[elvergun]

I also have my drawer of pads

But as others said...99% the original one is the winner. In fact for me the only excpetion is the RS1x...it seems to be better with F pads. I have Shipobo, Beutiful Audio (big and small) and every one of them moves the sound away from the essence of what Grado is (the reason to own a Grado). My 2 cent.

That is a well organized drawer.


Mine is a mess...with little black particles all over the bottom from various disintegrating pads.

No one loves those pads -- they are just sitting there waiting to fall apart. The tragedy of being an aftermarket Grado pad.

And like many of you said, my Grado headphones all have the original pads intended for them (except for my GH2 right now, which has some Gs).

 

[dynavit]

A new level of crazy...

As you can see in my Signature, I have a quite uncommon system (System 1 I mean). I just loooove the sound quailty of Aries Cerat. I decided to buy the Genus, because it is also a terrific headphone amp (those 845 Elrog tubes are amazing). It is a natural match to the Abyss, but has some background noise on the right channel with Grado. I mean, we are talking about a 20W SET amplifier direct to a headphone, so it is actually very good, I could listen with these despite the hum with my GS3000x hours long.

But it bugged me of course, so I built a resistor divider networt for my Grado (similar to what Jon Grado suggested back in the day). Resistor values are 6.8Ohm and 1Ohm (thanks for @Aleksandar R. for the suggestion!). Of course I went complety overboard with the resisitors, they are Mundorf Mresist SUPREME 20W types. Plus Neutrik connectors for inserting the divider network between the headphone and the amp.

Now even my GH1 with F pads is completly silent with the system. Plus it sounds absolutely heavenly!

Really like such an overkill. Gives me the godd feeling, that I am not the only nuts person.
How does it compare to the RA-1?

 

[dynavit]

Looks like we do have a Grado-Pads-Pandemy

 

[Menkau-ra]

For my understanding, Grado might not match with EDM music. However which grado might give the best deep bass. I heard 325x provide a lot of bass when compared to 80x, is it true?

325x and Hemp have very enjoying bass.

 

[clundbe1]

For my understanding, Grado might not match with EDM music. However which grado might give the best deep bass. I heard 325x provide a lot of bass when compared to 80x, is it true?

I love EDM with Grados. Gh1 and Gh2 and Hemp with BA pads are go go.

 

[ESL-1]

Those two are very good choices and reasonably priced as @Menkau-ra recommended.

In my opinion the Grado that had the best bass (impact & detail) would be the former TOTL PS2000e.
As it has been phased out you would have to find one used and it would still be much more expensive than either of the other two so it might not suit what you are willing to spend.

Have fun…

 

[jonathan c]

I also have my drawer of pads

But as others said...99% the original one is the winner. In fact for me the only excpetion is the RS1x...it seems to be better with F pads.*** I have Shipobo, Beutiful Audio (big and small) and every one of them moves the sound away from the essence of what Grado is (the reason to own a Grado). My 2 cent.

*** AGREE!, and my preference is TTVJ Deluxe Flats

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

Tried MS-2X with Bowl pads, bass goes out the window and hello peaky brittle treble, definitely prefer the stock flats.
Also broke out an old dac/dap the Teac P90SD, this thing is bassy, forward yet smooth, with great depth, was overlooked and underrated back when it released in 2014, easily competing with products 3x the price, it's a great match with the MS-2X, I use it as a USB DAC with my PC at work. The MS-2X also works a treat with EDM.

 

[boromcom]

I tried my SR80x with EDM. I think it might missing oomph as it is on ear design.

 

[Modgeezer]

Looking to join the Grado fan club but after reading 200 pages I’m more confused than ever. RS2e, GS3000x, GS3000, white, RS1x, gh4
My favorite band is the Smiths and I listen to allot of alternative and indie, britpop, soul, 60s pop
I started my journey with the fidelio X2 then Hofmann ananda, focal elegia.
I don’t want to get a cheap set and immediately want to upgrade. I’ll have to save up for Gs3000 but willing to save for the right pair. Any suggestions.
New or used is fine

 

[Alucard1]

Looking to join the Grado fan club but after reading 200 pages I’m more confused than ever. RS2e, GS3000x, GS3000, white, RS1x, gh4
My favorite band is the Smiths and I listen to allot of alternative and indie, britpop, soul, 60s pop
I started my journey with the fidelio X2 then Hofmann ananda, focal elegia.
I don’t want to get a cheap set and immediately want to upgrade. I’ll have to save up for Gs3000 but willing to save for the right pair. Any suggestions.
New or used is fine

Chord Hugo TT2 + Meze Empyrean.

 

[Modgeezer]

Thank you for the recommendation. The thing that has me memorized by Grado is their emphasis of mids. Will I get that with the empyreans

 

[rocketron]

Thank you for the recommendation. The thing that has me memorized by Grado is their emphasis of mids. Will I get that with the empyreans

Very few headphones sound like Grado.
Try if you can and demo some at a dealer?

What will you be using them with?

 

[elvergun]

Looking to join the Grado fan club but after reading 200 pages I’m more confused than ever. RS2e, GS3000x, GS3000, white, RS1x, gh4

The RS2e/RS2x is always the safe bet, IMO. If you can get your hands on a GH4, go for that one.

 

[Ilomaenkimi]

325x and Hemp have very enjoying bass.

Hemp with iFi GO link has very good bass. Much better than with RME ADI-2 DAC fs.