Grado Love or the RS2 (TTVJ Deluxe Pad) Appreciation Thread

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Feb 13, 2020.

  1. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Personally, I'd written Grado off except for the HP1000 stuff.

    When I saw @purr1n's measurement results showing how A) the RS2e drivers might not behave too wildly, B) the pads go a long way toward tweaking the sound, and C) that comparison measurements against other known headphones with the flat pads looked reasonable, I was admittedly interested.

    It just so happened that someone shortly after asked if I would want to measure their Symphones V9 build, and it's a good tie-in anyway to all the Grado stuff.

    Why others might not have said much otherwise until now, it's likely because they knew many had written them off, like myself.

    It's almost as if the guy that runs the site here has some leverage in the community. Can you believe it?
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    1. What do you think of the Joe Grado HP1000 headphones? Do you think are they shit?
    2. What if I showed you that it was possible to get close to the Joe Grado HP1000 sound with a splash of John Grado by using the SR225 or RS2 with the right pads?
    3. What if I then showed you that it was possible to get even smoother and more refined sound than #2 with @Rhydon's drivers?
    I didn't suddenly rediscover them. I'm been on them since 2013, a few years before my HD650 love thread: https://www.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1318.0.html

    This is something I've been wanting to write about and analyze for over two years now. Just haven't had a chance to get to it until recently. And besides, it's all about the bass transient response baby (objective proof): https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...d-appreciation-thread.8952/page-5#post-290526

    These are an option. What's the point of SBAF if everything other than the HD6** isn't worth consideration?
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2020
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's an elaborate conspiracy hatched up six months ago. @Rhydon promised me 12 virgins if I could increase his sales by x12. I figured the most sneaky way to do this was start with an overpriced RS-2 and the right pads. And just when nobody was noticing, I'd present @Rhydon's drivers as the savior.

    Alas, the plan has been revealed.
     
  4. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    The HD650 also went this route. It was on the way out until we had our appreciation thread.

    I think one could potentially call us sycophants to Marv, but there's something I've learned from meeting him in person and trying out stuff he listened to. He's not deaf and isn't run by greed (cough Jood cough).

    I'm pretty curious about putting my own ears to them. Wonder if they'll even mesh with the amps I have.
     
  5. Orkney

    Orkney Acquaintance

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    I just picked up a set of GH-4s for my (alas, now abandoned) office setup. Not sure where they slot into the Grado hierarchy but they sound pretty good thus far, without the scratchy highs I remember from my old RS1is. I have a set of the old TTVJ flats kicking around somewhere, will have to try them out.

    These newer models feel more comfortable and sound less compromised to my years, but admittedly it's been years since I last listened to anything above the 80s, and my ears are a few years older also, so perhaps I simply can't register piercing highs and thumpy bass anymore. Enjoying these tho, and appreciate the views shared across these recent threads.
     
  6. Grattle

    Grattle Friend

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    @stuffjones - Maybe lots of us have liked Grados all along, but didn’t post about them because it’s an invitation for ridicule?

    I love my OG PS500 and wouldn’t part with it. It’s a gem.

    (Edited to clarify who I was responding to.)
     
  7. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    More aftermarket headbands for those that find stock lacking.
    https://turbulentlabs.com/category/leather-headbands/

    [​IMG]

    Please do this! Soldering is the biggest hindrance for most when deciding to Grado mod or not. Even @Rhydon told me one of his future goals was to develop and release a driver that did not require any soldering.
     
  8. m1ndripper

    m1ndripper New

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    Curious if you've heard the Alessandro series, especially the MS-Pro? I've had the MS-Pro for a while, has a lot more neutral tonality by lessening those treble peaks without losing any of energy that Grado's possess. Definitely a more versatile headphone for all genres, not just rock.
     
  9. Jensway

    Jensway New

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    I also found the stock headband to be disappointing.

    While it wasn't the cheapest upgrade, I bought a Turbulent Labs headband and it seemed to fit the bill nicely.

    It isn't any sort of magic fix to suddenly make Grado headphones comfortable, but it helps to close that divide a little.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    [​IMG]
     
  11. mokobigbro

    mokobigbro Acquaintance

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    I was first impressed with Grado in 2013 when in a local meet, someone brought a modded 325 (or 225). It sounded very balanced to me (unlike the bright signature grado is well known for).
    4-5 years later, I wanted to have that Grado but it was sold to someone that I don't know if that person ever sells it again.
    I then met a local modder and I heard his Grado. It was a very smooth sounding Grado. I asked him to mod my alessandro ms2 and I really like how it sounded.

