jinp6301 Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 When I went to bozebuttons's house for a mini-meet, I got to spend a lot of time with the high end grados (the vintage RS-1 and the HP-1/2/3 especially) and I realized that the 225s doesn't have the sound that I want nor can it scale the same way that the other two phones can. So, I'm trying to get less shrill treble, a more fuller sound (esp in the low end) with better extension in the lows and a slightly bigger soundstage that keeps the grado sound. Does that sound like the MS-2i's? PS. and my 225s are woodied, which does fix the problem (with the bass and the soundstage) a small amount but not enough to my liking.
postjack Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 So, I'm trying to get less shrill treble, a more fuller sound (esp in the low end) with better extension in the lows and a slightly bigger soundstage that keeps the grado sound. Does that sound like the MS-2i's? It most definitely will. The bass on the MS-2i is fantastic, especially with flats. And they certainly are not bright or shrill. If anything, I found the MS-2i to be lacking a bit of top end, which is why I sold them eventually. They didn't have the satisfying treble of the RS-1. But of course I've regretted selling them many times because of their ultra smooth sound, great midrange, and aforementioned awesome bass. I preferred them with flats, but I prefer every Grado with flats aside from the GS1K (haven't heard the PS-1 enough to make a decision).
jinp6301 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Posted August 9, 2008 Hmm, the RS-1 treble is pretty damn near perfect imo. If it gets somewhere between the 225 and the RS-1 in terms of amount and quality of the treble, I'll be happy. and thanks jack!
MrSlacker Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Get MS-2i coz they are just dead sexy IMHO
ilikebananafudge Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Unrelated question: jinp, what's going on in your avatar? It's confusing me
jinp6301 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Posted August 9, 2008 Its from an episode of Arrested Development. See it if you have never seen an episode!
ilikebananafudge Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Oh. I've heard that's a great show, actually. But I haven't seen it. I'll look into it
jinp6301 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Posted August 9, 2008 MSN Video - Watch Arrested Development on MSN watch for free there!
grenert Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 Well, it just goes to show that people's opinions vary widely: I had the MS-2 and despite trying bowls, reversed bowls, comfies and HD-414 pads (+/- quarter mod), I could never find a setup that tamed what I felt was ear-shredding treble without killing the dynamic punchiness of the headphones. And the midrange, where is the midrange??? In the end, I found I preferred the MS-1 with quarter-modded HD-414 pads. The MS-2 had better bass, though.
Cankin Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 MS2i is one fine headphone, but compare to "real" Grados, its midrange can be a little bit dry(netural to some) how about RS2? a used pair should be around $350-$400, i guess.
n_maher Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 If HF-1 prices weren't basically equal to used RS-2s I'd recommend those, but to sound their best I really feel the HF-1s need wood enhancement.
boomana Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 If HF-1 prices weren't basically equal to used RS-2s I'd recommend those, but to sound their best I really feel the HF-1s need wood enhancement. Yup. I had Dan's woodied and recabled pair alongside my stock pair for a couple weeks. If I'd stop being so lazy, I'd be sending pm's right now to get them some NH care.
jinp6301 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Posted August 9, 2008 MS2i is one fine headphone, but compare to "real" Grados, its midrange can be a little bit dry(netural to some) how about RS2? a used pair should be around $350-$400, i guess. I borrowed the RS-2s for a while after I got my woodies and I dont think that the RS-2s were that much better then the 225s actually. and the HF-1s are like $400
n_maher Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 I borrowed the RS-2s for a while after I got my woodies and I dont think that the RS-2s were that much better then the 225s actually. and the HF-1s are like $400 I hate to say this but if you don't like the 225s and don't like the RS-2s it could simply be that Grados (in your price range anyway) just aren't for you.
Chekhonte Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 I have a pair of MS2i's that have been recabled with cardas silver cable. I agree with most of the opinions here on them. To me they are really smooth but are slightly lacking on the top end. I don't find the midrange to be lacking and I couldn't tell you if that's because of the recable or if it's just my ears. The low end is, like everybody says is their strongest suit. They are not bass heavy like some find the upper tier senns but have a ton of punch to them with what is to the right about of bass. Listening to Bjork on them is heavenly.
