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Post by Slinger on Jul 3, 2014 8:21:32 GMT
I'm a Grado lover too...well, liker anyway. I use Grado SR80is with a Graham Slee Novo. I've also got a pair of Sony MDR-7506s that I'm using as studio monitors.
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Post by yomanze on Jul 4, 2014 11:29:53 GMT
I also agree, the NVA AP10H & Grado pairing very much reminds me of my Royd speakers. Fast fast fast, cohesive and upfront without being shouty.
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 7, 2014 7:45:33 GMT
I favour Grados at the moment - I have 2 pairs, in different systems/locations - 125i and 325i.
The essential thing for me with low-range Grados is to upgrade the earcups to those used on the GS1000 series, these surround the ear and don't touch it - the 'lesser' ones feel like a tightening vice after a short while and are just not cumfy for me. And there is a substantial improvement in sq, too, a much more spacious sound. The earcups cost £50-something a pair and are essential, imo.
Another useful thing to have with my Grados is a treble control, as they tend to be a bit feisty for my tastes.
Having sorted those issues, the Grados have excellent rez, both in terms of detail and dynamics; a very open and clear sound.
I've owned several sets of Stax, and also Beyer 990, Sony MDR CD1700 - I enjoyed them for quite a while but prefer the Grados. A short-lived relationship with AKG-701 was a disaster, I disliked them intensely due to their ineffectual 'boppy' moderate rez sound. The Staxes were great but ultimately lacking in dynamic impact - things kind of fade away as you move into the bass, the Beyer and Sony were a bit too easy going as well but in a different, softer kind of way.
I got the Grado 325i first for my main system, and then the 125i for my second system. In all honesty, the difference between the 2 is marginal in terms of enjoyment, I would be happy with the cheaper 125i.
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Post by yomanze on Jul 7, 2014 9:09:22 GMT
I have just transplanted some Koss KSC75 headphones into my Porta Pro headband and used a 10p coin to cut a circle in the centre of the pads. The KSC75s use the same drivers as the Porta Pro, but titanium instead of Mylar. The Porta Pros are very rich and bassy with the KSC75s adding more top end sparkle and a tighter bass. Still unmistakably big and fun Koss sound. Perfect for portable phones. Almost difficult to believe the total investment is £35!
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Post by Chris on Jul 9, 2014 2:35:59 GMT
I quite fancy a decent pair of headphones so I'm following this thread with interest. No idea what I fancy. If anyone's got a pair for sale let me know please.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 9, 2014 8:30:16 GMT
Think about sitting on or enclosing the ears I have both and I still don't know which I prefer -99.9% of the time Isobariks !  |
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Post by yomanze on Jul 9, 2014 10:44:02 GMT
I have just transplanted some Koss KSC75 headphones into my Porta Pro headband and used a 10p coin to cut a circle in the centre of the pads. The KSC75s use the same drivers as the Porta Pro, but titanium instead of Mylar. The Porta Pros are very rich and bassy with the KSC75s adding more top end sparkle and a tighter bass. Still unmistakably big and fun Koss sound. Perfect for portable phones. Almost difficult to believe the total investment is £35! Disclaimer: yes, my Grado RS1 / NVA AP10H is in a different league, but for me portable audio means me using my iPhone, Spotify offline playlists & portable headphones when out and about. I just do not want to faff with massive cans, headphone amps / carrying a phone and mp3 player etc. What I do want though is to be freed of the horrible, thin, tinny sound of standard portable headphones. I replaced the KSC75 pads with some Sennheiser PX200 ones. So I have a "Frankenstein" pair of headphones now consisting of: * KSC75 Headphones - £15.50 * Koss Porta Pro headband - can pick up a donor pair for £15-odd * Sennheiser PX200 pads £5 The PX200 pads push the drivers further away from the ear & create a bit of an "enclosure" (to the point where the side comfort pads of the Porta Pro headband is pushed away from the ears, so I'll remove these) with ultra-thin foam covering the drivers compared to the thick foam of the standard pads. This is opened up the sound a lot, yet it sounds fuller. These are amazing cans for when you're out & about and just want to plug something into your smartphone! My long-time reference of standard Koss Porta Pros has now been succeeded by using the KSC75 drivers & PX200 pads. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 10:56:51 GMT
Well Headsets are a very personal thing imho. The wife bought me a pair of AKG '701' for our anniversary a few years ago, i felt rotten about it but marched them back as i did most modern designs, they are just not for me so i carry on using my ancient 70's sets..
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Post by MartinT on Jul 9, 2014 21:35:23 GMT
Think about sitting on or enclosing the ears Enclosing the ears for me. I prefer to be sealed in, and anyway some of the sitting-on style headphones really hurt after a while. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 10, 2014 8:24:50 GMT
Enclosures are sweaty and unaware of surroundings
Which can be a problem sometimes
My enclosed ones are portable so I can wander around the garden too !
