[chowdy]

Hello all,

Well, to make a long story short, I'd like to give a pair of quality cans to my cousins to thank them for hooking me up with a sweet summer internship. They've treated me really well, and I feel they deserve a great gift. They make pretty good money, and I can't really think of anything they need, but don't have.

Except a pair of quality headphones.

Just thinking back on the past few months, the best material object that has entered my life has been my Grado SR60's. I love them. These headphones make music so much more enjoyable. So why not share the love?

I was thinking of buying them a pair of Grados, as they have a pretty average source (DVD player + typical sound setup). Would this be a wise decision? Any model up to and including the Grado SR325i would be affordable but is there a better brand available? What sort of cans could they really appreciate and enjoy with very non-audiophile sound sources (laptops, computers, ipods, etc)?

Thanks in advance

 

[holland]

I would look into a nice set of open circumaural headphones. One way to get people to listen is by making it comfortable. Maybe the Senn 595 or the AD900.

It's nice that you want to share Grados. Do they even like the sound?

 

[feh1325]

i think the hd595 would make a nice gift.
they're comfy, look like an expensive, sound nice with many genres of music.

also, get him or her a nice adapter, the one included is terrible. look into the grado one or the sennheiser one

 

[chowdy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by holland /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would look into a nice set of open circumaural headphones. One way to get people to listen is by making it comfortable. Maybe the Senn 595 or the AD900. It's nice that you want to share Grados. Do they even like the sound?

That's a good idea, I know lots of people have gripes with Grados on comfort. I have no clue what they're interested in, or if they even have an opinion, since they're not audio people. I mean, they listen to music, but on bad gear (stock headphones, etc). I'm working on figuring out their tastes in music to further aid in determining which phones they'd want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by feh1325 /img/forum/go_quote.gif i think the hd595 would make a nice gift. they're comfy, look like an expensive, sound nice with many genres of music. also, get him or her a nice adapter, the one included is terrible. look into the grado one or the sennheiser one

They look nice. What's wrong with the included adapter?

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Will they like full-sized headphones like the 595? I mean it's nice and all, but they might not like walking around wearing a huge headphone. What about the PX100? It's hip looking and sounds much better than any stock headphones. Honestly, I think for casual listeners the 595 might be a little overboard. Normal people tend to like the punchy, bassy sound of the PX100 more.

 

[Azure]

I agree that you should get them something circumaural. Have you considered the Denon AH-D2000? To me it sounds like a great jack-of-all-trades type of headphones, and it doesn't look too goofy or big either. Very easy to drive as well.

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/De...eadphones.html

 

[Chris_Himself]

i tried a pair of Denon AH-D1000's today at my local guitar center and they sounded good.

well if youre going to buy ANY headphones, goodcans.com have the nicest people working there.

and all Grados come with free shipping and some even come with a free Grado 15' extension cord

 

[MaZa]

HD595 is nice all arounder can, but not perhaps most WOW-feeling injecting for headphone newbie. But its good and comfy. Recommended.

 

[Blackmore]

I take SR225 over any Sennheiser, but SR325i will make them more than happy for a long, long time...

I wish I could get some of SR325i from someone in the family. Great thing to do man.

 

[MaZa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmore /img/forum/go_quote.gif I take SR225 over any Sennheiser, but SR325i will make them more than happy for a long, long time... I wish I could get some of SR325i from someone in the family. Great thing to do man.

Im hestitant to recommend Grados, especially SR325i because I think gift headphones MUST be comfy. Grados comfort is a hit-and-miss, as is their sound you know.

 

[MusicallySilent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowdy /img/forum/go_quote.gif They look nice. What's wrong with the included adapter?

Well when you plug a 1/4" plug into this adapter you have a plug that is like 3 inches long with a poor little 1/8" plug on the end that is stressing the jack... the floppy senn and grado plugs have a standard sized 8th inch plug with a wire that has a 1/4" jack on the end that you plug the 1/4" on the end

 

[Blackmore]

Well, that's maybe the true, but like the wise man said: "BEAUTY HURTS"

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaZa /img/forum/go_quote.gif Im hestitant to recommend Grados, especially SR325i because I think gift headphones MUST be comfy. Grados comfort is a hit-and-miss, as is their sound you know.

 

[Moocher]

What about Alessandro MS-1s with a note in the card explaining how to adjust them for comfort?

Mooch

 

[MaZa]

With every Grado can, you can bend the headband for optimal fit. However, with standard bowl pads, it might not be enough. Depending in the shape of ones ear, your earlobe might touch the grill instead of pad, and only getting-used-to helps the comfort.

MS1 and SR60 come with comfy pads, so comfort wont be a problem´after some adjusting. Alessandro MS1 is definetly excellent gift choice!

 

[d-cee]

if they use the headphones at home and not protably,

i agree that something with universally good comfort such as the HD595/Audio Technicas would be a good suggestion they also look really "hi-fi" unlike Grados... imho sometimes the cheap looking build of Grado is offputting to the untrained listener

that and they're relatively easy to drive and for people who haven't heard better will sound really good straight out of the box