[gregmacc]

Hi all ... first post here ... I'm currently listening to the Grados straight from the headphone jack of my ageing HP mini notebook (Windows 7 Starter). Source files are mostly FLAC ripped from my CD collection and some downloaded HD albums. When listening on my Krix Equinox speakers the HP mini signal (again straight from the headphone jack) is sent through my early 1980s model NAD 7155 receiver. I plan to soon add some sort of DAC to the system (bypassing the DAC in the HP mini notebook).

I'm generally pretty happy with the sound of the Grados given the less than terrific signal source. My music taste is heavily biased towards contemporary jazz guitar and I enjoy a warm base weighted sound. My hope is that everything will improve once I decide on a decent DAC.

My main complaint about the Grados is that they are uncomfortable after an hour or so of listening. I've experimented with adjusting/bending the headband in all sorts of ways but nothing seems to help. I often read and wear glasses when listening. Foregoing the glasses does offer some slight improvement but nothing substantial.

Are there any suggestions for a supremely comfortable headphone? They don't need to be portable although something lightweight would be good. I don't have any particular preference for on or over ear ... closed back or open. I have large ears so I suppose smallish over ear models may not work for me. Budget ceiling is $1000 AUD ($700 USD) ... although I could be convinced to stretch that if necessary.

 

[buke9]

Grados are one of those love hate headphones like another I’m suggesting the HD-700. They are extremely comfortable and if you don’t mind the highs on the Grados then these will not be a problem either. They have great soundstage and detail and pretty decent bass as well they are 150 ohm but fairly sensitive but a amp might make more sense though. The other ones I have that are as comfortable are the HD-800 and even more so the Koss ESP-950’s but both of those would be over budget unless you find them used.

 

[gregmacc]

Thanks buke9 ... Do you have any experience with the HD600? ... just looking at a few YouTube reviews atm . How would they compare with the HD700?. I'm open to using a dedicated headphone amp ... but would there be anything wrong with putting a nice DAC in my system to feed into my NAD receiver? ... I could then use the headphones from the headphone jack in the receiver.
I'm sorry if these are rather basic questions but I'm definitely not an audiophile.

 

[buke9]

I don’t own them but have heard them several times and do have the HD-6xx’s. It as been a bit since I’ve heard them so really not right to compare them to be honest. For Jazz guitar I might look at the 6xx’s over the 600’s as they have just great mids. They do have quite a clamp on both but can be relieved by proper stretching of the headband and do mean proper as there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. The cup size is good on both so no problem with bigger ear sizes as haven’t heard too many complain.
As for the dac yes that would probably be a good thing. I actually have a NAD 7125 and haven’t listened to a lot of headphones from it as I don’t use it anymore but is laying on the basement floor behind me and would not be a big deal to check it out with a few headphones and a couple of inexpensive dacs it will take me a bit to setup but will get back to you.

 

[gregmacc]

I actually have a NAD 7125 and haven’t listened to a lot of headphones from it as I don’t use it anymore but is laying on the basement floor behind me and would not be a big deal to check it out with a few headphones and a couple of inexpensive dacs it will take me a bit to setup but will get back to you.

... that would be great ...
cheers

 

[serman005]

I have both the HD650 and HD600 and I agree with @buke9 that the mids on the 650 (6XX) are a bit more refined. Have not heard the HD700 in too long a time so cannot comment on that one.

 

[gregmacc]

thanks serman005 ... how do the HD650 compare with the HD600 in terms of base and comfort? ... are the cables the same?

 

[buke9]

Well after a listen have to say that a Magni 3 would be my choice over the Nad. Now my 7125 has been sitting for 20 years so that could have something to do with it but still think the Magni 3 was a better amp. The Nad did have a bit more width to it but it was so much more bloated and you definitely had to watch the volume knob as just a bit more and things did start to clip and get very bloated. Tried the 6xx’s and 700’s and have to say the 6xx’s were better on the Nad but the 800’s were better than them and the best was the HE-500’s. Well just had to try one more my AKG K240 Sexttets 600 ohm and damn the Nad is got to be high output impedance as the Sexttets are just rockin. One of my favorite songs is Head East “Never been any Reason” damn that’s just good.

