Grado SR225 to the unknown. Your thoughts.

[iDesign]

I have recently considered moving away from my Grado Labs SR225 to a new headphone that would be used in isolated areas. While I enjoy the SR225 I desire a headphone that has a more expansive soundstage and presents the higher level of detail, balance and accuracy. I have taken a strong interest to the Sennheiser HD650 matched to the Zu Cable Mobius and AKG K601/K701 but would like to discuss new directions from the SR225 with the headfi community. What are your thoughts?

 

[smittysan89]

first thats a HUGE jump in cash! but that setup i think (never tried), should sound a ton better with everything. What amp are you using?

 

[sonic32]

You will gain all of the aspects your looking for, but beware these phones are polar opposites in their presentation.

 

[BRBJackson]

I have both your current and potential phones, and can confirm that you could not be talking about more different sound signatures. Given the goals you have set down (higher level of detail, balance and accuracy), you might be better served going to Grado 325i's or even RS2's. This should get you to improved detail without totally shifting gears.

 

[iDesign]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRBJackson I have both your current and potential phones, and can confirm that you could not be talking about more different sound signatures. Given the goals you have set down (higher level of detail, balance and accuracy), you might be better served going to Grado 325i's or even RS2's. This should get you to improved detail without totally shifting gears.

Thank you for your comments. I have spent a great deal of time with the entire Grado range (not incl. HP1000 versions/ PS-1) and I am a true Grado enthusiast. The SR325/i is my least favorite in the entire range and have found the RS1 and SR225 to be the most palatable products in the line. Though as my listening interests are primarily classical and jazz genre, I do not feel Grado Labs products are the best fit. I am seeking a headphone that is flexible and can be used as a reference item/ speaker replacement (opposed to something fun like the SR225).I suppose the object is to not to necessarily stay with the Grado sound signature rather it is to find a headphone that presents music accurately without a great deal of bias. Something like the AKG K501 is out of the question because it isnt necessarily flexible enough to work with other genres (think: bass impact etc). If anyone has any more thoughts on my switch or additional recommendations I am happy to have them.

 

[warpdriver]

That's a pretty big leap in headphone type....

It's like going from a Japanese Honda S2000 sportscar to a Corvette, both are great sportscars, but completely different in their approach.

If I were you, I'd consider something in the AKG or Beyer line, for a more Grado-like sound than what Sennheiser gives you.

 

[smittysan89]

DT880?

 

[overlunge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iDesign I have recently considered moving away from my Grado Labs SR225 to a new headphone that would be used in isolated areas. While I enjoy the SR225 I desire a headphone that has a more expansive soundstage and presents the higher level of detail, balance and accuracy. I have taken a strong interest to the Sennheiser HD650 matched to the Zu Cable Mobius (I am seeking auditions of this set up) but would like to discuss new directions from the SR225 with the headfi community. What are you thoughts?

Hi iDesign,

Have you thought about the Sony SA5000? Some might say SA5000 is not balanced, but neither is HD650(+Zu).

Just food for thought,


Overlunge

 

[iDesign]

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlunge Hi iDesign, Have you thought about the Sony SA5000? Some might say SA5000 is not balanced, but neither is HD650(+Zu). Just food for thought, Overlunge

Yes, but I also have thought about adding the Zu Cable Mobius to the HD650 to brighten the headphone. I will have to do a search through the archives to see about the results with a Cardas cable--as always I will purchase any headphone stock and make changes that I feel are necessary before making blind tweaks. But the goal isnt to stay with the Grado signature-- its more about getting a headphone that works with the Gilmore Lite and strikes a balance between a reference headphone and one that is not completely mundane.

 

[smittysan89]

get some DT880, very neutral cans

 

[iDesign]

I have read through a great deal of posts on the HD650 and its very clear that there is a very wide range of thoughts on the product. I am very interested in them and am more actively considering selling my Grado Labs SR225 headphones. I have only briefly tested the HD650 in the past and have been very impressed. I am curious if any users can suggest a way I may be able to audition them.

Lastly, I would like to ask if any more users can contribute their thoughts on the subject. Will I have any regrets switching to the HD650 when it comes to a under seven hundred dollar headphone to be paired with a Gilmore Lite and used only for classical genre music? Is it a reference level headphone that is just a bit tipsy (exciting) and not completely sober (mundane)?

Best,
iDesign

 

[GoRedwings19]

I have a set of Grado 225's and 650's+zu. I know I will probaly get flamed for this by the Grado fanboys but I think that seeming your main criteria of listening is classical and jazz then the 650's would be a step towards what you are looking for.

I love my 225's just as much as my 650's. But they suit different roles for me. The 225's will always be my goto phone for pure fun with rock and stuff. But the 650's are more suited for classical and jazz. That's not to say they don't rock, they can but for me not to the levels of a 225.

Opinions are split on the 225 as headfiers seem to prefer the MS-2's. But I found the Ms-2's okay but still preferred the 225's even though they were technically inferior to the MS-2's.

I have never heard a Gilmore lite. So I will assume it is like the GSP solo I use to have. Fast, punchy, slightly on the bright side. With the 650's it should have a nice synergy going on. I use to partner my senn hd6xx series or Grado Hp-2's with SS amplification. It was a great combo for me. I don't like the senns out of tube amplifcation only SS.

You could try Todd the vinyl Junkie as he has a certain day money back guarantee.

Funnily enough I was using the 650's tonight after not hearing them for the last 6-7 months. It still is a good phone but it just didn't get my foot tapping. It has a smooth fuzzy thing going on. But I am not really keen on smooth fuzzy.

 

[Jazper]

I say don't do it.. you'll regret it with the 650.. others will say otherwise..

Try the SA5000s.. you'd be surprised.. I know I was..

join the dark side of the fuzz

 

[iDesign]

GoRedwings19,

Thank you for your comments on the subject. The HD650 seems to be a more ideal headphone for my needs. I enjoy the SR225 for a certain range of recordings but they are undeniably less than ideal for others. The SR225 is an excellent headphone but I desire something that dosnt adulterate the sound as much as the SR225 and approaches a reference level. I am very passionate about Grado Labs products but after adding the Gilmore Lite the SR225 has become notably more bright (though bass and control are greatly improved) and the problem is only exacerbated when working with recordings that are already bright (i.e. Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 4, 5 & 6 / Mravinsky). I really enjoyed my time with the Grado Labs RS1. How close do the HD650/ Zu Cable Mobius get or compare to the fluidity of the RS1 headphones? I found the SR225 to be less fluid and resolving in comparison to the RS1 (my using of the term fluid to describe the RS1 is only relative to the SR225). If the HD650/ Zu Cable Mobius even vaguely mimics the HP1000 or even the RS1 headphones with a wider soundstage I would imagine its the most ideal headphone for my needs.



Cheers,
iDesign

 

[hentai]

or keep the sr225 till you have enough cash for stax . Good for classical!!

sr225 to hd650 is a small step upgrade which doesn't give me the ' wow!!' , its more like ' hmm ok , these are indeed good '

Anyway the piano sounds very good in hd650 but i prefer guitar strings in grados