What the hell should I buy?

[Bob_McBob]

My last rig was a CIA VDA-1/VAC-1, SP Extreme, and RS-1s. I sold it all last year, so I've been away from headphones for a little while. I now have a balanced B22 on the way from thrice and a minidac USB from grawk in a week, but I haven't been able to decide on headphones.

All the nice headphones I've owned are Grados. MS-1, HF-1, and RS-1. I am pretty happy with the Grado sound, and really like the RS-1s, but I found they gave me low level tinnitus really easily. I'll probably eventually get a pair, but I'd like to try something different this time.

I've been seriously considering HD650s, but opinions of them vary so much it's hard to tell anything. I don't have the opportunity to try anything locally, so I pretty much have to go on what I read online. I'd really like something that will showcase the B22's qualities and not sound exactly the same as Grados. I won't be ordering for a week, so I've got time to decide.

Any suggestions?

[saint.panda]

Balanced HD 650/600s from a good amp are really, really nice and you wouldn't be making a big loss if you wanted to resell them should you decide not to keep them. They're more sedated than Grados, but maybe you'll like them anyway. At least give them a try since it'll also be a good reference point for further buying recommendations.

[darkless]

I heard an RS-1 next to an RS-2 out of the same amp at the Danish head-fi meet in February. I actually preferred the RS-2 because it didn't feel like someone taking a sharpie to my ears but still preserved what I like about the grados. Almost all the other grados I've heard (RS-1, SR325, SR80, SR60, GS1000) have caused pain and triggered low-level tinnitus in my ears after short listening periods, except for the GS1000.

My ears are pretty sensitive to sharp/pronounced treble. Listening to the old 80s track "Ryan Paris - Dolce Vita" with my ESW9 yesterday brought pain to my ears until I switched on the EQ and rolled off the highs to make the track listenable.

[thrice]

I had boomana's HD600 and 650 on loan for a few months and I preferred the HD600 with my Beta. While the Beta can handle the 650 quite well, I preferred the sound signature of the 600 over the 650 overall.

[hYdrociTy]

hi ob_McHob long time no see i think the senns give more tinnitus than grados try akg, they bite even at low volumes and i can listen for longer and enjoy the music without the ring

[Dusty Chalk]

Any suggestions?

Listen quieter.

[postjack]

rs-1 or hf-1 with flats.

[Bob_McBob]

Listen quieter.

I do listen pretty quietly. I was surprised when the RS-1s started giving me tinnitus at even moderate volume levels. I thought it must have been caused by something else, but it happened more than once. Very sad, because I love the way they sound. I'm willing to put up with listening VERY quietly if I do get a pair later.

rs-1 or hf-1 with flats.

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Can't bring myself to recommend any non-grado dynamics.

Were you using flat pads with the rs-1's?

Biggie.

[xand1x]

You can try my k1000s. Its only about a 2hr drive away

[postjack]

Were you using flat pads with the rs-1's?

yeah, thats my question. the rs-1 is quite warm with flats, but not bright.

[Chekhonte]

I'm going to pull a head-fi and recommend a headphone I've never heard but what about the alessandro ms-pro?

You might be able to get something like the grado sound with out the sharp upper mids.

[Bob_McBob]

I've never tried flats on the RS-1s. I've also never tried MS-Pros.

[Bob_McBob]

http://www.head-case.org/audio_gear_for_sale/wtb_rs1-t3536.0.html

: : : :

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

I'm going to pull a head-fi and recommend a headphone I've never heard but what about the alessandro ms-pro?

You might be able to get something like the grado sound with out the sharp upper mids.

Shutup and die?

Biggie.

[postjack]

Shutup and die?

Biggie.

Easy tiger, this is chekhonte, and I think his suggestion is perfectly valid.

[deepak]

HP-1000

[guzziguy]

HP-1000

But they don't sound like Grados. Thank goodness for that!

[deepak]

But they don't sound like Grados. Thank goodness for that!

Sorry my inner HP-2 fanboy surfaces every now and then

[aardvark baguette]

HP-1000

how much are those fetching these days?

[postjack]

how much are those fetching these days?

$1600-$1700

[deepak]

how much are those fetching these days?

Easily $1800-2000+++ (really depends on the buyer, and there are a lot of foreign buyers that are willing to pay a lot now that the USD is so weak)

IMO they should be selling for more than the PS-1.

[guzziguy]

IMO they should be selling for more than the PS-1.

The current PS-1 vs. HP-1000 prices almost certainly reflect the difference in supply. The demand seems to be quite high for both.

[postjack]

Easily $1800-2000+++ (really depends on the buyer, and there are a lot of foreign buyers that are willing to pay a lot now that the USD is so weak)

IMO they should be selling for more than the PS-1.

Woah, prices went up! Demand certainly is high for these phones. Not but 10 months ago there were 3 pair for sale at one time on HF.

[n_maher]

Woah, prices went up! Demand certainly is high for these phones. Not but 10 months ago there were 3 pair for sale at one time on HF.

Yup, not sure they're worth half the going rate but since there are plenty of people willing to pay it that's what they're worth.