Grado GS1000...something's not right here (newbie)

[Death]

Right, I've had SR80's for some years now, and I've always appreciated them - been using them with my PC, and sometimes with my piano. Anyway, a while ago a dog managed to get herself tangled up in them and did a violent pull (they still work, if one feels like holding the wires all the time)... so I decided to get new ones, figured it might be fun to try the GS1000's... so I ordered them, got them, plugged them into the PC and they sounded... pretty bad really.

So I had been told that they need an amp, so I got the X-CanV8, mostly because of the USB connectivity. But it didn't make any difference really.

Ok, the GS1000's doesn't sound super-awful... but if I plug in my old SR80s and the GS1000's next to eachother and switch between them while playing a tune, there's a VERY noticeable difference... and it's not in favour of the GS1000's. I'm not very good at describing sound but the old SR80's have a much more clear and detailed sound, and the bass has a lot more "oomph".
The GS1000's just sound... I dunno... somewhat muffled, and high pitch sounds tend to be a lot louder than the rest. I did try to switch the cushions as the GS1000 cushions are a bit different, but to no avail.

Hopefully this isn't the way they're supposed to sound, if it is - then I'm a bit disappointed (understatement

)


I'd really appreciate any thoughts regarding this.

Oh, and the PC has a standard AC'97 sound circuit, in case someone wants to know.

 

[Henmyr]

edit. didn't read enough.

 

[nullstring]

any chance you could go to a store that sells them and try to demo a pair there.. and see if it's any better...

Also, do grado's need to be burned in? How many hours do you have on them?

 

[robm321]

3 things:

They need a lot of break in - should tame the highs and tighten the bass.

They really need a system built around them. They don't sound as good as the cheaper Grados out of a PC. And the Xcans is not the best match for them. However, there should have been an improvement over no amp at all???

When you described "not enough ooomph", I'm guess that quick energy that the SR and RS series gives to rock music. The GS-1000 has a different sound to it. There is a delay to the ears unlike the other Grados which gives an open "airy" sound rather than an instant wack even though the drives have the same speed.

In summary, I think you should return the GS-1000s if you can and upgrade to the SR225 or RS-1 which would give you a similar sound to the SR80s only much better.

 

[mark_h]

They are probably broken if they are new then swap them. From the same source/amp they will sound way better than the sr80 from the off.

 

[Death]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nullstring /img/forum/go_quote.gif any chance you could go to a store that sells them and try to demo a pair there.. and see if it's any better... Also, do grado's need to be burned in? How many hours do you have on them?

That's a good idea! Nearest store is quite far away, but will keep that in mind next time I pass it.

As for burned in... I reckon I've used them an hour or two this far... so yeah, I guess I'll see if they change after some more usage. I seem to recall my SR80's sounded bang on from the start tho.

 

[Covenant]

I would recommend you return them, as well. If you have a chance to try one, give the RS-1 a whirl.

I've never heard the GS1000 myself, but the consensus is that it deviates from the Grado 'house sound', as heard in the SR60 and RS-1. I've owned the SR60 and heard the RS-1 for comparison many times, and the latter is a definite upgrade and refinement over the former, whilst still maintaining that midrange magic and intimate presentation.

 

[lucky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I had been told that they need an amp, so I got the X-CanV8, mostly because of the USB connectivity. But it didn't make any difference really.

That's because, despite what the Head-fi echo chamber would have you believe, amps aren't nearly as relevant as folks here say they are. If you don't like the fundamental sound of a set of headphones, don't try to fix it with an amp; just return the phones for a pair you prefer.

Too many here will try to convince you that if you don't like the sound of their favorite phones, you must not be amping them properly. Ignore them, and trust your ears instead. In this case, it sounds like you'd be better off returning the GS1000 and buying a different set of phones altogether.

 

[nikongod]

I agree, the GS-1000 are a far cry from the normal grado house sound. RS-1 are where its at if you liked the SR-80

 

[plonter]

i don't know about you guys...whan i purchased my rs-1 a few days ago (and let me just say in the 100 time..breathtaking!)i also gave a listen to a pair of gs-1000. all i have to say is...oh baby! they sound like the rs-1 but better imo. as i recall they pretty much had the grado sound signature big time.
i think they were a well broken in pair also!

 

[ruknd]

I would concur that they may be defective.

Also, as they say..crap in---->crap out. The new cans are much more revealing and it may be they are just not suitable for your application with a PC. Are you using a DAC? Amp? What components?

 

[El_Doug]

I personally can't stand the GS1000, and much prefer the SR60 sound to them. People talk about "needing to amp them properly," while I heard them out of a Woo6 :S

You may simply not like their sound - not necessarily a flaw in the headphones, and certainly not worth the stress of trying to find the "problem"

I'm sure youll LOVE RS1's

 

[Death]

Wow. Domo arigatou for all the replies this far! =)

I'm off for a while now, will digest all this information and return tomorrow.

Edit:
Quote:

I would concur that they may be defective. Also, as they say..crap in---->crap out. The new cans are much more revealing and it may be they are just not suitable for your application with a PC. Are you using a DAC? Amp? What components?

Right now it's PC (usb)-> X-CanV8 -> headphones

 

[immtbiker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's because, despite what the Head-fi echo chamber would have you believe, amps aren't nearly as relevant as folks here say they are. If you don't like the fundamental sound of a set of headphones, don't try to fix it with an amp; just return the phones for a pair you prefer. Too many here will try to convince you that if you don't like the sound of their favorite phones, you must not be amping them properly. Ignore them, and trust your ears instead. In this case, it sounds like you'd be better off returning the GS1000 and buying a different set of phones altogether.

What bitter pill did we take this morning? You certainly are talking like an authoritarian.

You say, "trust your ears instead". How can you trust your ears, if you don't try various options.
If you truly believe that different amps won't give you different experiences, there's nothing that anybody can say to you.

An HD600/iPod Shuffle combo is the perfect gift for you, the man who has seen it all, and knows it all!

 

[Drumonron]

You have a defective pair. But also after returning them, from your statements...you probably would like the RS-1 more than the GS1K. RS-1 is more forgiving of system shortcomings....GS1K needs a refined system and probably more than an SR80 based system.

Return the GS1K and move to RS-1 and all will be right.