Grado's how far up the tree should I go?

[Target1]

So here is the deal. I am a poor college student who loves music and expensive toys. A very very bad combination. I have very varried tastes in music, and my first set of cans was and is the HD 580's. They are fantastic. I am powering them off a headsave classic modded to make it portable for studying in different places, and usually use an ipod as a source (sue me). My next set of cans will be some nice grados for the metallica and disturbed that I don't listen to as much any more. Its not that the HD 580's don't play them well, its more that they play other things better and I never listen to metal any more. I want to get some grados to remedy this and to expand my range of headphones. My question is this (finally). At this point I can only buy after saving. Assuming I can have the SR 80's tomorrow, the 125's by the beginning of summer, the 225's by the end of next summer, or the 325's not till next Christmas what would you reccomend? I'm not in a huge hurry. Assuming that the componants I listed above aren't going to change for the next 3 years at least what should I do?

Thanks all,

Mark

PS RS1/2 aren't going to happen ever. If I had that much cash to drop I would put it towards building a computer. I listed the 325's because I could ask for them as my big Christmas gift from my parents, and asking for a new AMD Opteron 1.8 Ghz processor that can be set up in a dual prcoessor computer is way too much for my mom.

 

[Jahn]

hmmmmmm student budget eh? go for the Alessandro MS-1 $99 shipped! and get a sik din lineout for your ipod to go to your amp!

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The 125's and lower sound like a joke compared to the 225 or 325, IMO, with a high-end source and amp. The RS1's are like the last 20% or so that the 325 doesn't do right.

Considering that you don't have high-end gear, I'd say you should either get the MS1 (upgraded 125) or stretch a little to buy the 225's.

 

[Blitzula]

I'd audition the headphones from someplace with a return policy (so that only shipping fees are at risk), starting with the SR80 before moving to the SR225, and then the 325. I'd continue moving up the line until you find something that satisfies you completely. If it happens at the lower levels, you saved some money.

 

[reidme]

Ah, now I see why you suggested the HD580 and SR325 combo to me

I can tell you that I auditioned SR325 with my iPod (EAC, VBR) using a line out (you can use the base that comes wtih it or there's a nifty pocket one on iPodlounge) to a Total AirHead and I really liked the sound.

That said, you already read my dilema. I think the Total AirHead may have mellowed out the SR325 and they'll sound different on the Porta Corda MKII. Also, we might listen to different music, but the SR325 did great with African guitar music (I should have tried some other styles, luckily they were cool and I can go back).

Using the line out from the iPod makes a big difference either way...

 

[GlowWorm]

The SR80's are as far up as I wanted to go. Not that I don't like the Grado sound, because I do. They just don't feel right on my head. If they ever come out with a more comfortable design, I'd be first in line to buy a pair.

 

[reidme]

http://www.ipodlounge.com/gearguide_...d=4215_0_5_0_M

 

[HiWire]

I would say keep waiting... attend more head-fi meets and try to listen to members of the Grado family for 20 minutes or more, uninterrupted and without much background noise. Of course, this will probably lead to the purchase of an amp, hi-end cables, and other wallet-draining items, as well as a 325 or RS-1!

 

[Aman]

I personally think that if there is any grado headphone that will be the best "safe" buy, it will be the SR80. It isn't as "grado" as the other headphones, but at the same time is a unique sound. It is not nearly as "intense", per se, as the SR225s.

If you know you want a much more hard, fast, punchy, musical sound, then you will want to go with the SR225s. They are the best Grado headphones besides the PS-1s, in my opinion. The SR325s are way too bright, even with a good tame amp, and the RS-1s are way too colored and appeal to a limited audience.

The SR225s can be found for as low as 125 dollars used, 175-200 new. The SR80s will be found for eighty dollars new.

 

[MD1032]

I would recommend saving up for a pair of 225's, then move to 325's if you really want to.

 

[Blitzula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aman If you know you want a much more hard, fast, punchy, musical sound, then you will want to go with the SR225s.

It's interesting....I found the SR225 to be more neutral (not more musical or intense) then my SR80, and not any faster either. Certainly bassier though.

I wonder now if 40 hours of burn in wasn't enough....

 

[Aman]

Well I actually find that the SR225s have a much higher range, but all of the sounds are equally balanced. Maybe my term "musical" is different than yours, but I was refering to the excitement of each frequency, and the fluidity between them. The SR225s have a much better performance in this area, but at the same time each frequency gets the same level of impact and excitement, making them relatively neutral in a sense as well.

 

[jd13]

Well i've been listening to the SR 80s for quite some time now, but its time to upgrade for various reasons.
First, I am also a poor college students- and i picked up the 80's before attending dorm life freshmen year two years ago. They were alright- but keep in mind the open ear design still makes me turn my music down more than i'd like.

If you want to get back into metal- I would be a little weary of the 80s. Yes- they offer a lot of punch, but I find that even on some rock recordings this becomes too overpowering, leaving the highs drowned out. So with the already heavy and overproduced nature of a disturbed recording, i can imagine you'd end up with an ear full of mud.

I've got a friend with the 225s and this doesnt seem to be a problem whatsoever- they're still plenty punchy, but the added clarity of the rest of the phone makes up for it.

And hey, why not just trash the ipod since we all know it has no bass anyways

jd

 

[funnytimes]

my guess is sr60 or sr225 or rs1 depending on budget. rs1 gets bonus points for style

 

[SNR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by funnytimes rs1 gets bonus points for style

and thinner wallet