[elvergun]

They're fantastic. A lot like The Hemps, perhaps not as much bass but a little cleaner up top. Or I'm just imagining that. But definitely like the Hemps. Similar size, and feel.

I think that both models have around the same amount of bass. Yes, the HF3 is cleaner up top.

 

[EvEst]

I just got a lightly used set of HF3s. My other Grados are 325es. It's interesting to compare the two.

 

[VolumusMaximus]

I have had the HF-3 for a year now. I have other headphones (AKG, HifiMan, Oppo), but I always come back to the Grado. I listen at relatively low volumes when I work, and the soundstage, clarity, and imaging is superior (with Schiit Asgard 3 and Modius upstream). Have just ordered Geekria "G" pads to try that modification..

 

[ParaLoganGrado]

The HF3 was a real noggin scratcher for me. It seemed very bright and bass shy for the first day or so compared to my other two Grados. It definitely rolls off in the low bass area, but worked really well for lower volume listening once I adjusted to the “crispness”. The main benefit I noticed of it over the GH2 was the detail. Whether it was artificial or boosted, it was very engaging! Also imaging was great because I think a lot of the music I listen to must have special cues in that upper mid to lower treble range. Other than the weak low bass, my only other gripe with the HF3 was a pretty small width soundstage. It was still better than most closed backs - ESPECIALLY in that price range!

I forgot to add: I was the last leg of the TTVJ tour of these and was inching closer every day towards buying them off Todd as opposed to returning them. I liked that they had a less dark sound than I was used to and they were so fast! But I also wanted to try something different and ended up with some closed back planars I got for a hell of a deal!

 

[TooFrank]

They're fantastic. A lot like The Hemps, perhaps not as much bass but a little cleaner up top. Or I'm just imagining that. But definitely like the Hemps. Similar size, and feel.

+1 a little brighter...

 

[Damien Grief]

I finally finished modding my first pair of Grados. Used a SR225e as the base. Driver is from the 225e. Cable, headband, cups, and gimbals were replaced. Still using stock headband wire and rod blocks.

Really happy with how this came out given it was my first time soldering anything. Huge shout out to elvergun for helping me out and giving me advice when I got stuck on this.

 

[BobG55]

I finally finished modding my first pair of Grados. Used a SR225e as the base. Driver is from the 225e. Cable, headband, cups, and gimbals were replaced. Still using stock headband wire and rod blocks.

Really happy with how this came out given it was my first time soldering anything. Huge shout out to elvergun for helping me out and giving me advice when I got stuck on this.

Great job. They look amazing.

 

[Joaquin Dinero]

I finally finished modding my first pair of Grados. Used a SR225e as the base. Driver is from the 225e. Cable, headband, cups, and gimbals were replaced. Still using stock headband wire and rod blocks.

Really happy with how this came out given it was my first time soldering anything. Huge shout out to elvergun for helping me out and giving me advice when I got stuck on this.

Very nice. I love how those drivers peek through the grill, like glowing red eyes.

 

[Damien Grief]

Very nice. I love how those drivers peek through the grill, like glowing red eyes.

Thanks. If I'm nitpicking, I wish I was a little neater with how I laid the cables as I put the cups back together after soldering, but I'm overall happy with how they look. The red from the driver also matches pretty damn well with the dark wood color of the cups.

 

[Benno1988]

Thanks. If I'm nitpicking, I wish I was a little neater with how I laid the cables as I put the cups back together after soldering, but I'm overall happy with how they look. The red from the driver also matches pretty damn well with the dark wood color of the cups.

Link to all the parts you used?

 

[Damien Grief]

Link to all the parts you used?

I got the gimbals on eBay. Don't remember the seller. But everything else was from Turbulent Labs. And replacement pads from Geekria on Amazon.

1. https://turbulentlabs.com/shop/tiger-rengas-headphone-cups/
2. https://turbulentlabs.com/shop/grado-leather-headband-coffee/
3. https://turbulentlabs.com/shop/occ-headphone-cables/
4. https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Replacement-Headphones-Cushion-Earpads/dp/B01B2H4FVY/

Then, of course, you'll need tools to take them apart and solder the new cable and all of that.

 

[elvergun]

I got the gimbals on eBay. Don't remember the seller. But everything else was from Turbulent Labs. And replacement pads from Geekria on Amazon.

1. https://turbulentlabs.com/shop/tiger-rengas-headphone-cups/
2. https://turbulentlabs.com/shop/grado-leather-headband-coffee/
3. https://turbulentlabs.com/shop/occ-headphone-cables/
4. https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Replacement-Headphones-Cushion-Earpads/dp/B01B2H4FVY/

Then, of course, you'll need tools to take them apart and solder the new cable and all of that.

The gimbal maker is also a member here...his user name is @retox. His user name on ebay is mwcamp77.


I'm using his aluminum gimbals on all my Grado headphones (except for my GH2 which has shipibo audio gimbals). He is a Grado fan and he makes his own wood cups and gimbals.

I try to limit the amount of plastic on my Grados.

 

[Damien Grief]

The gimbal maker is also a member here...his user name is @retox. His user name on ebay is mwcamp77.


I'm using his aluminum gimbals on all my Grado headphones (except for my GH2 which has shipibo audio gimbals). He is a Grado fan and he makes his own wood cups gimbals.

I try to limit the amount of plastic on my Grados.

Yeah. I think I want to update the gimbals on my Hemp and PS500e to metal ones at some point, too. Just looks so much better.

 

[borrego]

Just handle the headphones carefully when using metal gimbals to avoid denting the wood cups.

 

[534743]

I finally finished modding my first pair of Grados. Used a SR225e as the base. Driver is from the 225e. Cable, headband, cups, and gimbals were replaced. Still using stock headband wire and rod blocks.

Really happy with how this came out given it was my first time soldering anything. Huge shout out to elvergun for helping me out and giving me advice when I got stuck on this.

But how do they sound now? Any improvement or is it just a cosmetical change?