Is there anything better than Grado's for rock?

[ironmics]

I'm trying to get the optimal set of cans according to the genre's of music I listen to. I have DT770-250's for hiphop, triphop, pop, etc., which are my main phone, HD580's for female vocals, classical etc., but that's definitely not my main area of listening, and I also have SR60's for rock. In the future I'd like to upgrade my rock phones. I've always read that Grado's are the best for rock, but I was wondering what other high end options there are for rock?

 

[Sovkiller]

I have tried grado and they are not my cup of tea at all, I enjoy a lot more the CD3000 for rock music, and for any other as well...

 

[Kirosia]

With a *good* recording, I found the HD650 do be quite right. (bad recordings, which appear to be rampant, sound like arse on it) But you already the 580, I don't have any idea how big the differences are.

 

[delphi]

sony mdr-sa1/3/5k's

 

[CamelBackCinema]

2 tickets to an Aerosmith concert... they sound better than grados

 

[mektarus]

I have SR80's and they sound great for rock but they can be fatiguing even with the most comfortable of pads. Rock is all about fun and to me there is nothing more fun to listen to than KSC35's w/ a 75ohm adaptor.

 

[jjcha]

I can't think of a better headphone for rock than Grado. The ATH-L3000 did okay with rock, and sometimes I listen to rock with my Qualia or SA5000. And I did listen to rock when I owned the HD650, and I have heard rock out of the R10, CD3000, K1000. I think Beyerdynamics are the only real line I haven't owned yet.

And for all of these, none brought dumb grins to my face more with rock than the PS-1, RS-1 or HP-2. Grado just has that bite to the guitars and edge energy that rock needs. Add on nice bass and an upforward punchy presentation with sweet vocals - what more do you need?

As if rock is about soundstage

...

Best,

-Jason

 

[Jahn]

HOLY CRAP I was listening to "World in My Eyes - Cicada Mix" with the STAX, thinking it wasn't so bad and pretty hard hitting - then I switched over the the Grado HP-2 from the Melos and WHAM!

Guys, nothing has the impact of a Grado. Nada. Rock On!

 

[Shaikoten]

Simple answer to OP:
[size=medium]"No."[/size]
Edit for clarification, perhaps I was too simple: When I say no, I mean that it's not going to get much better than Grados and rock.

 

[Jahn]

Excuse me, what did you say? I was too busy having an Eargasm over here.

 

[mektarus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mektarus I have SR80's and they sound great for rock but they can be fatiguing even with the most comfortable of pads. Rock is all about fun and to me there is nothing more fun to listen to than KSC35's w/ a 75ohm adaptor.

Obviously my suggestion was the poor man's option.

 

[lmilhan]

No.

 

[nabwong]

Speakers.

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia With a *good* recording, I found the HD650 do be quite right. (bad recordings, which appear to be rampant, sound like arse on it)

That's true of nearly any high end headphone IMO... and unfortunately, a lot of rock is poorly recorded. It's a difficult problem for headphones to still be reasonably hi-fi and sound OK with poor recordings. Grado seems to have solved it (somewhat). I used to use my SR-60s to listen to scratchier vinyl records, as the lack of microdetails masked a lot of flaws while still sounding pretty good.

Koss KSC35/75/portapro sounds pretty good to me with rock, but IMO falls into the low-fi or "has fatal flaws" category (in this case, the bass mostly). For those who only listen to rock occasionally or only portably, they may be a good choice.

 

[RacerX]

No. Grados Rule.

Er...however, I did like the AKG 701s I listened to recently...but, no that's heresy! Grado all the way!

Grado.

Really.

Hmm.