[foogy]

I am yet another audiophile newbie being munched on by the UpGrado bug, so I don't know if comparing the SR-225 and MS-2 is like comparing apples and oranges. Basically, what I've been lead to believe is that the SR-225 is probably the best bang-for-the-buck when it comes to rock music and indie type stuff, as the 325 is too colored and the RS series is way out of my price range. What I'm wondering is how much better the MS-2s are than the 225, with their supposed tweaks for greater neutrality. I currently own SR-60s and I'm pretty happy with them, but I'd like to get tighter bass and a larger perceptible soundstage, hence the wish to upgrade. I run them mainly from a Sony DVP-9530D DVD/CD player and will probably run whatever I get from it too. The types of artists I listen to are Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, Fiona Apple, Modest Mouse, and a lot of acoustic stuff. So I'm trying to look for phones that can convey the "raw emotion" of the music while not losing any of the complexity. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[blessingx]

Welcome to Head-Fi, and sorry soon about that wallet.

Can't answer your question (haven't heard the MS2's though they seem to share specs with the 325's, but curious about the answer also). I will say with your musical preferences, you'll hear a big bump with the at least the 225's. Temper your soundstage expectations, but the fidelity and better midrange and smoother highs will take it to another level from the 60's (I come from the 80’s). Acoustic music will especially improve greatly, though changes in bands like Radiohead should noticeable at once.

 

[mojoman]

Hi foogy,

I can't speak about the 225s, never heard them, but I just upgraded from the MS-1 to the MS-2 and can say that there is a big jump in detail, bass, much better midrange and high end with the MS-2. Of course I would be disappointed if that wasn't the case because they cost $200 more.

I'm especially impressed by the detail with acoustic music. I just listened to disc 2 of Ben Harper's Live From Mars, which is all acoustic, and it's like Ben was standing in front of me on stage. I could hear his breath into the mic, when he moved away from or closer to the mic, his fingers moving over the fretboard of his guitar, etc. I do think the MS-2 demands an amp whereas the MS-1 was less so but for $100 or so there are some pretty good amps that people here will build for you.

 

[bootman]

Get the MSII if you can.
(I think there is a pair for sale now for about 200 or so)

They will be everything you want.
The bass and soundstage will be better, much better.

Now if you can't get a used pair of msIIs then the 225 at about 150-170 is a good upgrade to your 60's.

 

[bootman]

I see that the pair that was for sale is now pending.

I hope you got in on that deal.

One word of warning.

These cans (like most high end stuff) is very revealing of inferior equipment.
This can be a mixed blessing.

Example:
Some have complained that the MSIIs were shrill and bright.
Then it was later discovered that the source being used was something like a cheap soundcard or $15 PCDP.

Well, the MSII will let you know how other components in the audio change really sound like.

I've had Senn 580, AKG 501, Sony 1700, Sony V6 Grado 225s and the MSII.
Of all of them, the MSII was the can I used to hear stuff like the differences in cables used.
The only other can that I have heard that was more revealing was the HP-2.
(but I unfortunately did not own)

 

[MD1032]

I'd like a comparison of the SR-325 vs. the MS2. They have the same general design (aluminum chambers).

 

[MD1032]

bump

I'd like this answered.

 

[foogy]

I think there are quite a few comparisons between the MS2 and 325. The reason I was wondering if there's a huge difference between the 225 and MS2 was because the 225 seems to be regarded as a very good rock headphone that blows the 325 away in terms of neutrality. Many say the 325 is too bright, but that it's probably more due to the source than the headphones themselves. This makes sense to me as a higher quality headphone ought to be able to present higher frequencies very well, and if the source isn't able to feed the frequencies properly, the transparency of such a headphone will make it obvious. Of course, this is all speculation as I don't really own much hi-fi equipment nor gotten the chance to fiddle with them.

Judging from the responses to my first post, it seems the MS2s are a much better headphone for analysis, and still do a damned good job of keeping your head bobbing. Which is exactly what I want.

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

Originally posted by foogy I think there are quite a few comparisons between the MS2 and 325. The reason I was wondering if there's a huge difference between the 225 and MS2 was because the 225 seems to be regarded as a very good rock headphone that blows the 325 away in terms of neutrality. Many say the 325 is too bright, but that it's probably more due to the source than the headphones themselves. This makes sense to me as a higher quality headphone ought to be able to present higher frequencies very well, and if the source isn't able to feed the frequencies properly, the transparency of such a headphone will make it obvious. Of course, this is all speculation as I don't really own much hi-fi equipment nor gotten the chance to fiddle with them. Judging from the responses to my first post, it seems the MS2s are a much better headphone for analysis, and still do a damned good job of keeping your head bobbing. Which is exactly what I want.

As I recall, the 325 was unlistenably bright, ear bleedingly so, with Good amps, good, source, etc. They're just plain too bright. They had nice extended bass, but waaaaaaaaay too bright. Nuff said.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by kwkarth As I recall, the 325 was unlistenably bright, ear bleedingly so, with Good amps, good, source, etc. They're just plain too bright. They had nice extended bass, but waaaaaaaaay too bright. Nuff said.

SR325 wasn't bright with Krell kps25s and nagra PL-P headamp as well as with VTL Tiny Triodes as an amplification.

Less resoution, but even with RA1, SR325 wasn't *unlistenably* bright.

A degree of brightness might differ between listeners, too.

I tell you what's bright to me. Alessandro Music Pro and Gilmore V2 with ****ty source. That's *bright*

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

The 325 is the problem, not bright sources. These cans are the lemons of the grado lineup.

Biggie.

 

[MD1032]

Then how do the MS2's compare? Are they as bright or not as bright? Are they as good for rock as the 225?

 

[screwdriver]

ive had both the SR225 and the MS2 and no signs of brightness in my system.

the MS2 is better IMO.

 

[was ist los?]

screwdriver, is the difference between the MS-2s and the SR-225s big? Also, just curious whether the MS-2s are brighter since they are based on the SR-325s.

 

[screwdriver]

IMO and in my system - the MS2 has a bit more of everything . i did not find the MS2 bright at all running from my melos SHA-1 and naim cd player . it is just the right balance and very dynamic.

the difference im not sure how much more or if the MS2 justifies the price(for brand new) .

but for a used mS2($200) and a used SR225 ($150) - id choose the MS2.