Bowls vs. Flats with reason.

[Nenso]

Noob money burner here again! (Remember my 1 week splurge of SF5pros, MS-1s, and the Tomahawk?)

Okok... lets see. I searched up the whole forums and I found many people going "bowls." or "flats." when asked to specify what they think is the best pad for them WITHOUT ANY REASON.

Lets ignore those Cpads and the 414s for now. I'm planning to buy either bowls or flats. I originally planned to buy both but that may anger the person who pays my creditcard bills so I'm gonna pick one.

Please enlighten me with posts the specify why bowls/flats are better and if you tried both, what are the pros and cons.

Thanks a lot head-fi for always making me buy things.. but gonna try to save money this time with this thread

 

[Akathriel]

It really depends on the model, amp and differential versus single ended drive. In general I like bowls better, bowls have a soundstage and let the Grado highs sing without dominating the frequency response with boomy bass. As gross as this is, if you wear your bowls enough comfort will become a non issue (IMO) because they'll become nice and soggy. If you're using a solid state amp with RS-1s I have found you almost always need flats (even when balanced) to control the highs. But Grados like tubes. Again though its very system dependent. If I can use bowls without revealing a glaring flaw, I will.

Hp-2
Flats always

PS-1
Bowls Always

RS-1
Flats Single Ended
Bowls Balanced

GS-1000
Throw them away

.

Hope this helps, don't know much about the MS-1 but listen to it with comfies and decide whether you want to bring out the highs or the bass.

 

[Nenso]

I'm using MS-1s (well, they aren't at my house yet.. still in customs or something) and I bought a Tomahawk as my amp. What do you think for my specific case?

 

[Davesrose]

I'm pretty sure the MS-1 comes with bowls. So no need thinking about those!

Try the MS-1 first and see if you like them with bowls, if they're too shrill....then comfies or 414 pads are something to consider. The MS-1s aren't too heavy, so bowls shouldn't be uncomfortable (I'm not liking them at all on my heavy 325i.....way too much torture on the ear lobes!!)

 

[MaZa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm pretty sure the MS-1 comes with bowls. So no need thinking about those! Try the MS-1 first and see if you like them with bowls, if they're too shrill....then comfies or 414 pads are something to consider. The MS-1s aren't too heavy, so bowls shouldn't be uncomfortable (I'm not liking them at all on my heavy 325i.....way too much torture on the ear lobes!!)

MS1 comes with comfies...

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaZa /img/forum/go_quote.gif MS1 comes with comfies...

learn something new everyday!

So much for the MS1 being like the SR80

 

[Nenso]

So you guys suggest that I get bowls over flats first?

 

[finbad]

I suggest you first listen to your new phones

 

[GlendaleViper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Finthen /img/forum/go_quote.gif I suggest you first listen to your new phones

x2. Why spend extra money on new pads when you haven't even heard the headphones yet? I prefer bowls, personally, but many people hate them, so save the dough for now and upgrade if you don't like the sound of comfies.

 

[MatsudaMan]

I have both bowls and flats for my grado sr125's and I like them in different ways with different music. For classical, I like the bowls because the clarity and definition is much better - also soundstage is better with bowls. If I'm listening to jazz, bluegrass, or even something like Radio Head, the flats are the way to go 'cause of better bass and overall visceral impact of the drivers closer to your ears. Get 'em both man!!

 

[saturnine]

Flats with the MS-1 sound way too bassy IMO. Bowls on the other hand are perfect

BTW, I prefer bowls with every Grado out there 'cept for the HP series.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnine /img/forum/go_quote.gif BTW, I prefer bowls with every Grado out there 'cept for the HP series.

X2

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnine /img/forum/go_quote.gif BTW, I prefer bowls with every Grado out there 'cept for the HP series.

Even the 325i (MS2i)??

at least with my ears, 325i + bowl pads= arcane medieval torture device!!!

 

[saturnine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Even the 325i (MS2i)??

Yepp

The 325iw/bowls is my favorite purely rock can of all time

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnine /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yepp The 325iw/bowls is my favorite purely rock can of all time

Oh man, that just goes to show how everyone's ears are shaped differently!!!

I envy you and your ears......I had to go on an after market pad search for my 325is....still waiting on the HD414 pads which should be coming soon. Until then, the 325i bowls haven't broken me in yet