Looking for a compliment for my PS-1

[xand1x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 I really think the K701s will fit that bill nicely. The have great soundstage and excellent bass but have a more forward crisper presentation then the 650s. The RS1s are nice but I find them to be lacking in soundstage when not being run balanced. As said the K1ks, HP2, L3k, and JPN would be nice but those are quite hard to find. I vote K701s

x2

 

[wakeride74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1911 haha..wake....even when you find the perfect phone it is so human nature for the eyes to start roving again....the downfall of us all!

I know, and I haven't even gotten my E500 yet! ...but that's for work not home

K701... hmmm consider this I will... I'd better be somewhat certain, if I return one more thing to Headroom they'll probably add me to their black list!

 

[Rhydon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulveling The problem is that these days, ALL of the really good headphones (except Omega II) are OOP, $$$$, and hard to find Someone needs to come out with a serious flagship headphone ASAP.

I may be able to help you out with that. I will be releasing a new set of mods to the Grado upper-end line of headphones. I cant say much now, but the PS-1's will have a run for their money.


Rhydon.

 

[jbunniii]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakeride74 I have been using the PS-1 as my be all end all headphone at home. It does 95% of my music exactly how I like to hear it. Sometimes I feel like changing it up with a different flavor which brings me to my question. What would be a nice compliment to the PS-1? Something still somewhat forward but with a bit larger soundstage, super detailed, not too lean in the bass, and not too dark (aka HD650)?? CD3k, SA5k, RS-1, K701??

I just got the K701 recently and I'm really enjoying it, more so than the Senn HD-600 or 650, more so than the Beyer DT-880. It's not dark like the HD-650. Both the soundstage and the detail/instrument separation are very nice. Overall I think it's an excellent complement to the PS-1. Also much cheaper - be sure to call TTVJ for a quote considerably below the price listed on his site.

Honestly I'm thinking about selling a few of my headphones now that I have the K701. The HD-600, HD-650, and DT-880 in particular are all (in my opinion) inferior in some respects and superior in none to the K701. Also thinking of selling the Sony SA-5000 as I've never really warmed up to it. That would leave me with the Grado PS-1, HP-1, and RS-1, and the K701. As you know I'm a big Grado fan, so this should give you some indication how much I'm enjoying the K701.

 

[libertine]

Soundwise I really like 701's, but just think they are so ugly.

Oh, does anyone know what a decent price to pay for HP-2's is?

I really want a pair of PS-1s but it is looking really unlikely I will be able to get some.

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakeride74 I have been using the PS-1 as my be all end all headphone at home. It does 95% of my music exactly how I like to hear it. Sometimes I feel like changing it up with a different flavor which brings me to my question. What would be a nice compliment to the PS-1? Something still somewhat forward but with a bit larger soundstage, super detailed, not too lean in the bass, and not too dark (aka HD650)?? CD3k, SA5k, RS-1, K701??

I love the PS-1 (still surprised I sold it.)

Letsee... larger soundstage - well, lots of cans will give you that. Drop the RS-1, I'd look outside of Grado.

super detailed - PS-1 is plenty detailed. SA5k is more detailed, K 701 has nice detail. I wouldn't look to CD3k or RS-1 to be more detailed, though each have plenty of detail.

Not too lean in bass.... SA5k might be too lean for you. Ditto K 701. Hard to say what lean in bass means when your reference is PS-1

Not too dark. None of these are too dark.

I might suggest the L3000. It's a nice alternative, as it's surprisingly fast, and instead of the raw power/punch the PS-1 give you, it succeeds based on very nice imaging (tho not super wide or super exaggerated), plenty of bass, sweet mids.

Oh, you're only interested in production models... well CD3k is out too.

Hmm. Well, let's list them:
K 701
W5000
HD650 (out)
RS-1 (out - quite different, but not end of the spectrum different, from PS-1. Both are still quite clearly John Grado cans, esp with bowls. Just the RS-1 moreso)
DT880 (I've never really been that impressed by the Byers, so out).

Personally, if I still had my PS-1, I'd rather have a W5000 than K 701. It's just a different approach. W5000 is more seductive to me than the K 701, and that's the alternative I'd want with the PS-1. Don't take that statement to mean the W5000 is not a performer. It's also, like the L3k, surprisingly fast and has a nice clarity to the treble. It's just more different. Hard to articulate why, other than saying the PS-1 reminds me of a new BMW M5 and the W5000 as a Lexus SC430 (if they ever came out with a newer model). K701 is like a A6 with whatever it's v8 is in this comparison.

I'm not super familar with the K 701. It seems nice based on my brief experiences. Seems a bit middle of the road to me. W5000 is also somewhat middle of the road, but it's got the more recent audio-technica sound which is different. I think the W5000 and PS-1 pairing would be quite nice.

Unfortunately, I'd want totally different amps for each.

Best,

-Jason

 

[cheechoz]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned these, but your needing an SA5000 to give you the super detail that you crave!

I don't think, other than the Qualia, there's anything that can match it, IMO!

 

[jjcha]

Heh, woops, forgot the SA5k in the second part of the analysis above. Honestly, I don't really recommend it to mate with the PS-1. I just feel I'd use them in the same sorts of situation. For me they're both very masculine, punchy and fun cans. To that degree, I'd want an alternative sonic signature, which is why I gravitated towards the W5000.

Best,

-Jason