Heretical Hypothetical

[Filburt]

Based on my impressions listening to Grados (particularly RS-1) and listening to my K701, as well as kramer5150's comments, I think the K701 might be the way to go for you.

 

[Audiofiler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlendaleViper Head-Fi rules. You rule, Audiofiler!

Cool name...I can never think of a cool name like that...mine was a play on words of sorts, but looks like a mis-spelling..your name is much cooler !

I needed that (your praise), and have had a pretty lousy week, tough family stuff going on with a loved one suffering from cancer, not good

anyway thanks for the compliment, I mean only to help others' here, and hope to learn even more. Have studied/read this forum for like 10 years, so is nice to finally participate.. and really enjoy the comradery and community efforts...
Word up people, I love the cans..

 

[Traddad]

Thanks for the offer AF! I'd like to take you up on that. I'll have to check my "schedule"

for a time.
My interest in the RS-1 was more to see what was at the (then) pinnacle of the Grado mountain. I really love the Grado sound. As I've said; it's as if you're sitting in with the band. It almost seems that the tinkling of glasses and casual audience conversation is coming from in front of you. Compared to my 125s the HD600s sounded as if the mics were about 8 rows back and hidden in some old lady's behive hairdoo. I really want something that has that same intimacy and clarity. I'll trade bass for clarity, to a certain point. The bass I like is the type where you can hear the rosin on the strings of a bowed bass.
My Grados make me want to listen to Bill Evans' "Live at the Village Vangauard" over and over. It's a great recording, incridible music and rendered beutifully by the 125s. The problem is I can only take them for about an hour. I want Grados w/o the fatigue. Is that possible?

 

[Audiofiler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traddad Thanks for the offer AF! My Grados make me want to listen to Bill Evans' "Live at the Village Vangauard" over and over. It's a great recording, incridible music and rendered beutifully by the 125s. The problem is I can only take them for about an hour. I want Grados w/o the fatigue. Is that possible?

Yes, it is possible, and with the pair you have too..some fine tuning of the headband can help tremendously, as the pressure endured while listening is amplified IMO if the cans do not fit or are too tight..

As your pads start to break in more, and the oils from your ear etc start to make more dense the foam surface, the sound will be better and the comfort level as you listen more... if you can not wait for that, a shampoo job in the sink on the pads may help too...if you have a question on how to accomplish this, feel free to reach via PM..it is rather easy and fun to do..

Also, that is the second time I have heard you state the Bill Evans live recording was excellent, I will no doubt be picking that up, I know this is OT, but I love music, and have many of Bill Evan's releases...not that one yet, must have it soon!
Let me know when you mean to come over for a mini Valley Headfi Meet!! I am looking forward to it, maybe we can invite Filbert up from Tucs..

Many cheers regardless
AF

 

[Traddad]

I hope I’m not misinterpreting your post (let me know if I am) but it’s not that the pads are uncomfortable or the headband too tight, it’s that after about an hour of listening at moderate to too low volumes, my ears feel as if they are clogged up. I get a bit of relief from taking decongestants (aka: crank) but I’d rather not do that. For the last week or so I’ve been trading off with my portable ‘phones (PX 100s) and “clogging” doesn’t happen with those. The Grado’s almost seem to have a certain wavelength that irritates my inner ear (The peak at 6kHz? Someone here suggested that was the problem). That’s why I popped for a set of HD 600s. The tradeoff just seemed to much so I turned around and sold them.

 

[Meyvn]

Since I own both the SR125 and the K701, I can tell you that I find the K701 a HUGE improvement for anything acoustic. Until I heard the K1000, I thought the K701s were IT for acoustic, honestly. The soundstage and the mids are especially amazing. The detail's pretty damn good, too. What didn't you like about the HD600, though? Because the K701 is definitely closer to the HD600 than it is to the SR125. However, I did find the HD600's highs a bit on the harsh side as well compared to the K701.

 

[iSleipnir]

Man this forum moves fast! This is from the 4th page.

 

[Traddad]

The 600s seemed to this ear to have appreciably less detail. Maybe that's not exactly right; it seemed that it was as if a picture of the detail was taken and then reproduced one too many times. The "final copy" had everything, but it was all soft around the edges. I like the crispness of the Grados.
An example of where I'm coming from: My eye doctor specifically warned me away from contacts because I could discern really small differences between lenses. She said I'd never be happy with the lower optical quality of contacts.
Everyone's ears are different. Maybe I just hear best in the range that Grado's are optimized for. My big fear is that this range might also be what's bothering my inner ear.

 

[Cyrilix]

I think DT880s + a warm amp would be a very good combo. I'm not too sure about the characteristics of my source, but I believe my amp and phones to be a good combination of what will bring out good sound in the DT880s. I've wavered alot on the opinion of recessed midrange/low-end on the DT880s, but I've finally come to a conclusion that the recession is much less than I thought it was at a certain point in time. The distance and soundstaging, combined with low volumes, can make either of the less emphasized frequencies (lows/midrange) sound recessed, but at medium volumes, the DT880s sound wonderful, with a nice snappy bass, and with a tonal character that seems to tread lightly (no bloat/overemphasis). I have the 2003-2005 model DT880s, and they are very good cans for the price, imo. The newer DT880s, from what I've heard, may be a bit better, but seem to cost so much more --> used 2003-2005 model DT880s can be had for $175 USD.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Just buy both of them. Easy. And very in keeping with Head-Fi.

You know, Top Ramen isn't all that bad. You can get by for a month or two.

 

[spinali]

Supposing a certain Head-Fi-er had owned both headphones, and had a chance to listen to both of them side by side, and....

The DT880 has a nice, musky, articulated bass, a somewhat lead middle, and nicely detailed treble, and it's a bargain in its range. A spacious soundstage. Comfort is tops. Somewhat monochromatic sound, though.

The K701 has a colorful sound palate with even better detail on top, with decent comfort. Nice treble sparkle, though not perfect in bass definition. Its middle of the road sound is addictive. Sound stage is "closer" to your ears.

Neither has the Grado snap.

In a perfect world, I'd want the DT880's comfort, soundstage, and articulated bass, along with the K701's lovely tonal color and sparkle (and good looks). I think it's one of those preference things. They're both fab headphones.