[I 8 thesandbox]

I've got a several part question for the New Yorkers out there...specifically the ones in Manhattan. I live in the city and I'd like to know where I might be able to audition some audiophile brand cans such as Grados or Senns.

Part 2- Depending on what I think of the Grado SR 60's and/or how cheap I can get the koss Porta Pros for, it; will be either of the two. So basically, where is the cheapest place to get the Porta Pros (I'd rather buy them in a store but I guess that online is fine as long as the company is reputable)and if I can't find them for cheaper than $50 which is store retail, then might I as well spend the extra $20 for the SR60's ? I'm guessing yes but I don't want to assume that they're THAT much better.

Part 3- For those of you who own or have heard both... which would you recommend ? They'll be driven for now by my Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder (no amp, hence the choice of cans) and then hopefully later by either an i pod or something better IF something better comes out in the near future. To be clear, I'm not a basshead. Rather, I enjoy clarity and trebble and soundstage/positioning is important to me. Comfort is also a factor..but not nearly as much as overall sound quality.

Part 4- I've also heard that the Grado SR 40's are pretty decent but cheaper because of where they're manufactured and perhaps because of a style difference. Thoughts on this ?

Just a reminder for you people in NYC..where can I audition some Grados and Senns ?

Thanks in advance guys

D.B.

 

[williamgoody]

The thing with the Koss and Grado is that they are both very different sounds. The portapro are somewhat bassy but very musical and "rhythmic". The Sr 60's are very "up front" and present everything pretty much on one level. Some find them too bright but IMO they are the best for the money ($60). They are however very open and potentially not as portable as the portapro's.

Again for the money, the Sr40's are fantastic. Same drivers as the 60's, but different housings. I prefer the 60's, but you may again find the 40's more "portable".

I do have all three. While I don't know where in the city you can demo them, feel free to Pm me. The next time I'm in the city I could bring them for you to try.

 

[I 8 thesandbox]

William, I tried to PM you, but I wasn't able. I AM logged in but apparently, I have no access to that particular function for some reason ?

I really appreciate your offer and would definetely like to take you up on that...for the trouble, beers on me ! Or whatever you'd like.
I'm currently in school, (medical courses) five days a week from 8:30 till 2 Pm. I'm usually studying my butt off after that but I do manage to sneak personal time in when it's important.

If I can't figure out how to PM you, then perhaps regular IM would suffice. I use trillian so.....let me know, and, Thanks again !

D.B.

P.S. If anyone else knows where there may be some audio stores where I can audition some cans, please ring in...I'm going to Sam Ash tomorrow, as I'm pretty sure that they sell Sennheisers, so perhaps they have Grados too.

 

[williamgoody]

Not a problem. you can also email me (williamgoody@yahoo.com).
I'll probaly be in the city in a week or so. Drop me and email and we can set a date and time.

Did you reply to the email you received when you reated the account? That should allow you to use the PM feature.

 

[ooheadsoo]

There is a coupon code in these forums somewhere for 50% off the koss porta pros. That brings the price down to $25 and I believe it is truly worth a shot at that low price. If you were near a Fry's electronics, there would be a slight chance you could pick up the porta pro's for $10, but I know Fry's isn't in New York. I may have a pair of porta pros I'll sell later if my friend doesn't buy it off of me. If I do sell, I'll post it in the Gear forum.


PS. Oh yeah, almost forgot. If I sell them, I'll sell them for $10+shipping

 

[I 8 thesandbox]

ooheadsoo, If I could find that coupon, I'd probably opt to buy both ! Yeah, I saw someone mention the Fry's deal over at 3dss.com but like you said...I'm in NY so.....I'm crap out of luck.

I will however wait to see if your friend decides to or not buy them from you and hope that I will be quick enough to snatch them up if they're up for grabs. When did you say to look out for them again ?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William, you hit the nail on the head. I did not hit the url from the e mail which I was "supposed" to get. I used some crap e mai addy (college club.com) which is basically for spam and stuff. I probably should've used the yahoo account since they're more reliable. Oh well. Anyway, I'll email u in a bit.

D.B.

