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

[majkel]

The RS1's are very easy headphones - to drive and to enjoy. They might make a jaw drop on a HD600's owner's face plugged into the iRiver E10 loaded with ogg ~500kb/s files. They are even easier than the RS2's to satisfy their sonic signature.
Regarding resolution - the RS2's have it much better than the SR80's, and the GS1000's are more resolving than the RS2's.
Pleas don't take it personally but this is just another "I bought the GS1000's and they sound terrible on my undisputably great rig" thread. Some guys here, just due to mileage on this forum and different headphone related toys think they know everything about the GS1000's. The true high end owners admit that these headphones exceed in some areas all known to them headphone gems. Here you have OII, R10's, HE90's, Edition 9's, K1000's. Ask people like: blackmore, robm321, AC1, Piotr Ryka what they think about the GS1000's and what equipment they have used them with. I will repeat for a very second time - they need a very good class A tube or SS amp, very good and matching source, appropriate cables, etc. Then the show begins. And it is a true show. I listened to the Anna Netrebko's "Souvenirs" yesterday for the second time. Man, it's like being in a big, luxurious opera, or like in a dark gothic church, depending on the track. With the Silverchair's "Frogstomp" it's like participating in the recording session between them in a damp garage. If it's not - your GS1000's aren't fed well, sorry.

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death /img/forum/go_quote.gif The GS1000's just sound... I dunno... somewhat muffled, and high pitch sounds tend to be a lot louder than the rest.

These were my experiences when I first heard GS1000 in my own setup (which wasn't for this headphone). After that I've heard them in better matched setups but still they aren't for me. With Singlepower Supra and Wadia CDP combo they were quite OK actually. Still nothing special. These headphones just aren't for me and this might be the case with you also.

Some people in this thread say that you have defective pair. That sounds ridiculous to me. The sound you described is exactly the kind I'd expect when connecting this headphone straight to computer or badly matched source/amp. They do have that pitch in higher frequencies which was too much for me.

 

[snejk]

Before getting a used pair of GS1000 my most used cans were Grados (SR60, RS1, MS2). My first reaction was similar to yours, and it stayed that way for a good while. I also thought about going to a dealer to compare mine, which I think might be a good idea to do if you get the opportunity, to be certain there is no manufacturing fault with them.

I don't know how many hours the pair I got had been used previously but I think a combination of headphone burn-in and brain burn-in was needed for me to really appreciate them.

I think that after having used the "standard" Grados for so long the brain was used to the more compact/forward sound of the rest of the grado line. When listening to the GS1000 the brain was more or less chocked by the difference in sound signature and soundstage/placement of voices and instruments, in a way I hadn't experienced with HD650 or K1000.

The last few months my GS1000 have been my most used cans, using the same amp and source as when I got them. I really like the soundstage and bass presentation of them. For some reason I no longer have a problem going to the RS1 and back again, maybe it's like learning to appreciate a new taste in food?

Some music is better with other headphones, but that goes for all my headphones, including the K1000. And I think it depends more on production style/quality than music genre.

So if you don't need to free the money put in the GS1000 I think it is a good idea to keep them, burn them in, and see if you can learn to love them (although writing this I realize that maybe you shouldn't need to learn to love). If you don't, sell them. People have different ears and tastes and maybe you will never like them, like many other here. Each to his own.

 

[Azoth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audioi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hate to say this as I am a long time Grado fan but I am agreeing with a few here. I own 3 pairs of Grados including the RS1's and I was disappointed when I brought the GS1000's home. Not sure I ever did warm up to them. Some guys love them and some return them.

I demoed the 325i and RS2 . I prefered the 325i. There was more oomph.
I asked the salesman the difference between RS2 and RS1 The salesman
stated RS1 is more dynamic.

 

[immtbiker]

Not sure about the MF V8, but I owned the V2 and V3 and found that they perform well with high impedance headphones (DT880, HD6XX0) but can't handle the lower impedance cans such as the Grados.
This might be part of the problem.

 

[Kees]

Quote:

Originally Posted by immtbiker /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not sure about the MF V8, but I owned the V2 and V3 and found that they perform well with high impedance headphones (DT880, HD6XX0) but can't handle the lower impedance cans such as the Grados. This might be part of the problem.

The v8 does much better with low impedance phones than the v3 did.
The v8 does more than decent with the GS1000 IMO, you just don't want to use the built-in DAC. The stock tubes are a bit bright though. I use Telefunken PCC88, which match better with the GS1000.

 

[glac1er]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cswann1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif But I think a person should start with a headphone that he likes and then find an amp to get the most from it.

Well, that's the safest way to build a system. I used to believe that it is the correct and only way, but that's not always the case. Sometimes, a good and matching setup can change a lot of things.

I hate HD600 in stock form and/or amped with good portable amps and believed that it wasn't the phone for me. After listening to a recabled one, coupled with matching high-power amp, I love the tonal balance so much, if not for the price I would've bought one.

 

[Death]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvanrij /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes it should be. The X-Can doesn't have a good DAC, but probably better then your soundcard. Very wise choice imo to keep the GS1000 and also a RS1 (see my sig ), its smart to give it a more thorough look before discarding it.

