Better un-amped: SR60 or MS-1?

[InertKinesis]

I'll apologize up front if this is one of those irritating questions that seems to crop up all over the place, but...

I've got a Zen Vision:M (or had, and will have once again in a few days when it comes back from service) and I'm looking for a set of <$100 cans. I very seriously considered the HD 201 as a really cheap start into the world of high quality sound via headphones, but I came to the conclusion that even though they're great for the money, I've got a few more bucks and I could start myself a little higher up the ladder.

Anyway, I've done my research for the last week or so and I'm down to the Grado SR60 or the Alessandro MS-1. I've heard all about how they have different sound signatures and how they're both pretty up-front-sounding cans, but to tell you the truth those things don't matter a whole lot for me at the moment. Since this is my first real venture into the world of good sound, there's no way for me to know what I'm looking for in those terms.

I've heard a lot of different and often conflicting things about how the either the SR60 and/or the MS-1 will or won't sound good un-amped. So my question, after all that explanatory (and probably unnecessary

) nonsense, is the following: Between the SR60 and the MS-1, which set of cans will be better-driven by my Zen Vision:M, without an amp?

A portable amplifier may be in my future, but for the moment... it's not. That simple.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The_Duke_Of_Eli]

They're about the same, but for the sake of battery life and static pick up a pa2v2 and an MS1.

 

[Meyvn]

I'd say they're about the same, too. Perhaps you should wait for the new Grado streetstyles, though?

 

[kramer5150]

I'd take the MS1.... but not because its necessarily better from an unamped source, I just like its signature better than the 60.

 

[Fang]

Try to audtion each of them if possible, cos you are the one buying, let your ears make the decision for you.

 

[milkpowder]

To be honest, the difference between the SR60 amped/unamped or a MS-1 amped/unamped is neglegible. I would choose the MS-1 because I believe they sound more neutral and is generally agreed to be better than the SR60 and SR80.

 

[smeggy]

MS-1, works very well unamped and sounds better.

 

[xxlMusikfreak]

MS1 is my portable favourite. It sounds very good unamped and keeps the ears warm when it's cold outside

 

[F107plus5]

I am very happy with my MS-1s as well without an amp. In addition, the MS-1s are rated as 2db more sensitive than the SR60.

So, the numbers indicate that the MS-1 "should" work better than the SR60 without an amp.

 

[InertKinesis]

Thanks! I don't know about auditioning. I think I may look up some hi-fi stores in my general area and call them about the MS-1.

 

[eVITAERC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by InertKinesis Thanks! I don't know about auditioning. I think I may look up some hi-fi stores in my general area and call them about the MS-1.

AFAIK only Alessandro themselves sell them via their website. But they pay for the shipping and since you're in NJ you'll even get them fast. Hell, they even paid shipping to Canada for me

 

[Febs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 I'd take the MS1.... but not because its necessarily better from an unamped source, I just like its signature better than the 60.

I agree with this--although as a disclaimer, I've only listened to the SR60 once.

 

[TheMarsVolta]

My vote is go for the MS-1, definitely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder To be honest, the difference between the SR60 amped/unamped or a MS-1 amped/unamped is neglegible. I would choose the MS-1 because I believe they sound more neutral and is generally agreed to be better than the SR60 and SR80.

So, in other words, is it better to put the $ into upgrading the grado's compared to buying an amp? Or does SQ difference between unamped vs. amped increase as you move up the grado foodchain? At what point do you loose the benefit of an upgrade if not amping?

 

[F107plus5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMarsVolta My vote is go for the MS-1, definitely. So, in other words, is it better to put the $ into upgrading the grado's compared to buying an amp? Or does SQ difference between unamped vs. amped increase as you move up the grado foodchain? At what point do you loose the benefit of an upgrade if not amping?

I've been reading the lines and between the lines on literally thousands of posts in this forum while researching, and I "get the impression" that in the Grado line it's somewhere between or around the SR325 and RS series. With the Alessandros; between the MS-2 and MS-Pro.

But don't quote me. It's just the impression that I think I picked-up on.

YMMV.

I also got the impression that Grado/Alessandro have a particular "House sound" that dosen't vary as much from the bottom to the top of the lines as it does in other can varieties.

So........

Anyway, I have the MS-1s and am seriously looking at the MS-2s as an upgrade later. I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude on the SQ before I seriously consider an amp on the MS-2s.

It may not be nessessary.

 

[Scotty757]

Chalk up another vote for the MS-1. I adore these things amped, but theyre still pretty stinkin good straight out of the ipod