So my flight to SD was last night, and just got into Phoenix about an hour ago..
But yesterday, before going to the airport, I set the volume on my Discman to a predetermined setting and verified the level on my SPL meter..(64db on the SPL meter)
and that is where I listened in pure bliss, on the flight..AHHHH!!
Wait it gets better.. I actually asked the airline attendant where the worst seat for sound was due to noise, she pointed to just in front of the wing by the engine, I said cool and gave her a thumbs up and sat there (she looked at me like I was stupid
, or did not understand her response, was funny actually)
At 64db...no more..Than I even turned it down 4 notches from 64db, and noticed too that I could STILL appreciate the Grado house flavor, up high in the sky... when I went home and measured where this setting was on the Discman, it was 49db, which is where I listened at on the plane the whole time except the first song on both he MS-1 and SR-60...(had to turn it down even, as the sound at 64db was plently loud)
not trying to stir up a hornets nest, just saying I either have hawk ears or these cans perform better than most give them credit for on an airplane...
and oh yeah, I did not miss peanut or Heinekin time either
I always allow for the sounds of the airplane when I travel too, that is why after the first 45 minutes of monitoring, or after the first CD is over, I listen waaaay lower after that, to give my ears a break, like volume level 6 on your tv...it is nice and helps train the ears in tuning out transients, and focusing on the music...pretty neat stuff.
My airborne impressions on both portable Grado headphones are as follows:
Transport - D-NF420
Material used - Bob Marley - Exodus, Flaming Lips - Satellites..
Headphones - Grado SR-60 and Aless MS-1
From a glance:
SR-60 I was jamming out on these cans, and was like I was listening to a different phone altogether. That amazing fun sound that the 60 is known for is better on the airplane than most anything I have tried in a traditional headphone (closed/open incl)...since it has the forward yet full flavor sound signature and sweet midrange...you do not miss the lack of highs at all or lack there of, and actuallys sounds like you are listening to the RS-2's amped when on the plane, as the instances in the lower register that are compensated by the Grado Hump in the MR really helps make the music sound more interesting and fuller...and the flaws in the headstage (which is obviously crowded, it is the SR-60) are masked by the transients and background info...leaving more of the music in the presentation, instead of the effects or interaction between your source, gear, or interconnects..
MS-1 These performed well and although a better headphone, they did not perform as good as the SR-60s did. Well with its clearer, more technical presentation of the entir FR, the MS-1 sounds not as awesome on the plane VS the SR-60, and with the lack of weight in MR, which the SR-60 has in spades, the mid range and lower reg were not as noticable to hear on the plane, leaving the more neutral sounding MR and near upper register sounding flat, uninteresting, and no flavor to it...the texture is thrown off too much when on the plane
Conclusion:[/B] Grados can be used on planes with quite satisfying results, watch that volume, but do not hesitate to bring your Grado House Sound in the air...and without the earwax or uncomfortable plugs in your ears
This is hopefully my last post on this thread, but thought I may add some "controlled" impressions using these headphones and gear on the plane.
I find that the SR-60s and MS-1s both worked superbly, and well enough to use often- period
