[Leliana]

I heard the PS500 today. I definitely enjoy it a lot more than the RS2i that I had. The RS2i was a bit bright for my preferences and the PS500 was enjoyable in a similar way to the HE400 I used to have. It certainly had a nice feel for Doom Metal and other darker styles of aggressive music. If I were to ever pick up a Grado again this would be it, but the LCD2 and Mad Dog hold down the dark headphone catergory for me. The PS500 had a better soundstage than the other Grados to my ears, more relaxed and less in your face. Thick mid bass tilt which give a phat bottom end to guitars but didn't have the in your face upper mids and treble.
 
Not sure if I would prefer it to the HE400 or not, couldn't do a side by side having sold the HE400.

 

[bassboysam]

i compared the he400 and ps500 side by side not long ago. i preferred the ps500. the he400 goes lower but the soundstage is too wide for me and it's not quite as alive as the ps500. treble response was about the same but the mids sound like they are more recessed in the HE400.

 

[streetdragon]

Quote:

after having read everyones thoughts and checking out headrooms "lab"
the 500 sounds very appealing, it seems like it might be similar to the ms2
i really need to go up to nashville and hear it some of the other grado's i haven't heard !

Its a bassier and smoother version of an MS2i from what I auditioned. The midbass bump in the PS500 is quite prominent for a grado.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Its a bassier and smoother version of an MS2i from what I auditioned. The midbass bump in the PS500 is quite prominent for a grado.

Actually I find the mid bass hump on the PS1000 bigger.

 

[jaywillin]

Quote:

Its a bassier and smoother version of an MS2i from what I auditioned. The midbass bump in the PS500 is quite prominent for a grado.

wow, smoother than the ms2, that smoothness is one of the reasons i let the 225 go even though i really liked it, the ms2 is was smoother, but still has the detail i like

 

[joseph69]

Quote:

The mod still does not provide the soundstage that the L-cush has though.

Yes I understand this, I stated that above. I definitly prefer the (L) cushions out of all the grade cushions on my 80i's and my 325is's, but the quarter modded (S) cushion brings the mid-range right upfront, which is pretty intimate, being that the driver is closer to the ears, makes you feel like your right on stage.

 

[joseph69]

Quote:

after having read everyones thoughts and checking out headrooms "lab"
the 500 sounds very appealing, it seems like it might be similar to the ms2
i really need to go up to nashville and hear it some of the other grado's i haven't heard !

These were my exact thoughts after have owning the MS2i's and reading the posts based on the sound signature of the PS500. So I know you own the MS2i's, so to me sounds like you have a very, very close sound (all though I've never hear the PS500) for a couple of hundred dollars less from how these posts are describing them.  

 

[j0val]

I heard the PS500 today. I definitely enjoy it a lot more than the RS2i that I had. The RS2i was a bit bright for my preferences and the PS500 was enjoyable in a similar way to the HE400 I used to have. It certainly had a nice feel for Doom Metal and other darker styles of aggressive music. If I were to ever pick up a Grado again this would be it, but the LCD2 and Mad Dog hold down the dark headphone catergory for me. The PS500 had a better soundstage than the other Grados to my ears, more relaxed and less in your face. Thick mid bass tilt which give a phat bottom end to guitars but didn't have the in your face upper mids and treble.

Not sure if I would prefer it to the HE400 or not, couldn't do a side by side having sold the HE400.

I gave up the ps500 for the he400. So far, I have no regret. I like the more open soundstage and slightly less in your face presentation. Although, I do think I would like to own a pair of the ps500s again in the future.

 

[whirlwind]

I am currently saving for a pair of PS500.
 
I sure wish they made them in chromies though.

 

[rakinkeen]

so seems like everybody's 'poisoned' with PS500 xD

 

[bassboysam]

ps500 is a great headphone that works well with a lot of setups and music. i'm spending a lot of time with a classic RS1 this weekend and they are not as bright as i originally thought and the bass is sufficient. it's the overall presentation and the separation if instruments that reallt blows me away. the PS500 can't match the RS1 in those departments in my opinion.

 

[swspiers]

Yeah.  I feel like I'm stuck between the different Grado presentations.  It's going to boil down to trying all the different versions I guess.  THAT's going to have to wait until after I graduate around the first of the year though. 
 In the meantime I can listen vicariously through this thread!

 

[markm1]

Quote:

i compared the he400 and ps500 side by side not long ago. i preferred the ps500. the he400 goes lower but the soundstage is too wide for me and it's not quite as alive as the ps500. treble response was about the same but the mids sound like they are more recessed in the HE400.

Does the HE 500 win over the PS500 or RS1 IYO? Those are among my short list for an upgrade to my 225 at some point.....

 

[bassboysam]

Does the HE 500 win over the PS500 or RS1 IYO? Those are among my short list for an upgrade to my 225 at some point.....

never tried the HE500 so i can't say. however i found the HE400 very uncomfortable to wear. it just didn't fit me right. if the HE500 is the same then I'd say the Grados win simply because i wouldn't be abe to wear the hifimans.

 

[j0val]

The he400 definitely take a little getting used to in regards to comfort. They are bulky and slightly heavy for a headphone. The ps500s are for sure lighter and less bulky. Although, the ps500s can get a little irritating because they mostly sit on your ear. On the other hand, the hifiman can get hot and sticky with the stock pleather pads.