you guys liked that little review!
Grado PS-1 wins hands down on stringed instruments. This includes violins, guitars, and bass. Strings sound more realistic, with better attack.
Grado PS-1 wins on horn instruments. The difference is not as large as with strings, but still very noticable. Horns have more 'bite' and the tone is more 'brass-like' if that makes any sense.
Grado PS-1 sounds marginally better on pianos, they are crisper and just sound more natural. There is a slight 'dull' edge on pianos with the AT L3000
L3000 wins hands down in the midrange. It is smoother, yet ruthlessly revealing. I can easily hear details in the midrange which were much harder to pick out on the PS-1. Vocals are richer, honey sweet with no hint of harshness. If there ever was a 'perfect midrange' then the L3000s have it. I prefer it a lot more to even the Stax Omega II and thats saying a LOT!
L3000 wins on bass. It has much better extension than the PS-1. The higher bass notes appear tighter and more impactful on the PS-1 but this is decieving because the relative lack of low end is artificially causing this perception. The L3000's bass is extremely linear, supremely well-behaved, and goes to ridiculous depths. The crown of 'OMG teh best bass evar!!!!!1111' award belongs with the L3000.
Its hard to say which is better at the higher frequencies, because they are so different. There is no doubt that the L3000 has a slightly rolled off treble (seems to be characteristic of closed phones?) but yet it retains the brutally revealing aspect seen in the midrange. There is also some 'life-sapping' at the higher frequencies. For instance, finger flicks and high hats have a different tone: they sound smoother, but duller. The good news is that there is definitely no detail loss anywhere and the sound of the ATs will NEVER fatigue you. Combine that with the superior comfort, and i could literally wear these things continously for years without end (and a part of me wishes i could, TBH!) The PS-1 treble sounds more lively, extended and realistic, but can get fatiguing over long periods. Combined with the lack of comfort, we are talking 'rip-these-cans-off-every-2-CDs' behaviour.
L3000 wins hands down on soundstaging. Very very good for a closed phone. Imaging is also more precise than the PS-1. Of course the PS-1 can't compare. Duh!! Its a grado!
Summary: If midrange/bass is your thing, skip the PS-1 and go AT. I seriously doubt it gets any better than this, at any price. If you primarily listen to instrumental tracks with lots of strings, horns, and love that 'just like being there in person' sound, then go the PS-1. Is it worth the money? To me, yes. I would gladly pay the AT's pricetag if i could afford it.
Hope you guys liked that little review!
