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headphone dilemma. what do i buy?

Mar 30, 2005 at 7:23 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15
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jabberbox

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ever since i found this site..i come here everyday reading through the archives..envying all the guys who've owned the RS-1's..well, thanks to this site i bought my SR60's a couple weeks ago and love them. recently ordered the 414 pads to replace the bowls. the only problem i've ran into is..i want something better! if i sell these for 50 or 60 bucks..i assume i can afford a set of phones in the 150 range or so. so, help me choose.

like i said..ive read through the forums, but there are so many choices. i love the grado sound, but i don't have anything to compare it to. i've considered maybe an in ear..but i dont want that to be my only headphone. maybe if i can find the sr225's used? should i try a sennheiser model out? where should i go from here? the ms-1's sound good, eh? i'm lost guys. :?
 
Mar 30, 2005 at 7:25 AM Post #2 of 15
I'd say don't get rid of your SR60 at all. Keep them. Save up and buy an additional heaphone when money permits. Only when you are 100% sure that you like the new headphone better (over months of use) should you consider selling your SR60.

More expensive doesn't always mean more enjoyable.....
 
Mar 30, 2005 at 8:17 AM Post #4 of 15
If you have not tried Sennheiser, than I would recommend you do. Quite different IMO than Grado. Both are good, just different ways.

You should be able to find a 555 in a local hi-fi store.

BTW, if you like the SR60, you will probably really like an SR125.

Have fun.
 
Mar 30, 2005 at 8:20 AM Post #5 of 15
I say if you simply want to move up the Grado chain, then go ahead and sell the SR60 because you'll most likely find the more expensive Grados better (although maybe not a better value). If you're thinking about switching to a different brand, then buy from a vendor with a good return policy so you can return the headphones if you find that you prefer the SR60. Good luck holding onto your money.
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Mar 30, 2005 at 8:26 AM Post #6 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by TenaciousO
I say if you simply want to move up the Grado chain, then go ahead and sell the SR60 because you'll most likely find the more expensive Grados better (although maybe not a better value).


I've owned the entire Grado modern line outside of the RS-2.

Yes, sound quality improves as you move up the Grado line. However, personal enjoyment may not...he may enjoy the SR60 more for its fun factor than more accomplished technical phones.

The forums are filled with people who rebought the SR60 despite owning or having heard higher end Grados or other phones. I really wouldn't consider saying go ahead and buy the higher end Grado/sell the SR60 because you'll most likely find them better to be good advise, personally-particularly to a person new to high end headphones.
 
Mar 30, 2005 at 9:20 AM Post #7 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzula
I've owned the entire Grado modern line outside of the RS-2.

Yes, sound quality improves as you move up the Grado line. However, personal enjoyment may not...he may enjoy the SR60 more for its fun factor than more accomplished technical phones.

The forums are filled with people who rebought the SR60 despite owning or having heard higher end Grados or other phones. I really wouldn't consider saying go ahead and buy the higher end Grado/sell the SR60 because you'll most likely find them better to be good advise, personally-particularly to a person new to high end headphones.


Read my post again. I wrote in parenthesis that the higher end Grados may not be a better value so I'm not suggesting that he blindly splurg on the SR225. It doesn't take much time here to realize that spending 2x the money does not ensure 2x the sound quality. Whether he thinks the risk is worth it will ultimately depend on how much he values better sound, incremental as it may end up being. That's up to him to decide. I'm talking solely about sound quality, which for the most part correlates positively with personal enjoyment. If he's really worried about better sound quality, then he'll probably derive more personal enjoyment by moving up the line (at least until the SR225; I'm aware that sound signature starts to figure in more heavily after that).

Now, with that said, I've found from my own experiences that there is a noticeable jump from the SR60 to the MS1. The SR60s are by far the best bang-for-the-buck of the Grado family, but the MS1 sounds more natural with more impactful and realistic bass, especially when fitted with the Senn pads. I think that once you get bitten by the MS1 it'll be hard to go back to the SR60 so if you're not feeling too excited about plopping down $150-$200 for the SR225, give the MS1 a try.

I really do recommend trying some Senns, like the HD555, or even the AKG 240S if you've never heard them. If you've only heard Grados and cheapo headphones, you may be amazed by presence of soundstage that the Grados lack and that brands like the Senns offer. Before someone jumps the gun and criticizes me again, I say "may be amazed" because not everyone cares all that much about soundstage.
 
Mar 30, 2005 at 11:02 AM Post #9 of 15
I would keep the SR60 for portable use, then buy one from higher range for home use...can't really use the RS-1's outside, look a right plonker...and probably get mugged.

Owner of RS-1's
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Mar 30, 2005 at 12:47 PM Post #10 of 15
From the 60's, the next good stop in the Grado line would be the 225 or the 325i. I own both of those headphones and personally think that while the 225s are great cans, the 325i's are worth the extra money. After that, you'll have to go all the way to the RS1s!
 
Apr 3, 2005 at 9:34 AM Post #11 of 15
okay..i sold my SR60's..what now? i could get the AKG 501's for 150..but i wouldnt have an amp and hear these are hard to drive without. a lot of people recommend the senn hd-25, but i cant find that anywhere for 150. suggestions?
 
Apr 3, 2005 at 1:59 PM Post #12 of 15
If you would like to try an ampless European headphone,your choices are:
1-Beyerdynamic DT440
2-Sennheiser HD555-50 ohm
3-AKG 240s
Of the 3 the Beyerdynamic should be the easiest to drive.
Buy the DT440 and don't ever come back here again.
 
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