[jaywillin]

a little geetar music 
 

 

[trellus]

@jaywillin, The Alessandro MS2i I bought from you gained a new brother today, an SR325e....  Barely have had time to have a minute to compare, but my very rough, first observations are that:
 
1. SR325e seems to be louder at same volume than MS2i.
2. SR325e is "brighter" (? treble stands out more) than MS2i; MS2i seems smoother.
3. MS2i *looks* bigger for some reason when side by side
 
Other than that, very similar to my ears.
 

 

[HeavenNotes]

  @jaywillin, The Alessandro MS2i I bought from you gained a new brother today, an SR325e....  Barely have had time to have a minute to compare, but my very rough, first observations are that:
 
1. SR325e seems to be louder at same volume than MS2i.
2. SR325e is "brighter" (? treble stands out more) than MS2i; MS2i seems smoother.
3. MS2i *looks* bigger for some reason when side by side
 
Other than that, very similar to my ears.
 

Good to know as I have MS2i. 

 

[jaywillin]

@jaywillin
, The Alessandro MS2i I bought from you gained a new brother today, an SR325e....  Barely have had time to have a minute to compare, but my very rough, first observations are that:

1. SR325e seems to be louder at same volume than MS2i.
2. SR325e is "brighter" (? treble stands out more) than MS2i; MS2i seems smoother.
3. MS2i *looks* bigger for some reason when side by side

Other than that, very similar to my ears.

I'd wondered how they would compare
Thanks for posting,,
Now, the big question, you keeping both?

 

[ruthieandjohn]

Comparison of SR325i, MS-2, and PS500
 
Here is what I got by comparing the MS-2 to the 325i (for me, the highest scoring of the 325, which included the 325i, 325is, and 325e) and the PS500.  
 
The MS-2 was clearly less bright and "tizzy" than the SR325i, which was complained about for its brightest and toned down in the 325is and 325e versions.  Despite the bass nature of the PS500, the MS-2 generally bests the PS500 in bass things, while the PS500 provides more treble detail than the MS-2/
 

 

 

[trellus]

I'd wondered how they would compare
Thanks for posting,,
Now, the big question, you keeping both?

No plans to get rid of either presently as my current plan is to be able to have one pair at home and one at office. Pic was taken at office; today is the first day I brought the MS2i home, I'm fact, and I'm enjoying them right now. Left my 325e at the office.

However, I will likely bring the 325e home this weekend so I can do more comparison with the MS2i.

They both satisfy my Grado tastes, and so I want to have one available at the two places I spend the most time. I do have some SR80i I picked up from a fellow Head Fi'er just recently and I've kept those at home but the MS2i & 325e are more refined and so while I still thoroughly enjoy the SR80i I want MS2/325 level available readily.

 

[Blazer39]

Sounds like you adjusted them to your comfort and liking. Good job! The SR-80e are one of the best audiophile headphone units I've ever used. SR-225e are a step up but to be honest, the SR-80e are under priced. 

I just got grado sr225e recently and i have to agree it's better than sr80e, has that type sound closer to higher end grados..im in process of selling my sr80e coz i don't need it..but im hesitating a bit, so many good memories with it..would be sad when i let it go

 

[WilliamLeonhart]

  @jaywillin, The Alessandro MS2i I bought from you gained a new brother today, an SR325e....  Barely have had time to have a minute to compare, but my very rough, first observations are that:
 
1. SR325e seems to be louder at same volume than MS2i.
2. SR325e is "brighter" (? treble stands out more) than MS2i; MS2i seems smoother.
3. MS2i *looks* bigger for some reason when side by side
 
Other than that, very similar to my ears.
 

This is porn! I want a MS2 and I want it now!
 
That said, have you ever compared a MS2e to a MS2i?

 

[msknight]

I posted a question in general help and k4rstar made some suggestions... one of which was posting here for some help.
 
Looking through the links, I think that I want to investigate Grado, but there quite a range.
 
Here's a section of what I originally posted... the question now is which Grado phones fit this... I've been reading about the MS2i but other reviews say it has a little bass to it. Also, they say, "We do not use the i suffix, all our inventory are the most current versions. Our phones ore for professional use, so if we find a way to improve the performance, we just make a running change and don't change the model name." ... so now I'm even more confused, because I could order something from somewhere and have no clue as to what version I'm getting... up to date, or old stock.
 
Anyway, to the chase...
 
Looking to drop £200 to £300, potentially a little more if I have to.
 
I prefer the on-ear, flat style of the HD 480 to the ear covering of the Rig 500. Something around about 40 to 60 ohms. Open back. Jack connector.
 
Music listened to covers the range from classical to rock, and a cappella. Love a mellow sax, bright piano, emotional strings and powerful brass. One thing I don't want to do, is load the bass.
 
Any suggestions please?

 

[trellus]

  This is porn! I want a MS2 and I want it now!
 
That said, have you ever compared a MS2e to a MS2i?

