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Alternative to Grados

Posted by DSG (A) on March 26, 2013 at 13:04:28

I have owned the Grado 60s and most recently the 325is. I had to give Grados another try and I am frustrated. I found the mid-range of the 325is fantastic. It is detailed, fast, forward and tonally correct. Instruments and vocals within the mid-range sound as they should.
 
I experienced three problem areas which I just could not overcome. First was the lower treble brightness or to my ears, shrillness. It appears to be the result of the lower treble spike in the 2kHz spike. I could not tame it by taping the bowls.  Second was that they were just too uncomfortable. They were heavy on my head with no padding on the headband and sat loosely on my ears. I am used to the comfort of the velour over-ear pads and padded headband of the Senn 650s and found the Grados ridiculously uncomfortably in comparison. Third, and to a lesser extent, was that the bass is not very extended. I most likely would have been very satisfied with the 325is if they were not overly bright and comfortable, but since they were not, the lack of low bass was just another annoyance.
 
So while I was enthralled by how the Grado 325is do the mid-range, I could not get around the lower treble brightness, the discomfort, and the lack of low bass. Since all Grado headphones use the same or similar headbands and ear pad material, I am done with them.
 
For those of you who were similarly enthralled by the Grado mid-range, what have you been listening with that get you as close to that mid-range sound without the bright treble and discomfort?  I hope I am not banging my head against the wall, but I am still hopeful, because there are so many manufacturers and so many experienced headphone listeners here.
 
I will add that at this point I am willing to spend what it takes. Thanks to all experienced listeners who are willing to take the time to help me.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable

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