Grado vs. Denon

[wms3]

My first post to the Forum yielded 23 view but no responses so let me try again.
 
I have a ten year old pair of Grado SR-60s and I would like to upgrade. I've always felt that the sound of the Grados was overly bright and crisp. I would also like a bit more base.
 
The phones will be used primarily for music (jazz, vocals, pop and some electronic/techno), and around 10%-20% for TV & movies. I will be driving them from the headphone jack of my Pioneer VSX-54TX A/V receiver. They will not be used with a computer or a portable player, only the receiver. I don’t care if the new phones “leak” sound. I do want over the ear, but they can be closed or open.
 
Currently I'm looking at the Denon AHD2000. Unfortunately I will not be able to audition them prior to purchase so I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with both headphones

 

[Prog Rock Man]

I have the SR80s and have tried the AH D1001s on various auditions, so hopefully this will help. The Denons have a bass hump that was too much for me with the processed pop of the Scissor Sisters. With the Rolling Stones it really drove the music along, again with bass as opposed to the Grado's dynamic attack. I prefer the sound of the Grados, but I can also see what people find good in the AH D1001s. I prefer bright to bass. You sound as if you could well be the other way around and would appreciate the Denons more. Incidentally, the AH D1001s leak sound even though they are closed backed.

 

[K_19]

In regards to D2000, the thing to keep in mind is that they can be just as extended and sharp in treble area as the Grados are (dependent on your source and amp).  If the treble emphasis bother you then D2000 may still prove to be bothersome.  The main difference will be that the D2000 mids will be nowhere near as forward and that they will have better extension and more emphasis in bass.  They will also bring about bigger differences in sound with different sources and amps than the Grados.
 
I would say for your needs, D1001 may actually be more suitable.  They have softer treble, still have good bass, is more portable, and not as dependent on amping compared to D2000.

 

[wms3]

Thank you. The idea of a 'bass hump' bothers me, i dont want overpowering bass, just a bit more than the Grados have. Thanks again.

 

[Prog Rock Man]

My poor descriptive, the rest of the AH D1001s range is detailed right through to and including the treble. There is more of an emphasis on bass than the Grados.

 

[wms3]

Quote:

 
 
I would say for your needs, D1001 may actually be more suitable.  They have softer treble, still have good bass, is more portable, and not as dependent on amping compared to D2000.
 
 
 
thank you! this is exactly the type of info i need.

 

 

[wms3]

I would say for your needs, D1001 may actually be more suitable.  They have softer treble, still have good bass, is more portable, and not as dependent on amping compared to D2000.
 
 
thank you, this is exactly the kind of info i need.

 

[hahahigh]

I had the Alessandro MS1, for all intents and purposes a Grado, and the D7000. It is a bit of an unfair comparison, considering the price difference between the two headphones, but in terms of sound signature and not sound quality, I would characterize the MS1 as the grittier, spunkier can. I, too, took issue with the brightness. The Denons do not share this flaw, but falter where the MS1 do not in terms of sibilance. Fortunately, they make up for it in other areas - bass, comfort, soundstage. They are also very smooth, and I like that very much.
 
I'm not saying this will apply to everyone; it really does come down to individual preference. Judging from your post, though, the Denons would suit you just fine. And I do think you won't need to worry about amping - your receiver should be more than satisfactory.

 

[156219]

 
Hmm...
 
What about the HD600?
 
Or are Sennheiser out of the picture?

 

[wms3]

 
Quote:

I had the Alessandro MS1, for all intents and purposes a Grado, and the D7000. It is a bit of an unfair comparison, considering the price difference between the two headphones, but in terms of sound signature and not sound quality, I would characterize the MS1 as the grittier, spunkier can. I, too, took issue with the brightness. The Denons do not share this flaw, but falter where the MS1 do not in terms of sibilance. Fortunately, they make up for it in other areas - bass, comfort, soundstage. They are also very smooth, and I like that very much.
 
I'm not saying this will apply to everyone; it really does come down to individual preference. Judging from your post, though, the Denons would suit you just fine. And I do think you won't need to worry about amping - your receiver should be more than satisfactory.

Thanks. now ive read in anohter post that the Audio-Technica ATH-M50S has better bass than the Grados, and that everything else about them is very good, and they are much cheaper at around $120 or so. I sure wish i could audition them.
 

 

[wms3]

Quote:

 
Hmm...
 
What about the HD600?
 
Or are Sennheiser out of the picture?

I had a pair of Sennheisers many many years ago and didn't like them all that much.

 

[156219]

 
What pair of sennheisers did you have and how old are they?

 

[wms3]

Quote:

 
What pair of sennheisers did you have and how old are they?

Well, its like this. I bought them when i was in engineering school. I graduated in 1975. I do remember replacing the earpads, and the only ones i could find were this awful yellow. Which Sens would you reccommend today?

 

[headbob]

It sounds like you had the HD 414.  While I can't comment on the sound of those cans, I could tell you this.
 
The HD 555/595 are slighty lacking bass and highs IMO, but are very comfortable and excellent for movies/games (nice soundstage)
 
The hi-mid senn offerings (HD 580, 600, and 650) usually have buzzwords thrown at them like "dark, bassy, laid-back." The brightest of the group is usually said to be the 600.  A good amount of people like this line for jazz.  Not that these phones (650 esp.) need an amp.

 

[eucariote]

I've got Grados (SR225, HF-1, had SR60), Denons (D5000, D7000) and Sennheisers (HD600) and think that you're generally right about the Denons- they do have much more bass than the SR60/225 Grados, and the D5000 (which have almost the same construction as D2000) generally have less glare and grit than the Grados.  That being said, I listen to rock almost exclusively, and so generally prefer the Grados even to my D7000.  But the relative performance of the Denons with jazz, vocals and electronica is better.  Their bass, along with a bigger soundstage would also make them better for movies.  The HD600, which people consider brighter, have such a soft and mellow sound to my ears that music sounds like all the edges and corners have been sanded off.  They sound less fuzzy and actually quite sweet with one headphone amp (Lavry DA11) but imo their signature generally goes in the extreme opposite direction of the Grados to a fault.  So yes, get the Denons.