[recephasan]

I have recently purchased the HD-600 and have been an owner of the Grado RS-1 and RS-2, powered off a Grado RA-1.

All that I state below is in my humble opinion. This is what I hear and like:

RS-1 and RS-2 are outstanding headphones with clarity and dynamism that surpasses the HD-600 with the stock cable.

Their sound is colored, and this coloring seems odd for the first few minutes after switching from the Senns, but given time to relax, I like it VERY MUCH. It gives the sound a character the plain and dull sounding HD-600 does not have.

Switching from Grados to the Senn. is a somewhat torturous experience

but, again, after a few minutes, I appreciate the soundstage and the detail. It is, however, quite lacking in highs and thus is inferior in the overall enjoyment it provides.

I might agree that the HD-600 possesses high potential if driven by a proper source (at least from what I've read so far), and the cable upgrade is something I'm considering for the future.

I think the RS-2 is better for classical music and the RS-1 for fewer instruments and more intimate placement. Neither headphone is fatiguing, but I prefer low volumes for extended periods. I have found the HD-600 to have WIDER soundstage, but NOT necessarily BETTER. I like the coloring the Grados provide for classical music, but I also like the HD-600, as well. It will be a game of switching headphones for me until I settle on which one works better for which recording.

The HD-600 has deeper bass, but not tight like the Grados. If I feel like banging my head to some heavy metal, they are be ideal. For enjoying musicality, synergy and clarity, however, the Grados provide better speed and control. This problem with the HD-600 could be alleviated if I used a Headroom Max amp, but then I believe the Grados would sound much better with them, as well.

As far as comfort goes, I've found ALL of these headphones uncomfortable when they arrived. It was quite an easy task to fix the problem with the Grados, since the headband it a single steel band which, when formed into a U shape, holds them well on my head without the least bit of clamping. The HD-600 is more of a challenge since it is both plastic and metal. I have yet to feel comfortable wearing them.

I do not mean to denigrate the HD-600 or unjustly praise the Grados, trying to justify my investment in them to myself or trying to gain supporters so I can feel good. I realize the HD-600 has further potential which I shall explore given time and money, and I am excited with the prospect of this exploration. I also believe that it would probably take about $1K to do justice to the potential of the Senns with an amp and a cable upgrade.

If I had neither of these cans and:
If I had $150, I would get the SR-125 and CUT THE PADS DOWN (a must with them).
If I had $800 I would get a RA-1/RS-1 combo.

When I have another $1000 to spend on headphone gear, I intend to get an EarMax Pro and the Equinox cable for the HD-600.

What say you?

 

[dd3mon]

I just received my 600's on Thursday and today is the first day I can really say they feel very comfortable to me.. it took ALOT of bending to get these cans to not give me a headache.. Not only did I bend the headband back often, I found a book slightly wider than my head is (length wise) and used it to hold the earcups apart for the last two nights.. today, much improved.. if tightness is your problem just keep working at it.. the 600's had a tendency to bend themselves back after a couple hours of not being stretched out again, but this is going away quickly.. I also think the pads are softening up a bit, or at least molding to my head a bit..

BTW - If you think the senn's are lacking some highs (and compared to the grado's, I'm sure they are), you might want to try the Cardas cable instead of the Equinox. According to Jude's review (which I highly recommend reading), the Cardas gives the 600's alot more in the detail/high frequency department, even more than the Equinox (and WAY more than the stock cable). It's cheaper than the Equinox also, and if you purchase it from Headroom you can return it within 30 days if ya don't like it.

-dd3mon

 

[recephasan]

Thanks, I'll try expanding the headband the way you suggested.

I've read Jude's reviews, and then some more posts. What seemed interesting with the Equinox is the musicality. It seemed tempting to use them with a tube amp. Dunno... dunno...

 

[Zanth]

I have extensive experience with the RS-1's and I will say that they sound lovely

The RA-1/RS-1 combo is really hard to beat and what is great is that this combo easily competes and usually bests (to my ears) combos of the HD 600's paired with expensive amps. I like the RS-1's with Jazz and electronic music as well as rock. I agree the RS-1's don't perform as well with classical as say the HP-1's but I do think they are still at the upper echelon. The HD 600's are for me...better at a relaxing sound...had a hard day? Need some really soothing sounds? Get the HD 600's with an Equinox cable and a smooth amp. The Cardas are great at removing the veil of the mid range as well as providing great resolution and extension, but the Equinox to me...provides this but providing music as well. Cardas would be more akin to PP and resolving power as opposed to the Equinox and SET. Both are great, both resolve well, but the Cardas is more "sterile". This is all opinion based but seems to be consist with the impressions of others.

