[phillevy]

Hate to say it but for me it's the Meze Empyrean - way too relaxed and lacking in energy or detail resolution, to my ears. Tried to love them as the looks and build are stellar but the tuning made them strangely unengaging and kind of boring.

You could also argue that the Empyrean is one of the most most underated headphones - many people share your view in spite of how popular they are with others.

 

[Benno1988]

You could also argue that the Empyrean is one of the most most underated headphones - many people share your view in spite of how popular they are with others.

Nobody is out there saying the Empyrean is under-rated.

If it was 40% cheaper and nobody was talking about it, maybe.

 

[Shamburg]

After experiencing their DYI (or worse) build quality, their drugstore-product packaging, their propensity for premature failure due to the poorly engineered cabling system, their depressingly cheap and uncomfortable earpads, their extravagant claims about various tonewood housings, and, last but not least, their harsh and screechy tonal balance . . .

Grados, at least the more expensive ones, win the "emperor has no clothes" award for me.

 

[natalieann]

Anyone who says the HD 800s is out of their mind

 

[god-bluff]

After experiencing their DYI (or worse) build quality, their drugstore-product packaging, their propensity for premature failure due to the poorly engineered cabling system, their depressingly cheap and uncomfortable earpads, their ridiculous claims about various tonewood housings, and, last but not least, their harsh and screechy tonal balance . . .

Grados win the "emperor has no clothes" award for me.

Balderdash !

 

[FlyingFungus]

Fostex TH-X00 - They are not good.

Blasphemy! Blasphemy I say! Haha

 

[Derivative]

You could also argue that the Empyrean is one of the most most underated headphones - many people share your view in spite of how popular they are with others.

Indeed! Certainly one of the most polarising headphones on the scene.

 

[OnlySoMany]

Great thread. I'd have to say

#1: Grado. I do like how they sound, but dear god their build quality (and pads!!)....it makes HifiMan look good

I do somewhat agree with the Empyrean, however, if it was your only set of cans you can certainly do worse. They do very well at certain types of music, and the upgraded silver cable does help. And they look pretty.

 

[Shamburg]

Great thread. I'd have to say

#1: Grado. I do like how they sound, but dear god their build quality (and pads!!)....it makes HifiMan look good

I do somewhat agree with the Empyrean, however, if it was your only set of cans you can certainly do worse. They do very well at certain types of music, and the upgraded silver cable does help. And they look pretty.

I love the Grado brand and heritage and want to love their headphones. Back in the day, they were one of the "go to" audiophile headphones. Problem is, they haven't changed much since "back in the day," while headphone craft and technology have changed dramatically and for the better. I'm glad they still have a place at the table but wish they relied a bit less on their heritage and 'brand vibe' and more on elevating their product quality.

 

[Halimj7]

Anyone who says the HD 800s is out of their mind

So Boring imo. I tried to like them twice.

 

[Shamburg]

So Boring imo. I tried to like them twice.

I tried once. That was enough. Didn’t hear the magic

 

[Spawn300Z]

I haven't been back to this thread is a while. Thinking over the past year, the 2 headphones that stand out to me as the most overrated are

1. DCA Stealth. Totally boring sound.
2. LCD-5. It's too bright and aggressive and even most people who like it say it needs EQ.

This would be a misconception. You need a good chain to really make the DCA Stealth or Expanse Shine. They are billed as portable but for this to be portable you need at least a Hugo 2. But add a Hugo 2/Cayin C9 and your good to go.

 

[jonathan c]

Anyone who says the HD 800s is out of their mind

Isn’t being out of the mind the path to objectivity…true connection ?

 

[ThanatosVI]

Nobody is out there saying the Empyrean is under-rated.

If it was 40% cheaper and nobody was talking about it, maybe.

Oh it certainly is. It receives a lot of unjustified hate.

 

[Ilomaenkimi]

I love the Grado brand and heritage and want to love their headphones. Back in the day, they were one of the "go to" audiophile headphones. Problem is, they haven't changed much since "back in the day," while headphone craft and technology have changed dramatically and for the better. I'm glad they still have a place at the table but wish they relied a bit less on their heritage and 'brand vibe' and more on elevating their product quality.

To me headphones are only for listening and enjoying music, not to admire build quality or looks.
e.g. i had Focal Stellias, build quality and looks were superb. But what joy there is in them if music does not breathe?

To me Grados give something special what i haven’t found of any other brand.
These are very personal things. I am sooo happy that i decided try Grados. My journey of swapping headphones has come to an end.
Finally.