[Dawgpoundhippie]

hey guys, I've been reading the forum for a bit while trying to determine the right set of headphones and thought i'd try to get a bit more specific.

I am an avid music lover finally making the move up in headphones after getting sick and tired of breaking ad buying cheap $20 ones. I'm looking in the $100-$200 ranges and I think I've narrowed my choices but I'd like a little help. Now I should mention that I mostly listen to Blues, Blues Rock, Classic Rock, really anything guitar heavy. Bass isn't overtly important to me but a little kick never hurt anyone.

I'm really looking at the Grado SR-60/SR80/SR125 and would like to know which one of those is the overall best. But I'm also looking at the Denon AHD1001K and the Audio-Technica ATHANC7 and would like to know how those compare.

I will mostly be listening to whatever I choose on the go, using an iPod, so If I also have to get a portable amp, I could use some help in that department as well.

Anyway, Thanks to whoever so chooses to help me

p.s. I know Im gonna have to improve the bitrate on my downloaded audio files when i make the move up to prevent them sounding like crap. Any ideas on a good bitrate/encoding would be helpful as well, THANKS AGAIN.

 

[roker]

125 > 60/80

it has better, fuller bass and scales up nice with a proper amp.

 

[Drubbing]

Grados sound right up your musical ally.

I think the MS1 is a sweet spot. Just as good as the 125, cheaper and smoother.

But these are all open phones so they'll et sound in and out, and aren't really designed for portability. You'll have to listen too loud to block stuff out, and this will damage your ears and make you socially unlikeable.

Closed phones may not sound quite as good, but probably better for your usage.

Really forget noise cancellers like the AT, you pay money for that, when you could be spending it on just the sound quality. An option could be the cheap grado 60 for home and a good pair of canals for out and about.

 

[baka1969]

I personally would get the Grado as high up the line as you can afford. The Grados move up nicely and improve significantly in their extension, detail and refinement with each step. Within your budget I might look for a pre-loved 125 or 225. I am one that strongly believes that they sound better amped and you can put together a nice package within your budget. The 125 and Nuforce Icon Mobile is a nice pairing.

Oh yeah, the Grado is a better headphone than the Denon you mentioned.

Peace,

Ross

 

[Dawgpoundhippie]

Drubbing, I would do earbuds but apparently I have weird-shaped ears and I have never found a set of earbud that fit me, also leakage isn't too important to me either,I try and spread my music and screw em if they dont like it.

 

[EddieE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roker /img/forum/go_quote.gif 125 > 60/80 it has better, fuller bass and scales up nice with a proper amp. baka - the 125 and Nuforce Icon Mobile is a nice pairing.

Glad to see some others like the 125, I love mine.

They seem to get a lot of bashing which I don't understand.

 

[Joelby]

I'll second the MS-1 recommendation.

 

[roker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieE /img/forum/go_quote.gif Glad to see some others like the 125, I love mine. They seem to get a lot of bashing which I don't understand.

I made a thread for them:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/gra...omfies-460343/

I'm going to update it soon as I got some really really good results by doing a quarter mod on my comfies.

 

[jp11801]

based on your preferred music I'd go 225 or HF2 if you can find one at a reasonable price (something near original price). An amp can really make the difference with Grados. just because an ipod can produce loud sound does not mean they are being driven well.

 

[bbryann]

go to the for sale forum and look around.
i got a 225 recently off there.
plus the people on here know what they're talking about so you can ask the sellers loads of questions.

 

[swmtnbiker]

Just buy the RS1i and be done with it.

 

[EddieE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbryann /img/forum/go_quote.gif go to the for sale forum and look around. i got a 225 recently off there. plus the people on here know what they're talking about so you can ask the sellers loads of questions.

Lol Maybe you got the ones I missed out on - paypalled one minute after someone else.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp11801 /img/forum/go_quote.gif based on your preferred music I'd go 225 or HF2 if you can find one at a reasonable price (something near original price). An amp can really make the difference with Grados. just because an ipod can produce loud sound does not mean they are being driven well.

Don't forget the For Sale forum a great place to pick them up for the same/less than the SR125s. The SR225s are the best in the Prestige Series (I've owned both and could not stand the SR325is as they had really harsh treble).

 

[baka1969]

In my experience Grados are more easily paired with an amp than many other headphones. Obviously the better the amp and higher up the Grado food chain the better the result. The humble Nuforce Icon Mobile works well in many situations when paired with Grado. Strapped to an iPod and using the dac for computer use bring out more of the potential of the 60, 80, 125 and I'll assume the MS1. Even the 225 benefits with it. For $100 ($75 used) the Icon Mobile is an excellent dac/amp value for Grado.

Ross

 

[jjinh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joelby /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll second the MS-1 recommendation.

+1