[majo123]

They're from AliExpress. They're great quality, but look better than they sound. The pads tend to be too thick and create and echo chamber unfortunately...

Thanks for your honesty....they do look nice though.

 

[ledzep]

Very nice

 

[RPKwan]

Thanks for your honesty....they do look nice though.

I will simply use foams, they are still comfortable for me so I don't mind. The leather ones do look killer though

 

[majo123]

I will simply use foams, they are still comfortable for me so I don't mind. The leather ones do look killer though

Yeah on all mine I find stock usually the best. Only on rs2e I don't but they are very close to stock a bit wider from the face , a little softer and a little denser ....

 

[Plautus001]

Think I'm in the right thread for grado advice , never tried a pair so what's the best place to start ? Don't have to stick to a budget, but more for less is always a good starting point.

Personally I recommend the SR325X (all rounder)

High budget RS1X (specialist)
Intro SR60X or SR80X

 

[peterinvan]

Cayin ru6

iPad pro >> USB-C >> Cayin RU6 >> Grado SR325

The RU6 drives the SR325 with authority.

I just got these phones handed down. I am impressed by the clarity and fast action. Mid range vocals are so sweet. Acoustic bass is so realistic.
I now appreciate "open" headphone benefits, as all my other phones are closed.

Comfort is an issue. So far new flat pads from Grado. Will have to experiment with pad rolling/mods.

Ordered parts to allow me to use Meze 3.5mm mono to 4.4mm balanced cables. Hoping weight reduction will help with comfort issue, and balanced will bring more power to each channel.

 

[ledzep]

Personally I recommend the SR325X (all rounder)

High budget RS1X (specialist)
Intro SR60X or SR80X

Luckily I'm not on a budget, kids all finished Uni so I'm rich again !
Firstly thanks to all for the advice, I know realistically you have to test for yourself to find out if any headphone suits your needs but stating point advice is always welcome. Question is do I start at the 325x / hemp and dip my toe in the water so to speak or is it balls to the wall and go all out, or do I buy a selection ?
Going to pop them open and cable mod them as fixed cables ain't for me, so while I'm on the subject of modding what's the consensus on the different types of pads / foams and also custom housings are the worth the extra in sound quality or mainly just for the looks.

 

[majo123]

iPad pro >> USB-C >> Cayin RU6 >> Grado SR325

The RU6 drives the SR325 with authority.

I just got these phones handed down. I am impressed by the clarity and fast action. Mid range vocals are so sweet. Acoustic bass is so realistic.
I now appreciate "open" headphone benefits, as all my other phones are closed.

Comfort is an issue. So far new flat pads from Grado. Will have to experiment with pad rolling/mods.

Ordered parts to allow me to use existing 3.5mm mono to 4.4mm balanced cables. This will help with comfort issue.

If you mean a 3.5 mm to 4.4mm adapter then be careful there are only a few that are safe and not true balanced I think , others may damage your balanced circuit...I have a ifi one which is safe but I prefer to use the 3.5 mm on the ru6 with the grado.

https://ifi-audio.com/products/headphone-adapter-3-5mm-to-4-4mm/

 

[majo123]

Luckily I'm not on a budget, kids all finished Uni so I'm rich again !
Firstly thanks to all for the advice, I know realistically you have to test for yourself to find out if any headphone suits your needs but stating point advice is always welcome. Question is do I start at the 325x / hemp and dip my toe in the water so to speak or is it balls to the wall and go all out, or do I buy a selection ?
Going to pop them open and cable mod them as fixed cables ain't for me, so while I'm on the subject of modding what's the consensus on the different types of pads / foams and also custom housings are the worth the extra in sound quality or mainly just for the looks.

Personally I think the stock pads on most are the best, especially on the X series, hemp, ps500e but it is down to preferrences and fit.

 

[Plautus001]

Luckily I'm not on a budget, kids all finished Uni so I'm rich again !
Firstly thanks to all for the advice, I know realistically you have to test for yourself to find out if any headphone suits your needs but stating point advice is always welcome. Question is do I start at the 325x / hemp and dip my toe in the water so to speak or is it balls to the wall and go all out, or do I buy a selection ?
Going to pop them open and cable mod them as fixed cables ain't for me, so while I'm on the subject of modding what's the consensus on the different types of pads / foams and also custom housings are the worth the extra in sound quality or mainly just for the looks.

SR325X to me is they added bass and limited the ear piercing of the e.

Also I'm not a huge fan of the composite woods of Hemp, etc.

 

[Zachik]

Going to pop them open and cable mod them as fixed cables ain't for me

Seeing your mod work first hand in the past, I am rooting for you in this cable mod project!!

 

[peterinvan]

If you mean a 3.5 mm to 4.4mm adapter then be careful there are only a few that are safe and not true balanced I think , others may damage your balanced circuit...I have a ifi one which is safe but I prefer to use the 3.5 mm on the ru6 with the grado.

https://ifi-audio.com/products/headphone-adapter-3-5mm-to-4-4mm/

SR325 re-wire:

Meze cables (and Focal, Hifiman, etc) use 3.5mm mono plugs at the headphone end.
To avoid opening the SR325 cans, I am doing to add in-line 3.5mm female mono jacks to the Grado wires (cut above the Y). If these work well, I may add 3.5mm mono sockets in the cups later.

 

[TheRealDz]

I am listening to the RS1x a lot and it sounds amazing. But I can’t help but wonder if it compares to a Hifiman XS? I see so many reviews saying how good it is. Anyone here compared them both before?

I bought an XS, listened to it for about a week and a half, then returned it and bought an RS1x.

The XS is a fine headphone and spectacular bargain for the price - I can't see anyone arguing against that. But in my case, it didn't do anything that much better than my existing collection of closed back cans. That is why I returned it.

Compared to the RS1x, the XS has much better bass - both in quantity of sub bass and in impact. But I found it a tad dry and found its soundstage to be large, but flat.
In contrast, the RS1x has an even larger, more layered soundstage with greater depth. The RS1x also has more emphasis on the midrange - which really makes most recordings sing. Its overall realism in the midrange is what seals the deal for me with the RS1x.

Note that the XS is more comfortable, with its oval cups though. Whereas, it takes a lot of adjusting and futzing to make the RS1x comfortable - but I think you know that already.

 

[majo123]

There's no denying the 325x are very good and as I have said before I think they are the sweet spot...

I like all my grado for different reasons and don't mind the treble energy on the e but pairing will come into play here too.

Ps 500e best imaging.
Hemp , more mid bass and more relaxed the Safe bet but still very good and a joy to listen to.
Rs2e best staging out of what I own.
325x best all rounder but maybe not quite as refined as above but we are talking splitting hair's, these are excellent cans and a hard choice between hemp for me as they both are great but do it differently.
80x awesome budget cans

The 2 e series I own both have more treble but IMO it never crosses over to the extreme with right pairing and pads, the 325x have an amazing punchy sound , hemp are lovely and smooth nice to relax to when you want to just relax with it.
Ps 500 e wow the imaging! But some may not like the treble with the wrong pairing and this goes with the rs2e which I have been listening to today, best airy staging and lovely with the r2r cayin.
This is my take on my cans and I like them all in there own way.

 

[majo123]

SR325 re-wire:

Meze cables (and Focal, Hifiman, etc) use 3.5mm mono plugs at the headphone end.
To avoid opening the SR325 cans, I am doing to add in-line 3.5mm female mono jacks to the Grado wires (cut above the Y). If these work well, I may add 3.5mm mono sockets in the cups later.

Ahhh that makes sense now ....