Grado 325e Bass response questions

[nuckchorris]

I have a pair of Grado 325e's. They are plugged into a Creative ZXR sound card through its ACM unit. 
 
If I turn the ACM to maximum volume and set the Windows volume to maximum, while minimizing the volume in itunes (10%), then I get a strong bass response. 
If I turn the ACM to half volume and set the Windows volume to maximum, while maximizing the volume in itunes (100%), then I get a weak bass response. 
 
Why is this?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I have a pair of Grado 325e's. They are plugged into a Creative ZXR sound card through its ACM unit. 
 
If I turn the ACM to maximum volume and set the Windows volume to maximum, while minimizing the volume in itunes (10%), then I get a strong bass response. 
If I turn the ACM to half volume and set the Windows volume to maximum, while maximizing the volume in itunes (100%), then I get a weak bass response. 
 
Why is this?

 
I'm going to guess because of impedance issues, using the SB-ZxR at max volume is giving the 325e a bloated (louder, less detailed) bass.
Would you say it's a crude bass, not a sharp (quality) controlled bass?
 
In other words the 325e does not normally have much of a bass, but what your doing is forcing a bass from it that the headphone would not normally do.

 

[Monsterzero]

   
 
In other words the 325e does not normally have much of a bass, but what your doing is forcing a bass from it that the headphone would not normally do.

Huh?

325s dont have much,if any sub-bass,but they have more than average,sometimes too much mid bass thump.

 

[nuckchorris]

Yes, the bass is crude.
 
Also, if I turn the Windows volume down to 30, max the Itunes volume and max the ACM, then I don't get crude superbass. If I max Windows, cut Itunes down to 30, and max ACM, then I get crude superbass. 
It's also the same situation with Foobar2000, so it's not just an Itunes thing. 
 
 
I also noticed that if I create a circle with thumb and index finger and wrap them around the based of the cushions, the bass booms. 
 
So I did the tape mod. First I used scotch tape, then thick gorilla mounting tape plus friction tape on my 325e's in the hopes that it would create that amazing bass I could hear with my hands wrapped around the cushions, but it didn't. It did add some bass, but not as much as I would have hoped. Why does the tape mod create more bass anyway?
 
Right now, I am experimenting with the volume levels to try and find the right amount of software volume, windows volume and ACM volume for good bass with the 325e's. 

 

[buke9]

Yes, the bass is crude.

Also, if I turn the Windows volume down to 30, max the Itunes volume and max the ACM, then I don't get crude superbass. If I max Windows, cut Itunes down to 30, and max ACM, then I get crude superbass. 
It's also the same situation with Foobar2000, so it's not just an Itunes thing. 


I also noticed that if I create a circle with thumb and index finger and wrap them around the based of the cushions, the bass booms. 

So I did the tape mod. First I used scotch tape, then thick gorilla mounting tape plus friction tape on my 325e's in the hopes that it would create that amazing bass I could hear with my hands wrapped around the cushions, but it didn't. It did add some bass, but not as much as I would have hoped. Why does the tape mod create more bass anyway?

Right now, I am experimenting with the volume levels to try and find the right amount of software volume, windows volume and ACM volume for good bass with the 325e's. 

What I have found best is all volumes should be set to max and the last one is where you control it. I guess in this case would be the sound card. I have had external amps for sometime but that is the way I have always done it. Haven't heard the Grado's or any of them on my setup but haven't heard any with good sub bass . Hard hitting deep bass is not what most Grados do well but I haven't heard them all for sure. Headphones are a trade off on what you want some with good bass , mids and treble or high end response but not many that can do them all to what many people expect.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Yes, the bass is crude.
Also, if I turn the Windows volume down to 30, max the Itunes volume and max the ACM, then I don't get crude superbass. If I max Windows, cut Itunes down to 30, and max ACM, then I get crude superbass. 
It's also the same situation with Foobar2000, so it's not just an Itunes thing. 
I also noticed that if I create a circle with thumb and index finger and wrap them around the based of the cushions, the bass booms. 
So I did the tape mod. First I used scotch tape, then thick gorilla mounting tape plus friction tape on my 325e's in the hopes that it would create that amazing bass I could hear with my hands wrapped around the cushions, but it didn't. It did add some bass, but not as much as I would have hoped. Why does the tape mod create more bass anyway?
Right now, I am experimenting with the volume levels to try and find the right amount of software volume, windows volume and ACM volume for good bass with the 325e's. 

