Simple, reversible mod for GS-1000

[MONVMENTVM]

Hi,

By swapping the pads of the GS-1000 lately I noticed that while pushing them back on, I pushed them slightly too far in one place. By pulling the pads slightly backwards they fit as they should again though.

Just now it came to my mind that I could push the whole pad slightly further so that the distance between the speaker and ear decreases and as an effect the mids increase. You can easily test this effect by slightly pressing the cups of the GS-1000 to your head.

So while it doesn't destroy all of the sound signature like when using them with bowls, it slightly increases the mids and bring you nearer to the stage. I'm not at home right now and therefore cannot compare them to the other Grados to see if they have more/less/equal amount of mids but I'm listening to Led Zeppelin through my modded iBasso D2 right now and it seems that they handle rock slightly better that way.

Would be cool if someone could give this a try and see how it affects sound for you.

Doing it is pretty simple... I think the pictures should show the whole process of doing it:

 

[KevinR70]

I just use the the bowls to solve the problem, but you basically end up with a more expensive RS1. I'll give this a try. Thanks.

 

[MONVMENTVM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinR70 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just use the the bowls to solve the problem, but you basically end up with a more expensive RS1. I'll give this a try. Thanks.

I never heard RS-1's but GS-1000 with bowls seem to have just too much midrange.

 

[AC1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MONVMENTVM /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, Just now it came to my mind that I could push the whole pad slightly further so that the distance between the speaker and ear decreases and as an effect the mids increase. You can easily test this effect by slightly pressing the cups of the GS-1000 to your head.

For me doing this is the reason I ended up using the GS1000 as my main reference headphone. Mine came about after wearing the pads down so that they became softer which caused the drivers to be closer to the ears.

Generally speaking compared to having new pads, the mids increase making the top and low end less prominent. Though it does move the overall presentation forward so it decreases the headstage.

Actually after having all this happening and figuring it out, the system I built around the GS1000 easily devastated my KGSS/Stax O2 mk1 system. And having heard my pair side by side with R10's and the HE90, while the 2 have more detailed in certain areas, have this mundane rendition of music that I hated about headphones and didn't really solve until the GS1000's.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif For me doing this is the reason I ended up using the GS1000 as my main reference headphone. Mine came about after wearing the pads down so that they became softer which caused the drivers to be closer to the ears. Generally speaking compared to having new pads, the mids increase making the top and low end less prominent. Though it does move the overall presentation forward so it decreases the head stage. Actually after having all this happening and figuring it out, the system I built around the GS1000 easily devastated my KGSS/Stax O2 mk1 system. And having heard my pair side by side with R10's and the HE90, while the 2 have more detailed in certain areas, have this mundane rendition of music that I hated about headphones and didn't really solve until the GS1000's.

There is something about the GS-1000s that really brings the music out. I sometimes prefer the GS-1000 to all other headphones.

I think John factored in the fact that the pads would eventually wear a bit and bring the speakers closer to the ear. I have always pushed them in a bit after putting them on to break them in and the sound gets a bit better without ruining anything as the OP has mentioned. I've owned these since they were first released, so it just keeps getting better as the pads get softer and closer to the ear. This also helps with bowls on the RS-1 which sound better after they wear down and get a bit closer to the ear but while not suffering from the problems that flat pads give you.

 

[AC1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is something about the GS-1000s that really brings the music out. I sometimes prefer the GS-1000 to all other headphones.

It is really too bad that some people on here don't even put them in the category of really high end headphones. I do agree that getting a system together for them to sound good could take a bit of work and to overcome the imbalance of spectra.

And for reference, for the people who think I am off my rocker for saying these things about the GS1000; here is a link to the person that owns the R10 and HE90 with the Single Power amps and heard my GS1000's through his system.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f45/la...ml#post4879695

 

[wavoman]

I listen to GS-1000s (balanced by Grado Labs with Stefan AudioArt Equinox cable) thru a balanced Beta 22 (top components, by Ying at YBM Audio), classical music only, and, like AC1, compare it to Stax (007a Mk II moded by Spritzer to resemble Mk I) and HE-60's (can't afford the HE 90's that are FS!) driven by a KGSS.

Very comparable on many CDs (source is a high-end balanced CDP, usually SACDs), although I wouldn't say it "devastates" the Stax -- rather that for many classical (orchestral) CDs at reasonable volume you get a better, more open, more concert-hall like sound experience with the Grado (with non-classical however, especially female vocalists, the Stax are much better). And the HE-60's are a shade below both.

But -- and this is a big but -- on CD's mastered using older master tapes, I can hear the tape hiss on the Grado's, due to an emphasized high-frequency response curve, making the CDs far less enjoyable vs. Stax.

Any ideas? I will try the pad mod. Also I just got a good deal on a high-end pro dbx balanced notch filter, and I might try to filter this out.

 

[s1rrah]

Wow. That's a pretty neat trick.

I hate my GS1000's with bowls ... loses what makes them so special ... but this is actually a very interesting hack. Still GS1000's ... just a bit more intimate sounding.

Thanks for posting!

 

[MONVMENTVM]

As robm321 said, the prototype pads of the GS-1000 John used to tune the sound, may have been softer. Dyeing the final production pads probably made them harder and so keeps a greater distance between the ears and the phones.

 

[AC1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavoman /img/forum/go_quote.gif Very comparable on many CDs (source is a high-end balanced CDP, usually SACDs), although I wouldn't say it "devastates" the Stax -- rather that for many classical (orchestral) CDs at reasonable volume you get a better, more open, more concert-hall like sound experience with the Grado (with non-classical however, especially female vocalists, the Stax are much better). And the HE-60's are a shade below both.

Unfortunately to get to the full potential of the GS1000's the only amps I've heard so far that get to that level are the SDS and SDS XLR.
I've owned both a souped up SP MPX3 and RSA Raptor and both only kept the GS1000 at the level of about the Stax O2 system. With an SDS, the Stax doesn't even come close.

I've heard them even through some pretty good Eddie Current amps in other peoples systems, and they still do not do it for the GS1000's. Don't know why it is the SDS that makes special.

 

[s1rrah]

BTW ...

@GS1000 owners ...

Is it safe/alright to shampoo the GS1k pads as with other Grado bowls, etc.?

Mine are brand new and a bit scratchy ... I've been wanting to carry them into the shower with me for some, er ... well ... you know ...

But not sure if it's okay for the material.

??

 

[Beagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It is really too bad that some people on here don't even put them in the category of really high end headphones.

Yeah, but keep in mind that some people are not really interested in the music, just the sound of it.

 

[wavoman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unfortunately to get to the full potential of the GS1000's the only amps I've heard so far that get to that level are the SDS and SDS XLR ... [snip]

Yea, I was afraid you'd say that. Oh well -- SDS not in my future. But with this pad mod I bet my Grados get more play time here with the Beta 22.

Thanks to all the posters -- very interesting.

 

[s1rrah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavoman /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yea, I was afraid you'd say that. Oh well -- SDS not in my future. But with this pad mod I bet my Grados get more play time here with the Beta 22. Thanks to all the posters -- very interesting.

Never fear, sir ... I'm listening via a Havana DAC and the humble Stello HP100 (among the aforementioned company, it's humble) ... and the sound is outstanding ...

I can see how they would shine with a good tube amp though and I'm reluctantly planning a Woo 6 SE purchase in the next few months ...

 

[vvanrij]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, but keep in mind that some people are not really interested in the music, just the sound of it.

Haha, that is SO true!! I keep noticing this myself. O but it doesn' sound like this and that, no but is the music presented to you in a good way? Erm.... I have only listened to sine sweeps and read FR charts.