Your Opinion on Grado Portability.

[CamelBackCinema]

After getting rid of all my equipment in regards to audiophile listening, I am back with some strong urges to get into portable listening with focus on sound quality. I miss it I admit... I used to own some CD3000s and the perreaux before i got rid of everything.

Right now, I am looking at the 4G Ipod and iriver hard drive player. But that is not what I want to focus on cause I don't really need help deciding between those two.

I bring this up is because I really don't like the Etys and the Shure E5 is a lot more expensive than I'd like. I am looking at the Grado SR225s because I do like the Grado sound almost as much as I liked my CD3000s (but the sonys are not portable right

) I know that the grados leak sound but is it a huge problem?? I mean how noticeable can it be? Afterall, I'd imagine the source from the Ipod/ihp wouldn't be too strong.

I am trying to be as portable as possible so I don't want an amp. I also don't have the money to put into an amp.

Other than the SR225s being actual headphones, you can tell that I wouldn't mind hanging these around my neck walking around campus or working at the dealership.

One last thing, since portability is very important, can anyone recommend any other headphones or earphones around 150-200 dollars (lower the better)

Headphones/earphones I am not really interested in at all:
Ety ER4P/S (Maybe I need convincing. I had them for a short while and thought they were not worth 230 dollars from Idealsound. But now they are 188 which is a lot better.)
E5 (too expensive)
E3
E2
SR60/80
PX200
Koss anything

Well thanks guys. Glad to be back!

Oh my wallet. I am gonna spend half a grand in about 20 minutes once i figure out what I want.

 

[CamelBackCinema]

Just clearing some stuff that could be important in your advice for me.

I love listening to Radiohead (obviously haha) beatles, Jamiroquai, Modest Mouse, Yes, Dave Matthews, Ben Harper, Talking Heads, Bare Naked ladies, Counting Crows, Zeppelin, Guns and Roses, Outkast, Marvin Gaye, Chili Peppers, Wilco, Elton John.

I just listed a lot of my favorites since I can't really describe my listening tastes.

lol... now that I think of it, honestly I am not too picky about sound signature because I will always be pleased with some music genres and displeased with others because i listen to a wide variety.

 

[intlplby]

i used my HP-1s everywhere..... i carry a water proof carrying case i made because you never want to get caught out in the rain with them....


i made the case out of foam and a waterproof firstaid kit (looks like a plastic lunchbox..... you might could try the Head-Fi branded lunchbox, but i dont know the dimensions.... just ad weather stripping to make it water proof

i'll post pics later.....


they do leak sound.... but not so much where it should be a problem except maybe a library.....

if you are listening to good music you are 'sharing your good taste in music with others..... it's not too loud but the music does come out crystal clear to others


since the cables arent as short as etys or shure cables i would find a way to wrap the cable so it doesnt get caught on things you walk past

 

[Jahn]

Yep get the SR225. The highest level grado you can comfortably walk around town with. I had my MS-1s on all over NYC had had no problems. But I'd feel like a fool with the 325 or rs-1. just remember- the people sitting next to you will hate you, because they are REALLY open cans. you hear in, they hear out. just drown the outside out and groove.

 

[bln]

The Sennheiser HD25-1 (not the "SP" version) is said to offer the sound signature of the Grado SR-225, or close to it, in a more portable design (closed, single-ended cable, more durable). I'd love to tell you how they sound, but my pair *still* hasn't arrived. In any case, I bought them despite the high price tag ($150-$180) because they sound like the perfect portable headphone for Grado-lovers.

 

[skitlets]

Well, if you need isolation or are working in noisy environments, I highly recommend you don't get open phones. Drowning out loud noise with louder music isn't good for your ears. That said, if you plan on walking around with the sr225 around your neck, it might get a bit uncomfortable. I have sensitive skin, and when I tried it with the ms-1, the vinyl headband started to become irritating.

 

[Kirosia]

I used to use the sr-325s portably, always got weird looks (especially with yellow pads on). The sr-225 isn't too big, but cord may be a problem. It's very long and thick, which I found bothersome to an extent. But they're really durable though. The sound leakage is a lot, people will hear almost the same amount of sound you are. You'll have urges to them up loud in noisy areas, don't. It really hurts your ears later. As for looks, I like retro-alien.

