Grado SR-325is plugged into a La Figaro (DarkVoice) 336 Tube Headphone Amp
There is no denying the fact that I spend way too much money on headphones. Collecting them, working on improving their sound signature, modifying them. Re-cables, headbands, equipment. It all is part of the game of achieving the best sound*
In recent times I've finally acquired my first Grado Labs headphone, the SR-80i
. Being their second headphone in the Prestige Series, it is their inexpensive $99 MSPR offering that is a slightly improved version of the SR-60i
. Since then my addiction has only grown.When I first put a Grado Can on my head and started to play some music, I was knocked off my feet. These things were amazing. This listening even took place at a local Hi-Fi shop in Las Vegas, NV where they are a authorized Grado Labs dealers with a sample SR-325i headphone
. Let's just say that blues never sounded more alive.Of course then I did not have the mans to afford the $300 offering from Grado, only the $99 cans. Regardless, I absolutely loved them for what they were. Sure, they were not as clear as the sample phones, but they sounded fantastic. Everything was exactly as I liked it.
Fast Forward to 2011 and here I sit with my SR-325is and SR-80i that I'm working on modifying them. I've tried other $300-500 headphones, but the Grados still win hands down in my opinion.
There is something magical about what they are. Germany/Austria, the other big headphone manufacturing country produces some of the worlds other finest headphones. Sennheiser, AKG, Beyerdynamic, Ultrasone just to name a few. But here is the difference between the the German/Austrian sound and the All-American Grado: Cold and analytical or fun and outrageous.
I guess the best example of this would be the difference between a German sports car an an American Muscle car. The German car is very clean, precise, responsive where as what the American muscle car lacks in finesse it makes up for in personality. Sure, throwing a monster engine in a car that can do nothing but go straight seems stupid, but it makes for something very enjoyable and very different.
There is just something about it. "Personality," That is the word.
I recently bought the top of the line offering headphone from AKG, the K701
. It is often times considered one of the best dynamic headphones ever manufactured. So crystal clear, even a pin dropped in a studio could be heard. Every sound from the opening of the lips; every instrument could be distinctly heard; the key press of a grand piano; even the scuffling of the musician could be easily distinguished. The K701 took clarity and finesse of a headphone to another level. But it was missing something. Its wide sound stage made it so that you would feel like you stand as the conductor,in the center of the orchestra but slightly removed from the show. The frequency response of the phones is also relatively flat, meaning that nothing playing has that sparkle or shine.It was not engaging; rather cold. The most recent offerings from Sennheiser suffer from this as well.
Enter the Grado Labs headphones once more and things change quite a bit. Rather then every instrument being separated and easily distinguishable, some say they are mashed together. Sound stage is definitely lacking here. Frequency responses are no where near as flat as the K701 or any of the Sennheiser cans nor are they as broad in range. Grado Labs headphones are very bright, have very forward mids, and offer fantastic mid-bass and very clean accurate but light low-bass. From a quality stand point, their lower end headphones are made from a very inexpensive feeling plastic, and offer a terrible vinyl headband. Moving up the line some of the parts remain the same and quality control still is questionable. From most people's point of view, reading this alone would make anyone wonder why I love these cans so much, and wonder why many others have also fallen in love. It's indescribable, they are something special.
It's not just about sound: just look at them.
In a world where headphones are becoming 'fashion' items, there is something special about a headphone that looks different. Is aside from the norm. It strays off from the mass of modernistic looks of popular headphones and goes with a a simplistic retro look. They are very clean and have looks that say "Rock n' Roll." No other headphones look this good.
When I put these headphones on, more then any other, the music comes to life. Listening to anything rock or jazz based jumps out at makes for one of the most engaging experiences I've ever head through headphones. Again, it's an indescribable experience.
There is no other phone I've heard that I'd rather have at home or on the go. No other phone instantly induces head bobbing and foot tapping like Grado cans. There is something truly special about these American garage company cans by Grado Labs.
Grado Labs is an American headphone and turntable cartage manufacturer and of the oldest hi-fi American audio companies. Based out of a small garage in Brookyln, NY, every device they offer (excluding the iGrado headphone) is hand made and molded their. Over the years their headphones have greatly changed, especially with new audio engineer John Grado taking over the company from his uncle Joe Grado. Regardless of these changes, Grado has long established its name amongst audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts alike.
*The best sound is a very subjective term. The "colouring" of your equipment on the sound varies greatly on your taste, your experience. Some like flat reference phones, others love something with personality. Tube amps and wooden phones provide warmth, solid state and metal phones can be hash. It's all subjective.
When I put these headphones on, more then any other, the music comes to life. Listening to anything rock or jazz based jumps out at makes for one of the most engaging experiences I've ever head through headphones. Again, it's an indescribable experience.
There is no other phone I've heard that I'd rather have at home or on the go. No other phone instantly induces head bobbing and foot tapping like Grado cans. There is something truly special about these American garage company cans by Grado Labs.
Grado Labs is an American headphone and turntable cartage manufacturer and of the oldest hi-fi American audio companies. Based out of a small garage in Brookyln, NY, every device they offer (excluding the iGrado headphone) is hand made and molded their. Over the years their headphones have greatly changed, especially with new audio engineer John Grado taking over the company from his uncle Joe Grado. Regardless of these changes, Grado has long established its name amongst audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts alike.
*The best sound is a very subjective term. The "colouring" of your equipment on the sound varies greatly on your taste, your experience. Some like flat reference phones, others love something with personality. Tube amps and wooden phones provide warmth, solid state and metal phones can be hash. It's all subjective.