 

[gloco]

Quote:

Originally posted by I 8 thesandbox ooheadsoo, If I could find that coupon, I'd probably opt to buy both !

from headwize.com:

8/18/2002: Koss.com is selling the Porta Pro headphones at 50% off. At checkout, apply coupon code 617A. Note: this coupon has been active since July 10 and was announced in the Headphone Reviews forum

Go ahead and try and see if the coupon is still valid.

 

[Nefarion]

yea please let us know if it is still valid. I just got my porta pros a few days ago. I currently own a pair of hd600's as well. With the equipment i have and normally use.. Beileve or not, the porta pros sound better overall... I cant get the bass (or volume) into my hd600's for i dont have a powerful amp (just a battery operated meta based mini amp). The 60 ohm porta pros are PERFECT for a little mini amp like this. They sound specatular in my opinion. I have now boxed my hd600's till i can afford better equipment (not fer long though, i have heard the hd600's defenite "specialness", even with ****ty equipment i can tell something is different with them)(incredible soundstage).

Anyhow, i havent auditioned any grados before. Im majorly into rock (death metal specificly) and ive been told grados are very bright and "up front". But i have also been told that grados are the best for rock. This doesnt make sense to me. Since rock is generally more highs than other music (guitar), it seems like heaving bright headphones would cause fatigue, am i right?

The porta pros sound great with my music though... I am very happy with the purchase for under 40 bucks shipped.

I got my porta pros from pagecomputers.com .. I reccomend them highly .. fast service and best price i could find. And if that 50% deal works your in very good shape. Good luck and stay in school

(im only 19, dunno what im saying)

 

[I 8 thesandbox]

Quote:

Originally posted by gloco from headwize.com: 8/18/2002: Koss.com is selling the Porta Pro headphones at 50% off. At checkout, apply coupon code 617A. Note: this coupon has been active since July 10 and was announced in the Headphone Reviews forum Go ahead and try and see if the coupon is still valid.

Thanks bro ! The coupon is indeed still valid and I ordered them !

I can't wait .... I'll still probably get the Grados in the near future though so that I can have the best of both worlds.

Good lookin' out

D.B.

 

[Ants]

I was kinda skeptical about the Portapros and their build and their name...but I JUST got a pair like 30 minutes ago...and they sound GREAT so far...the bass is a bit excessive but not overly...

You wont regret your purchase!

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by ooheadsoo If you were near a Fry's electronics, there would be a slight chance you could pick up the porta pro's for $10

Woah! Fry's is selling them for $10??? Where? Until when?

P.S. I agree with williamgoody's comparative statements about the Grado vs. PortaPro sound.

 

[skippy]

try harvey's

http://www.harveyonline.com/stores/d...Q9U8FT2D1587G2

i use an mt-90 with grados. personally, i like them more than the porta pros.

 

[ooheadsoo]

Apparently, the porta pros are in the state of disgrace known as "Clearance," at Fry's. They may not actually be on the racks. I know mine weren't. I've posted this before, may not have been on head-fi...Basically, I had heard that Fry's had the porta pros for clearance priced at $20. I ran to my fry's and looked around, didn't find them. Then I noticed a bunch of boxes lying on the floor full of clearance items. There were a bunch of sportapros for ... i dunno how much, actually, senn 400's for $2, 1 pair of senn 500's for $10, and at the very bottom of the bottom of the pile of boxes, I found 4 sets of porta pros priced at $10. I bought 2 pairs, another pair for my brother, and my friend picked up a pair, so there are no more left that I know of at the City of Industry Fry's

I wish you luck at your own fry's near you

PS: btw, I picked up the senn 400's for 2 bux. Um, to be succinct...they sucked ass

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by ooheadsoo PS: btw, I picked up the senn 400's for 2 bux. Um, to be succinct...they sucked ass

Then they were defective

Maybe that's why they were $2?

 

[williamgoody]

I haven't been to the Harvey's in the city, but the Harvey's in Paramus, NJ don't have the Grado's available for auditioning. In Westchester, there's a place called the Listening Room on Central Ave. that has all the Grado's set up to listen to.