SR60-Mod part II

[wje]

Quote:

Those gimbals and rods are highly improved over mine. I'm jealous too lol
 

 
Maybe, you could ask for a "retrofit" kit.  Also, I believe your pair of headphones features the leather headband that Marty sells as he manufactures them, too.  From the pictures of your headphones, I can see that the headband is glued, and features no stitches.  That's how Marty is making his.  The headband on this pair of Grados that I'm testing out, does have the stitches and appears to be the one originally from the Grado SR-325i.  However, I'm eyeing one of those glued leather bands from his site at the moment.

 
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Man its being a while since I last mod some grados... and wje is making me jealous.

Yeah ... did you notice how Marty kept them all nice and manly looking.  Nice wood tones, dark leather headband, etc.  No pinks, no reds. 

 

 
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Just finished cutting 2 sets of cups, not sure which I like best. they're for partially liberated drivers, and are out of oak, pics later of the progress, but after the pics of that Martin-Grado, I feel quite inadequate, that thing is a work of art!
 

Don't be.  Everyone has to start off at some point.  Marty has just taken things to a very high level of quality.  Just looking at these headphones carefully, one can't find a flaw.  None in the slightest way.  Full attention to detail has been paid in every respect to this pair of headphones.  While some might gawk at the price of them, trust me, the experience with these headphones is far and above what I'd get if If opted for a new pair of RS-1i headphones from Grado.  Grado might have the slight edge when it comes to the drivers, but not when it comes to the personal aspect, the high, high attention to detail and all the good things that come along with it.  The pictures don't do these headphones any justice.  One needs to hold them in their hands ... to take them in from all angles to truly appreciate what we have here.  My daughter (don't worry - not a small child with sticky hands) - is going on 18 and has played the violin for approximately 8 years now.  Yesterday, she asked to hear 2 of her classical songs from her iPod Touch with Marty's cans.  She was blown away.  She was nearly speechless after that 7 or 8 minutes of music was over a the quality she heard.  I've owned the SR-325i Grados before ... and, these are not your typical SR-325i Grado - as will be reflected in my write-up on them.
 
 
 

 

[Chris_Himself]

That is some pure sex

 

[xaval]

Quote:

 
Maybe, you could ask for a "retrofit" kit.  Also, I believe your pair of headphones features the leather headband that Marty sells as he manufactures them, too.  From the pictures of your headphones, I can see that the headband is glued, and features no stitches.  That's how Marty is making his.  The headband on this pair of Grados that I'm testing out, does have the stitches and appears to be the one originally from the Grado SR-325i.  However, I'm eyeing one of those glued leather bands from his site at the moment.

Yeah, maybe I could follow that upgrade path. I'm quite happy now actually, now that I solved the little issue with the rods slipping a bit. My confort issues with the pads seem to have faded also as with continuous wear they don't bother me much anymore.
 
As for the headband I do have the Marty's manufacture model - I love it and it's amazingly confy. Is yours padded?
 
Looking forward for some sound impressions from you

 

 

[Maverickmonk]

Fair enough, even as it is, the ones I'm working on now are miles ahead of my last try (in my avatar pic), I don't know if I could achieve much more as far as style or quality without buying a lathe.
 
Still: I'm in awe of those headphones, they are incredible!
Quote:

Don't be.  Everyone has to start off at some point.
 

Also, I've got 2 pairs of "outer" donuts which slip over the inner rings, both are oak, and both have some flaws (uneven holes, etc), but they both work and would provide a cheap way to play with modding. I really really hope this doesn't violate the MOT rules, and if it does, I'm sorry, but I would love to trade someone for a pair of flat pads (not comfy's), which would about equal the material cost of the cups and leave the trade at 0 cash value.

 

[KneelJung]

Quote:

Don't be.  Everyone has to start off at some point.  Marty has just taken things to a very high level of quality.  Just looking at these headphones carefully, one can't find a flaw.  None in the slightest way.  Full attention to detail has been paid in every respect to this pair of headphones.  While some might gawk at the price of them, trust me, the experience with these headphones is far and above what I'd get if If opted for a new pair of RS-1i headphones from Grado.  Grado might have the slight edge when it comes to the drivers, but not when it comes to the personal aspect, the high, high attention to detail and all the good things that come along with it.  The pictures don't do these headphones any justice.  One needs to hold them in their hands ... to take them in from all angles to truly appreciate what we have here.  My daughter (don't worry - not a small child with sticky hands) - is going on 18 and has played the violin for approximately 8 years now.  Yesterday, she asked to hear 2 of her classical songs from her iPod Touch with Marty's cans.  She was blown away.  She was nearly speechless after that 7 or 8 minutes of music was over a the quality she heard.  I've owned the SR-325i Grados before ... and, these are not your typical SR-325i Grado - as will be reflected in my write-up on them.

I think your absolutely right wje, Marty's stuff is like art. That's exactly what I told him not to long ago when we exchanged a couple of PM's. I didnt know about Marty when I did my Blackwood cups or perhaps (probably) I would have commisioned him rather than the local guys. Oh well. I'm sort of envious though I would love to know if those things sound as good as they look. I could see myself selling my HF2's for a pair of those.
 
 

 

[Kojaku]

Alright. Headband v 2.0. I used two cardboard frames and wrapped them with lambskin, that way there would be no trimming and no tattered edges. I kinda like the rustic feel of the natural pleating on the cushion. I'm gonna have my tailor run a stitch down the sides later this week.

Below, a pic next to the old headband. Tattered edges versus clean.

