MS-2 (MS-2i) appreciation thread

[gardener]

thanks for the bump, been a good read this thread, and have been comtemplating the MS-2i for a while now, might get a pair

 

[gardener]

anyone listening to their MS2i ?

 

[RollsDownWindowsManually]

Yes!  I've had mine for 5 years now and really have no desire to buy another set of headphones.  Is that bad? 

 
I remember going to a grado dealer and comparing the rs-2, and sr-225 to my MS2's and preferring the MS2 by a good bit.  In fact I almost want to buy another MS2 just in case they stop making them.  I love this headphone, and although I probably listen to my Etymotic ER-4P just as much because I'm on the road so often, for me, the MS2(i) is the ultimate headphone. 

 

[laxsar]

Greetings,
 
I just got my MS-2i about 9 hours ago, after  auditioning headphones at a local headphone enthusiast shop, and after many months of research ( and wishing).
 
Hours ago, I was auditioning headphones such as K701, SR325i, DT880 (250ohm) and HD650. At the end of it, I was horribly torn between choosing the SR325i or the MS-2i. The difference is there but needs a hefty amount of  listening to decide, at least for me. In all honesty it was very difficult for me to choose between SR325i and MS-2i, after using all sort of amps, flats/bowls and etc.
 
For me, the MS-2 is very slightly laid back in the highs, has better mids and less bright overall. I would say I preferred the MS-2i because of how female vocals sound on them, very slightly larger sound stage, the looks (it doesn't have the button on the grill like the 325) and a bit more laid back in the highs and mids.
 
The HD650 would likely be my next purchase, just for the fact that, for me, it would be the comfort factor and the laid back sound. And I couldn't afford getting the HD650 with an amp, lol. DT880 wasn't for me, neither was the K701.
 
So I ended up purchasing the MS-2i with the new iBasso D6.
 
First impressions:
 
I LOVE THIS HEADPHONE, OMG!.
 
Out of the box, the MS-2i sounds extremely fantastic. I listen to various genres, less to classical music though.
 
I have a Xonar DG, a budget sound card equipped with an integrated headphone amp; this was my previous setup. So...
 
Hooked my D6 through USB, driver installed automatically with Windows 7 64 bit. Turned on JRMC, set output to WASAPI event style. Had a confirmation message to switch my output to 24/96, then played Chromeo - Night by Night.
 
 
...If being blown away can be measured by distance, I'd say 4 clicks,  with tears of joy and a smile on my face. 
 
Like this:


 
 

1. The MS-2i wasn't overly bright, or too 'fun', guess I'm used to SR60i or Grado sound .
2. Comfort wise, again, used to Grados, so no complaints here.
3. SQ difference close to astronomical compared to SR60i (obviously?) and pretty much better sounding than SR125i (which I borrow from my buddy from time to time)
4. The Bass is tight, controlled, not punchy or not too punchy rather. To be fair, I don't like thumpy, over the top bass.
5. The chrome finish. I don't know what to say, I don't hate it, but I'm not too fond of it either. To me, the MS-2i looks gorgeous. To each it's own.

 
Flipped through some tracks from Incubus, Metallica, Chromeo, Sublime... I could easily distinguish instruments while having tight and controlled bass, female vocals sound so authentic, all at a low volume.
 
With the MS-2i, I am rediscovering my FLAC and CDs, again. I can't really imagine what it would sound like after it's fully burnt in.
 
I would  advise  those who are still in doubt and still choosing: Bring your own source, songs that you're familiar with and like, and audition the headphones even if it takes you a whole day trying them out.
 
Thanks to reviews and especially head-fi.org's fantastic community, I would say the MS-2i helped me in making the choice for the most fitting headphone to my liking (and ears), paving the road to further punching of holes in my wallet.
 
Lastly, apologies if my maiden post is too long.
 
Here are some pics (sorry for the quality, taken with a webcam lol):
 

 



 
 
Seriously, this headphone sounds so good, T_T.
 
 
 

 

[nickchen]

Have they changed the design to polished lately?

 

[laxsar]

Quote:

Have they changed the design to polished lately?

Yes. Here's the thread about the 325i chrome:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/530752/is-this-a-real-grado-sr325is/1
 
 

 

[reivaj]

what was it that turned you off from the 880 and k701 compared to the ms2i?

