[TMAN]

I just gave my wife an iPod for Xmas, and am busily loading her library of classical, opera, jazz and some pop CDs on it. She is currently using Grado 80s on the iPod. She also travels a lot, and portability is a factor. The sound clarity on the Grados is very good for the range of music, but the iPod has a bit of trouble driving them -- she has to turn the volume to about 80% to get normal sound. Question: Does anyone have experience yet with the Sennheiser PX100 or PX200s. The latter, in particular, would seem to fit the portability factor, but she probably would NOT like it if the sound quality was inferior to the Grados. I know an amp could boost the Grado performance, but that's one more piece of gear to put in her luggage...

thanks for any advice
Tman

 

[williamgoody]

Actually around 80% of volume for the Ipod really isn't that uncommon.
I don't have the SR 80's but I have the 60's, and between the three I like the PX 100's better, only because of the form factor. The Px200's serve the purpose as a closed phone and do sound good, but are very finiky with placement on your head. I don't find all this overwhelming bass with my pair as others on the board do. For me, the PX100's havea better low end, and carry the highs well, while being comfortable.

The Sr60's sound great as well, but have a totally different sound. They're more upfront and in your face with tighter bass. To me it comes down to which form factor will suit your situation better.

 

[TMAN]

So you would say the Senn PX100s are comparable in quality to the Grados? (I think the Grado 60s and 80s are very similiar). If that's the case, I'll spring for the PX100s because of their portability

thnx for the advice

 

[williamgoody]

In quality of sound probably. Personally I enjoy the Sr60's better, but there are indeed brighter. The PX100's have a great sound to me but I've become more of a "situational" listener. I use the Grado's for rock, the PX 100 or 200's for Dance, I use my SR 40's exclusively with the Cha 47 amp, etc, etc. Keep in mind as well the Sr 60's leak sound to the outside world moreso than the 100's.

I guess I really mean it depends on what I'm listening to and where I am. I can say that I do enjoy the PX100's better than the 200's definitely due to the sound.

 

[MagusG]

Perhaps the Sony MDR-D66SL Eggo's would fit the bill... They've been getting rave reviews in these forums lately, I am expecting a pair any day now.
-Mag

 

[lextek]

I find the SR60/iPod a great mix. I was not lucky enough to hear the PX100's.There is always the MX500's the true winner of the bang for the buck crown in the portable scene. $17.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by TMAN The sound clarity on the Grados is very good for the range of music, but the iPod has a bit of trouble driving them -- she has to turn the volume to about 80% to get normal sound.

That doesn't mean they're having trouble driving the Grados. The iPod's volume control is non-linear. About 3/4 of the volume meter is only about 1/2 of the output potential.

 

[austonia]

i throw in my $.02.

the PX100s have great form factor but I slightly preferred the sound of the Koss PP/35 to them. The PX100 are just a touch harder to drive then the Koss, which means they are both easy to drive. iPod would have no problem. i thought the bass on the PX100s has good depth but seemed to kind of mix in with the rest of the sound too and make for a darker overall feeling. I have Grado SR80s and love them, much much better all around then either of the others i mentioned. I think the SR60s are pretty close.

Of course grados arn't neary as portable as the Koss or Sennheisers so that's the real problem is sound vs. size.

 

[kenchi1983]

austonia-- do you happen to own the sr60 and sr80? i want to ask because during my first audition with these phones, i noticed that they sound different from each other. I know that the pads make the difference. during the first few listens, the sr60 sounded much fuller but with huge loss of detail. the sr80, carried a flatter response....but with all the detail.

So im wondering....if you put the pads sr80 uses onto the sr60. how close will they sound alike? or none at all?



Ive been using the sr80, for sometime now, they sound amazingly good. BUT sometime i dont feel satisfied with them.

or maybe because the grados lack warmth?

maybe i need some laid back headphones, for these quiet hours.

 

[plainsong]

After using my dt990s, and px200s with the ipod, the SR60s sound overly bright/harsh to me (Jan Meier warned me I wouldn't like the Grados) . But portability knocks those 990s out of the running.

With the px200s, turning the volume midway is usually more than enough to me. These sound great with the iPod. I haven't heard the px100s though. I needed a closed phone.

The d66 would probably be good too, but I'm biased. The px200s are more portable IMO. The case even has a place for the cord. Your wife should appreciate that.