Really want some Grado's...

[Stoin]

The 325i was my first can. It still is my most used. It performs so well within it's envelope and it's very predictable. If I have some new music I know it's going to sound good and can tell what's going on, with the others I've got, especially the GS1000, you can't always tell if the headphone is going to sound great with what you're playing.
 
I do seem to disagree with most on this forum regarding comfort. I find the sr325i to be very comfortable. It took a week or so to get used to it at first, but since then I've been able to use it for hours at a stretch without noticing I'm wearing it. I find it hugely more comfortable than the Senn hd600.
 
One thing I've noticed about Grados is that I listen at a much lower level than I do with other makes. I've recently picked up some Denon AH-D2000's and I find that if I don't pay attention I am listening at pretty high levels. When you turn up the 325i it can get pretty brash sounding. Better amps help a bit with controlling this shrillness at higher levels, but I've never been comfortable with any of the Grados I've heard at high volumes. I don't mind that. It stops me listening too loudly and they sound fantastic at low-to-mid volume levels.

 

[Gwarmi]

Quote:

 but I've never been comfortable with any of the Grados I've heard at high volumes. I don't mind that. It stops me listening too loudly and they sound fantastic at low-to-mid volume levels.

 PS1000's - Hardly a compliment if preserving your hearing is of concern (it is to me!)
 
 Never heard such a can that will literally, so blissfully take away your hearing at high volume - frightening how loud
 this can sounds before it sounds harsh and obviously uncomfortable.

 

[Chris J]

Qoute:
"Thanks, Chris...I'm glad to hear that the BeyerDs and the Grados are that different...I've learned that a lot of folks on here like to have different sounding headphones to maintain a variety, so that sounds like I'm on the right track. I have a Fiio E9 arriving on Monday to play around with until my Meier amp gets here from Germany, so I'm looking forward to logging some hours on the DT880s. It will be fun to contast and compare with the Grados."
 
No problem!
But I should point out a couple of things.
Most folks will tell you that the Grados are very poor match for OTL amps like the La Figaro 336C.
I've never tried Grados with that amp. They need a low output impedance amp.
Secondly, if you have heard the Beyer DT990, the Grados sound kinda similar to DT990s, certainly NOT the same, but somewhat similar, i.e. lots of treble energy.  The difference between Grados and DT880s is NOT subtle and I think you will like having both DT880s and Grados.
 
My next 'phones will be Grado SR325i or RS-2i.
 
Good luck!

 

 

[bbophead]

Quote:

Qoute:
"Thanks, Chris...I'm glad to hear that the BeyerDs and the Grados are that different...I've learned that a lot of folks on here like to have different sounding headphones to maintain a variety, so that sounds like I'm on the right track. I have a Fiio E9 arriving on Monday to play around with until my Meier amp gets here from Germany, so I'm looking forward to logging some hours on the DT880s. It will be fun to contast and compare with the Grados."
 
No problem!
But I should point out a couple of things.
Most folks will tell you that the Grados are very poor match for OTL amps like the La Figaro 336C.
I've never tried Grados with that amp. They need a low output impedance amp.
Secondly, if you have heard the Beyer DT990, the Grados sound kinda similar to DT990s, certainly NOT the same, but somewhat similar, i.e. lots of treble energy.  The difference between Grados and DT880s is NOT subtle and I think you will like having both DT880s and Grados.
 
My next 'phones will be Grado SR325i or RS-2i.
 
Good luck!

 

Re:  Amping Grados.
 
Depending on the OTL amp, you will hear some hum through the Grados.  My Ming Da sounded good but there was hum.  Don't know La Figaro.  I would like to know if there's hum should you try it.
 
 

 

[Stoin]

Quote:

 PS1000's - Hardly a compliment if preserving your hearing is of concern (it is to me!)
 
 Never heard such a can that will literally, so blissfully take away your hearing at high volume - frightening how loud
 this can sounds before it sounds harsh and obviously uncomfortable.

I've never had the pleasure of trying the PS1000. Yet. The new PS500 is on my list, though.
 
Like I said, I don't mind that Grados don't sound harsh at really high volumes because I don't want to ruin my hearing.

 

[Focker]

Quote:

Qoute:
"Thanks, Chris...I'm glad to hear that the BeyerDs and the Grados are that different...I've learned that a lot of folks on here like to have different sounding headphones to maintain a variety, so that sounds like I'm on the right track. I have a Fiio E9 arriving on Monday to play around with until my Meier amp gets here from Germany, so I'm looking forward to logging some hours on the DT880s. It will be fun to contast and compare with the Grados."
 
No problem!
But I should point out a couple of things.
Most folks will tell you that the Grados are very poor match for OTL amps like the La Figaro 336C.
I've never tried Grados with that amp. They need a low output impedance amp.
Secondly, if you have heard the Beyer DT990, the Grados sound kinda similar to DT990s, certainly NOT the same, but somewhat similar, i.e. lots of treble energy.  The difference between Grados and DT880s is NOT subtle and I think you will like having both DT880s and Grados.
 
My next 'phones will be Grado SR325i or RS-2i.
 
Good luck!

 

I actually have a Meier Jazz amp in transit (should be here any day), so I checked with Jan Meier about the output impedance since I will likely have different types of headphones in house. The output impedance on the Jazz is less than 1ohm, and although he did state the same thing that others have said (and that I also agree with) that the Grados don't really need an amp, I just happen to like the idea of being able to use all my cans with the Jazz. I'm sure I'll play around with other amps, particularly tube amps, later on...but for now it looks like the Jazz will be everything I need. I'm just glad I have a Fiio E9 showing up tomorrow so I can at least properly listen to the DT880s! I have a PURE iPod dock that has an internal DAC, so the Fiio will be relegated to bedroom use...but for now it will keep me from watching the pot and waiting for it to boil.
 
