Loving the grado sound, what's next for me

[jas_kidd32]

I've acquired an MS1 3 months ago, and although during that time I wasnt so impressed by it, as compared to my E4C but now i realised the potential of these headphones. These are great for rock as most people in Head-fi would suggest. Although rock is generalized a bit, rock can take in a lot of different shape and form but one thing is for sure, ACDC is meant to be heard on a Grado

Now i know why it's called the 'gateway drug'

. Now I want to take the next step and get into the higher end cans. What is the most logical progression for me? Should I climb up the Grado ladder and get me an SR325i or MS2i or should i travel a different path and go for either SA5000, HD650, and of course the K701.

Of the 3 non-Grado headphones i mentioned, which one is most suitable for rock?

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jas_kidd32 I've acquired an MS1 3 months ago, and although during that time I wasnt so impressed by it, as compared to my E4C but now i realised the potential of these headphones. These are great for rock as most people in Head-fi would suggest. Although rock is generalized a bit, rock can take in a lot of different shape and form but one thing is for sure, ACDC is meant to be heard on a Grado Now i know why it's called the 'gateway drug' . Now I want to take the next step and get into the higher end cans. What is the most logical progression for me? Should I climb up the Grado ladder and get me an SR325i or MS2i or should i travel a different path and go for either SA5000, HD650, and of course the K701. Of the 3 non-Grado headphones i mentioned, which one is most suitable for rock?

I would say the SA5000 - The Senns are too slow.

 

[markot86]

In all honesty, no one can tell you. I too use to love the ms-1's and then I fell in love with the sennheiser sound. Try them all and see what you like best. I'm one of the few who enjoys rock immensely through the 650's

 

[EvilDwarf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jas_kidd32 I've acquired an MS1 3 months ago, and although during that time I wasnt so impressed by it, as compared to my E4C but now i realised the potential of these headphones. These are great for rock as most people in Head-fi would suggest. Although rock is generalized a bit, rock can take in a lot of different shape and form but one thing is for sure, ACDC is meant to be heard on a Grado Now i know why it's called the 'gateway drug' . Now I want to take the next step and get into the higher end cans. What is the most logical progression for me? Should I climb up the Grado ladder and get me an SR325i or MS2i or should i travel a different path and go for either SA5000, HD650, and of course the K701. Of the 3 non-Grado headphones i mentioned, which one is most suitable for rock?

For guitar rock, the DT880 are often recommended. I find them very nice for spacier and "high quality" rock recordings, like Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree etc. Especially guitars sound good. Of course, they haven't got the grado slam.

 

[aerius]

Go all the way up to the RS-1 and be done with the upgrade cycle for good. The 325 & MS2 are incremental improvements, relatively small refinements of the MS-1. The RS-1 is a fundamental upgrade, does everything a lot better things which SR-series Grados can't do.

Of the other headphones, the SA5000 sounds fast, but only because it is very lacking in bass, not to mention hideously bright. Any headphone which has no bass can be made to sound fast, it's painful to listen to. The Senn 650 is not a rock 'phone, it doesn't have good guitar tone and it always feels like it's falling behind the beat of the music. Yuck. The K701 has no energy, lackluster dynamics, wimpy bass, and a fairy-airy presentation which sucks the fun & life out of rock. They all suck, but I'd say the 650 sucks the least out of them.

 

[jim580]

aerius,
Come on, don't hold back. Tell us what you really think!!

jas_kidd32,
Sorry I can't be of a lot of help. My 600's do sound a little slow on some rock. My 60's are great but just a little bright for my taste. I'm trying to hit middle ground with the 701's. But that's just speculation untill they arrive.
I've read good things about the 325i's. There is a thread here sonewhere just about them.
Luck with your quest.
Jim

~

 

[jagorev]

All headphones suck except [INSERT BRAND HERE].

 

[nabwong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerius Go all the way up to the RS-1 and be done with the upgrade cycle for good. The 325 & MS2 are incremental improvements, relatively small refinements of the MS-1. The RS-1 is a fundamental upgrade, does everything a lot better things which SR-series Grados can't do. Of the other headphones, the SA5000 sounds fast, but only because it is very lacking in bass, not to mention hideously bright. Any headphone which has no bass can be made to sound fast, it's painful to listen to. The Senn 650 is not a rock 'phone, it doesn't have good guitar tone and it always feels like it's falling behind the beat of the music. Yuck. The K701 has no energy, lackluster dynamics, wimpy bass, and a fairy-airy presentation which sucks the fun & life out of rock. They all suck, but I'd say the 650 sucks the least out of them.

I gather you don't listen to classical music.

 

[aerius]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabwong I gather you don't listen to classical music.

Actually I do, in Roy Thomson Hall. But you're right in a sense, I very rarely listen to classical music on my headphones.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerius Go all the way up to the RS-1 and be done with the upgrade cycle for good. The 325 & MS2 are incremental improvements, relatively small refinements of the MS-1. The RS-1 is a fundamental upgrade, does everything a lot better things which SR-series Grados can't do. Of the other headphones, the SA5000 sounds fast, but only because it is very lacking in bass, not to mention hideously bright. Any headphone which has no bass can be made to sound fast, it's painful to listen to. The Senn 650 is not a rock 'phone, it doesn't have good guitar tone and it always feels like it's falling behind the beat of the music. Yuck. The K701 has no energy, lackluster dynamics, wimpy bass, and a fairy-airy presentation which sucks the fun & life out of rock. They all suck, but I'd say the 650 sucks the least out of them.

I completely agree - and I also listen to Senn 600 with cardas cable. I prefer the 600 over the 650, because it sounds more nuetral to me. But the Sennheissers will not get your toes tapping to beats no matter what. The Cardas cable helped, but it's just their style. They do everything right except that.

The RS-1 does everything well. The Mohagony makes the acoustic guitar and other wood instruments sound amazing. Classical music sounds very good through them, but the Senns soundstage much better.

In my case I had to get both, and if I had to give one up, it would be the Senns.

 

[Alex M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jas_kidd32 Now I want to take the next step and get into the higher end cans. What is the most logical progression for me? Should I climb up the Grado ladder and get me an SR325i or MS2i or should i travel a different path and go for either SA5000, HD650, and of course the K701. Of the 3 non-Grado headphones i mentioned, which one is most suitable for rock?

Trying out high-end Grado is the safest way to go, as you already like 'Grado sound'. They are also considered to be less demanding with respect to amplification than the other headphones you mentioned.

SA5000 would be good for complex instrumental recordings. You may want to take a look at this review by Iron_Dreamer.

I think your may find HD650 less fatiguing, but also less exciting for rock than the other choices.

 

[kramer5150]

RS1... just skip to the top. Dont bother with anything else if youre already a fan of the Grado sound, just refine that and go from there.

 

[swmtnbiker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 RS1... just skip to the top. Dont bother with anything else if youre already a fan of the Grado sound, just refine that and go from there.

Right on. Everything in between is just a stepping stone. The problem is you don't realize that until you've gone through 'em all.