 

[gregmacc]

thanks so much for your effort buke9 ... definitely got me thinking ...

 

[buke9]

Would definitely think about a dac.

 

[Bored Robot]

Thanks buke9 ... Do you have any experience with the HD600? ... just looking at a few YouTube reviews atm . How would they compare with the HD700?. I'm open to using a dedicated headphone amp ... but would there be anything wrong with putting a nice DAC in my system to feed into my NAD receiver? ... I could then use the headphones from the headphone jack in the receiver.
I'm sorry if these are rather basic questions but I'm definitely not an audiophile.

I've had the HD600 and Grado 325e in the same system for about 6 months. For Jazz (all vinyl/Valhalla 2) I go with Grados every time. The HD 600s in general are a bit less "revealing" but certainly more comfortable. Even when spreading the headband I'm at about an hour of listening as well before I have to take them off. I tried them with the G Cush pads, they were more comfy but decided I wanted to hear them as Grado intended.

Have you considered the GS1000e? Over ear, so more comfortable + the Grado sound and they are $5 under your budget.

Good luck.

P.S. The DAC and AMP will really make a difference!

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hi all ... first post here ... I'm currently listening to the Grados straight from the headphone jack of my ageing HP mini notebook (Windows 7 Starter). Source files are mostly FLAC ripped from my CD collection and some downloaded HD albums. When listening on my Krix Equinox speakers the HP mini signal (again straight from the headphone jack) is sent through my early 1980s model NAD 7155 receiver. I plan to soon add some sort of DAC to the system (bypassing the DAC in the HP mini notebook).

I'm generally pretty happy with the sound of the Grados given the less than terrific signal source. My music taste is heavily biased towards contemporary jazz guitar and I enjoy a warm base weighted sound. My hope is that everything will improve once I decide on a decent DAC.

My main complaint about the Grados is that they are uncomfortable after an hour or so of listening. I've experimented with adjusting/bending the headband in all sorts of ways but nothing seems to help. I often read and wear glasses when listening. Foregoing the glasses does offer some slight improvement but nothing substantial.

Are there any suggestions for a supremely comfortable headphone? They don't need to be portable although something lightweight would be good. I don't have any particular preference for on or over ear ... closed back or open. I have large ears so I suppose smallish over ear models may not work for me. Budget ceiling is $1000 AUD ($700 USD) ... although I could be convinced to stretch that if necessary.

Order this and use it with your SR80.
http://www.headphile.com/page15.html

If you're happy with the sound and ergonomics, then just use these. If you're still itching to upgrade (and/or you're bothered by the wood adapter and plastic cups on the Prestige series looking kind of off), then you already have the C-Pads to use on an RS2e or heck get a used RS1 or RS1e if you chance on it.

It comes down to whether you get it in black to not clash with the SR80e but miss out on anywhere near matching the RS wood grain, or just get it in what closely matches the RS series wood.

 

[Bored Robot]

This look interesting...

 

[Cruelhand Luke]

Order this and use it with your SR80.
http://www.headphile.com/page15.html

If you're happy with the sound and ergonomics, then just use these. If you're still itching to upgrade (and/or you're bothered by the wood adapter and plastic cups on the Prestige series looking kind of off), then you already have the C-Pads to use on an RS2e or heck get a used RS1 or RS1e if you chance on it.

It comes down to whether you get it in black to not clash with the SR80e but miss out on anywhere near matching the RS wood grain, or just get it in what closely matches the RS series wood.

How much do these cost?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

How much do these cost?

Depends on the wood available. They go as low as $200 and as high as $500.

3D printing a plastic version for matching with the Prestige series is an option depending on whether a 3D Scanner+Printer service is available near you.