Grado SR60 > SR225 > RS1 for Jazz

[sampson_smith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milesandcoltrane /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh in that case does the SR60 sound close to the SR225. Based on what I've read people have said the bass response on the SR225 is better than the SR60. Just concerned about the rendition of the double bass, since I listen to a fair amount of jazz trio pieces. And is there any way to emulate the sound with flat pads? They're pretty expensive after shipping and all. Probably say a quarter modded HD414 set of pads?

The SR225 is noticeably more refined than the SR60. Better bass, better mids and more detailed treble without screaming your ears off. Starting to wonder HOW MUCH better, as there isn't a massive jump, in my opinion. It seems that Grados will sound like Grados (i.e. deliver comparable musical enjoyment), no matter what you choose and what you end up paying. I'd honestly take a chance with the 225's vs. the 60's as the greater majority end up upgrading to something like it soon enough. And, yes... great deals can be had on a used pair of 225's if you are patient. (I haven't purchased using the FS/FT Head-fi forums, but have had some luck on ebay.) Then again, I've seen SR60's going for sub-$50 from time to time, which is also a fantastic option.

Also: You can get HD 414 pads for a steal on ebay (a pair for less than $10 shipped or two pairs for around $15 from some vendors), which is very cheap. They tend to increase base but limit the headstage/openness a bit, but can be improved--never tried it--using the "quarter mod" which essentially involves cutting a two-bit-sized hole in the pad to alleviate treble damping.

Not sure what trio jazz you dig, milesandcoltrane--not sure if there was ever a Coltrane or Miles trio-proper--but Bill Evans Trio material is amazing on Grado 225/325's. Pretty partial as most of Evans' stuff has me swooning even from iPod stock buds.

 

[jrosenth]

Go with the SR-60s

The 225s are a bump up but you'll probably end up upgrading once there

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you could always get an MS-1 (which in some ways i prefer for Jazz compared to the sr-225)

 

[milesandcoltrane]

jrosenth - why do you prefer the MS-1 to the SR225 for jazz (what type of jazz do you listen to by the way?) - I was thinking about them as well.

 

[sampson_smith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrosenth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Go with the SR-60s The 225s are a bump up but you'll probably end up upgrading once there

After thinking about it, yeah... the SR-60i's (or MS-1i) are the way to go. They're great, inexpensive, fun cans. I also had the SR-225 and loved it... enough to jump up to the 325is and onwards. At least with the SR-60's they are also plenty fine as bang-around-'phones if you start upgrading to more costly models that require more "care". Good to have beaters for around town, if that's your thing.

 

[jrosenth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milesandcoltrane /img/forum/go_quote.gif jrosenth - why do you prefer the MS-1 to the SR225 for jazz (what type of jazz do you listen to by the way?) - I was thinking about them as well.

Pretty broad selection from modern standards but a lot of classics too, especially Armstrong, Coltrane, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald - also lot of stuff on the Maple Shade label too

Alessandro in general i prefer to their grado counterparts (MS-1 to 125; MS2 to 325, MS-Pro to RS-1)

with the ms-1 vs. 225 the 225 had better bass and marginally better headstage while the ms-1 was less fatiguing and what I feel is an exaggerated upper-midrange that gives horns in particular an overly strident sound boarding on sibilant (IMHO, YMMV)