[redshifter]

now my sr125 grados are as comfortable as my sony cd1700 (which would be extremely comfortable). the pads on an old pair of sony cd180 cans fit over the grado dougnut pads perfectly, they are the same diameter and even the skirt on the cd180 pads covers the grado doughnut pads completely on the sides too. they stay on just from gripping the grado pads, no glue or thread needed. if you are not familiar with the cd180 pads, they are similar to the sony cd1700 and cd3000, albeit smaller and pleather, not felt. the good part is, like the cd1700 and cd3000, they surround the ear, and the ear barely touches the grado foam. no more pressure soreness from the doughnut pads.

i'm sure thes sr125's will be taking the place of my cd1700 at work now, and i can use the cd1700 at home with a better source. the result of moving the grado transducers a few millimeters from the ear canal means some of the more strident qualities are smoothed over, and with the addition of some stock pads on the transducers, they sound more like the cd1700--but with higher clarity and better bass control (the cd1700 still wins for midrange realism and overall detail). i'm still deciding if i want to keep the foam over the drivers.

speaking of foam, i got some ety er6 foam tips with the grados. they make a world of difference. easier to put in, better isolation, and the wider inner canal means better bass and less etched treble; totally worth $15.