Further impressions...
my original impressions and details on my build here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/738035/senngrado-appreciation-thread/150#post_11236676
I have since added more putty-tack directly around the PX100II driver diameter. Again, the goal here for me is to eliminate earcup / housing resonances outside of the driver diaphragm. So I added a gummy worm sized strand around the perimeter of the PX100 driver frame and simply pressed it into the SR60i earcup ring. Little pieces of gorilla tape secure the driver flush with the earcups. Very soon I will glue the drivers permanently with the putty tack in there to do its thing.
Holy cow... this is a really REALLY good sounding headphone with the Zonk G-cush pads. It very easily fills a niche and is completely at home stealing head-time away from my RS1, HF1, HD650 and K701. Its still on the bass heavy side thats for sure. But the way it does bass... is just so "right". So tight, controlled, and detailed like the RS1. Yet airy and textured a small step towards the K701 but with WAY more slam and impact than the AKG. Its still a weighty bass presentation though, I mean it still is a sennheiser at heart so its got that signature "wooly + groovy" character too. Hows that for confusing? It really does take the best bass characteristics from all my fave cans and combines them into one really GOOD sounding presentation. Sub-bass extension seems to be better than all my cans. I normally bump the iTunes EQ by 3db at 32Hz to compensate for the natural roll-off of all my cans... but that's overkill with the Senngrado, so I turn the EQ off completely. Yes it definitely seems to extend deeper than my other cans.
My impressions are still the same with midrange and vocals. VERY good energy and slam, yet manages to avoid the shouty nature that defines the RS1 (and HF1 to a lesser degree).... heck it still says GRADO LABS on the side, so it better have that slam, energy and foot-stomp ability. Leaves the K701 and HD650 in the dust in midrange energy and fun factor. No doubt this is a Grado. It will get your pulse pumping, foot stomping... and make you forget about everything and just groove to the music. I kid you not, I am listening to ZZ Top La Grange as I type this... I can hardly type these words my fingers want to play air guitar!! Don't get me wrong though... its definitely a smoother midrange than either of my wood Grados. It just doesn't have that shouty nature, that peakey, spikey upper midrange stuff that either you love or hate in the RS1. The SG is definitely more polite and can tone it down nicely for some Enya and Norah Jones. No doubt the G-cush pads add air and space around all the midrange tones. The G-cush midrange is just not as "thick" as the L or S cush pads. Snare drum tones sound SHARP and impactful. I can clearly hear the difference between Stewart Copelands snare pitch and Alex Van Halens deeper throatier tone.
Transitioning into the treble is nice and smooth. No pesky peaks or sibilance... unless its there in the recording. This is one stark difference between the RS1, which has a noticeable roll-off. By comparison the SennGrado treble very smoothly matches its upper midrange. I am not getting an impression of boost or attenuation... just a smooth transition. Its a nice, clean treble too, airy and articulate and very musical. I think its very similar to the HD650 in terms of smooth musicality in the treble and upper midrange. I am listening to Jethro Tull Live at Montreaux DVD as I type this and Ian Andersons flute sound is incredible... lively and energetic, airy and "breathey" in the treble/upper mids... that throaty-grunting distortion he gets sounds soo cool. Without a doubt this is my favorite Jethro Tull headphone.
I am a big fan of the K701 imaging and soundstage, and for me thats always going to be my reference. The white AKG just puts stuff WAY out there. Try as I could to DIY a K701 matching image with my SennGrado build... no dice. The K701 remains my imaging champ. HOWEVER... there are times my AKG leaves me all alone, it literally takes its image and walks away with it!! "Dude get back here with that... its not supposed to be WAY over there!! Put it HERE instead... please?" Thats where the SennGrado shines... Part of its energy and slam comes from its ability to put stuff in your face like a Grado, yet ambiently back away and separate sounds like the HD650. Its very similar to my HD650, but with a slightly better way to fill the center stage image. Credit there goes to the G-cush pads for sure. The L and S pads are much more near-field sounding by comparison.
Phwew, I can;t type anymore... Kicking back now, going to finish up this Jethro Tull DVD. Oh I'd post up pics, but its really nothing more than a stock SR60i with G-cush pads,
Cheers and happy listening!!
