I'm liking bowls again (Grado)

[Supsup]

When I first got my SR-80s, I found them incredibly harsh, so I bought the flat pads from TTVJ. I absolutely loved the sound they gave, and then a few weeks later I got the SR-225s. I didn't even listen to them with the bowls; I immediately put the flats on.

The sound was excellent no doubt, but I think the flat pads kind of defeat the purpose of what the 225s have to offer (larger soundstage, more detail, better bass). The flats (IMO) tend to narrow the soundstage, decrease the detail, and muddy the bass.



I've been listening to them recently with the bowls, and I find the sound to be very nice. Given the bass is decreased and the highs are... well, really high. But the bass is nice and punchy, so even though there's not tons of bass, it still has a nice impact.


Today I was switching between flats and bowls, and I just put my flats in the drawer.


What are your opinions on flats/bowls on the SR-225?



EDIT: Actually, reversed bowls give me the best sound of anything... but they are very uncomfortable

 

[tuatara]

I like them with the bowls, seem to have plenty of bass, nice midrange and I dont find the highs too foward, if anything they sometimes sound a bit recessed compared with the AT w1000 but that does vary from disc to disc.

 

[dip16amp]

With the bowls, I can vary the sound quite a bit by pressing the earpieces against my head with a thumb and finger on each side. This squishes the bowl pads down to get more bass. Others like squished bowl pads too. Getting the right amount of squish could be tricky.

 

[Budley007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dip16amp With the bowls, I can vary the sound quite a bit by pressing the earpieces against my head with a thumb and finger on each side. This squishes the bowl pads down to get more bass. Others like squished bowl pads too. Getting the right amount of squish could be tricky.

Somehow, this doesn't sound like a very good long-term solution. I mean, what do you do when your fingers get tired? I can't imagine trying this in public. Did I just read this wrong or what? My apologies for any misunderstandings.

 

[Canman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supsup The sound was excellent no doubt, but I think the flat pads kind of defeat the purpose of what the 225s have to offer (larger soundstage, more detail, better bass). The flats (IMO) tend to narrow the soundstage, decrease the detail, and muddy the bass.

I feel exactly the same way.

 

[recephasan]

I also switch between bowls and flats. I use the flats for punchy music and bowls for acoustic, classic, jazz and other music where detail shines.

 

[recephasan]

Anyone ever look at the Headwize Grado mods page lately? There's this mod to cut down the bowls to make them flats, and it only costs the price of the bowls and some grief. Better than dishing out $30.

 

[dip16amp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budley007 Somehow, this doesn't sound like a very good long-term solution. I mean, what do you do when your fingers get tired? I can't imagine trying this in public. Did I just read this wrong or what? My apologies for any misunderstandings.

There have been different methods of squishing the bowl pads posted. The temporary finger method gives a good idea of what it will sound like.

 

[stet]

when i saw the title of the thread, i thought you were baking a cake.

 

[Mr.PD]

I prefer the bowls on my RS-1s. The flats seem to make them a little bit less airy. I'm sure my bowl pads aren't as thick now as they were when new. They are very old.

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budley007 Somehow, this doesn't sound like a very good long-term solution. I mean, what do you do when your fingers get tired? I can't imagine trying this in public. Did I just read this wrong or what? My apologies for any misunderstandings.

one merely hires a professional bowl squisher to accompany one around town.

 

[dj_mocok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dip16amp There have been different methods of squishing the bowl pads posted. The temporary finger method gives a good idea of what it will sound like.

what is temporary finger method ? care explaining to me ? thanks.

 

[r3cc0s]

I personally use Bowls, I used to only have flats with my rs-2's

but again, the flats gave a very warm presentation, with too much midbass and lack of layering and staging

however the bowls are significantly colder
it's like ying/yang

bass is punchier and tigher and more detail, statging, yet presentation is colder

A perfect inbetween just to warm up the bowls a tag would be perfect
someone make something please
or maybe a less porus bowl is the way to go?

 

[Mr.Radar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok what is temporary finger method ? care explaining to me ? thanks.

See dip16amp's post above:

Quote:

Originally Posted by dip16amp With the bowls, I can vary the sound quite a bit by pressing the earpieces against my head with a thumb and finger on each side. This squishes the bowl pads down to get more bass. Others like squished bowl pads too. Getting the right amount of squish could be tricky.

 

[BowerR64]

I think the bowls are more comfortable. Since they are a little deeper it seems that my ear is a little more relaxed under the bowls. They feel hard but i can wear them longer with less fatigue.