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Post by kennybunkport on Jul 14, 2014 23:41:42 GMT
Sony MDR-V6. Oldie but goodie. Get some Beyer velour pads to replace the crappy vinyl pads. Cheap. Flat response. Comfortable. Great value.
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Post by stanleyb on Nov 27, 2014 9:25:40 GMT
I am thinking of getting a decent pair of headphones but never been totally happy with them I always found I suffered from listening fatigue or lack of engagement I have tried AK701 HD650 with cable upgrade and a few cheaper cables Do not mind going second hand maximum budget 300 Any ideas Hi John, once you have decided and got your headphones, pass by one day with them. Bring some music as well that you know. I can't say more in case my post gets deleted. PM me of course if you need more info. |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 27, 2014 10:58:19 GMT
I can't say more in case my post gets deleted. It won't be! Do tell us what you're cooking up, Stan? |
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Post by stanleyb on Nov 27, 2014 16:13:58 GMT
I can't say more in case my post gets deleted. It won't be! Do tell us what you're cooking up, Stan? It's already cooked. Just getting people close enough to me to pass by and have a taste of it and see what they think. I expect to see some people giving their opinion at some time on another forum. |
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Post by pinkie on Nov 27, 2014 17:16:00 GMT
I used to listen most of the time on headphones (Stax electrets). I was for ever pestering PT for a headphone socket on their amps. Owens solution was to give me a pair of SL600's and tell me to go away. But a lot of my listening was on cans before, and I am keen to sort something out. I have a pair of Beyer DT990's which I really like - but have been trying to drive them with either a CMOY amp or a BCC88 - which are ok, but not setting my heart on fire. I tried Grado's at Sevenoaks Hifi but was underwhelmed to say the least (maybe it was the ancillaries - I found I was fairly underwhelmed by the MDac which I had relied on as being a good enough reference). I like electrostatics... I was auditioning a pair of Beyer Electrostatics when I discovered Pink Triangle. The audition kit was an original pre-ruby bearing PT, Syrinx PU2 arm, and Dynavector cartridge - and I was so impressed I went looking for the turntable to audition against an LP12. Owen brought down his Beyer electrostatics and Stax Sigmas for a 3 way bake-off (and to take some measurements) earlier this year, and the Stax Sigmas were just so much better I wonder why I keep fannying around and don't just pick a pair up. Nearest I can muster as an excuse, is I am waiting for the Pip 2 which never quite made it on tour to France to be returned, now its ailments have been fixed . I briefly tried it as a headphone amp (a suggestion from its designer, who has been using it for that purpose - it has enough current to drive headphones) and thought I might have found the solution. But I only listened for a handful of 10 minute sessions, so the jury is still out. But I suspect, regardless of how good the headphone amp is, I am going to end up with a pair of electrostatics. And maybe, if I can find a pair, that will be Sigmas.  |
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Post by rsussan on May 4, 2015 19:09:59 GMT
I have astro a40s which i originally used for gaming, but i rarely ever do that anymore, now i use them for music (mostly), and they have it to where the ears are enclosed yet there is still plenty of room so they don't feel smushed, they have lasted for 5 years so far, they were expensive but goodness have they lasted me a while.
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Post by MartinT on May 4, 2015 19:22:37 GMT
Never heard of them. Are they sold into the gaming market? |
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Post by rsussan on May 4, 2015 22:14:15 GMT
Never heard of them. Are they sold into the gaming market? So they are a really pricey model of gaming headsets, and are primarily used for tournaments, so not a lot of people really buy them for personal use, but i loved the quality and fit when i tried a friend's pair once, so i got a pair myself. They market for gamers, i.e. it has an option where it is sold in a bundle deal for use with gaming consoles (hence it comes with tons and tons of cables for various types of use lol), but now i don't do much gaming anymore so i just use it primarily for music on various devices |
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 16, 2019 16:27:20 GMT
Yes, been a while For flexibility and convenience I tried various ear pieces and headphones the boss has lying around to plug into my laptop In ear convenient but poor sound. Would only use them in desperation Lavolta, looking like these are hot to wear but terrific sound Lavolta SH-301 Lightweight Headband Headphones for iPod At £200 plus I'm not so surprised, but they seem great VFM Thought they were going to be around a tenner when I first saw them |
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 16, 2019 17:25:56 GMT
After I would guess a couple of dozen or more pairs up to around £2k with dems up to £4k, I have finally settled on one that provides the best sound quality and just about acceptable comfort - the surprisingly cheap Beyerdynamic DT 250. I have 2 pairs that cost me £55 each, used.
Electrostatic, planar magnetic - no thanks, not for me.
The Beyerdynamic DT 250 are a 15 year old conventional dynamic design and provide the most natural headphone sound I have ever heard. My headphone journey over the last 3 years or so would appear to be at an end.
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