How well does the MS-2 complement the K701?

[onvn]

Hello all.. I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but a search turned up no results I need..

I am inclining to buy an MS-2i to complement my K701. I find, at times, my K701 to be quite detached and distant. It was more so when I paired it with an Aria.. The X-Can does bring it out quite nicely. I find that in listening to puncy music (rock, RnB, etc.), I want that 'in-your-face' quality to be presented as much as possible. Plus, I go away to my home country every year for 2-3 months at the end of the year and I need a full-size pair that I can take without the hassle of amps, etc..

I read about Grados and Alessandros and I am curious about what everyone finds so unique about the Grado sound.. I will go for an audition tomorrow but I am just curious as to what other Head-Fiers think about this combination.. I am particularly interested in what those who has owned bothpair of cans for a considerably long time has to say about this..

Any comments will be appreciated..

 

[hentai]

ms2i doesn't sound ' in your face' either ( i wasn't impressed when i listened to them). Maybe you can try hd650 as it can be forward sounding too and mates very well with x cans.

 

[3x331m]

To my ears, the MS2i is all I need if I don't want to spend at $1K. It's more balanced than other Grado RS and SR phones, and still retain the "Onstage" presentation. There're other nice cans, but it's another story.

 

[onvn]

Unfortunately the HD650 is too expensive for me.. I am looking to buy new and as I said, the can must be able to be used unamped and produce good, impactful sound.. Other grados aren't readily available in Australia; only alessandro models..

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by onvn /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unfortunately the HD650 is too expensive for me.. I am looking to buy new and as I said, the can must be able to be used unamped and produce good, impactful sound.. Other grados aren't readily available in Australia; only alessandro models..

Are you planning to use the MS-2i with your portables? If so, that is not a good idea since the cans leak sound big time, more so than the AKG.

 

[onvn]

I will be using it while on holidays, etc. but not on the streets.. I do feel uncomfortable when people look at me cos I have these large metal things on my ears..

 

[onvn]

Well.. I got a pair of MS-2i's today.. After having a listen for an hour or two, the best bit is its BASS!! The bass is the strength of the MS-2i, very tight, and a lot of impact.. Highs are also very good, a tad too bright but I can live with it..

This pair is a bit fatiguing to listen to, but I think the comfort factor is a major contributor into this fatigue so I might buy those flats.. Another thing I noticed that was not good was the lower midrange - it seems a little muddy and faulty, maybe burn-in will fix it or minor mods..

I am happy with its sound signature, just what I am looking for.. The biggest problem for me is comfort but using the flats will eliminate this problem - I tried flats on the MS-1 too and they are comfortable enough..

 

[nickchen]

Congratulations - where did you get them that quickly?

K701 & MS2 are a nice couple that will cover your moods & genres quite globally. I am in the same boat with my DT880 and MS2 somehow, and I find myself using DT880 75% and 25% MS2.

Listening fatigue is an issue with the MS2 (and will always be), but things will get a bit better during breaking in. I use mine with reversed 414s and find the comfort at least acceptable.

 

[Ketut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickchen /img/forum/go_quote.gif I use mine with reversed 414s and find the comfort at least acceptable.

I always wonder what does it mean by using "reversed" 414 pad with MS2. How do you "reverse" them? Can you please show me a picture?

Thanks
Ketut

 

[onvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickchen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Congratulations - where did you get them that quickly? K701 & MS2 are a nice couple that will cover your moods & genres quite globally. I am in the same boat with my DT880 and MS2 somehow, and I find myself using DT880 75% and 25% MS2. Listening fatigue is an issue with the MS2 (and will always be), but things will get a bit better during breaking in. I use mine with reversed 414s and find the comfort at least acceptable.

I bought them new from headphonic.. Do you find the HD414 pads more comfortable from the Grado flats? It's a shame they're yellow - I'm allergic to yellow!

okay.. not really, but I just think they look really bad yellow..

..and why reverse the 414s?

 

[nickchen]

I'd say that the flats and the 414s are quite on par in respect of comfort. The ugly yellow can be dyed black, result is some brownish dark grey. The reverse thing means that you quartermod them and then let the original holes show towards the inside, so that things look a bit better - and you get a slightly increased soundstage due to the convex shape of the foams. The overall sound is very close to the bowls, but you don't get tortured as much.

Pics before & after dyeing:

 

[onvn]

What did you dye it with?

 

[nickchen]

Some low quality textil colour. Most important is point the "dyes polyamid" ability. Did it in a bucket, didn't wear off since. And that's more than a year back.

I doubt there's a special australian version with beer smell available...

 

[onvn]

Hmm.. I find it interesting that after hours of burn-in, I find the MS-2i becomes more laid-back and I find having to turn the volume up to get that impact and in-your-face sort of sound though it is still more impactful than the K701 and still pretty damn enjoyable.. Or do I tend to turn up the volume because I enjoy the music so much out of these babies?? hahaha.. i dont know..