Grado Fan Club!

[530620]

The 660's are VERY different from Grado's. I like them now and again when I need to do a "re-set". They're not a favourite, but they certainly have their space.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I sometimes want a more neutral sound signature because even though I love the Grados, they can be bit fatiguing at times.

 

[Knee Deep In Epoxy]

Hi I'm sure I spotted a Sr80x today on ebay .uk for about £100. Get them and keep the Hemps.

Must have been a hot cake.... Gone before I could get there.

Given the debate about the X's and Hemp's being similar I wonder if i'd be better suited with a 60e than a 60x... 60's generally seem sound wider and more sparkly/echoey (which for me means fun), than 80s and above based on what I've read and from a few YouTube sound demos. Plus I prefer the look of the e headband... and I'm not ready to spend more than the cost of 60 range so soon after the getting Hemps

Still quite torn between the 60e and 60x though...

And @Pirastro .... I totally agree... Nothing in my collection is like my Hemps... They bring joy like no other... soundwise that is, and for pure uniqueness/vibes. Comfort, however, is a slight issue for me ... my right ear is not a huge fan of on-ears, but we make compromises for the Hemps... And have non-grados for the breaks.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

I'm a Grado newbie... I went straight for the Hemps which, from reading a lot of this thread, suggests it's a divergence from traditional Grado. All I can say is I adore the Hemps (with Geekria G pads) and I'm even warming to the charm of the ridiculous cable (got it non-braided). To hear that they are warmer than the traditional grado makes me almost afraid to hear how much brighter the OGs could be.

Now I'm intrigued by the X series. I've read some opinions here about hemps Vs 325x. I'd be interested to read more if anyone has a view not already shared. In short I'm wondering whether a swap is in order (although I think it's unlikely as I live the uniqueness of the Hemp's construction) and the sound is lovely.

I'm also now looking at either the Sr60x or sr80x. Has anyone here been able to compare the two and can share any insights? And how do they compare for sound Vs previous series. I'm guessing the X is warmer too with the new drivers?

Lastly, I'm in London UK. If anyone knows of anywhere to audition grados here please send deeeeeets!

Congrats for the Hemp, a really nice sounding Grado even compared to more expensive models. Hemp is still grado, its character is much closer to other Grado line up rather than other headphone brands.

SR60X could be a harmless experiment if you want to taste "traditional" Grado. X series may warmer than previous series, but SR60X sound much much closer to SR60e rather than with Hemp.

60x,80x and 125x! Any difference?

sr60x and sr80x area almost identical, I can feel midrange and bass area is slight better with 80X though, but not much.

sr125x is a bit different than both headphones above, it's a little leaner and brighter.

 

[Stevko]

Congrats for the Hemp, a really nice sounding Grado even compared to more expensive models. Hemp is still grado, its character is much closer to other Grado line up rather than other headphone brands.

SR60X could be a harmless experiment if you want to taste "traditional" Grado. X series may warmer than previous series, but SR60X sound much much closer to SR60e rather than with Hemp.


sr60x and sr80x area almost identical, I can feel midrange and bass area is slight better with 80X though, but not much.

sr125x is a bit different than both headphones above, it's a little leaner and brighter.

Not sure what to buy. Sold my 225e. Liked them very well. Never tried the 60s
So wonder how goood they are.
For the moment I am enjoying my gw100!

 

[whitefoot]

Hi there, new Grado owner here of a pair of SR125X's.
I could try them and the SR80X at a local store and I liked them both. They are clear, well balanced and a bit wide; I mean, even though the instruments sound close to each other and near you (it is like being in the same room as the band, which I like -maybe because I am a musician myself-), everything sounds in its place, and with enough "air" between them.

I heard that the Grados have poor or lack of low frequencies, but I disagree (and I am a bass player!). Well, didn't try previous versions, but at least these X Series have enough presence of lows, bass, etc. As I said, the sound is well compensated and clear. Rich and beautiful sound. I think that's what I like the most. And they say that the more you use them the better they sound, so that's great.

Finally went for the 125's instead of the 80's because they worked better and provided better performance with the variety of music (vinyls and CDs) that I played. A bit better lows, mids and highs, and more presence, balance and clarity of sound.
Cheers!

 

[funkymartyn]

Must have been a hot cake.... Gone before I could get there.

Given the debate about the X's and Hemp's being similar I wonder if i'd be better suited with a 60e than a 60x... 60's generally seem sound wider and more sparkly/echoey (which for me means fun), than 80s and above based on what I've read and from a few YouTube sound demos. Plus I prefer the look of the e headband... and I'm not ready to spend more than the cost of 60 range so soon after the getting Hemps

Still quite torn between the 60e and 60x though...

And @Pirastro .... I totally agree... Nothing in my collection is like my Hemps... They bring joy like no other... soundwise that is, and for pure uniqueness/vibes. Comfort, however, is a slight issue for me ... my right ear is not a huge fan of on-ears, but we make compromises for the Hemps... And have non-grados for the breaks.

I have just checked on eBay. The Sr80x are still there for £100 and £6 post. Or another set at £129

 

[Gippy]

So the prestige series headphones have advanced to the letter "x", how long does it usually take for the other series to follow suite ?

No one knows. The last two times, the entire product line was updated instead of a partial update, though they put the e-series drivers in the last production runs of the i-series headphones.

With the pandemic significantly slowing down sales of boutique headphones, it'll probably be a while before the RS/GS/PS line get updated. The PS2000e/GS3000e are still relatively new, under 4 years old for both.

