MS-2 (MS-2i) appreciation thread

[JamesMcProgger]

Quote:

I just did, above your post
 


 

are you a wizard?
 
thanks.

 

[JamesMcProgger]

Quote:

People often said the MS2 is brighter but having both MS1 and MS2 I don't agree on that.
MS1 is good and I have no problem listening to either one of them any time. MS1 mid range is more grainy and forceful while MS2 is buttery smooth.
Forceful mid can sounds good too, MS2 is more relaxing. It is like old whiskey while taste the same, it is smoother to swallow.
 
MS2 is much more detail but I also find MS1 is detail enough and MS2 price cost 2x more. Some modern tracks are optimize for general earphones so MS1 can sounds "bright" for this instant.
Then using others earphone/headphone on this badly recorded tracks does have the same problem. Most of them sounds ear piercing while the Grado's sound more "ringing". All I have to do is to lower the volume. So I think it is not the fault of the headphones but the recorded tracks itself. MS2 "ringing" is less tiring as they are smoother, does that mean it is less "bright"?
I think so. It is not as bright as MS1 just smoother, more detail and to some it just sounds "brighter". I think it is the same old whiskey just older and smoother
 
But like I said, because I have the MS2 if not I have no problem listening to the MS1 at all. I have the MS2 because I got a use pair around $150, something I cannot pass and of course better than MS1.
 
 

 
MS2 is $300, MS1 is $100
that is quite a deal! maybe i can find me one like that.

 

[whoelse]

Yes it is quite a deal that's why I said it's a must buy
 
The MS2 I got comes with a 414 pad. I never believe pad make so much a differences. When I got the MS2 and compare with the MS1, the MS1 sound veil. Then I swap the S-cushion from the MS1 to the MS2 and the MS2 sounds veil. I then listen to the MS1 with the 414 pad and it sounds like an MS1 pro (haha no such thing as MS1 pro, I made it up). I soon realized it is the pad that make such a big difference. Not sure for other brands but for Grado yes, pad make a big different

 

[reivaj]

If you get lucky you can find a used pair on here. However, finding a used pair of ms2i seems to be pretty rare. Ive searched the FS section almost daily for deals and I picked mine up from there for 200. I do see the 325i on sale pretty often for like 250 and a little lower at times. Just depends on how new

 

[laxsar]

Quote:

I just got my MS-2i's today after a manufacturing delay, and it seems they've switched back away from the chromed look to a slightly textured aluminum.  These are the only MS-2i's I've seen in person, so I'm not sure if this is the same as they used to look.
 

It has a grainy texture? Or is that just how the finishing looks? Does it feel grainy at the touch? Looks sexy btw
 

 

[laxsar]

Never mind, upon closer inspection, it looks like a subtle metallic finish of some sort. 

 

[TheMiddleSky]

so, the chrome MS2i becomes the rare one eh?

 

[Nick01]

This is the email I got from Grado regarding the chrome look.
 
[size=10pt]Hi Neil

there was a production run of SR325is that was done in Chrome.

currently that is not the case[/size]
 
 
[size=10pt]Happy Listening[/size]
[size=10pt]Grado Labs[/size]
[size=10pt]4614 7th Ave[/size]
[size=10pt]Brooklyn NY 11220[/size]
[size=10pt]718-435-5340 [/size]

 

[gardener]

Finally recieved mine today, lovin' them
 
New reason to listen to a heap of music. Have yellow pads and the bowls, try both over time, they pack a punch, but good though

 

[marts30]

Got mine yesterday, like them a whole lot more then the MS pros which I just sold!
 
I find them even less fatiguing than the Pros, which had a little too much bass for me. Perfect for metal with the forward mids and the highs I don't find piercing at all, contrary to what I've read. I couldn't justify the price/sound of the Pro's, but I can and some with the MS2.

 

[Arboginge911]

I'm hopefully going to be joining this family soon enough!
I've been deliberating on whether or not to get these, or the 325's I think I've decided on these for their tamed highs and increased soundstage.
Just a couple of questions on these, are the cans themselves full aluminum or do they switch to plastic where the pad starts? 
And I've read in previous posts, these cans are 'picky' to drive, just what do you mean by that? I plan on running these out of a Fiio E17, will that suffice? 
Thanks for your help!

 

[Mr.Sneis]

MS-2's inbound, will see how they fare vs RS-1i tomorrow!  I will throw flats on them as my perennial favorite on Grados.
 
I've never heard 325's and have also never heard Alessandros.  I do like the RS-1i a lot though.  Does Alessandro "bin" better than Grado when it comes to build quality?

 

[tamahome77]

The MS2s has always reminded me of a thinner sounding, brighter and less refined pair of HP-2. 

 

[Mr.Sneis]

Tamahome I think I agree with you there however I also find that the HP-2 is clinically neutral compared to even the MS-2.

Based on a few hours or so yesterday of comparing the RS-1i to MS-2, here's some notes I made whilst listening to the MS-2.  These are the old school MS-2's.

Previous Grado history: HP-2, RS-1, Rs-1i, SR-80, SR-60, HF-1, HF-2

RS-1i bass extends noticeably further down - I think sub bass has more exaggeration on rs-1i while mid-bass more exaggerated on ms-2*
RS-1i soundstage is increased and has some airiness that hangs around around notes - less 2-dimensional than the ms-2
RS-1i Seems to pickup more details
RS-1i more colored, ms-2 more neutral
Love that MS-2 is not sibilant (so far...)

*Sometimes one sounds thinner than the other in certain passages but they really trade blows here - maybe it's just in my head

The MS-2 is an amazing value compared to the RS-1i but I know in my head that the RS-1i is technically superior.  This makes me a little sad as the price difference is substantial (2x) yet the SQ improvement is not quite so.  As per Alessandro vs Grado - finding a Grado that is noticeably more neutral BTW is a pretty awesome experience now that I think about it because most of their products are soo colored.  

Also thinking back to the HF-2 as it's a phone a lot of people have heard - the HF-2 has a thickness to it like it's "darker" - neither the RS-1i or the MS-2 exhibit this.  
 

 

[Arboginge911]

Just got a pair of the MS2i's. I love them, they sound so crisp, clean and overall amazing, I can tell this love affair is going to last a very long time.