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I sold my Grado RS1i because they were just too "forward" and "in your face". However, there was much to like about them such as their "aliveness", tight bass and clean midrange.
My question is: is there another Grado model that tones down the agressiveness? I'm thinking about the RS2i, PS1000, PS500. Does anyone have any recommendations/
Follow Ups:
I"m extremely sensitive to bright headphones, and PS500 are fantastic. I use them with a grado headphone amp, and I've had no problem with brightness. I always had brightness issues with other grades - 125, 225. I compared these to Sennheiser 800s as well as some other grados and some Audeze. PS500 had the best all around sound and was not at all harsh. They're cut from a different cloth than other Grados for sure.
fight the good fight
I put a pair of the G-Cush pads on my RS1is and that seemed to tone down the brightness, that being said however, I have since moved on to STAX and kissed the Grados and Senns goodby.
Most of the full-sized Grado headphones are slightly unusual in that they utilize a design that places the drivers as close as possible to the ear tunnel - the exact opposite of the way things are being done in many modern headphone designs.However, perceived distortion remains low and dynamics and detail are better preserved when the sonic pathway(s) between driver and eardrum are kept as short and as direct as possible. This design philosophy is one of the major reasons why the sonic signature of Grado headphones are perceived as very dynamic and detailed, albeit slightly "forward". In a way, Grados can be considered as the Hornspeakers of the headphone world, because of how efficient they are and because of the the way that they "shoot" the sound toward the listeners eardrums, thus preserving dynamics and tone in a way that other types of headphones cannot do.
IMO, this peculiar design does provide certain sonic benefits and should be considered to be one of Grado's unique strengths, but with every benefit gained there are usually tradeoffs and compromises involved.
Notice too that Grado drivers are backloaded with a "tunnel" of airspace (a resonant chamber, actually) that provides the secondary effect of tonal richness and reverb. Many other hi-end headphones try to put as much airspace in front of the drivers as possible, in order to add a greater feeling of spaciousness, etc... However, dynamics and detail can suffer when spatial effects the primary consideration. Dynamics, detail, and tonal quality - not spatial effects - are the most evident strengths of the unique Grado design.
Frequency response contour also has something to do with the "forward" Grado house sound.
When you buy a pair of Grados you are buying headphones that provide you with a very unique sonic experience. Use your Grados to listen to recordings that shine when a forward and dynamic sonic presentation is the ticket. Because of the unique design features of Grado headphones, Rock music (and similar styles) are extremely well served. I believe that the Grado RS1 remains the current King of Rock n' Roll headphones, because of their unique design and because of their "fun" tonal balance.
That "forward" Grado sound? Bask in the glory!
Edits: 12/10/13 12/12/13
I have the same experience as Travis. My 325Is are a bit bright- the slightest source problem of digititis makes the 325s fairly unlistenable.
IIRC, response plots show they have a peak in the upper mids- which would certainly explain their "forward/bright" charcterization.
I also agree that Sennheisers would be a good bet if you like the "open air" sound of the Grados but are tired of the peakiness.
Err, I have no problem with the 325i, in fact, I prefer it to the PS500.
Again, the PS500 will not be as bright which might be the ticket to Grado Heaven for the OP.
I have never heard the current crop of Sennheisers. Maybe they don't have the "veil" many detractors claim.
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
My apologies Travis, I only meant I agree with you that Sennheiser's might be something the OP should consider.
best,
kenzo
It's call Sennheiser.
(Sorry, just couldn't resist.)
WW
New Orthophonic High Fidelity
.
buy a seventies receiver with headphone jack and tone controls...$200 on eBeast
I have 325is and they are brighter than the PS500, IME. I would say that the PS500 is the most un-Grado like of the line but they do have a bit more lower mid-bass. Maybe trying them with return priviledges would be a safe bet.
Spoiler: Never tried the RS-1i.
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
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