For office use mainly: Grado SR325i vs. Stax SR-001 Mk2

[bookkeepers_son]

Well, I've been a-lurkin' and researching 'round these parts for a while. Had some Grado RS-1s a few years back and sold 'em due to a then-unexplained hurting in the ears when I use them. I was running these with a Cary sei, which I've sold, too (I know...). This was before head-fi, so now I come to understand that it was most likely the bowl pads that were causing the pain. I did have enough sense not to sell my SR-60s which I've had since 1993 and still going strong.

Lately, the necessity to listen to headphones have increased again, not the least of reasons is that I just got a 4G 20G Ipod. Now, I wanna treat myself to some nice 'phones mostly for office use, but which I might also use at home. I like the Grado sound (but maybe with flats), and am intrigued by the new 325i. I'm also very curious about the Stax SR-001. I had SR-34 electrets a long time ago, which I liked, and also had occasions to listen to the higher Stax models (Omegas) and the magnificent Orpheus at shows.

So, help me decide, or throw other suggestions in the mix...Office use, mostly...low fatigue...comfort, but not at the expense of sonic quality...ipod, 224kpbs....but will also sound good with home system (below).

__________________________

headphone system: Naim CD2>Naim 102>Flatcap2>Cary Rocket88>ASL UHC-SE>???? (SR60 at the moment)

 

[catscratch]

I haven't listened to the SR-325i, so I can't tell you how it compares. However, the SR-001 is very good for office use. They don't isolate, so you won't miss calls, and the sound is very lush and seductive. I would expect it to be smoother than the 325i, with better detail, but less impact, and less treble (the 001's treble is a bit rolled off), but this is just from reviews, as I said, I haven't heard the 325. Since the 325i is a full-size headphone, it will be at an advantage as far as soundstage and bass impact go.

I've used an SR-001 at work for some time now, and while nowadays I need the extra isolation of the UM2 to not hear co-workers munching loudly on carrots and celery, I definitely miss the 001's sound quality. Maybe I'll dig them out again.

 

[morphie]

For office use the 325i be distracting and loud. Not only that but if you want little fatigue forget Grados (unless you feel your sr80s arent fatiguing, then nevermind what I said). However, they are currently my favorite headphones and I can say sound quality is really top notch.

 

[bookkeepers_son]

Catscratch, the good thing about it is that I have an office to myself, so teeny-tiny sounds leaking from the 'phones will be ok. The SR-001 is really looking good at the moment.

Morphie, I do get fatigued from my SR-60s after a couple of hours, but I'm not sure if it's from an emphasis in its sound which irritates the ears or from lack of comfort. I do love the Grado sound, particularly the old Joe sound, but you really can't get those at reasonable prices anymore

Anyway, thanks for the food for thoughts. Whatever I get, I'll post my impressions here. Who knows, I might just end up with something totally different, like K501s. Uh-oh, headphone sickness is creepin' back in

 

[S_Dedalus]

Catscratch, the good thing about it is that I have an office to myself, so teeny-tiny sounds leaking from the 'phones will be ok. The SR-001 is really looking good at the moment.
QUOTE]
If you listen at loud volumes, SR-325's will be leaking quite a bit more than teeny-tiny sounds.

 

[Jonathan Griffin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookkeepers_son The SR-001 is really looking good at the moment.

How long do you expect to spend wearing headphones each day? The SR-001 has a lovely sound, but personally I can't spend more than an hour at a time wearing them before my ears get sore - the way they fit in your ears is a bit idiosyncratic.

Cheers,
Jonathan.

 

[bookkeepers_son]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Griffin How long do you expect to spend wearing headphones each day? The SR-001 has a lovely sound, but personally I can't spend more than an hour at a time wearing them before my ears get sore - the way they fit in your ears is a bit idiosyncratic.

Hmmm..food for thought there. I will have to wear whatever I get for, at least, 3-4 hours a day. Looking at the pictures of the SR-001, those earpieces do look huge. I think I might have to sit on this decision a little bit. Exploring other options, how's the comfort on the Shure E4c?

 

[Jmmmmm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookkeepers_son ...how's the comfort on the Shure E4c?

If you're not used to canalphones, they will be pretty uncomfortable for a week or two (depending on how much you wear them). Eventually they will be comfortable, though, and you can forget they are in.

 

[catscratch]

The SR-001's are a bit uncomfortable - possibly more than a bit. I've gotten used to them, but if you have small ears, they could be painful for the first week or so, with extended use. Now, the sound is great, no complaints there - though it's quite a bit unlike the Grados you had, being electrostatic and all - but if you can't wear the damn things, sound quality isn't going to matter.

In terms of canalphones, the most comfortable ones that I've found are the Westone UM2's. I use them with modified Ety tri-flange tips, and they're not bad for a long session. You do have to get used to the feeling of something jammed up your ear canal, but after a few weeks, you stop noticing them, more or less. The sound is very good, though not up to par with the SR-001. However, the main problem there is the isolation. It's so complete that you won't hear the phone ringing next to you if you're playing at anything above moderate volume. If you want to talk to people, you'll have to take them out and put them back in (the canalphones that is

) - which takes time and irritates your ears. This is precisely why I have stopped using them at work. That, and co-workers started getting irritated at me being effectively deaf 2/3 of the time.

