GRADO GR10: Reviews, First Impressions Thread

[Spyro]

As I said in another thread, it is the most complete and cohesive sounding presentation of any IEM I have ever heard.  Just beautiful....

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

i think it goes without saying that gr10 is an upgrade over dba02
 
as much  praised as dba is in here , we have to take facts over admiration
 
but any comments on the gr10 are welcome , since this seem like a pair of killer IEM's

Your post makes no sense to me.  Based on what do you conclude the GR10 is factually better than anything?

 

[Sarah]

Quote:

I'm liking my GR8 more and more. I've also manged to get my hands on the GR10. I will be letting them burn in and then I will post my impressions.

Looking forward to hearing a side-by-side GR8/GR10 comparison. I'm selling off a few things to fund the GR10 but I'm keeping the GR8 at least until I hear the GR10... I'm thinking of "demoting" the GR8 to my commuting 'phone so I can keep them indefinitely, but it seems like kind of a waste of money to wear anything high-end on the bus.

 

[daveDerek]

Quote:

Quote:

I'm liking my GR8 more and more. I've also manged to get my hands on the GR10. I will be letting them burn in and then I will post my impressions.

Looking forward to hearing a side-by-side GR8/GR10 comparison. I'm selling off a few things to fund the GR10 but I'm keeping the GR8 at least until I hear the GR10... I'm thinking of "demoting" the GR8 to my commuting 'phone so I can keep them indefinitely, but it seems like kind of a waste of money to wear anything high-end on the bus.

 
i'm looking forward to hearing these comparisons. if anyone can do other comparisions to both iems as well as non-iem cans, it'd be interesting.
 

 

[Spyro]

Earlier in the thread I described the distict differences between GR8 and GR10.
 
While I fully enjoyed GR8, it had a slight graininess to the sound.  With GR10, the graininess seems gone, it is a bit more efficient, has a bit more bass and has quite a bit more treble and overall clarity.  Soundstage the same.  I considered GR10 at least 20-25% improvement which I consider BIG at this level of IEM.
 
While obviously I haven't heard all IEM's out there I think this one is unique and special.  I can't wait to hear others opnions.  With acoustic vocal music specifically, I would put it up against any IEM universal or custom at any cost.  It's absolutely magical....

 

[Sarah]

Yes, I did read your comparison and that's what got me itching to buy one

  I am just looking forward to hearing another GR8/GR10 review, and in this case from someone who has both IEMs in hand and can make very specific comparisons listening side by side. Since I am most familiar with the GR8s, and have them on hand, that particular comparison is especially meaningful to me.

 

[zotjen]

Spyro, thank you for your insights on the GR10. I currently use the UM2's and have been thinking of upgrading to the W3. I am now considering the GR10 as well. I'm thinking that I'll be happy with either of these choices but since I will be using them primarily while commuting, do you feel that one is better than the other for that purpose? It sounds like the GR10 is more analytical which wouldn't necessarily be a needed attribute while commuting, but what about things like isolation, microphonics, etc.? Thanks.

 

[Spyro]

 
Quote:

Spyro, thank you for your insights on the GR10. I currently use the UM2's and have been thinking of upgrading to the W3. I am now considering the GR10 as well. I'm thinking that I'll be happy with either of these choices but since I will be using them primarily while commuting, do you feel that one is better than the other for that purpose? It sounds like the GR10 is more analytical which wouldn't necessarily be a needed attribute while commuting, but what about things like isolation, microphonics, etc.? Thanks.

The W3 will isolate better.  Both are HUGE upgrades in sound over UM2.  If you really like UM2 I would probably steer you to W3.  You will be blown away by the increased soundstage and overall clarity and detail improvement over UM2.  Bass is also even stronger than UM2 but you get much more treble detail and soundstage as well with W3.  Can't go wrong.
 
GR10 bass is about even or a hair less than UM2.  EVERY OTHER ASPECT destroys UM2 in every regard.
 
So if you like your bass I would go for W3.  If the bass is not as important I would get the GR10. 
 

 

[Spyro]

Quote:

US dealers will not ship outside of the US. Outside of the US, they can be purchased from the authorized dealer of that country. I'm liking my GR8 more and more. I've also manged to get my hands on the GR10. I will be letting them burn in and then I will post my impressions.

Let's hear it.  You don't need to burn them in.  I thought my treble got smoother over time but I actually think it was more a case of finding the right tip size..
 

 

[goodvibes]

I'll probably have mine tomorrow. I'll do some controlled breakin listening with something to compare it to. I bet they change some but are just good enough out of the box where it's not really an issue.

 

[Woody469]

It's taking every bit of restraint I have to not pull the trigger on the GR10. Oh, I'm going to own a pair soon enough but I wanted to pay off a few bills first. Also, I was hoping to come across the GR10 for a slightly lower price if possible.
 
I got the GR8 for about $180,00 brand new from OneCall when they first came out. The GR8 has been my go to iem ever since. They are completely magical to me. Very convenient too. No twisting and turning and pulling the ear back for a proper fit.
 
The tips stay put. I am told they are made using a unique process from a unique material. When I wrote Grado about replacement tips, I was told they can be purchased from any Grado dealer for like $25.00 a pair. I don't recommend any tip with these except for the stock tips.
 
As for the bass. I find the GR8's bass better than just about any other iem. BUT, to bring out that magic the GR8 for me had to be properly amped. They also sound killer paired wth a HiFiMan HM801.  Again, knowing how much I love the GR8, I can't wait to get my hands on a pair of GR10's.

 

[rawrster]

Quote:

I'll probably have mine tomorrow. I'll do some controlled breakin listening with something to compare it to. I bet they change some but are just good enough out of the box where it's not really an issue.

I look forward to your thoughts on them I hope they are as good as my expectations are for them.

 

[daveDerek]

Quote:

It's taking every bit of restraint I have to not pull the trigger on the GR10. Oh, I'm going to own a pair soon enough but I wanted to pay off a few bills first.

that's not the Head-fi spirit. ya know, 'welcome to h-f - where wallets go to suffer and die!' 

 

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

Very convenient too. No twisting and turning and pulling the ear back for a proper fit.
 
The tips stay put. I am told they are made using a unique process from a unique material. When I wrote Grado about replacement tips, I was told they can be purchased from any Grado dealer for like $25.00 a pair. I don't recommend any tip with these except for the stock tips.
 

 
Agree completely.
 

 

[goodvibes]

Just got mine and the tips are fab. I, like Spyro, have gone to the large tips. The mediums were actually OK for me but the large more consistent. So, 1st 5 minutes sound tight in the bottom and a bit prominant in the lower treble so I think breakin did occur for Spyro. They really do sound like they need to free up to me though I hear the sense of air space that Spyro describes. things aren't seperating out as much as I'm sure they will. I'll know more tomorrow and wont listen again until then to see what changes.