 

[raaj]

CBC..

If you use the phones portably in noisy environments like subways, the Grados, for that matter, ANY open phone are not advisable.. you might not give a damn for your neighbors hearing your music.. but you WILL give a damn about the ambient noise leaking in.. in most cases, effectively killing the low-end dynamics of the music..

I guess, if you are really serious about the sound quality even during portable usage.. closed cans or canalphones are the only way to go..

IMHO, FWIW..

 

[sbulack]

I own a pair of Grado SR225's and I LOVE their sound. For portable listening, I recommend SONY EX71SL "canal" phones. They give good isolation, but not so good that you don't get needed feedback while you're moving around. They are inexpensive and I am VERY happy with their sound. They sound fine from a portable (if it has enough power to give you sufficient volume), but if you decide that you need an amp, a stock Headsave Go-Vibe ($65) is a beautiful match for them. The Grado phones leak too much sound to use them portably and their build is not really rugged enough to take the wear and tear that portability inevitably puts headphones through, IMO.

 

[intlplby]

and in public you can always put things on the tip of your GradoTennas such as the Hardee's star


guarateed weird looks

 

[CamelBackCinema]

I am kind of leaning towards getting the ER4Ps again! Argh!! I am really scared though. What really hurt my opinion about them was the price and the fact that I really had no use for canal phones since I did not own any DAPs.

Honestly, if the ER4P is too accurate to the point of lacking highs and bass then that would not be preferable. Argh... E5s are only 100 dollars more. About two days work but are they worth that 100 dollars...

Like I said, I like phones that really make the music come alive. I want separation and substance in each instrument that is being played. I want to be able to hear not only the notes but(especially on live albums) the musicians playing. Can E5s be accurate enough and also driven to make music come out?

I wanted a second pair of phones anyways so I guess I could go with the E5s. I need to find a used pair that will sell around 300 or so.

Quick question regarding synergy with Ipod. Is it a match made in heaven or run of the mill? That might help me decide which player to get. Does it perform better on the iHP?

 

[Jahn]

whell there are some of those shures for 315 in the sale forum right now...

 

[h3nG]

dude you'll still look like a fool with the sr225. i mean maybe not everyone will think or care. but i am sure like atleast a good portion will notice and carry some sort of opinion. and more often not a positive one. though if you dont care, then by all means go ahead and get the sr225.

i have the sr325, and avoid those at all cost if you plan on wearing it in public. seriously. i mean they look cool...but only when they are not on your head.

maybe it's just me, but i've always felt public places are too distracting for critical music listening. or atleast listening that would benefit from high quality gear. i mean you've got the nice weather, nice scenery, and hot girls. and oh, did i mention hot college girls walking around on campus?

the only portable listening i am into and believe in is studying at the library, or sitting on the metro or bus, where the use of etys reigns over all.

 

[h3nG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia I used to use the sr-325s portably, always got weird looks (especially with yellow pads on). The sr-225 isn't too big, but cord may be a problem. It's very long and thick, which I found bothersome to an extent. But they're really durable though. The sound leakage is a lot, people will hear almost the same amount of sound you are. You'll have urges to them up loud in noisy areas, don't. It really hurts your ears later. As for looks, I like retro-alien.

man, if i had seen you with the sr325 w/ yellow pads...you would probably see me in the corner of your eye, trying to hold my smile/laugh. it's not a negative laughter or anything. but that's because i am a head-fier. but you can imagine why people would give you a funny look, esp if it's leaking a lot of sound.

in any case, get the etys again...if you can bear with the comforts.

 

[CamelBackCinema]

Probably but honestly I don't care about those things. If people are really occupied with what I am wearing, oh well... what am I suppose to do. I think you are right though. I want extreme portability and the Grados are not the best things in the world.

I think I have come to a decision. I really want Shure E5s but I need to make a little more money until I get them. I will also wait for a good deal. I want to try them and see if they are just what they are. Hey what is the worst that can happen? If I don't think they are worth the money, I will gladly sell them or trade them in for Etys and try those. I still got a whole month and a half before school starts. (I will be attending the Ohio State University. Go Bucks)

Oh well... Grados look so damn cool but probably not on our heads. I don't need to be a nuisance around people in the library. I will be in there a lot.