Hiyo, would like some recommendations

[ropeadope]

Was hoping you Head-Fi folks could do what you do best and recommend some headphones for me.

Don't care if they're open or closed, would rather have some that aren't so amp dependant, because I won't be getting an amp. I listen to lots of music, no kind in particular, and play lots of Games. Won't pay more than $130, but would rather keep it under $100. Comfort and great sound quality are musts. If you could tell me the best place to buy the suggested headphone, that'd be great too. I see the majority of people like the Grados and Alessandros...why do they look so old though? They look uncomfortable, heh. Kinda leaning toward the MS1s right now though. Thanks in advance.

 

[Puddleglum]

I was in the same position as you and I got a pair of Grado Labs SR80's. If I were to do it again though, I would go get a pair of alessandro M1's. They're $100, the same price as the SR80's but they're better sounding. Both run fairly well unamped.

 

[Kirosia]

Don't forget to mention that grados (with bowl pads) are usually considered umcomfortable by most. (Didn't bother me much, but things did get painful after awhile). If you get the MS1 it'll come with comfy pads which are much more comfortable, but sound like crap. Order some yellow sennheiser pads if you can. ($7 shipped)

 

[ropeadope]

Thanks. So is the Alessandro site the best place to buy them?

Also, where would i get some of those yellow sennheiser pads? Do they have to be yellow?

, any other kind of pads that work well with them? I just saw some pics of the yellow pads and they look kind goofy, but it wouldn't bother me much.

Still kind of curious why those phones look like they're from the 80s.

 

[Kirosia]

I don't know the exact link for the pads, 'search' isn't working for me atm. Grados just look this way. As I recall, their original line was from the 80s. The new(er) line looks almost the same. I personally like their look. If you use these outside, you WILL get wierd looks. But they sound good. Also realize grados are a love or hate kind of phone. You may really like em, or really hate them.

 

[Mr.Radar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ropeadope Also, where would i get some of those yellow sennheiser pads?

Go to shop.sennheiserusa.com and look under accessories for the HD414 or HD414Classic.

Quote:

Do they have to be yellow?

You can dye/bleach them to any color if you want.

Quote:

any other kind of pads that work well with them? I just saw some pics of the yellow pads and they look kind goofy, but it wouldn't bother me much.

At www.toddthevinyljunkie.com you can get reproductions of the original Grado flat pads which are the best sounding (except on the SR-60 and RS-1) but are the least comfortable. Modded Senns are probably the best compromise in sound quality and comfort.

 

[ropeadope]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia Also realize grados are a love or hate kind of phone. You may really like em, or really hate them.

Ah...does that go for Alessandros too? They seem to be the same company or something.

Think i'll order some MS1s tomorrow morning, should i order some of those pads (thanks for the link btw) now or see how i like them without the pads? Do most people like those pads? I'm not sure i'd like the foaminess. I wear them for long periods of time though so any extra comfort is good.

Anyone have any idea how the MS1s compare to the Sony MDR-V6s? Longshot, i know, sorry for all the questions

 

[Mr.Radar]

Grado Labs makes all of Alessandro's headphones. The MS-1 is a tweaked SR-125, the MS-2 is a tweaked SR-325 and the MS-Pro is a tweaked RS-1.

You should give it a try without the flats/senns but if you try them you probably won't go back to the stock bowls.

 

[Jasper994]

For the most part I would agree with the suggestions and say the Grado's or of Alessandro's would be the best bet. The only thing is that you mentioned that you game quite a bit so you may have better results with HD280 Pro's, A500's or HD555's (might have to stretch your budget just a tad for the HD555's. Just as a forewarning in regard to the 280's they take a while to burn in and are very uncomfortable at first. They do end up sounding damn good though and are comfortable enough to wear all day once they are broken in.

 

[ropeadope]

Hrm, well i think i'll wait to buy and do some more research. Thanks for the help.

How comfortable are the MS1s with the default pads?