CD44hi Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 There is some difference between the RS2 and RS1, but IMO mainly in the imaging: Instrument separation. The RS2 sounded a bit congested in comparison. But I didn't notice an extreme difference in treble. Maybe you got a bright RS2? There is some difference in sound between pairs of Grado of the same designation. That I have experience myself. Some for some reason have harsher highs. Maybe a pair of the older SR325 (black). Those were a bit smoother, at least mine are. Also, you may want to experience with the Senn quarter-modded HD-414 yellow pads, those tend to tame the treble a bit compared to the bowls. But not as much as flats.
jinp6301 Posted August 10, 2008 Author Report Posted August 10, 2008 I hate to say this but if you don't like the 225s and don't like the RS-2s it could simply be that Grados (in your price range anyway) just aren't for you. Its just that the RS-2 sounded more like the 225 then the HF-1/RS-1 smooth warm dark sound (which is what I prefer) And I do like the 225s and I could definitely live with them but they're still missing a whole lot in the bass region. I have a pair of MS2i's that have been recabled with cardas silver cable. I agree with most of the opinions here on them. To me they are really smooth but are slightly lacking on the top end. I don't find the midrange to be lacking and I couldn't tell you if that's because of the recable or if it's just my ears. The low end is, like everybody says is their strongest suit. They are not bass heavy like some find the upper tier senns but have a ton of punch to them with what is to the right about of bass. Listening to Bjork on them is heavenly. I know you had the 325i's before these. Obviously the high end is lacking compared to them but are they lacking in a way that they dont sound like a grado or they just have less treble then you want? There is some difference between the RS2 and RS1, but IMO mainly in the imaging: Instrument separation. The RS2 sounded a bit congested in comparison. But I didn't notice an extreme difference in treble. Maybe you got a bright RS2? There is some difference in sound between pairs of Grado of the same designation. That I have experience myself. Some for some reason have harsher highs. Maybe a pair of the older SR325 (black). Those were a bit smoother, at least mine are. Also, you may want to experience with the Senn quarter-modded HD-414 yellow pads, those tend to tame the treble a bit compared to the bowls. But not as much as flats. I've been using the 414 pads almost since I got the 225s and I've heard the black 325 (woodied by nate) and it sounded good, a bit better then the 225s woodied.
Chekhonte Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 I know you had the 325i's before these. Obviously the high end is lacking compared to them but are they lacking in a way that they dont sound like a grado or they just have less treble then you want? They still sound like grados in every other way than the high end (some would argue the upper midrange). They are still very much a fast and forward sounding headphone just not as much as other grado offering. When I said it is lacking, I should have worded it better. I'm not saying that they're soft or dark, but not as fast as other grados.
jinp6301 Posted August 10, 2008 Author Report Posted August 10, 2008 Hmm, that actually sounds really appealing. The vintage RS-1s are not as fast as the rest of the grado line up either and its "slowness" was something that I liked for some reason
CD44hi Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 it would really depend on what drivers they have. I have both blacks, with the regular type and with the HP1 type drivers and both are smoother, the HP being almost boringly neutral of the 2. But even the black with regular drivers is smoother than the current offering. Is akin to the older RS1 in that sense. [provided I make sense]
CD44hi Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 hmm, ok. the HP-1000 driver SR-325s are definitely boring. it was a disappointment, to me. The only amp I currently have that brings life into this cans is a modified Earmax pro.
jinp6301 Posted September 9, 2008 Author Report Posted September 9, 2008 morphsci lent me his MS-2s and I've been comparing them to the woodied 225s. Notable Differences Woodied 225s - has much bigger soundstage - has less bass but goes deeper - has a more distant sound MS-2s - have much much better imaging - sound much more cohesive - are sometimes sibilant (similar to the 225s) - has better low level detail
Cankin Posted September 9, 2008 Report Posted September 9, 2008 It seems like you don't think it's what you looking for?? how about recabled HD600??
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