 

[movinIron]

Do they have a 50mm/ 38Ohm Driver yet?
Reference and professional series do have both types of drivers.
Statement has only 50mm ones.
I don‘t think they will change 2ks and 3k the next year.
But I am sure they will do 1kx types. (Statement/pro)
Did a little mindwandering about the possibilities few nights ago.
A ‘pancake‘ RS2x and an RS1x, both with 44mm driver in a mahogany housing were my worst scenario.
A single 44mm RS, maybe named RS1x was second.
One 50mm RS5x or RS10x may follow. So they finally have ascending numbers everywhere.
And why keep mahogany housings? There is experience with Maple.
Of course mahogany is more realistic.
Following the single 44mm RSx there might be PS500x without changing the 2ks.
It‘s a professional series - pros have lesser sensibilities with mixed naming.
I would expect RS2s with x-drivers the middle/end of october.
But that‘s just a wild guess.
And I‘m still curious about the Thelonious Monk Limited Edition.

 

[PhenixS1970]

I just received a mint 3 months old A&K sr25 which I bought here on head-fi. I really liked the match with my SA700 with the Grados but I assumed that this was down to the mid focus of this DAP. Wanted to try a cheaper A&K one with longer battery life. Despite different dac chip once again a very good match with all my Grados. Very smooth sound and never harsh. My Lotoo 6000 is tuned more neutral and better suited to my IEMs (to my ears.…despite I read that Lotoo DAPS are on the recommended list of house Grado). BTW the SA700 is in the classifieds don’t want to keep them all .

 

[Knee Deep In Epoxy]

I have just checked on eBay. The Sr80x are still there for £100 and £6 post. Or another set at £129

Ah, my mistake... I mis-read your first message thinking you said it was £80... That I would go for (used). I'm still on the fence tbh. But thanks for the heads up!

 

[Knee Deep In Epoxy]

Earlier in the week I posted about how I felt Grado was very particular about the wording on their website. You’ll even notice the wireless headphone doesn’t say a darn thing about the sound on the website, just that it uses a grado driver. They know it’s not a good headphone too! But they use the words “warm harmonic sounds“ and “pure Grado” on a few pages. RS2e being one of them. As well as the 125x and 225x. So i had spit balled the idea that those headphones were more in line with classic grado. I bought the 80x and I really enjoy it, but it’s not what i would consider the “pure Grado” house sound. So I purchased the 225x to see for myself.

For those worried that the classic grado sound was gone with the x-series fear not. I just got the SR225x and Grados house sound is fully intact. I’m getting that same “airiness” that i got from the RS2e and GH3. I got less of that with the 80x, and the Hemp I don’t get much of that same sound either. I love the Hemp, it’s an amazing headphone, but it’s not Grados house sound (For better or worse depending who you ask.)

I need more than the 30 minutes i have had with the SR225x to give it better impressions, but i first wanted to see if it passed the “Pure Grado” house sound test. and In my limited grado experience- it does

*edit* so it seems that the 60x is the gateway into Grado. And you have two paths to take

1. The more balanced/neutral path which is SR80x, SR325x, Hemp…

2. Classic Grado path which is sr125x, SR225x, rs2e…

This is really helpful, thanks!

One question (and sorry if you answered it already) but which path would you place the 60x in, 1 or 2? Or neither?

 

[headfry]

I have been looking forward to the 225x reviews....very scarce coverage as around that price range most seem interested in the 325x.
As with the e series, I predict that the 225x will be for many the best value in the line (we shall see!).
I love my 225e and have no interest in getting an x, just curious!

As it shows in my byline, I also am the proud owner of the Gs1000i (classic!), SR80e (gets almost no playtime
since I got the 225e which for me is much better and fully worth the difference) as well as the great GR10e which really gets very little attention here.

...IMO the GR10e are fantastic and I think deserve more coverage here, I think that many here would love them.

 

[kmhaynes]

So let's say I want to go out on a limb and try the Focal Clear. What am I going to hear compared to my PS500e or RS2e?? I've heard several Sennheiser 500+ models and do NOT care for the soft "lush" Sennheiser sound!

(With all due respect, don't reply if you haven't heard the Clear, or if your Grado is lower than a SR325.)

 

[Knee Deep In Epoxy]

So let's say I want to go out on a limb and try the Focal Clear. What am I going to hear compared to my PS500e or RS2e??

(With all due respect, don't reply if you haven't heard the Clear, or if your Grado is lower than a SR325.)

I own a Clear and Hemp's...

Clear will give you more bass... Not mud... Just clean, slammy and detailed bass, a more balanced sound signature across the full range, more intimate sound (it's only mildly outside your head, but not in your head ... Zombie, zombie... Sorry got sidetracked)... Clear is more comfortable by a long shot, but guess you can't hear that (Or maybe you can??)... Clear is more natural, probably more neutral too... Less fun than Hemps but more sophisticated.

BUT i still have that Sr60(e/x) / SR80 (e/x) itch to scratch

 

[kmhaynes]

I own a Clear and Hemp's...

Clear will give you more bass... Not mud... Just clean, slammy and detailed bass, a more balanced sound signature across the full range, more intimate sound (it's only mildly outside your head, but not in your head ... Zombie, zombie... Sorry got sidetracked)... Clear is more comfortable by a long shot, but guess you can't hear that (Or maybe you can??)... Clear is more natural, probably more neutral too... Less fun than Hemps but more sophisticated.

That helps alot, thanks. Fun vs Sophistication -- that sounds dangerously close to a pitch for "you need Both!"