Grado 325is or Denon D2000 or What?

[f00fighters]

I know they are two different sounding headphones. I'm not sure where to go with this. And I do not have an opportunity to sample them before buying. I want clear highs and mids, with a good amount of bass, but not overbearing.

I used to own a pair of Ultrasone HFI-700's. On the iPhone I would use the "Treble Booster" EQ preset, because I enjoyed the way the screeching guitar sounded when strummed, and I could really feel it (acoustic or electric). What I didn't like was that the bass was extremely weak in those headphones. I guess I'm looking for a headphone in which I do not need to use the iPhone EQ, that would give me a bit high treble for the clear highs & mids, but a good amount of bass, that isn't muddy or overbearing. My range is about $300 give or take.



I mainly listen to Rock/Classic Rock/Alternative
I somewhat listen to R&B
I rarely listen to Rap (but once in awhile)



I recently sold my AKG K702's. They were great headphones, but they weren't what I was looking for. I want to hear the screeching of the guitars as they're strummed, and feel the vibrations of the strings. As I've said repeatedly in many posts, I want to pull out the air guitar. So please, suggestion...

In addition to suggesting headphones to meet the criteria above, if someone could recommend another headphone that has all the characteristics that I mentioned above, but with a very expansive sound stage as well. Is it possible for me to get all that in one phone? And as point of reference, I felt the K702's bass was too accurate, and underwhelming for my tastes, but the sound stage was amazing. Is it possible for me to have my cake and eat it too? I want a fun headphone!

 

[VDM]

Based on your taste in music, I would recommend the SR325is. Plus they look stunning in silver

 

[Xan7hos]

x2. I feel like Denon D2k were made for rap - the first headphone that felt like there was a subwoofer in my head; Midrange just isn't good for clear vocals. 325i should definitely fit your needs

 

[.coco]

Grados would probably do you well.

 

[Happy Camper]

MS-2i with flats.

 

[warpdriver]

Grado's are really good for a clear guitar sound, but they don't provide much lower bass punch. I have some music that hits way down to 30Hz, and I could tell the Grado was starting to roll off the bass there.

Given your worry about the bass being overbearing, maybe the Grado is a better match, but I don't find the Denon's to be overbearing at all. To me, the Denon matches the sound of my full size stereo system which has a calibrated and flatly EQ'ed subwoofer. Most headphones don't provide the real punch you get with a speaker system, but the Denons come very close.

I came from the K701's and Grado SR225, and the Denons provide much of what I thought was missing from the K701 and Grado in terms of providing the full range of sound I was expecting to hear.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by f00fighters /img/forum/go_quote.gif I know they are two different sounding headphones. I'm not sure where to go with this. And I do not have an opportunity to sample them before buying. I want clear highs and mids, with a good amount of bass, but not overbearing. I used to own a pair of Ultrasone HFI-700's. On the iPhone I would use the "Treble Booster" EQ preset, because I enjoyed the way the screeching guitar sounded when strummed, and I could really feel it (acoustic or electric). What I didn't like was that the bass was extremely weak in those headphones. I guess I'm looking for a headphone in which I do not need to use the iPhone EQ, that would give me a bit high treble for the clear highs & mids, but a good amount of bass, that isn't muddy or overbearing. My range is about $300 give or take. I mainly listen to Rock/Classic Rock/Alternative I somewhat listen to R&B I rarely listen to Rap (but once in awhile) I recently sold my AKG K702's. They were great headphones, but they weren't what I was looking for. I want to hear the screeching of the guitars as they're strummed, and feel the vibrations of the strings. As I've said repeatedly in many posts, I want to pull out the air guitar. So please, suggestion... In addition to suggesting headphones to meet the criteria above, if someone could recommend another headphone that has all the characteristics that I mentioned above, but with a very expansive sound stage as well. Is it possible for me to get all that in one phone? And as point of reference, I felt the K702's bass was too accurate, and underwhelming for my tastes, but the sound stage was amazing. Is it possible for me to have my cake and eat it too? I want a fun headphone!

Easy choice here...GRADO

 

[drader]

That's odd... my hfi-700s sounded like a subwoofer strapped to my head. Maybe your iphone has a lousy out? I have the d2000 now. Very happy. Much clearer mids and highs, and the bass goes nice and deep. The 700's had a ported bass to them that I miss, but other than that the denon's are so much cleaner. The d2000s are less efficient than the Ultrasones, so you'll absolutely need an amp.

 

[jonathanjong]

I have both. Grab the 325i.

 

[kboe]

I will soon have the 325is, but currently own both the SR80 and D2000. No contest, with your wanting good highs and non-bloated bass, the Grados win hands down!
Kevin

 

[f00fighters]

i just bit the bullet and ordered the 325is from "B & H Photo" because they had free shipping. They should arrive by Tuesday. Now where do I get these "Flats" from? Can anyone tell me. Will they improve the sound... or make them more comfortable. I've never tried on a pair of grados before, I heard I'm in for a pain-pleasure experience. What is the solution to make these things sound great and comfortable. And how long do I have to burn-in the grados.

 

[Xan7hos]

TTVJ might sell them, if not my bookstore sells some, I could pick some up for you, but the shipping is gonna kill IMO.

 

[f00fighters]

please tell me there's more bass on the 325is than the k702/701-

How much burn-in is required for optimum sound on the Grados

How can I make them more comfortable. That is the biggest complaints about grados.

 

[f00fighters]

I think i'm going to hold off on the flats, till I actually see how the stock handles.

 

[MagiCans]

Good choice on the 325is's. I absolutely love mine.

As for comfortable, the only pain I have ever experienced with Grados is when I take them OFF.