I'll be interested to see which Grados you go with!  Have you  heard both the 325s and the RS-2s or are you going to base the decision on research (which is usually how I do it lol)?
 

 

[Angelbelow]

This thread was very helpful as the sr325i's are likely my next headphones. I've been using the hd598 and while they're awesome, they don't work that well with certain genres of metal.
 
I have a few questions.. do replacement ear pads really screw with the sound quality like some have expressed? For example, with these http://www.amazon.com/Grado-L-Cush-Large-Replacement-Cushions/dp/B0006GCCO0/ref=pd_sim_e_9.
 
Is the soaking of foam cups (in warm water and fabric softener) absolutely necessary? Or just a nice improvement.
 
My headphone amps are Asus Essence stx soundcard and Fiio E11, from what I can tell both of these should be able to drive the 325i nicely. Do the 325i improve with higher quality headphone amps?

 

[Gwarmi]

Quote:

This thread was very helpful as the sr325i's are likely my next headphones. I've been using the hd598 and while they're awesome, they don't work that well with certain genres of metal.
 
I have a few questions.. do replacement ear pads really screw with the sound quality like some have expressed? For example, with these http://www.amazon.com/Grado-L-Cush-Large-Replacement-Cushions/dp/B0006GCCO0/ref=pd_sim_e_9.
 
Is the soaking of foam cups (in warm water and fabric softener) absolutely necessary? Or just a nice improvement.
 
My headphone amps are Asus Essence stx soundcard and Fiio E11, from what I can tell both of these should be able to drive the 325i nicely. Do the 325i improve with higher quality headphone amps?

 Yes they certainly do - cleaner the amp - the better. You'll find out yourself when comparing the headphone out of the Essence STX to the E11 - the ASUS will
 be cleaner sounding by far.
 

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

I actually have a Meier Jazz amp in transit (should be here any day), so I checked with Jan Meier about the output impedance since I will likely have different types of headphones in house. The output impedance on the Jazz is less than 1ohm, and although he did state the same thing that others have said (and that I also agree with) that the Grados don't really need an amp, I just happen to like the idea of being able to use all my cans with the Jazz. I'm sure I'll play around with other amps, particularly tube amps, later on...but for now it looks like the Jazz will be everything I need. I'm just glad I have a Fiio E9 showing up tomorrow so I can at least properly listen to the DT880s! I have a PURE iPod dock that has an internal DAC, so the Fiio will be relegated to bedroom use...but for now it will keep me from watching the pot and waiting for it to boil.
 
I'll be interested to see which Grados you go with!  Have you  heard both the 325s and the RS-2s or are you going to base the decision on research (which is usually how I do it lol)?
 

I have heard the SR225i, SR325i and RS-2i. There are a few stores within an hour and a half of where I live that allow you to demo Grado 'phones.
The store where I bought my DT880s also demoed SR-225i and SR-325i and DT990s.
 
The SR-325i sound great but they are so bright and therefore ultra detailed but I wonder if I will get tired of them! LOL!

 
Be sure to give us the lowdown on the Jazz! It should be able to drive almost any headphone.
 

 

[Focker]

Quote:

I have heard the SR225i, SR325i and RS-2i. There are a few stores within an hour and a half of where I live that allow you to demo Grado 'phones.
The store where I bought my DT880s also demoed SR-225i and SR-325i and DT990s.
 
The SR-325i sound great but they are so bright and therefore ultra detailed but I wonder if I will get tired of them! LOL!

 
Be sure to give us the lowdown on the Jazz! It should be able to drive almost any headphone.
 

Thanks, I surely will...if the damn thing ever gets here! lol  I did a lot of research on amps and I'm just really impressed with Jan and all the feedback I read about him here at head-fi.
 
I wish I had a place to demo some Grados...I live just outside of Atlanta, so there may be a dealer nearby...I'll have to check. I'd love to demo some PS500s
 

 

[bbophead]

Quote:

Thanks, I surely will...if the damn thing ever gets here! lol  I did a lot of research on amps and I'm just really impressed with Jan and all the feedback I read about him here at head-fi.
 
I wish I had a place to demo some Grados...I live just outside of Atlanta, so there may be a dealer nearby...I'll have to check. I'd love to demo some PS500s
 

Solution:  Fly to Austin, rent a car to Pflugerville for a Texas meet on March 10th and you can try mine.

 
 

 

[Focker]

Quote:

Solution:  Fly to Austin, rent a car to Pflugerville for a Texas meet on March 10th and you can try mine.

 
 

LOL, will see what I can do!

 

[wullymc]

Quote:

Solution:  Fly to Austin, rent a car to Pflugerville for a Texas meet on March 10th and you can try mine.

 
 

....or you can just mail them to people like us that really want to hear them but don't have a dealer close by!
 
Do it do it!  ....

 

[bbophead]

Quote:

....or you can just mail them to people like us that really want to hear them but don't have a dealer close by!
 
Do it do it!  ....

That's it!  I'll mail a six hundred dollar pair of headphones (UNinsured of course) to stangers on the interwebs.  Why didn't I think of that?  I'm such an idiot.
 
 

 

[wullymc]

Quote:

That's it!  I'll mail a six hundred dollar pair of headphones (UNinsured of course) to stangers on the interwebs.  Why didn't I think of that?  I'm such an idiot.
 
 

oh come on.  Take one for the team!  Everyone here is trustworthy eh?