Thank you! =) You're more than welcome to pass me a verdict once you've recieved yours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0ofassa /img/forum/go_quote.gif *facepalm*

Hahah, ok ok... in retrospect that was pretty terrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepyOne /img/forum/go_quote.gif PS. RS-1 you do need 2 or so to run in and the headband does get much more comfortable after a month or so.

Just for the record - 2 <months> right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by snejk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Before getting a used pair of GS1000 my most used cans were Grados (SR60, RS1, MS2). My first reaction was similar to yours, and it stayed that way for a good while. I also thought about going to a dealer to compare mine, which I think might be a good idea to do if you get the opportunity, to be certain there is no manufacturing fault with them. I don't know how many hours the pair I got had been used previously but I think a combination of headphone burn-in and brain burn-in was needed for me to really appreciate them. I think that after having used the "standard" Grados for so long the brain was used to the more compact/forward sound of the rest of the grado line. When listening to the GS1000 the brain was more or less chocked by the difference in sound signature and soundstage/placement of voices and instruments, in a way I hadn't experienced with HD650 or K1000. The last few months my GS1000 have been my most used cans, using the same amp and source as when I got them. I really like the soundstage and bass presentation of them. For some reason I no longer have a problem going to the RS1 and back again, maybe it's like learning to appreciate a new taste in food? Some music is better with other headphones, but that goes for all my headphones, including the K1000. And I think it depends more on production style/quality than music genre. So if you don't need to free the money put in the GS1000 I think it is a good idea to keep them, burn them in, and see if you can learn to love them (although writing this I realize that maybe you shouldn't need to learn to love). If you don't, sell them. People have different ears and tastes and maybe you will never like them, like many other here. Each to his own.

Good point there. It seems likely that what one is used to has impact on the listening experience. I've been listening to the SR80's daily for... 5 years or so now, so it's probably a sound one has become comfortable with. Although I remember liking that sound from the very first moment, it was an instant "Wow!". But yeah, as mentioned before I'll hopefully be able to test them properly with matching equipment later on, and burn them in. Then I'll know for sure.

 

[robm321]

You are burning them in, right? You should leave them with semi loud music (not too loud, no clipping) pretty much 24/7. I takes at least a couple hundred hours before they open up. Mine stopped improving at about 300 hours.

... BTW, that would also go for the RS-1 when you get them.

 

[Death]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You are burning them in, right? You should leave them with semi loud music (not too loud, no clipping) pretty much 24/7. I takes at least a couple hundred hours before they open up. Mine stopped improving at about 300 hours. ... BTW, that would also go for the RS-1 when you get them.

Aye, I leave them running whenever possible.

 

[Grimspoon]

Just for a point of reference, I've been using SR125's for several years until I busted them the other week...

I just got my GS1000's in the mail today and even though they aren't a massively, mind blowingly drastic change in sound over the SR125's, I've been enjoying my listening experience quite thoroughly so far.

I'm using a very (VERY) modest setup to drive them:

B-Enspirer Sound Card > S/PDIF Optical Out > Logitech z680 Pod > GS1000

Using Foobar2000 + ASIO to play Lossless FLAC files.

The GS1000 definitely sound like Grados to me, but as I mentioned I've been using SR125's as my point of reference, and from what I gather those cans are the oddball of the Grado line-up.

So for what it's worth, my mind wasn't blown, but I'm far from disappointed!

Also, the Logitech z680 does not provide NEARLY enough power for these cans. I think I really need an amp.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death /img/forum/go_quote.gif Aye, I leave them running whenever possible.

Good job

 

[nickchen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cswann1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I get you Lucky. I think a person should start with a headphone that he likes and then find an amp to get the most from it.

Amen. But IMO such synergies are rather subtle, I doubt that an amps exists that converts a disliked headphone into a totally awesome one (of course with the exception of low ohm cans run by a crappy high ohm integrated amp).

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickchen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Amen. But IMO such synergies are rather subtle, I doubt that an amps exists that converts a disliked headphone into a totally awesome one (of course with the exception of low ohm cans run by a crappy high ohm integrated amp).

I agree - they are subtle, but in that subtleness, there can be a significant difference. When I got the Melos for the Grado HP-2 it increased my enjoyment hugely. That subtle difference was HUGE in the bigger scheme of things.

I can also say that the K-1000 out of the wrong amp sounded horrible, thin and bright which refutes your claim.. because it sounded crappy and with the right amp and source behind it, sounded exceptional.

I've also heard the GS-1000 out of the wrong amp in a computer set up at a fellow headfiers house years ago. The sibilance was off the charts - was like getting an ice pick to the brain. I would not even want to listen to the GS-1000s out of that set up. Out of the right set up, the GS-1000 is pure bliss with no glaring issues like that at all.

That being said, his set up did show the general GS-1000 sound - so, you can get the flavor anyway.

I think we missed an important question and that's what kind of music do you mostly listen to OP? If you don't listen to jazz or classical, then being a former RS-1 owner - I have to say RS-1s definately have to be experienced at least once in a lifetime

= I could never go back. The GS-1000 takes all genres to another level for me, but in a different system and for a rock only fan, the RS-1s would probably be a better fit.

 

[nickchen]

Don't bring the K1000 in here, that thing isn't a headphone, it's a near field monitor that pretends being a headphone.