 

[laxsar]

Mids. I was comparing female vocals, and highs. Honestly, the display units haven't had enough burn time to begin with. And on top of it all, certain amps do wonders to certain headphones. So to my ears, I loved the K701 in a sense of accuracy and detail with most of the tracks I heard, but the vocals did not have that energy and feel to it compared to the MS2i. The 880 on the other hand, in the most general sense, lacks that forwardness of the treble. 880 sounds 'normal' to me, maybe soulless in a sense.
 
Over here, a K701 costs as much as HD650. I'm contemplating on whether to get the HD650 or K701 to complement my setup.

 

[apatN]

If you say you chose the MS2 because of the mids I get it that you like a little bit more emotion and colour in your sound. As such, I think the HD650 will fit you better than the K701.
 
Also, how do the MS2 compare to your modded SR60 (what mods did you do)?

 

[laxsar]

Quote:

If you say you chose the MS2 because of the mids I get it that you like a little bit more emotion and colour in your sound. As such, I think the HD650 will fit you better than the K701.
 
Also, how do the MS2 compare to your modded SR60 (what mods did you do)?

 
Spot on, I don't know what is it about the mids with the MS2i, it's more soulful, energetic, the guitars, vocals, just.. aural bliss..
 
My friend has an HD650, we switch sometimes, and I have to say that I love the sound of it. As much as the MS2i I think, on a different scale.
On some tracks especially 'loud' ones, the HD650 gives more detail and depth due to the expansive sound stage. All in all I understand why most have different headphones in their collection: each one complements each other, to me at least.
 
I feel the K701 needs further auditioning, which I will go this weekend, lol. I still remember the initial impression is that it has that Grado brightness (mildly), with the HD650's sound stage, which makes me curious if this is the best of both worlds in terms of what I strive to look for in SQ, if you know what I mean.
Long term: Desktop amp+DAC, Short term: K701/K702/HD650, or both

 
My SR60i, 4 hole vented , blue tac + felt linings, removed button and installed fine metal grill, recabled to a thicker copper wire (generic speaker cables), bowls.
 
The sound I can only describe it as 'ultra fun', I get lost in the music most of the time with these. After a while I start to notice the lack of sparkle and details that the MS2i have. The bass fun at first, seems exaggerated and bloated at times. I'm pretty sure if I can get my hands on wood cups, liberated drivers installed into wood liner it would definitely match or better my MS2, in some departments. I also think that I can only do so much being limited with the driver of SR60i in the first place.
 
Sorry about straying away from the topic, I feel that as someone who's  new to head-fi, the quest has just begun and it's gonna be a wallet draining blast of a time. After I got the MS2i I find myself less gaming and rediscovering my CDs/FLACs while lurking in head-fi, which is pretty awesome.

 

[apatN]

Nice, thank you.

 

[kenshin27]

Just got mine fresh from Alessandro today. Loving it. Sounds as good as the SR325is I just returned without the occasional eardrum piercing. Definitely a keeper! =)

 

[Nick01]

I just got the MS2 a few days ago from Headphonic. I've always admired their metallic look. I must say they look even better in real life. Lovely chrome.

 

[reivaj]

i like the brushed aluminum look more but the chrome looks nice. I would be scared to leave finger prints on it all the time. I do already freak out with my other headphones when it comes to finger prints

 

[laxsar]

Quote:

Just got mine fresh from Alessandro today. Loving it. Sounds as good as the SR325is I just returned without the occasional eardrum piercing. Definitely a keeper! =)

Grats on your purchase, it is indeed less shrill than 325i. Sounds awesome.
 

 
Quote:

i like the brushed aluminum look more but the chrome looks nice. I would be scared to leave finger prints on it all the time. I do already freak out with my other headphones when it comes to finger prints

I do prefer the brushed finish more, most of my friends who try on my MS2i were surprised it was quite heavy after assuming it was plastic by the way it looks. It does make me wipe it often, and I make myself handle the MS2i by holding the L-cush instead of gripping it by the cups

.
 
On another note, after about 250 hours of burning in, the bass is tighter, mids slightly airier, and soundstage slightly larger. A/Bing with Xonar Essence ST / iBasso D6 -> HD650 and K701 at the moment, but I'm finding myself listening back to the MS2i occasionally. Music just has more energy and soul in it with MS2i, you know when a very good song pops up in my playlist especially ones that involves acoustic guitars and female vocals, it makes me stop everything I'm doing in front of my PC, close my eyes and really feel the groove. For instance, on Guns & Roses - Patience, if anyone walks into my room they can see me swaying on the chair holding an air mic - axl rose style; so far, HD650 or K701 can't make me do this yet.