 
From my understanding, Grado headphones do not come with a lot of bass.
You might consider buying other headphones.

 

[Monsterzero]

   
From my understanding, Grado headphones do not come with a lot of bass.
You might consider buying other headphones.

I dont understand why youre spreading false info.

Have you ever owned or heard a Grado?

As I previously stated they have little to no sub-bass,but more than ample mid-bass,more than say a Beyer DT990 or HD600 or an AKGk7xx...and all by a fairly wide margin.

Im not a Grado fanboy,but to make broad brush sweeping staements about headphones that arent even entirely true isnt helping anyone or anything.

 

[buke9]

I dont understand why youre spreading false info.


Have you ever owned or heard a Grado?


As I previously stated they have little to no sub-bass,but more than ample mid-bass,more than say a Beyer DT990 or HD600 or an AKGk7xx...and all by a fairly wide margin.


Im not a Grado fanboy,but to make broad brush sweeping staements about headphones that arent even entirely true isnt helping anyone or anything.

Just going to step in here if you don't mind. Don't know who you are taking aim at but but the poster you were you were taking aim at said nothing of what you what you were commenting on.

 

[Monsterzero]

Just going to step in here if you don't mind. Don't know who you are taking aim at but but the poster you were you were taking aim at said nothing of what you what you were commenting on.

 

   
From my understanding, Grado headphones do not come with a lot of bass.
You might consider buying other headphones.

 
 

Just going to step in here if you don't mind. Don't know who you are taking aim at but but the poster you were you were taking aim at said nothing of what you what you were commenting on.

I am talking about the above statement which PurpleAngel states "from his understanding",which implies he has never even heard a Grado,that they "do not come with a lot of bass"

And that is false.

Theyre not basshead cans.
Theyre not for hip/hop
They have next to zero sub-bass extension...all of that I agree with....

However,for mid bass there is plenty.Tom drum strikes have a definite weight and thump behind them,no doubt about it.Bass guitar in blues,rock can be heard and felt and at times,too much for my tastes,and I like a nice meaty sound too.

EDIT: If OP is listening to hip/hop and wants his teeth to rattle then I will agree with PurpleAngel that a different headphone would be in order,but after re-reading the thread I do not see where the OP states the type of music he is preferring,nor the type of bass he is lacking.

I personally do not comment on topics I know nothing about.If someone is seeking advice on:
closed back headphones,other than DT770s or SZ2000s
IEMs
Soundcards
Amps,other than the ones I own
DACs,other than the ones i own

I either skip the thread or try to help by making general statements like"closed backs are better for travel" and defer to someone who knows what the hell theyre talking about.

However if I do have knowledge and have either owned or currently own a piece of gear and another member comes in,regardless of their post count,and makes a statement that is only semi-true,Im going to disagree.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I don't understand why you're spreading false info.
Have you ever owned or heard a Grado?
As I previously stated they have little to no sub-bass,but more than ample mid-bass,more than say a Beyer DT990 or HD600 or an AKGk7xx...and all by a fairly wide margin.
I'm not a Grado fanboy,but to make broad brush sweeping statements about headphones that aren't even entirely true isn't helping anyone or anything.

 
I said "from my understanding",
did not say it's a known fact about Grados.
or that I've own a Grado headphone
or directly argue with what others say about Grados. 

 

[joseph69]

 

Grados have bass quality, not bass quantity.
If you enjoy your 325e and would like to add a bit more bass, then yes, the tape mod is one way to do so. You can also buy TTVJ flat pads which will give you a bit more bass as well.
 
Here are the links to some threads you should visit:
 
The Official Grado 325e Owners Club!
Grado Fan Club! 
Grado e Series

 

[Monsterzero]

   
I said "from my understanding",
did not say it's a known fact about Grados.
or that I've own a Grado headphone
or directly argue with what others say about Grados. 

Ok well perhaps your "understanding" is a bit better now.

They do in fact have more than average mid bass response,and less than average sub-bass response.

Theyre tight and punchy and work well with rock,blues,older metal and some jazz.

Theyre not for sub-bass heavy genres like rap,EDM.

They punch.They dont rumble.
 

 

[nuckchorris]

Thanks for all the responses. Very informational. Also, glad to see people are serious about headphones here.