Fryguy8
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
- Posts
- 148
- Likes
- 10
Upgrading from SR225s, looking at either HD650s or GS1000s. I flat out can't make a decision. Been paralyzed with indecision for a week now.
-Main reason for considering the HD650s is that I'm looking to tone down my Grados a LITTLE bit, want to be able to easily go balanced without losing the headphones in the future for a week+, and I plan on beefing up the rest of my signal path, something that the HD650s will appreciate and grow with.
-Main reason for not just getting them is I'm a bit worried about them being TOO toned down from the Grados. I tend to passively listen to music a lot, at lower volume levels, and I'm worried about losing some of the "emotion" of music.
-Main reason for considering the GS1000s is that they are Grados, I like Grados, and the GS1000s are supposed to be already a bit toned down from the lower models. They seem to have a lot of the properties I'm looking for (notably excelling at lower volume levels while passively listening).
-Main reason for not getting the Grados is that if I get the Grados, I probably won't go balanced in the future, and won't beef up the rest of my signal path as much. I'm also in the situation that if HD650s are 90-95% of what a GS1000 was in terms of generic SQ, and I can well exceed the GS1000s with a great signal path. I'd rather get the HD650s and start upgrading the signal path right away. If it doesn't seem obvious, I'm a little apprehensive about spending $800+ on GS1000s when i can spend 250-300 on HD650s and probably get similar performance. I don't want money to be the deciding factor though, I want performance to be the decider (I can certainly afford $800+ on headphones).
Current signal path is just an upgraded zhaolu 2.5c. Obviously this is going to get upgraded, and if I didn't have a physical need to upgrade the Grados, I would probably be doing that (cord broke on SR225s).
Musical tastes are all over the place, but heavy in electronic, classic/progressive rock, and ambient stuff. Touch into a ton of other things like Rap and Classical and Jazz too.
The main thing wrong with the Grado SR225s I have now, besides the obvious upgrade-itis, are the following:
1. Broken cord. Going to repair, but this is my excuse to upgrade
2. Lacking bass quantity/quality
3. Looking for more resolution
4. Better instrument separation and sound stage.
5. Tone down the highs a LITTLE bit.
These are going to be used 99% for music playback on a pc at home while I work/whatever. Vast majority of the listening is passive listening at lower volume levels, but I occasionally will sit down and do some dedicated listening.
Vaguely considering Ultrasone 2500s as well. Would prefer to stay maintstream though. Seems like not a lot of people use Ultrasones, and the way different sound of them has me worried that I wouldn't like them, and I'm not in a position to audition before I buy.
-Main reason for considering the HD650s is that I'm looking to tone down my Grados a LITTLE bit, want to be able to easily go balanced without losing the headphones in the future for a week+, and I plan on beefing up the rest of my signal path, something that the HD650s will appreciate and grow with.
-Main reason for not just getting them is I'm a bit worried about them being TOO toned down from the Grados. I tend to passively listen to music a lot, at lower volume levels, and I'm worried about losing some of the "emotion" of music.
-Main reason for considering the GS1000s is that they are Grados, I like Grados, and the GS1000s are supposed to be already a bit toned down from the lower models. They seem to have a lot of the properties I'm looking for (notably excelling at lower volume levels while passively listening).
-Main reason for not getting the Grados is that if I get the Grados, I probably won't go balanced in the future, and won't beef up the rest of my signal path as much. I'm also in the situation that if HD650s are 90-95% of what a GS1000 was in terms of generic SQ, and I can well exceed the GS1000s with a great signal path. I'd rather get the HD650s and start upgrading the signal path right away. If it doesn't seem obvious, I'm a little apprehensive about spending $800+ on GS1000s when i can spend 250-300 on HD650s and probably get similar performance. I don't want money to be the deciding factor though, I want performance to be the decider (I can certainly afford $800+ on headphones).
Current signal path is just an upgraded zhaolu 2.5c. Obviously this is going to get upgraded, and if I didn't have a physical need to upgrade the Grados, I would probably be doing that (cord broke on SR225s).
Musical tastes are all over the place, but heavy in electronic, classic/progressive rock, and ambient stuff. Touch into a ton of other things like Rap and Classical and Jazz too.
The main thing wrong with the Grado SR225s I have now, besides the obvious upgrade-itis, are the following:
1. Broken cord. Going to repair, but this is my excuse to upgrade
2. Lacking bass quantity/quality
3. Looking for more resolution
4. Better instrument separation and sound stage.
5. Tone down the highs a LITTLE bit.
These are going to be used 99% for music playback on a pc at home while I work/whatever. Vast majority of the listening is passive listening at lower volume levels, but I occasionally will sit down and do some dedicated listening.
Vaguely considering Ultrasone 2500s as well. Would prefer to stay maintstream though. Seems like not a lot of people use Ultrasones, and the way different sound of them has me worried that I wouldn't like them, and I'm not in a position to audition before I buy.
