Grado SR-225 Owners: Fatigue?

[Mr.Radar]

Since my DT440's aren't "fun" and can be fatiguing with the wrong source material I'm thinking about getting the SR-225's but I'm wondering: how fatiguing are they? Is there a difference in fatigue between bowls and flats?

 

[sbulack]

I don't find the Grado SR225 fatiguing. I like their forward sound and often listen to them for hours (>5) at a time with great enjoyment. Their clarity is what keeps them from being fatiguing for me. Within the Grado family, I'm definitely a "bowl pad" man, for comfort (it makes them more like a circumaural phone, which I greatly prefer) and sonic (the clarity is greater and spectral balance more "right" to my ears with the bowls) reasons.

Another "fun" phone which I own is the AKG K240S. The bass is forward on these, with the mids recessed a bit behind that, and the highs recessed a little more. They have an overall sonic flavor somewhere between the Grado SR225 and the Senn HD580. They've got good impact where the music contains it and a capacity for refinement where the music provides that. An amp as modest as a Headsave Go-Vibe will drive them quite well, but I enjoy them unamped also. And they are "fun". In fact, they are often dubbed a "groovalizer", as distinguished from an analyzer. They are also quite detailed and give what I consider to be a definitely Hi-Fi, but not analytically accurate, sound.

I'm currently buying a pair of AKG K-501s to get the "accurate" sound.

So, you've got two "fun" phones to look into, the Grado SR225 which is more forward in the highs and the AKG K240S which is more forward in the lows. Both really fine cans, IMO, and good for a broad spectrum of music. I don't buy into the "Grados are just for rock" pidgeon-hole. I very much enjoy electronica, jazz and classical on my Grados and AKGs as well as rippin' rock.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

IME with Grados, flats are less fatiguing than bowls, since they tip the balance more toward than the bass than the treble. BTW I've heard the PS1, HP1/2, RS1, SR325, SR225, SR200, SR80 and SR60. Of those I only found the 325 and 80 fatiuging, depending on the source.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer IME with Grados, flats are less fatiguing than bowls, since they tip the balance more toward than the bass than the treble. BTW I've heard the PS1, HP1/2, RS1, SR325, SR225, SR200, SR80 and SR60. Of those I only found the 325 and 80 fatiuging, depending on the source.

I have owned all the grados but the sr-325 and new ps-1 and thats my opinion too.The flats are much less fatiguing to me. Moreover, I also find the sr-325 is to over the top bright and fatiguing for me with any pad; flat or otherwise. I just repurchased some sr-225's yesterday and I cant believe how well they work with my singlepower amps that use the 6cg7 tube. I owned the sr-225 for about 8 years prior to trying the dt 880/ cd3000/ hd 650, driving them with amps from McCormack, Audio Alchemy, Headroom and finally the Gilmore amps. They have always been a favorite but the sound quality with the singlepower amps is well beyond what I have got out of any of the other amps. The bass impact and speed with my prototype amp is beyond anything I have heard so far. I listened to track 8 on White Stripes Elephant cd this morning atleast 5-6 times because of I couldnt get enough of the unbelieveable bass and midrange liquidity. I might still be sitting there if I didnt have yard work to do.

I have never read much about synergy between the singlepower amps and the grados. I know I read where Canman had stated how well his 225's worked with his ppx3. But I expected the tubed singlepower amps to ultimately work best with high impedence headphones like the 650's. However, I now definitely find the sr-225's to lock up with the singlepower supra 6cg7 and mpx3-6cg7, elevating the performance of both. I bet any of the singlepower 6cg7 tube based amps: ppx3, mpx3-6cg7, supra 6cg7 etc. would do well with the 225's. I didnt think I would ever find anything to approach the hd 650's with the singlepowers, and to be honest, I am totally shocked how good the sr-225 sounds with these amps. For now the 650 would still be my #1 recommendation but I could very well end up being reclaimed by team grado.

If you have a singlepower amp give this headphone a trial. Highly recommended!

 

[Mr.Radar]

Thanks for your comments everyone! Unfortunately the only amp I have is a JMT-Built CHA47 and tube amps are way out of my pricerange right now, and probably will be for a while.

BTW, does anyone know where I could demo the SR-225 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN or Rochester, MN area?

 

[BigD]

So far I've heard sr60, 80,125 and 225. I think sr225 were least fatigue. Highs are slightly roll off, but actually adding little warmth. No harsh and piercing highs! Definately tolerable...

 

[sbulack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Radar ...Unfortunately the only amp I have is a JMT-Built CHA47 ...

The CHA47 is an amp that was tweaked specifically to sound great with Grado phones. So, if you're thinking of a pair of SR225, having a CHA47 is definitely NOT unfortunate.

As far as auditioning SR225, HeadRoom has a 30 day money back return policy on purchases - so you can hear them on your own rig while making your decision.