[slag]

I've got a difficult decision to make, and I need some advice. This is particularly directed at people who love the Grado signature, but went searching elsewhere because the sound produced by the headphones caused agitation to their ears.

I love my SR-60's. I really do. I ripped out the original plastic grills and replaced them with some nice thin copper mesh, and I just love the way these sound. The detail is fantastic, and the balance sounds great for all of my favorite songs (mostly some kickin' metal tunes.)

There's only one problem: my ears ache like hell. It's not just the way the Grados physically feel on my head, it's the reaction of my entire hearing system to the sound that these headphones produce. Although I love what I hear, it hurts me (even at low volumes there is a rapid irritation.) My ears become annoyed with me, even when I'm listening at low volumes, amped or unamped; coming from a nice source or a crappy one.

I'm sure that it's just a personal thing (everyone's hearing is a bit different) but I'm stuck, here! I don't want to get rid of this nearly perfect sound signature, but on the other hand my ears hate me for using these. What to do?

Any recommendations for similar headphones that might be easier on my ears? I don't think I want Sennheisers -- nothing against them, but when I had HD595's I would fall asleep to my favorite death metal songs -- they were just too soothing!


I've thought about K81-DJ's on several occasions. I do like the sound of many closed headphones, although in general I'm more a fan of open ones since they're safer to use while outside. Whatever it is, it needs to be at least semi-portable. Also, ideally I could trade these headphones for my SR-60's. I don't want headphones that are worth more than US$75.


EDIT: if I listen to the SR-60's at VERY low volume (hardly audible) they still sound good and don't hurt my ears. I'm not sure that this is a reasonable solution for me, though, since I can only hear them because I am currently in complete silence. Even when I type it interferes heavily with my perception of the music.

 

[dissembled]

Seems your ears are disagreeing with your personal taste. Unless you want booming bass, the 81 DJ's may not suit well.
What you want is a smoother sounding headphone that doesn't sacrifice clarity. The only thing I could think of is the Audio Tecnica's AD700's. Warm though forward sounding and will provide soundstage so it's a lot less fatiguing than other cans I can think of.

Alternatively, you can try the MS1's. More neutral than the 60's. THough both of these are about $99, one can say that these two are probably the best bets for open cans under $100.

Comparison by ClieOS can be found here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...36&postcount=3
Another comparison here: http://headphones.com.au/forums/view...5082fcde35cc93

For a cheap portable alternative, you can try the muy shexy ATH-ES7's. Senn HD25-1 is also another choice though they're incredibly hard to find.

The ONLY closed phones I could think of that's under $75 is the Equation RP15MC along with the Sony MDR-V6 which get a lot of votes here. Oh, forgot to mention that the RP-21's pose another good closed alternative at under the $100 range.. Though like the AD700's, they're not really meant to be portable.

Introductory cans by Price: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=240082

Good luck.

 

[slag]

Thanks for the advice.

God, I'm listening to them right now and I honestly don't think I'll find a headphone that I like better (only because I won't spend more than $100 on headphones, but meh

) I guess I'll just have to be careful with volumes -- at this extremely low level there's no fatigue at all.

 

[wolfen68]

I am also fatigued by Grado's but love the sound. I keep the volume lower which helps a lot for me. You can also try some different pads and see if that helps (flats or senn 414 modded pads).

I've found that the HF-1's are easiest on the ears as they are darker than the others, but I've been using RS-1's lately. So far so good.

 

[slag]

Now I'm bouncing back toward switching to something else. There are some songs that I just can't listen to, regardless of volume -- namely, anything heavy in the higher frequencies of the sound spectrum.

I may have to look at some of dissembled's suggestions. The only problem is that most of them do not look very portable.

 

[slag]

Now I'm bouncing back toward switching to something else. There are some songs that I just can't listen to, regardless of volume -- namely, anything heavy in the higher frequencies of the sound spectrum.

I may have to look at some of dissembled's suggestions. The only problem is that most of them do not look very portable.