 
I've never heard the MS2e, but I'd bet someone in this thread has.

 

[krud484]

I've been enjoying some guitar music of my own on the PS1k as of late. Amplifier - The Octopus, arguably the best double album in the last 20 years. They're a cult favorite underground rock band from the UK. This album was the band at their creative peak. I remember having this record on repeat both in house and in the car when it came out 5 years ago. Revisiting it now with Grado cans offers a fresh "hearing it for the first time again" experience. It is guitar effects driven rock and what I love the most about it is the clean guitar tonality with the quasi-Egyptian ethereal sound. Here's a taste of what I could find on youtube:
 


 

 

[trellus]

  I posted a question in general help and k4rstar made some suggestions... one of which was posting here for some help.
 
Looking through the links, I think that I want to investigate Grado, but there quite a range.
 
Here's a section of what I originally posted... the question now is which Grado phones fit this... I've been reading about the MS2i but other reviews say it has a little bass to it. Also, they say, "We do not use the i suffix, all our inventory are the most current versions. Our phones ore for professional use, so if we find a way to improve the performance, we just make a running change and don't change the model name." ... so now I'm even more confused, because I could order something from somewhere and have no clue as to what version I'm getting... up to date, or old stock.
 
Anyway, to the chase...
 
Looking to drop £200 to £300, potentially a little more if I have to.
 
I prefer the on-ear, flat style of the HD 480 to the ear covering of the Rig 500. Something around about 40 to 60 ohms. Open back. Jack connector.
 
Music listened to covers the range from classical to rock, and a cappella. Love a mellow sax, bright piano, emotional strings and powerful brass. One thing I don't want to do, is load the bass.
 
Any suggestions please?

 
As for what you listen to as noted above, I'd say a Grado or Alessandro MS2 (of any variant) would be ideal for you except maybe classical - can't speak much to that, though I think my HD 600 are better at that from the little listening I do of classical, but I've never heard any genre of music on my MS2i where I find the cans just flat out unsatisfactory.
 
I also wouldn't call the MS2i bassy or bass-lite, but "just right." The thing with bass preference is that it is relative, of course, to your ears.  If it helps, when I want something with bigger bass, I pull out my Fischer Audio FA-011 headphones or my JBL Synchros S500, or even my Parrot Zik 2.0's, not my Grado's.
 
What headphones are you using now, or have you tried, and how would you characterize the bass on those?

 

[joseph69]

  Here's a section of what I originally posted... the question now is which Grado phones fit this... I've been reading about the MS2i but other reviews say it has a little bass to it. Also, they say, "We do not use the i suffix, all our inventory are the most current versions. Our phones ore for professional use, so if we find a way to improve the performance, we just make a running change and don't change the model name." ... so now I'm even more confused, because I could order something from somewhere and have no clue as to what version I'm getting... up to date, or old stock.

If you buy a new MS2 it will be an (e) series which is the current version.
The (i) series is the predecessor which can only be bought used, unless you find them NOS (New Old Stock).
 
I owned the MS2i and I do believe that the box said MS2i…but don't quote me on that.
Also @jaywillin recently purchased/sold a NOS MS2i so maybe he knows if the box definitely said (i).

 

[msknight]

   
As for what you listen to as noted above, I'd say a Grado or Alessandro MS2 (of any variant) would be ideal for you except maybe classical - can't speak much to that, though I think my HD 600 are better at that from the little listening I do of classical, but I've never heard any genre of music on my MS2i where I find the cans just flat out unsatisfactory.
 
I also wouldn't call the MS2i bassy or bass-lite, but "just right." The thing with bass preference is that it is relative, of course, to your ears.  If it helps, when I want something with bigger bass, I pull out my Fischer Audio FA-011 headphones or my JBL Synchros S500, or even my Parrot Zik 2.0's, not my Grado's.
 
What headphones are you using now, or have you tried, and how would you characterize the bass on those?

 
I'm currently running Canford HD 480 and Plantronics Rig 500, both vented and closed versions. The Rig 500 is adding a light touch of bass compared with the HD480.
 
I actually worked out there were faults on both the HD 480s I bought second hand, and now my Yamaha amp is running them, (I thought the impedance was too high) so I'm listening to vinyl - James Last at the moment, trumpets are crisp and sharp.
 
Sorry - to characterise the bass... the HD 480 is coming out as "natural," to me. Rig 500 a light touch of added bass.

 

[trellus]

If you buy a new MS2 it will be an (e) series which is the current version.
The (i) series is the predecessor which can only be bought used, unless you find them NOS (New Old Stock).

I owned the MS2i and I do believe that the box said MS2i…but don't quote me on that.
Also @jaywillin
 recently purchased/sold a NOS MS2i so maybe he knows if the box definitely said (i).

I have the MS2i that @jaywillin sold recently, and the box doesn't indicate what variant, unfortunately, though I'm sure they are MS2i because jaywallin says they are. :