[[email protected]]

Subject says it all. I live in Fort Worth, and before I plop down $70
or $100 would like to see how they fit, how they sound, etc. I'm
considering these or the Sennheisers for my desk at work, but want to
try them first, and I don't see any dealers closer than Austin.

Many thanks.

[paul packer]

On 28 Jul 2006 13:08:45 -0700, wrote:

Subject says it all. I live in Fort Worth, and before I plop down $70
or $100 would like to see how they fit, how they sound, etc. I'm
considering these or the Sennheisers for my desk at work, but want to
try them first, and I don't see any dealers closer than Austin.

Many thanks.

What kind of music do you listen to? The grados are generally
recommended for rock, the Sennheiser's for classical, jazz, acoustic
etc. I owned an SR80 and quickly re-sold it---just too bright and
in-your-face for orchestral music. Try one if you can, but I think the
Senns are a safer bet. I found the HD595 (or possibly 555 if funds are
tight) was a perfect compromise between the bright-n-boppy Grado sound
and the laidback sound of the Senn 600/650.

[[email protected]]

What kind of music do you listen to? The grados are generally
recommended for rock, the Sennheiser's for classical, jazz, acoustic
etc.

Combination of things. Progressive rock, so everything from Symphonic
Italian from the 70's to Death Metal. What I'm curious about is not
just the sound, but the feel, since I've read several times that some
people hate the feel of the Grado's. Also, what are the cushions made
of? One of the things I really like about my Koss headphones is that
they don't make my ears sweat, because they're foam instead of leather
or vinyl or (whatever).

[MINe 109]

In article .com,
wrote:

What kind of music do you listen to? The grados are generally
recommended for rock, the Sennheiser's for classical, jazz, acoustic
etc.

Combination of things. Progressive rock, so everything from Symphonic
Italian from the 70's to Death Metal. What I'm curious about is not
just the sound, but the feel, since I've read several times that some
people hate the feel of the Grado's. Also, what are the cushions made
of? One of the things I really like about my Koss headphones is that
they don't make my ears sweat, because they're foam instead of leather
or vinyl or (whatever).

My experience with Grados (purchased from the dealer in Austin BTW) is
that the replacement foam earpieces are much more comfortable than the
original earpieces. You will still want to try them for yourself, but if
you like how they sound, you might be able to make them more
comfortable.

The original foam is quite dense; the replacements are more like what
you'd expect from other brands of open-ear foam-padded headphones.

Stephen

[paul packer]

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 01:06:53 GMT, MINe 109
wrote:


My experience with Grados (purchased from the dealer in Austin BTW) is
that the replacement foam earpieces are much more comfortable than the
original earpieces. You will still want to try them for yourself, but if
you like how they sound, you might be able to make them more
comfortable.

The original foam is quite dense; the replacements are more like what
you'd expect from other brands of open-ear foam-padded headphones.

Stephen

Agree. The original Grado ear pieces are quite horrible and don't do
the phones justice. That's where the Senns really score, in comfort,
though even there some people complain of a clamping effect. You
really need to try them.

[[email protected]]

You really need to try them.

Yup yup yup. Hence the post. Nearest dealer is in Austin, which I
never travel to, and is 3 hours away.

[[email protected]]

wrote:
You really need to try them.

Yup yup yup. Hence the post. Nearest dealer is in Austin, which I
never travel to, and is 3 hours away.

Of course, how close are the Sennheisers to the sound of the Grados? I
just looked, and there are 7 dealers in town, including Circuit City
(wtf?). So, how close is the sound between the two? Thanks for the
pointer on the replacement pads. I'm looking at spending $80-$100.
Low end, I know, but these will still be a step up from my Koss'.

Thanks again!

[GregS]

In article .com, wrote:

wrote:
You really need to try them.

Yup yup yup. Hence the post. Nearest dealer is in Austin, which I
never travel to, and is 3 hours away.

Of course, how close are the Sennheisers to the sound of the Grados? I
just looked, and there are 7 dealers in town, including Circuit City
(wtf?). So, how close is the sound between the two? Thanks for the
pointer on the replacement pads. I'm looking at spending $80-$100.
Low end, I know, but these will still be a step up from my Koss'.

If you lived in Pittsburgh I could make you a good deal on a set of SR-60's.
After I got my Audio Technica ATH-AD700's the Grados seem like toys.
Oh, the AT's were $115 shipping included.


greg

[paul packer]

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 15:11:01 GMT, (GregS) wrote:

In article .com, wrote:

wrote:
You really need to try them.

Yup yup yup. Hence the post. Nearest dealer is in Austin, which I
never travel to, and is 3 hours away.

Of course, how close are the Sennheisers to the sound of the Grados? I
just looked, and there are 7 dealers in town, including Circuit City
(wtf?). So, how close is the sound between the two? Thanks for the
pointer on the replacement pads. I'm looking at spending $80-$100.
Low end, I know, but these will still be a step up from my Koss'.

If you lived in Pittsburgh I could make you a good deal on a set of SR-60's.
After I got my Audio Technica ATH-AD700's the Grados seem like toys.
Oh, the AT's were $115 shipping included.

Interesting. Did you happen to compare the AD700s to the A700s, Greg?
Or maybe to the A900s? The open ATs are said to be a bg improvement on
the closed models.

[paul packer]

On 4 Aug 2006 07:17:54 -0700, wrote:


wrote:
You really need to try them.

Yup yup yup. Hence the post. Nearest dealer is in Austin, which I
never travel to, and is 3 hours away.

Of course, how close are the Sennheisers to the sound of the Grados?

Not close at all. The Senns and Grado's represent different ends of
the spectrum. Except for the Senn 595, which is the closest high end
Senn to the Grado sound (but still miles away).

I'm looking at spending $80-$100.
Low end, I know, but these will still be a step up from my Koss'.

Anything will be a step up from your Koss. :-)

[paul packer]

On 9 Aug 2006 13:29:41 -0700, wrote:

Paul, just trying to get one last clarification before I see who has a
good return policy on Grados.

Not close at all. The Senns and Grado's represent different ends of
the spectrum. Except for the Senn 595, which is the closest high end
Senn to the Grado sound (but still miles away).

Was looking at the 555, since the price is about the same. When you
say different ends, you mean the listening-to-rock vs
listening-to-jazz? From reading the reviews it sounded like they were
in the same ballpark, sound-wise. Or are the 555s just crap?

I've never actually heard the 555. I have the 595 and would expect the
555 to be just a less refined version. What I mean by "different ends"
is that both Senn and Grado have a "house" sound--that is, Grado go
for a rather bright in-your-face sound that suits rock while Senn
generally are more mellow and laid back, thus suiting acoustical. When
I say the Grados are bright, however, I don't mean at the frequency
extreme; rather they sound to me, and others, as if they have a peak
around 4khz, which would correlate with them being favoured for rock.
The Senns are often disparaged as "boring" by rock fans, and oddly
even the 595 has been so criticised, though I find it marvellously
neutral and suitable for all types of music. A further complication is
that any phone you listen to in-store is likely not to be burnt in.
and burning in is essential to a proper evaluation. As for reviews,
I'm not sure which ones you're referring to, as I've never seen
reviews that suggest Senn and Grado are in the same ball park. Must be
a ballpark in the Twilight Zone. :-)