 

[lemur]

Could it be that your grados have too much treble?
A lot of people are very sensitive to treble and it can be fatiguing. More so than too much bass I think.
I love my Beyer DT880 '05 but the treble can be fatiguing sometimes, therefore not a keeper.
Perhaps one would need at least three phones to cover all music genres and recording/mixing sessions.
Yes the 595 is very soothing and one can listen to them 24/7 easily.
I love them, but just a little more treble would make them almost perfect for me.
I find them pretty upfront and close but still with a decent soundstage. How do you compare your grados to them?

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slag /img/forum/go_quote.gif Now I'm bouncing back toward switching to something else. There are some songs that I just can't listen to, regardless of volume -- namely, anything heavy in the higher frequencies of the sound spectrum. I may have to look at some of dissembled's suggestions. The only problem is that most of them do not look very portable.

If portability is so important, I suggest ATH-ES7, RP-15MC and MDR-V6 from the list. You'll have to sacrifice some airiness/openess though. Though I've heard the ES7 do have 'some' soundstage in relation to other closed pairs.

It's probably hardest to choose a pair of ENTRY-LEVEL cans since many of them are really quite flawed.

EDIT: Can't you just EQ your music? Though the sound quality will suffer, isn't that the cheapest solution?

 

[MaZa]

You could try Alessandro line of headphones, but most likely Grados just have too much treble for you. Unfortunately, Grados aggressive and exciting sound is quite unique so be prepared for major changes when going to other brands. Sennheiser is very ear friendly, but also very boring and lacking energy (even HD595). Pretty much opposite of all what Grados represent.

Audio Technica AD line might be what you seek for? Dunno, open ADxxx line doesnt have much following here (besides popular AD2000 that is), not as much as closed Axxx.

 

[MaZa]

Quote:

EDIT: Can't you just EQ your music? Though the sound quality will suffer, isn't that the cheapest solution?

To op, try this test. Equalise 10khz level down a bit (enough that sound softens but doesnt get veiled) and see if it helps listening fatigue. If you have good EQ in your system or listening software, of course.

 

[slag]

Thanks for all the feedback. I tried equalizing, but I think there are several frequencies that flourish in the Grados which my ears are sensitive to. It did help quite a bit when I turned 10khz along with other high frequencies down, but then they sounded dull and boring.

Unfortunately, it seems that everything I love about the Grados are the same things that are hurtful to my ears.

I am in agreement with MaZa regarding the HD595 and Sennheiser. Although they are well-balanced, and as someone else said you could listen to them 24/7, they are practically the antithesis of the Grado sound.

 

[meuler]

It sounds like some Alessandro MS-1s with HD414 pads might be just what you're looking for. I've never heard them myself, but everyone says that the MS-1s have more "controlled" highs than the SR-60s, while still keeping the Grado sound. And the HD414 pads are very comfortable, which should help with the discomfort.

 

[dissembled]

Did you try the bass head mod where you tape your bowls around with tape? Maybe that will soften things a bit. Another alternative would be purchase Liberators? Maybe the drivers are just too close to you ears.

 

[lerio]

Since how many time you have them ?

When i first get my sr60 i had some ringing in my ear for few week's, then it disapear, i gues my ear needed to be formed to Grado purity sound

I'll give you 2 advices, first lower the volume, second add flat pad from TTVJ, you w'ill have More bass, less "too much treeble" and... better sound!!!

 

[Claus-DK]

I have also made some modding to my rs-2..
Bougth some beyer pleatherpads..
Took two CDs and cut a big hole in the middle and the outher rim I cut so that it fits the pads.
the I placed 3 small drops of hotmelt (on the wood) mounted my pads and voila, very comfortable Grados...

Without the foam pieces that came along with the pads they were truly Bassmonsters, with the pieces they came back to their (almost) sound..

The really great thing is that I suspect that by drilling holes in the part of the CDs that sticks out, I am pretty sure that you can tailor the bass if you want to..