Grado GS1000i versus Denon AH-D7000.....Keeping both.

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emelius /img/forum/go_quote.gif but, and here's the bit that's gonna get me in trouble, i would never never never NEVER buy the gs1000 or gs1000i having owned both the PS-1 and HP-2...they're not in the same league...they just aren't...

I'd have to agree with you there. The PS-1 and HP-2 are more refined and are among the best headphones ever made. The GS-1000 has a quality that brings life to the music and enjoyment though if properly set up - and the timbre is wonderful if you like it. If you don't then you get to save money.

The fact that it's under $1k while the HP-1000 is $1,600-1,700 and the PS-1 is grossly overpriced at $3K mainly because it's a collectors item and much more rare doesn't make me think the GS-1000 is too overpriced or any more overpriced than any of the other Grados.

AND I would add that I think the pre "i" version was before the cost cutting measures and will probably go up in price eventually. I think Grado phones have always been a bit overpriced after the SR225, but where else can you get that particular sound?

- so you gotta pay up

- Denons never did it for me. They do many things well and really nothing wrong but lose out for my tastes to the lively Grados. You could definitely help your wallet out if you like the Denons better though. They are more reasonably priced[/QUOTE]

 

[106099]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The fact that it's under $1k while the HP-1000 is $1,600-1,700 and the PS-1 is grossly overpriced at $3K mainly because it's a collectors item and much more rare doesn't make me think the GS-1000 is too overpriced or any more overpriced than any of the other Grados.

just to clarify on this. these prices are for used HP and PS1s.
it's also important to note that these limited edition designs were engineered specifically for people like us on Head-Fi.
whether they really sounded any different from the units they were based in each specific line has not been reviewed by any publication.

I have worn some of these over the years.
overall, they sounded wonderful but stay true to each of their siblings.
nothing truly jumped out and surprised me.

i am excited about the ps1000 as that could be an entire new line.

paul

 

[robm321]

Actually, the PS-1/HP-2 was designed for the studio. They were made as studio monitors, so not really headfiers. And here is a stereophile review of the HP-1000 (its about the Melos but a large chunck of it is the Melos/HP-1000 combo), so definately there IS a major publication review. I trust my ears, so it doesn't make a difference to me - but if some need a major publication review before giving something credibility, then there ya go.

Yes, they are used unless you can find a NOS pair (doubt it), but I'd rather buy something used that will increase in value than something new that will decrease in value. You can actually use it for several years and sell it for a profit. Pretty amazing. But my HPs are going nowhere. I hope to have them for life.

The PS-1000 sounds interesting, but it seems colored like the PS-1 with lots of bass from the impressions so far. It also seems like a GS-1000 with metal slapped on for almost double the price - I could get a machine shop to do that for change.

The GS-1000 is the most I'll pay for a phone that is colored like that (fun phone).

I prefer the HP-2 to all Grados - like you said nothing "jumps out" - that's what I look for, the music delivered as is. Not colored... However, there are times where I want that coloration or something to jump out which is why I like and still have the GS-1000. Get the right system behind it and it can be bliss, plus it has the RS-1/GS-1000 timbre which none of the metal Grados have - but if you have some weak spots in your system, they can sound bad or mediocre.

I definitely am not knocking the Denon as they are very good headphones, all of the ones I've heard, but they just don't fit my taste. In fact, I listened to the D5000 (markl) modded at a meet and ended up behind way more impressed with the Stax Lambda at the same meet which can be bought for $400, amp included. So, I bought it and then gave it to a friend after comparing it to the phones I have, including the GS-1000. That should put my preferences into perspective.

I have not heard the D7000, so that is worth clarifying. I don't have an opinion on that one, but I haven't gotten into the Denon sound. I think it's the "club bass" sound that may gel with others but not me.

These are all my tastes, so I'm not arguing or disagreeing- just laying it out.

 

[106099]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually, the PS-1/HP-2 was designed for the studio. They were made as studio monitors, so not really headfiers. And here is a stereophile review of the HP-1000 (its about the Melos but a large chunck of it is the Melos/HP-1000 combo), so definately there IS a major publication review. I trust my ears, so it doesn't make a difference to me - but if some need a major publication review before giving something credibility, then there ya go. ....

that's a major 'major' publication all right. still around after high fidelity and stereo review have long folded. those were the days. (isn't that a song mcCartney wrote for some chick?)

anyway robm321, that stereophile review is older than some readers of Head-Fi.

in fact, probably as much as 25%.

the GS1000i is not a drama queen and does not jump out at me. i like it very much for that. in fact, since the late 80s, i loved everyone of Grado's phones for that family trait. (except for the iGrado which i think is pretty bad. awful fit that is) like you, the PS1000 does strike me as being a bad marketing choice. i never like vinyl on sofas and think sheet metal on wood is just silly. still, john grado has been around since the 50s and have better ears that i. if only someone has a pair for me to listen to.

regarding the denon ah-d7000. you really should find a pair and listen. try some bach and led zeppelin.

paul

 

[emelius]

i just don't see the gs1000 as a good investment...they're not as good as what's in the HP or PS series and if you enjoy their timbre, why on earth wouldn't you go for the RS-1?...you could even get the older, collectible better sounding RS-1 for less...

& please don't get me wrong 'bout the Denon...they're no HP-2 either, but i do enjoy their overall presentation more than the gs1000...& the gear i used to listen to the gs1000 can be found here -- so the associated equipment wasn't the culprit...

 

[rds]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif AND I would add that I think the pre "i" version was before the cost cutting measures and will probably go up in price eventually.

It seems I've read this a few times from you now. As far as I can tell the 'i' version is changed to improve the phones.
Please tell us specifically how money is being saved on the 'i' version. Please no claims that they changed the wood to save money. The idea makes no sense. Are they really interested in an inferior wood to save a dollar on thousand dollar headphones? Also, the wood quality is clearly improved.

My opinion is the revamping of the series is to improve sales and perhaps in the case of gs-1000 to improve on some of the issues people had with them (as was done with the 325s).

 

[106099]

incredible, another 'used' pair of grado gs1000, serial 7200's just sold at ebay for 715.88
had 32 bidders.

doesn't people know they can get a new pair for a couple hundred more?

paul

 

[gs1000i]

Hello there.
I have just bought the GS1000i's but must admit i did not get big "wow" feeling due to the large amount of stinging treble in my ears.
I use Quad 63's speakers and the new Opal monitors and i'm looking for that kind of sweeter top end. Grado told me to "run them in" for at least a month! Did yours sound smoother after the "Burn in" perioud? I allso thought there was a mid/bass dip somewhere.
What were your thoughts? 

 

[106099]

greetings and welcome to head Fi.
the area you find issues with the grado gs1000i is exactly where most consider the gs1000i to be strong, namely the true and smooth mids and the transparent highs.  I enjoy listening to jazz and classical on the gs1000i, only second to the sennheiser hd800. 
while additional burn in helps with the lubrication of joints and partnering of components, I never thought my gs1000i sounded all that different after a week or after the first 200 hours.
what headphone amplifier are you using?  perhaps we should consider that.
 

 
Quote:

Hello there.
I have just bought the GS1000i's but must admit i did not get big "wow" feeling due to the large amount of stinging treble in my ears.
I use Quad 63's speakers and the new Opal monitors and i'm looking for that kind of sweeter top end. Grado told me to "run them in" for at least a month! Did yours sound smoother after the "Burn in" perioud? I allso thought there was a mid/bass dip somewhere.
What were your thoughts?