[dissembled]

Great comparison. How many hours did the Equation RP-21 get burned in as opposed to your MS1s?

Also, is there any soundstage on the MS1s at all? I'm not sure why most Grado phones don't have soundstage since they're open.

 

[mrarroyo]

Also remember that Grado cans leak a lot. With the RP21 being close leakage will not be a problem.

 

[12thgear]

I'm not a proponent of burn in myself. I can't tell if my headphones burn in or if I simply get used to them. That said, I've put about 6 hours of listening on the RP-21 so far.

Regarding soundstage, the difference between the MS-1 and the RP-21 isn't huge, generally. The MS-1 is a little more direct and in your head. The area where it really becomes an issue is classical. I listened to Break out ~ Cantabile off the Macross Plus soundtrack. Both headphones do a great job of accurately reproducing the instruments, but the RP-21 really creates a sense of space and because of that it sounds much more believably like an orchestra.

 

[grndslm]

Sorry to burst your RP-21 bubble, but I certainly wouldn't use them for portability.

For portable usage, I'd check out MDR-V6 (closed, $70) or KSC75 (open, $15 + $5 for headband)

 

[BigAmish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12thgear /img/forum/go_quote.gif The RP-21 sounds great. Tonally pretty balanced, maybe a bit extra in the bass, but it's not boomy and has impressive bass extension. Midrange is very good, but not as engaging as the MS-1. The highs seem a little harsh. Depending on the recording cymbals and high hats may not sound very authentic with the RP-21 while the MS-1 will still offer decent high end detail and a little more "sparkle". Sort of what I imagine people mean when they discuss Grado harshness. Soundstage is a little better than the MS-1, but not by a large margin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12thgear /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I never heard the MS-1 I'd love the RP-21. Love. These are both headphones that are way better than they have any right to be for $100. The MS-1 will remain my favorite headphone, but I'm keeping an RP-21 when I need closed headphones (these seal very well) or want deeper bass extension.

You know, I was prepared to write up a fairly detailed comparison of my MS-1s & RP-21s but 12thgear's opinions echo my own so closely that I really don't need to bother! I will simply build upon those comments in the paragraphs below.

DISCLAIMER: I am an admitted Grado/Alessandro junkie. Also, I listen to my MS-1s with bowl pads exclusively since their sibilance was tamed with prolonged burn-in (easily over 200 hours by now). In contrast, My RP-21s have about 100 hours accumulated pink noise burn in since I purchased them.

I bought my RP-21s as a solid 'bang-for-buck' circumaural closed can to complement my MS-1s (which are my main cans) when open cans aren't practical. I never intended on the RP-21s repacing my MS-1s due to my preference for the general sound of open Gradoesque cans. This being said, the RP-21s are still quite good, especially for the price. Although I am no expert, I am hard pressed to think of another set closed circumaural cans that has a reputation for performing this well for a similar price.

One listening situation (aside from privacy & classical music) that I prefer the RP-21s over the MS-1s is listening to DVD movies, specifically action movies! Since the RP-21s have a fuller bottom and somewhat better soundstage, anything that gives my home theater subwoofer a workout sounds nice in these cans.

Again, thanks 12thgear for saving me some work! I am glad I bought the RP-21s & won't be giving them up for a good long time.

To the original OP...bottom line, if you absolutely need isolation, get the RP-21s. Otherwise, I prefer the MS-1s.

 

[BigAmish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grndslm /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry to burst your RP-21 bubble, but I certainly wouldn't use them for portability. For portable usage, I'd check out MDR-V6 (closed, $70) or KSC75 (open, $15 + $5 for headband)

x2, big time!

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAmish /img/forum/go_quote.gif x2, big time!

for his first comment or 2nd? Both?

 

[dissembled]

Haha. Ironically, this mainly MS1-pro thread is driving me away from the MS1s and to the Senn HD595 instead.

Soundstage is very, very important to me and the HD595s seem to provide AMPLES of it. Probably one of the better looking phones I've seen too and can be found for less than $200.

I'll scrounge around for more HD595 vs MS1 reviews.

 

[F107plus5]

Rats! I didn't get a chance to submit my vote on time!

That's Ok; I haven't heard the RP-21 anyway so I really couldn't vote anyhow.

...soundstage? Yeah; it isn't very massive, but, I tend to use them instead of my MS2i if I'm listening to something that's a nice tight intimate recording. Sometimes I really like being right there in the recording studio or right there on the stage.

It's fun too. Choice is good.

 

[dissembled]

Would you guys say $30 would warrant the better sound quality of MS1s over SR60s?? Is it $30 more worthit??

 

[F107plus5]

Phooie! Still can't vote! Never heard the SR-60!

Ya do get a few more goodies with the MS-1 though, although they don't necessarily affect the sound much. My fave is getting the four conductor cable on the MS-1 with the ability to choose the connector size, rather than the simpler three conductor unit on SR-60. Does it mean anything? I dunno; Depends.

Then there the upgraded materials in the MS-1 that doesn't show up in the Grado line till SR-125.

Again; is it really important? I dunno.

EDIT: I guess the general feeling is that as you go up the Grado line, there is an improvement in SQ from can-to-can. The presentation may not be as well appreciated but the presented sound does get better. So "perhaps" the SQ "could" be stated as the MS-1 is uh; equal to the SR-125, even though they don't sound alike.

 

[BigAmish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif for his first comment or 2nd? Both?

Oops! I was commenting regarding portability. Sorry!

I know very little about the alternative cans that were suggested.

The RP-21s are pretty big/bulky & the MS-1s, although light are a little flimsy IMO to take a serious beating when commuting. Some, however, have not had an issue with that as reported (I think) in the other MS-1/Grado threads. Also, open cans let lots of sound in (and out) and will likely not sound very good without cranking up the volume & blasting your ears.

 

[grndslm]

You're asking for portable cans, right???

for Open cans, use KSC75 with headband.

for Closed cans, used MDR-V6.

I think it'd be hard to find 2 better cans for portability.

 

[dissembled]

I already have the 75s with the band.

How does the soundstage fare for the V6s?

 

[grndslm]

I've never experienced the AWESOMENESS in terms of soundstage that others have, so I can't really go there. Maybe after my Supermini & Beyer can gets here I can answer that!

But I know that you can't find a better portable closed can for a better price than the MDR-V6.