I too would always take the RS-1's over the HD 600's but then they also cost a lot more and that is a barrier for many.

Both are fantastic headphones and I will be looking at getting some HD 600's with Equinox if my tube amp search comes up empty.

 

[andrzejpw]

Quote:

Switching from Grados to the Senn. is a somewhat torturous experience

Its very interesting you should say this. To me, listening to ANY grados(save the HP-1000s, haven't heard those), coming from senns, is a torturous experience. They just sound so shrill and bright.

 

[recephasan]

alright, maybe my comment deserves an explanation, andrzejpw.

Switching from Grados to the HD-600, only for the first few minutes, the Senn. sounds hollow, lifeless and dry. However, given time, I adjust to and appreciate this coloring (or lack of), hence my comments in favor of these cans.

And if I've been listening to the HD-600 with high volumes, say, to hard rock, then switching to Grados is weird. This is because in order to attain the same bass level, I need to endure highs and mids surpassing in relative volume those in the Senns, hence the so called shrillness. It does not happen, though, if I've been listening at relatively moderate volumes. What I hear then is instant clarity and detail (am I repeating myself or what?)

 

[andrzejpw]

I didn't mean to come off negative(if you got that impression

) I just find it interesting how different people react to different products when coming from others.

 

[recephasan]

and neither did I

and you're right

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by recephasan alright, maybe my comment deserves an explanation, andrzejpw. Switching from Grados to the HD-600, only for the first few minutes, the Senn. sounds hollow, lifeless and dry. However, given time, I adjust to and appreciate this coloring (or lack of), hence my comments in favor of these cans. And if I've been listening to the HD-600 with high volumes, say, to hard rock, then switching to Grados is weird. This is because in order to attain the same bass level, I need to endure highs and mids surpassing in relative volume those in the Senns, hence the so called shrillness. It does not happen, though, if I've been listening at relatively moderate volumes. What I hear then is instant clarity and detail (am I repeating myself or what?)

More and more, I'm coming to believe that the constant switching between headphones does more harm than good. Except in cases where a headphone of a different type is indicated, such as swapping Senns for Etys for the subway, we may be better off picking one of each type and sticking with it.

I've begun using the CD3Ks for almost all my listening except when they are completely inappropriate and find I like them more and more. Before, I found that much of my listening time was spent exactly as you indicate above: mentally adjusting to often markedly different sounding 'phones.

Spad

 

[Ross]

I will never understand how people can like the colorations of the RS-1 and RS-2. I once spent a week with the RS-1 and absolutely hated them. That dark, muddy, woody coloration was so extreme I just could not stand to listen to them.

Compare them to the HP1000, which has all the strengths of the Grado sound at its best, with zero coloration.

The Senn 580s and 600s are not perfect headphones, by any means, but I would take them over the RS-1s any day, regardless of price.

This is not meant as an "I am right and you are wrong" post (clearly there is no "right" or "wrong"), but just to provide some balance to this thread and to point out (yet again) how different people can hear things so differently.

Ross

 

[darkclouds]

It seems to me that preference has alot to do with being accustomed to a certain type of sound.

My first high quality set of cans were the HD600. I had lived with them for several months before trying out the Grados, or any other sets. For a very long time, after getting a set of SR325 and RS-2, I couldn't listen to them for more than 1/2 an hour. I thought the Grados were just too damn bright. I mean the highs are just painfully piercing. I quickly rid myself off of the RS-2 and hung on to the 325 'just in case'. Well, after spending a month with them last summer, without any other cans, I found that they were quite enjoyable. Funny thing was, when I started to listen to my HD600/cardas again, I thought it was kinda "veiled".

So now, I primarily listen to the K1000.

 

[BoardC3]

So much of it is personal preference. I LOVE grados, the RS-1s are eagsmic. The Senns i did not like that much and the etys i HATED, they sounded flat and lifeless, no soundstage, and they really hurt my ears. I choose the gradoes over anything that ive ever tried