How about circum-aural headphones? You won't be able to beat them for comfort. In your own office, you won't have to worry about sound leakage, and if you get open phones, you can still hear everything around you. Maybe you can take a look at some Sennheiser HD595's - or if Grado comfort bothers you, then www.headphile.com has replacement earpads called C-Pads which effectively make Grados circum-aural, enhancing their comfort greatly. If you want a closed phone, the Audio-Technica ATH-A900 is a good bet, but it isolates fairly well too, and with loud music, you won't hear anything else.

I'd recommend more open headphones, but I don't know what you'll be driving them with. A lot of the higher-end Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic models need a dedicated headphone amplifier.

 

[atx]

If you like and are used to the Grado sound you'll find the sr001 to be severely rolled-off in the highs and you'll probably be disappointed. A portion of the highs are obviously missing (the portion that gives you tinnitus!)

Personally, I love the roll-off sound because it makes the sr001 completely fatigue free and I can listen at a higher volume without being afraid of getting a "tinnitus ring" afterwards.

That aside, it's one of the best headphones I've ever listened to. It's also one of the most uncomfortable headphones I've ever worn.

 

[catscratch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by atx If you like and are used to the Grado sound you'll find the sr001 to be severely rolled-off in the highs and you'll probably be disappointed. A portion of the highs are obviously missing (the portion that gives you tinnitus!) Personally, I love the roll-off sound because it makes the sr001 completely fatigue free and I can listen at a higher volume without being afraid of getting a "tinnitus ring" afterwards. That aside, it's one of the best headphones I've ever listened to. It's also one of the most uncomfortable headphones I've ever worn.

They burned in, didn't they

Um... The 001's are precisely the headphones that I made my tinnitus worse with. They're one of the loudest headphones I've ever heard - moreover, the way they sound, they're simply begging to be played louder and louder. They're just so lush and full. They'll go to thunderous volumes without any distortion at all, and before you know it, your ears start ringing... permanently.

Meh... you know this already. Glad you like them.

 

[setmenu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch Um... The 001's are precisely the headphones that I made my tinnitus worse with. They're one of the loudest headphones I've ever heard -

I would second that, I am pretty sure my own tinnitus could have been
triggered by the 001's.
The rolled off highs probably encouraged me to elevate the volume
too much in an attempt to increase the 'missing' highs.
Added to the fact that the lack of isolation encourages yet further volume
elevation in noisy enviroments...Hmmm.

Setmenu

 

[bookkeepers_son]

The bit about tinnitus has got me worried. I had my ears checked out a few years ago, as my right ear seems to be more sensitive to loud sounds than my left. He confirmed what I've been feeling and technically, the way my right ear is structured is that the sound coming in does not go out as quickly as my left ear. The upside is that my hearing still measured up to 19 KHz +. I think that's the deal-breaker with the SR-001 right now. I wouldn't want my problem to develop into tinnitus in the long run. I'm also ruling out the Shures as I'm not a canalphone person; my MD-33s have nnot been getting a lot of use.

My head is currently reeling

as to what headphones to get, just following all the current threads and studying which poster recommends which headphones, and if their tastes are aligned with mine. I think I'm close to deciding, though. The one good thing is that I don't have to worry about amps, as I have a surplus of older integrateds which could be pressed into service. I could take my Creek 4040 to work as it's slim and unobtrusive enough, besides being great-sounding (on a par with, like, a Rega Ear or such).

Thank you guys for the valuable info. I'm beginning to really like this place. Almost complete absence of flaming/trolling.

 

[catscratch]

Well, tinnitus is something that's up to you to prevent. If you get the 001, it doesn't mean that you'll automatically blast it for all it's worth and develop tinninus in the long run, it just means that you have that risk. The same goes for any other headphone. The reason why the 001 is dangerous is because it just sounds so damn good that you want to play it louder

Now, that's not necessarily a "bad" kind of dangerous at all, IMO.

Here's what I think. Audiocubes has a return policy, and you might be able to find a US dealer for whatever products you have in mind. Go and arrange an audition, or failing that, order from some place with a return policy, so that you are guaranteed on your purchase. If you don't like it, you'll just return it and be all the wiser for the experience.

FYI, I still haven't found a perfect portable. If I could combine the 001's sound with the UM2's practicality, it probably would be my choice, but that simply doesn't exist. Right now, I'm using a Senn HD600 out of a Porta Corda Mk II and an mp3 player at the office, and I'm really enjoying the sound - and not missing any calls besides.

Amazon has really awesome deals now on refurbished HD600's - if you have an amp (oh boy, do they need one

), then try them out and see what you think. You shouldn't have too much difficulty finding a store that carries an HD600 for you to audition. Bring your portable source and amp, and you'll see firsthand if you like them.