And here's headband v 2.0 by himself:

Kojaku

 

[BobSaysHi]

Just when I thought I was out, you guys keep bringing me back in.

 

[JamesMcProgger]

 
Quote:

Yeah ... did you notice how Marty kept them all nice and manly looking.  Nice wood tones, dark leather headband, etc.  No pinks, no reds. 

 
 

what did you say about the red Wje?
 

 


 
that was as simple as remove plastic and put wood. I ordered those like long ago from bill and when I did i thought inners was dangerous... I was so young and naive... even like that, with only the wood inserts surrounding the pastic I can hear a big difference in sound. cocobolo gives great bass resonance, this must be a delight for bassheads, so tigh sound and the pucnh! delicious. not sure if i can get used to all that bass. itf night and day compared to the K601 I regulary ise on my desk.
 
and that was the last set of cups ever shipped by bill 

 

[BobSaysHi]

howdy all, would you mind looking at my thread? 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/562132/unique-grado-sr80i-issue-ohm-imbalance#post_7598825

 

[VictorHalgaard]

Quote:

Yeah, maybe I could follow that upgrade path. I'm quite happy now actually, now that I solved the little issue with the rods slipping a bit. My confort issues with the pads seem to have faded also as with continuous wear they don't bother me much anymore.
 
As for the headband I do have the Marty's manufacture model - I love it and it's amazingly confy. Is yours padded?
 
Looking forward for some sound impressions from you

 

Its funny, I experienced the exact same thing with those headphones (For those curious I was the first owner of Xaval's headphones - but i wanted more!) It took a bit of time to grow to love wearing them
 
Btw, update on my commission: Martin can't find a 3 by 3 block of ebony so its stuck. He found a block of burmese blackwood with red grain that he'll throw some pictures of so i can see if it'll do. Im kind of sad if I cant get the ebony though...
 
 
 

 

[Kojaku]

Also, I'm in the market for a warm, controlled-bass sub $100 portable amp/DAC. I don't really care much for massive soundstage or neutrality, as I own Grados xD...so any suggestions?

Kojaku

Anybody???

 

[wje]

 
Quote:

what did you say about the red Wje?
 

 
I thought I made myself quite clear in my post.  Was there any question how I worded what I did say?  

 
Quote:

howdy all, would you mind looking at my thread? 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/562132/unique-grado-sr80i-issue-ohm-imbalance#post_7598825

I think I might have just the thing for you.  Another member sent me a bad driver - burned contact points and I need to spend a bit of time to see if it can be recovered.  However, with your SR-80i Grados, Grado should be able to install replacement drivers on both channels for $35.00, or so.  The turn-around time would be about 2 weeks + shipping.  $35.00 is a small amount, considering a new pair runs $100 and you got them for free.  The driver that I'm trying to fix is already liberated - so one will have to go through liberating their current driver to install this one into the shell.
 
 

 

[wje]

Quote:

Yeah, maybe I could follow that upgrade path. I'm quite happy now actually, now that I solved the little issue with the rods slipping a bit. My confort issues with the pads seem to have faded also as with continuous wear they don't bother me much anymore.
 
As for the headband I do have the Marty's manufacture model - I love it and it's amazingly confy. Is yours padded?
 
Looking forward for some sound impressions from you

 

The leather headband, being of factory style, does have a thin layer of foam in it to make them comfy.  But, as Marty states on his Web site, he's seen headbands with stitching that can break down over time, so that's why he opted for the glued-version for those he sells.  Are you aware if your cups (chambers) are the same style / depth and are liberated like the pair I'm using right now?  I'm going to certainly make some observations and impressions in the write up regarding his thought process, style and its effect on the sound quality.  If you're considering going for the SR-325i as an upgrade path from the Alessandro MS-1i, I will say one thing with STRONG certainty.  After hearing "virgin" SR-325i drivers (only liberated) in Marty's shells, I sort of have a different mind-set about opening those rear vent holes.  Possibly - and I do mean possibly the only thing I might consider would be adding the Dynamat to the rear of the magnet - and keep things just as they are.
 
I'm anxious to get my thoughts all down on paper for publishing.  However, we do have a big event at our house where we're hosting a meet and greet for a friend who is running for the school board.  I'm sort of popping in an out as I go about cleaning up our place and fixing a few things prior to Thursday.  I suspect it will be Friday / Saturday before I get it completed.  Sorry about the delay - I just wanted to be honest up front to all of you.

 

[sharkz]

I just want to thank WJE for the Dynamat I received today. What a great guy for shipping it so quickly. Thanks a ton Wanye!
 
Now to do some driver mass loading.....

 

[Nintendam]

anyone...?
 
Quote:

question;
 
so I've modded my sr60i's with most of the mod's from the OP of the first thread- they sound great.
 
I currently own a sr225(not i) and have not done any mod's to them. I just got a pair of TTVJ flats and they definitely helped the bass out (with the bowls there is that kick, but that flats have that kick and also lower hz, but they coincide a bit so it's harder to distinguish). 
 
I honestly feel that the bass (although muddier) on the modded sr60i goes deeper than my stock sr225's with flats.
 
I've modded the sr60i's by: A. taking the inner mesh out, B. punching all the holes out next to the driver, C. adding a circle of felt padding on the farside of the driver and the inside of the outer screen, and D. quarter modding the comfies.
 
So my question is_    If I do those same mod's to my stock sr225, will I lose that awesome mid-high frequency sparkle thats not in the 60i's? I could use more bass, as long as it's the same quality as it is now. If it would muddy it up I'll pass on it...