Grado cables (for portability)

[htbyron]

OK, so the first decent cans I got were Grado SR-80s & I still really like them the best (so far, even better than the Senn HD-580s, which I really want to like, but.... maybe I'm just a Grado guy). And they're really comfortable for me, with the Senn 414 pads (modded with a nickel-size hole). I really want to use them portably, but the cable is so stiff and awkward! So I wonder about other Grados -- is there an option that has a cable more suited to portable use? Is the SR-60 cable really more flexible, as some of the threads here seem to indicate? Would I regret the downgrade? (I'm guessing not, as I don't have golden ears, and what I'm looking for is the Grado sound signature with a less annoying cable, and portable use is less demanding of SQ anyway.) What about the MS-1? Any other choices? BTW, recabling is not an option, as I'm all thumbs. Thanks for any advice or insight!

Tom

 

[12thgear]

The MS-1 still has the fairly stiff Grado "stethoscope" cable. I have it. Great headphone though.

I also have the Koss KSC75 which I find to be a really pleasing headphone coming from the MS-1. $20 at Circuit City, even cheaper online. It's a little clip on with fantastic sound for the price. I think it's a great companion to a Grado or Alessandro if you need a more realistic portable option. It boggles the mind that the KSC75 sounds so good, I don't really miss the MS-1 when I'm using it.

Between me and Kramer lately there's been lots of KSC75 love, but with good reason. It's the best $14 I've ever spent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by htbyron OK, so the first decent cans I got were Grado SR-80s & I still really like them the best (so far, even better than the Senn HD-580s, which I really want to like, but.... maybe I'm just a Grado guy). And they're really comfortable for me, with the Senn 414 pads (modded with a nickel-size hole). I really want to use them portably, but the cable is so stiff and awkward! So I wonder about other Grados -- is there an option that has a cable more suited to portable use? Is the SR-60 cable really more flexible, as some of the threads here seem to indicate? Would I regret the downgrade? (I'm guessing not, as I don't have golden ears, and what I'm looking for is the Grado sound signature with a less annoying cable, and portable use is less demanding of SQ anyway.) What about the MS-1? Any other choices? BTW, recabling is not an option, as I'm all thumbs. Thanks for any advice or insight!

 

[ajt976]

I'm going to guess that you are going to run into this problem with most Grado 'phones. The stock cable is definitely not a strong point!

There isn't really much you can do to change it aside from recabling it. To make my Grado's 'portable', I just took my 125's, chopped off half the cable and soldered on a new 1/8" Switchcraft connector.

Good enough for me!

 

[H5N1]

You need something like this

 

[12thgear]

That 325 is the hotness right there. I'll probably never bother to recable my headphones unless it's necessary. In othe words, when something breaks.

I'm not up on my cables. What did you use in your 325?

 

[Helter Skelter]

The cable on the SR-60 is still pretty stiff (and long), so I'm not sure it would be much of an improvement, if any.

However, you could try what I do. Run the cable through the belt loops of your pants before plugging it into your player/amp. Makes things much more managable for me. I don't have any issues with microphonics this way, either.

 

[htbyron]

Thanks all for the helpful replies.

Oooooooohhhh! H5N1 -- that's what I want! So now I have to find someone willing to do a recable job for me at a decent (read, cheap) price, since I'm incompetent.

 

[appar111]

Quote:

Originally Posted by htbyron Thanks all for the helpful replies. Oooooooohhhh! H5N1 -- that's what I want! So now I have to find someone willing to do a recable job for me at a decent (read, cheap) price, since I'm incompetent.

Ditto on that-- those look great! I'd love to have that done on my soon-to-arrive SR225's..