[SpeckledJim]

Gear: Musicbee/Tidal-Thinkpad/Chromecast/iOS
Atrox V2/Topping E30,EarMen TR-Amp.
Beyerdynamic T1 G3
Grado: RS2e,SR325e,SR225e,
SR325i Gold

@Stevko I notice you have the Beyerdynamic T1 3rd Generation along with a few Grados - I've been eyeing up the T1 3rd Gen myself - how do you think it compares with / complements the Grados?

 

[Shane D]

Oof, your offer is lower than mine. Let the price wars begin

It's a pretty good deal with all the pads. If they don't sell in the next week, I will remove the pads.

 

[Shane D]

Geez - now you guys have me second guessing the Hemps before they even arrive. I had the impression you all kinda liked them, but that they were warmer and more bass-centric than the average Grado (which is something I would like). Of course, I paid about half what I see them now listed for on CAM, and they are by no means intended to be my top headphone - more of a good-night kiss for the bedside system - so maybe I don’t feel that bad.

Thank you again @ekolite!

They are a very nice headphone. If I didn't have the GH2's, I would be keeping them. When I put my Beautiful Audio pads on them, they were very close to my GH2's.
Not a bad headphone at all, just redundant for my collection.

As I scale the collection back, every headphone has to bring its' own special thing to the party. I.E. I have two Focals, but one is open and one is closed.

I will try an X model in 2023.

 

[qua2k]

They are a very nice headphone. If I didn't have the GH2's, I would be keeping them. When I put my Beautiful Audio pads on them, they were very close to my GH2's.
Not a bad headphone at all, just redundant for my collection.

As I scale the collection back, every headphone has to bring its' own special thing to the party. I.E. I have two Focals, but one is open and one is closed.

This is same story here. I am not looking to collect all Grado's, scaling what I have to not have too much of a similar sound. I prefer closed back headphones so the GH2 is my one and only open back. I have went through a number of Grado's, built a custom, but the GH2 checks it all for me.

 

[j0val]

Took a photo of the delineation between the cocobolo wood and hemp on the RS-1X.

I’ve been torn between the different “premium” Grado pad makers. Is Beautiful Audio considered the best?

 

[jonathan c]

This is same story here. I am not looking to collect all Grado's, scaling what I have to not have too much of a similar sound. I prefer closed back headphones so the GH2 is my one and only open back. I have went through a number of Grado's, built a custom, but the GH2 checks it all for me.

…and that cocobolo…

 

[Stevko]

@Stevko I notice you have the Beyerdynamic T1 3rd Generation along with a few Grados - I've been eyeing up the T1 3rd Gen myself - how do you think it compares with / complements the Grados?

It is engaging. perfect bass,detailed. laid back.
A little bit dark.
Old recordings sounds good. Good build quality. nice cables. Hand made in Germany. Possible to buy spare parts..
some music sounds best on T1,other music is better with Grado.
I love both.
Grado offer something magic that other headphones can't.
I am Grado and Beyerdynamic fan.Both are good on they different ways

 

[qua2k]

…and that cocobolo…

Definitely aesthetics included

 

[jonathan c]

It is engaging. perfect bass,detailed. laid back.
A little bit dark.
Old recordings sounds good. Good build quality. nice cables. Hand made in Germany. Possible to buy spare parts..
some music sounds best on T1,other music is better with Grado.
I love both.
Grado offer something magic that other headphones can't.
I am Grado and Beyerdynamic fan.Both are good on they different ways

I agree. I just wish that there were a high impedance (300 ohm ) Grado that I could use with OTL tube h/p/a. If that means still no detachable cable, still sign me up!

 

[SpeckledJim]

It is engaging. perfect bass,detailed. laid back.
A little bit dark.
Old recordings sounds good. Good build quality. nice cables. Hand made in Germany. Possible to buy spare parts..
some music sounds best on T1,other music is better with Grado.
I love both.
Grado offer something magic that other headphones can't.
I am Grado and Beyerdynamic fan.Both are good on they different ways

Thanks - good to hear that it's different as that's what I'm interested in. I tried HD660s but didn't find them that engaging - was hoping that T1.3 would add a little more velvety warmth.

 

[Shane D]

I agree. I just wish that there were a high impedance (300 ohm ) Grado that I could use with OTL tube h/p/a. If that means still no detachable cable, still sign me up!

I find the Grado's awesome with Little Dot amps. I enjoyed my MKIII and now my MK9. And they are right at home on my warm/tubish V220.

 

[Shane D]

Took a photo of the delineation between the cocobolo wood and hemp on the RS-1X.

I’ve been torn between the different “premium” Grado pad makers. Is Beautiful Audio considered the best?

This will definitely fall into the "personal preferences" category, but they are for me. I find that no Grado pads come close (and I finally tried a real Grado G-Cush), in terms of comfort and even sound.
My GH2's are built for a small bowl pad, which the L-Cush are. I also enjoyed them on the Hemp's. I find the F-pads a little harsh/loud as the drivers are just millimeters from your ear canal. I always have to turn the volume down with the stock pads, but I am not a loud listener.

Not sure about every Grado, but if the models were built for a small bowl pad, I would definitely say yes.
But they are not cheap.

 

[Strat1117]

Hemps arrived today. First impression, just streaming some live JGB, is very good - warm, open, full; just what I was hoping for. The oem F pads, of course, got a good soaking, so I am using the L pads from my RS-1e while I wait for the F pads to dry, but even with these L pads, they sound lovely. Tried the Vever jumbo pads briefly and they are definitely NOT a good match - ponderous and slow, high end completely gone. Who knows, perhaps I’ll decide the L’s are the pads to use?

Thanks again @ekolite - certainly seem worth the very reasonable price of admission.

 

[Stevko]

Thanks - good to hear that it's different as that's what I'm interested in. I tried HD660s but didn't find them that engaging - was hoping that T1.3 would add a little more velvety warmth.

Warm, lovely bass and details.worth buying

 

[ekolite]

Geez - now you guys have me second guessing the Hemps before they even arrive. I had the impression you all kinda liked them, but that they were warmer and more bass-centric than the average Grado (which is something I would like). Of course, I paid about half what I see them now listed for on CAM, and they are by no means intended to be my top headphone - more of a good-night kiss for the bedside system - so maybe I don’t feel that bad.

Thank you again @ekolite!

No

Hemps arrived today. First impression, just streaming some live JGB, is very good - warm, open, full; just what I was hoping for. The oem F pads, of course, got a good soaking, so I am using the L pads from my RS-1e while I wait for the F pads to dry, but even with these L pads, they sound lovely. Tried the Vever jumbo pads briefly and they are definitely NOT a good match - ponderous and slow, high end completely gone. Who knows, perhaps I’ll decide the L’s are the pads to use?



Thanks again @ekolite - certainly seem worth the very reasonable price of admission.

There they are. I think when you swap back and forth between the L pads and the f pads you will settle on the f pads. Smoother treble and more textured bass. And I think the mids might even have a bit more even presence if memory serves me correctly. I did get a good first impression with L pads and hemps. But first impressions, only so. Enjoy!