[jonathan c]

I admit it's largely that my current hunt is for... a Hemp++. Something (any brand, really) that offers the kind of warm, musical experience the Hemp does just an upgraded version of it. Though I'm starting to suspect no such headphone exists haha

The limited edition GH-2 and the erstwhile PS500e…

 

[digitalreferee]

What would you guys recommend as a good first-buy to get into the Grado club? I have personally heard the SR60 and SR125 before (I believe it was the e version for both) and I enjoyed the both of them. There are a lot of SR60/80/125 available second hand. Are there any revisions to avoid (between no letter, i, e and x)? I know I don't enjoy the cables much on the latest x versions (that sort of stiff nylon mesh) but that's about it.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

The limited edition GH-2 and the erstwhile PS500e…

The GH-2 definitely has my attention. Hadn't considered the PS500e though. Might have to poke around the used market a tad.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

What would you guys recommend as a good first-buy to get into the Grado club? I have personally heard the SR60 and SR125 before (I believe it was the e version for both) and I enjoyed the both of them. There are a lot of SR60/80/125 available second hand. Are there any revisions to avoid (between no letter, i, e and x)? I know I don't enjoy the cables much on the latest x versions (that sort of stiff nylon mesh) but that's about it.

sr80, imo, any revision.

 

[YtseJamer]

How do you like the Atrium compared to Grado?

To my ears, the sound signature of the Atrium is similar with the Hemp, but the Atrium are a good notch above the Hemp at every levels.

I admit it's largely that my current hunt is for... a Hemp++. Something (any brand, really) that offers the kind of warm, musical experience the Hemp does just an upgraded version of it. Though I'm starting to suspect no such headphone exists haha

Hemp++ = ZMF Atrium if you have the budget

 

[Plautus001]

sr80, imo, any revision.

Won't argue... I still like my SR60e too...

Stretching the budget... SR325x no contest

 

[SomeGuyDude]

To my ears, the sound signature of the Atrium is similar with the Hemp, but the Atrium are a good notch above the Hemp at every levels.



Hemp++ = ZMF Atrium if you have the budget

Sheeoooo. Let's call that my pipe dream headphone for someday later. I've always wanted something ZMF, so this solidifies which.

maybe that's it. i just won't upgrade until I have the funds for that bad boy.

 

[YtseJamer]

Sheeoooo. Let's call that my pipe dream headphone for someday later. I've always wanted something ZMF, so this solidifies which.

maybe that's it. i just won't upgrade until I have the funds for that bad boy.

The Atrium is a very special headphone, but man it's hard to beat the Hemp for $469.

 

[Plautus001]

The Atrium is a very special headphone, but man it's hard to beat the Hemp for $469.

Unless it's the SR325x

That being said, there is probably a reason Grado calls their sales site, "4 our Ears".

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Unless it's the SR325x

That being said, there is probably a reason Grado calls their sales site, "4 our Ears".

I think this one mostly just comes down to taste. I haven't heard the 325x but unless it's WILDLY different to the rest of the SR line I admit I prefer the Hempo.

 

[Luckyleo]

Just to balance out the RS2x love - they were very fast, and had a nice bite in the treble/upper mids (if you want laser-like guitars then these are great) but overall quite bright and fatiguing for me. No big difference in soundstage between them and the RS1x (L pads are L pads, at the end of the day). Something about the bass on the RS2x didn’t work for me either, better at handing sub bass than their pricier sibling, but it felt like I wasn’t getting all the information from bass instruments. Basically - a bit more rumble/nice head vibrations, but a less complete picture down there (fwiw to add context - I enjoy the bass on the RS1x, with L pads no less, the only time I feel I’m missing out is on any tracks that have prominent sub bass ala some EDM).

Anyway, the above isn’t to slate the RS2x, as I found them fun, they look great, and they really were fast and added an enjoyable crispness and bite to tracks, but for extended listening the RS1x were my preference.

I agree 100%. Much better headphone in my opinion, based on my system and based on my listening preferences. Not close....

Leo

 

[Plautus001]

I think this one mostly just comes down to taste. I haven't heard the 325x but unless it's WILDLY different to the rest of the SR line I admit I prefer the Hempo.

This may be of use

Headfonia - review and comparison of SR325x and SR80x

 

[Ilomaenkimi]

I admit it's largely that my current hunt is for... a Hemp++. Something (any brand, really) that offers the kind of warm, musical experience the Hemp does just an upgraded version of it. Though I'm starting to suspect no such headphone exists haha

That’s curse of this hobby; never satisfied.
I’m very pleased my Hemps. There’s nothing wrong at Hemps sound for me. I enjoy music a lot with them. A lot.
But, ”maybe better ampification??”

If sound pleases it’s wise to just enjoy for music. Sitting down, close your eyes and relax.

 

[Stevko]

Comparing Grado GS100e, SR325, SR325i

I am rapidly converging on my goal of updating my rank ordering of 13 Grado models on the criteria of transparency, bass, soundstage, and treble (see link in my signature) to reflect my current inventory of 24 Grados (yike!).

As I analyze the set of 3-way comparisons, I find one hole is that I have not compared my Grado SR325, acquired rather recently, to anything.

So here goes. As always, one may look here for specifics on the tests.



Comparison of Grado GS1000e, SR325, and SR325i.

Here are the results (higher numbers are better):



As improved as my GS1000e is from over 250 hours of use over the past 11 months, it still has a tubbiness and congested quality to its bass, yet does not achieve the same degree of Grado transparency that I love. The SR325, which is the original release of the SR325 series that became SR325, SR325i, SR325is, and SR325e, scores a bit higher than the GS1000e on all tests except soundstage, the closely-associated positional resolution, and treble detail as measured by "finger pluck." The SR325i, outsores the SR325 on all counts.

So not worth buying the GS1000e?

 

[jonmbarlow]

We’ll just bought my first pair of Grados…..went for the sr325x as I like a bit of bass, got some geekria pads en-route and will probably go for the DeKoni Fenestrated pads in time, looking forward to giving these a listen!