grungychamois
New Head-Fier
My amazing SR125X with leather headband. Aluminum blocks and Yaxi pads. Cant stay from jazz with these babies.
No, want to would not be the right description. I do agree in that to me most headphones shape the sound as they like. If you go to lots of live concerts that is not the sound you hear. To over generalize the other phones sound like “High Fidelity” while the HP1 & HP2 sound like music”.Exactly. Anything other than flat sounds wonky with my Grados.
I can vouch for HP2. It has been a while since I had the "holy " moment (the last time was in an Aries Cerat room) and I said those words as soon as I put on HP2 with TTVJ flat I had. It has mid range naturalness rivaling Utopia, the slam and PRaT that's not matched anywhere except perhaps Pulsar, the treble is sweet and well behaving (not as extended or detailed as Utopia), the micro dynamics in the mid is perhaps only second to Utopia, there is also this level of transparency that's really matched/better by Utopia, no issue with timbre whatsoever, bass definition is right up there with the best, the bass roll off is slightly worse than Utopia OG (I can hear a bit of 40hz and just a bit of 30hz) - no issue with regular music. The sound stage width is pretty good, depth is behind both Utopias and overall image and size is obviously behind 800S. The height presentation is not quite SOTA, but you can hear height in the stage. Image is stable, precise with air/blackness around voice/instruments. The presentation is in front of you and not in your head. Resolution is behind Utopia but about where Clear is at, which is still very good, just not amazing. Having said those, the one word I would use to describe HP2 is musical.
I didn't even use some crazy electronics either - headphone out from Playback Designs Merlot.
So..are you sure you want to sell yours?
Good luck with the sale. I would never spend that much on a headphone that can no longer be serviced, despite claims that headphones can last "decades" with love and care. It's more of a collection piece than something I'd want to actually use. I wonder how many Sony R10s are still working, as those drivers were made of biocellulose and degrade over time...I currently have a pristine pair of HP2 phones for sale in the classified section and am including two brand new pairs of Grado flats so a possible buyer will be set for some time listening to a classic as it was designed to be heard.
Being able to get service is an illusion in high end. Focal charges you $1400 (IIRC) to replace Utopia drivers for out of warranty cans (5 or 3 years depending on the model and region) and Audeze charges you about $1200 (may be higher now) to replace LCD4 drivers. If you can’t afford the high replacement/repair costs, you should not be buying high end cans in the first place. ZMF by contract warranties their cans forever (only originally owner), which is amazing, but their high end dynamics sound colored and I don’t like them for the price. The state of industry truly sucks these days.Good luck with the sale. I would never spend that much on a headphone that can no longer be serviced, despite claims that headphones can last "decades" with love and care. It's more of a collection piece than something I'd want to actually use. I wonder how many Sony R10s are still working, as those drivers were made of biocellulose and degrade over time...
The PS500 might be a nice addition to your collection I think. Never heard the PS1000 (neither OG nor e), but the PS2000e is nice as well.So if I love the GH2, have the Hemp and RS1(OG), didn’t see the GH4 and GS3000e as a “useful” addition to these three (although I liked them both), and would be looking to add a fourth one to the group, what would be the recommendation?
Thinking hard about a PS500/1000/2000e but can’t decide which one makes the most sense (and assuming a 500x won’t be easily available any time soon), but maybe another one would fit even better…?
Mostly listen to “handmade” music, acoustic and distorted, but also wander into Electronics sometimes.
Exactly. Anything other than flat sounds wonky with my Grados.
I can vouch for HP2. It has been a while since I had the "holy " moment (the last time was in an Aries Cerat room) and I said those words as soon as I put on HP2 with TTVJ flat I had. It has mid range naturalness rivaling Utopia, the slam and PRaT that's not matched anywhere except perhaps Pulsar, the treble is sweet and well behaving (not as extended or detailed as Utopia), the micro dynamics in the mid is perhaps only second to Utopia, there is also this level of transparency that's really matched/better by Utopia, no issue with timbre whatsoever, bass definition is right up there with the best, the bass roll off is slightly worse than Utopia OG (I can hear a bit of 40hz and just a bit of 30hz) - no issue with regular music. The sound stage width is pretty good, depth is behind both Utopias and overall image and size is obviously behind 800S. The height presentation is not quite SOTA, but you can hear height in the stage. Image is stable, precise with air/blackness around voice/instruments. The presentation is in front of you and not in your head. Resolution is behind Utopia but about where Clear is at, which is still very good, just not amazing. Having said those, the one word I would use to describe HP2 is musical.
I didn't even use some crazy electronics either - headphone out from Playback Designs Merlot.
So..are you sure you want to sell yours?
Just dug up an old CSD graph…that’s some impressive waterfall.
Utopia CSD
Are the f pads the same as TTVJ deluxe? I know TTVJ also has the regular flat pads.Wow, you've got quite the headphone lineup! I gave the f-pads a shot on my PS500x recently, but the sound ended up being too dark for me. It's a bummer because I find the f-pads more comfortable than the L-pads. Hey John and Rich, if you're tuning in, maybe think about using the f-pads for the next Heritage Grado (GH5x?) model.
Are the f pads the same as TTVJ deluxe? I know TTVJ also has the regular flat pads.
An inderstandable concern and their classic status can play on your mind. I purchased the original RS-1 vintage with buttons right after the HP1000 production ended and they still get a good bit of use and nary a problem of any sort. Of course there are no guarantees but I have found that headphone drivers and speakers are among the most long lived and reliable.Good luck with the sale. I would never spend that much on a headphone that can no longer be serviced, despite claims that headphones can last "decades" with love and care. It's more of a collection piece than something I'd want to actually use. I wonder how many Sony R10s are still working, as those drivers were made of biocellulose and degrade over time...
... there is GS3000x . A real complement to GH2, GH4, Hemp, RS-1 "button". [Verified by ownership ] Plus, it is a current offering.So if I love the GH2, have the Hemp and RS1(OG), didn’t see the GH4 and GS3000e as a “useful” addition to these three (although I liked them both), and would be looking to add a fourth one to the group, what would be the recommendation?
Thinking hard about a PS500/1000/2000e but can’t decide which one makes the most sense (and assuming a 500x won’t be easily available any time soon), but maybe another one would fit even better…?
Mostly listen to “handmade” music, acoustic and distorted, but also wander into Electronics sometimes.
Don't forget to break it in before you send it back...I have ordered an Sr325x. If I don't like it the I can return it wihin the return window.