[RogerB]

Although I haven't posted much, I've been lurking on this site for months trying to learn all I can about headphones and amps. I have been amazed at the knowledge that's available on this site...although I confess to getting confused at times.

I've owned the Grado sr 80's for about 7 months now and love them. They were my first step into hi-fi cans. But after months of reading on Head-Fi, I am putting my game plan together for my next, and hopefully final, purchases. But I need your input.

I'm 100% sure I'm going to get the Grado sr225's for my rock listening enjoyment. They cost around $200.

I want a can in the same basic price range as the 225's for listening to classical and jazz. Total budget cannot exceed $500.

By reading here I have noticed the Senn 595 and the AKG 501 & 601 get alot of mention for the soundstage they bring to classical & jazz.

I will be using them on a home system which includes a Technics Receiver and a Sony ce 595 cd/sacd player. I have Cerwin Vega speakers.

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on this subject. I realize this is "old hat" to most of you but I'm a newbie and greatly appreciate your patience, and, most of all, your knowledge.

Thanks!!

 

[epaludo]

How is the headphone output of your technics receiver ... ?

 

[Zanth]

Why not get one phone that can do it all? Sennheiser HD 650's or Grado RS-1's come to mind.

 

[analog'd]

the grados are great for jazz imo. for classical you may wanna read about sennheisser hd 650's. and there are folks who prefer other senns. used you are not far off price wise. you should check on the used cost of akg k701's and read about them also. even if these are a stretch in terms of $, you are better off waiting til you can save the difference over 200, as
i know of no can for 200 new that i would recommend for classical.

 

[wakeride74]

Used HD650 for classical... too bad you can't spend more there is a great deal for HD650 w/ Zu cable in the f/s forums.

 

[analog'd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why not get one phone that can do it all? Sennheiser HD 650's or Grado RS-1's come to mind.

true. i lived with rs1's as my main headphone for all music for over a decade, and they were fantastic. i had senn hd650's with a cardas cable replacement and still preferred the rs1's most of the time even for classical. many will think i am nuts though as people love their senns.

maybe you can get to a meet where you could try a bunch of things?

ultrasone proline 750's are also in your range. some people love them and some do not. i did, enough to move up to their edition 9's.

 

[Davesrose]

How are you connecting the Sony 595 to your receiver? I wouldn't know what your receiver sounds like, but I did notice my Sony CE-595 was bass shy. That made headphones such as the k501 extremely thin sounding (and no matter what, I still find AKGs to be thin sounding).

Senn HD580/600 or 650 would make great compliments to Grados (for me, HD650s and SR325is are the best couple). The HD650 offers more bass and smoother mids...offering great sound stage for large scale symphonies. The 580/600 might sound slightly more upfront and detailed based on configuration and music.

 

[souperman]

I would suggest the Senn 580. I personally love the MS-1 and 580 combo I have going. Exactly what you use your 225's and your next headphone for.

 

[lui_boy]

I have the sr80, just like you. The sr225 would be a nice step up, but I don't listen to as much rock, so I'm sticking with my sr80's. I like the k501 for soundstage, but prefer the hd580 when it comes to classical and jazz. The hd580 gives it a richer smooth sound whereas the k501 would sound a bit more airy and sometimes a bit distant. A good amp is required with both, and both like the volume knob turned up a bit. I haven't heard the k601 but most people say that it's not as distant and there's more bass which is lacking a bit in the k501. Keep in mind that the hd580 and k501 are both discontinued but you could probably find them here on the sales forum. The hd595 really didn't do it for me.

 

[RogerB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif How is the headphone output of your technics receiver ... ?

I think it's alright. The sr80's sound great on it but I realize the Grado's are pretty easy to drive from what I read.

 

[RogerB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why not get one phone that can do it all? Sennheiser HD 650's or Grado RS-1's come to mind.

That's a great suggestion Zanth. I've thought of that but there's a part of me that wants a circumaural can to go along with the supra Grado's. In my mind a good circumaural can, with great soundstage, sounds very appealing when I want to hear a Beethoven symphony. And I can't part with the Grado and just go with a Senn because I'm helplessly hooked on the Grado sound, especially when I'm listening to some Stones.

 

[kramer5150]

How about a K701 to compliment the SR225. Both are great bang for the buck and together they cover a lot of different kinds of music.

 

[Zanth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerB /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's a great suggestion Zanth. I've thought of that but there's a part of me that wants a circumaural can to go along with the supra Grado's. In my mind a good circumaural can, with great soundstage, sounds very appealing when I want to hear a Beethoven symphony. And I can't part with the Grado and just go with a Senn because I'm helplessly hooked on the Grado sound, especially when I'm listening to some Stones.

I understand that for sure. If you don't feel the likes of the RS-1's offer enough soundstage then going for the Sennheiser 580/6x0s or maybe an AKG 701 may be a good solution then you have the 225's for rock and jazz (I much prefer the intimate nature of Grados with jazz personally, plus that midrange is awesome for woodwinds) but you would get excellent depth and instrument separation with something like the Sennheiser 600s.

 

[F107plus5]

Ah; the HD600! In my opinion a perfect match and complement to my MS2i.

Yeah; that could be a good choice!

 

[Michael415]

May want to also look at the Beyer DT880's. I find them terrific for classical listening and a very different sounding can than Grado's. If you shop around you can get them at a reasonable price too, close to your 200.