    The cup doesn't look pretty anymore but it still sounded great.

    I also found the sennheiser yellow pads sounded best for what I wanted.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    Threads like this cost me money cause I like my headphones to be like my women; cheap, fast and fun!
    Ordered in SR225e and Deluxe pads.
    Details to follow (the phones,not the wimmin')
    Thanks guys, I think....
     
  13. oh_okay

    oh_okay New

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    My Grado experience:

    SR80 (1993 purchase)
    HP-1 (1993 purch)
    325i (2006 purch)
    All purch'd new from Audio Advisor or Headroom.

    Fave is probably SR80 with the electrical tape mod. using stock L-cushions.
    Lately, to save $$, I have been using cheap Chinese pads (except for the flats on HP-1, those are TTVJ).
    I'm a bit disappointed with the 325i. They seem to have "tired" or compressed quality to their sonics. Maybe I gotta a bum pair???
    Anyway, I've been thinking about picking up some 225(e)'s, but was surprised that used (eBay) prices are HIGHER than Amazon . Whaaa ???
    So should I spring for some new Amazon SR225e's, maybe mod them (suggest something) ... or put that $200 +/- $50, and get something different altogether? New or used. Say, A-T, Sony, some "hidden" Chinese gem, etc.

    BTW:
    My other cans are Senn. HD600, 650, 580, Beyer 990, 880, Akg K701. Ancient Stax Lambda Pro. Some higher-end IEMs.
     
  14. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    Why buy from Amazon, they don't need your business.
    This thread (combined with massive boredom) inspired me to order in the 225e's and TTVJ deluxe pads, ordered direct from TTVJ Audio since they are a Grado dealer and a small independent dealer who no doubt would love to have your business.
     
  15. nithhoggr

    nithhoggr Author of the best selling novel Digital Jesus

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    That's a pretty eclectic selection of Grados. IIRC from the days of yore on Head-fi, the 325/325i was considered particularly bright even for a Grado, so that's probably not a great point of reference. If you end up getting the SR225e, I'd suggest driver modding them with a bit of Dynamat Xtreme or blu-tack. It makes a pretty amazing difference. (Higher-end Grados, like the RS-1 or RS-2, have dampening on the driver there from the factory, so it's really only a mod for SR325e or lower.)
     
  16. oh_okay

    oh_okay New

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    I have flats for my HP-1s, and I can slip them on my other Grados as needed.... but ...
    TTVJ charges $50/pr. While I can't find flats on eBay (Chinese aftermarkets), the eBay L- and S- variety are often priced way less than OEM.

    Back to mods... how about DIY cable? I also like cable shortening. If you are neat with soldering and use proper heat shrink tubing, the splice can almost be spotless.
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2020
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I recommend a splice over resolder on the pads. The Grado drivers are extremely sensitive.
     
  18. oh_okay

    oh_okay New

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    Another question is regarding the longevity of the various pads (cushions). Even with non-use, they degrade. Not sure why. Reaction with oxygen, etc.
    What are the L-cushion (Bowl variety) made of (chemistry)?
    I have used both OEM and el-cheapo Chinese eBay variety .... and I have noted NO difference in longevity (again even non-use longevity). And their failure mode happens kinda quickly ... okay for 2-3 years .... then, all of a sudden (in a span of 3-4 months), a rapid gooey decline.

    BTW: Any aftermarket pads that are worthy? Geekria, Synsen , etc?
     
  19. oh_okay

    oh_okay New

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    How much sonic benefit is achievable with cable upgrade? Esp. with the SR series? (I'm not going to mess with my HP-1's !!)

    About tweaking Grado with Dynamat ... I have tried that on many cans (used other materials too, like rope caulk and Blu-Tak) ... and doing so removes the "Grado sound" to some extent (that liveliness, energy, and punchiness).
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Not much IMO. The HP-1 cables are great. I like to use certain x2 Mogami cable like the HP-1 . Some folks do silver for HP-1 because it brightens the sound or makes the transients itchier. I'm really the last person to talk about cables because I prefer flexibility and proper length for the intended use. Not into bling, don't need a glossywooden triangular Y, and would rather spend money on better gear or allocate it to a Qobuz subscription. The cable discussions at HF make me cringe, since 99% of these guys have shit gear for their headphones. They also pay way too much. The money could have been spent learning how to solder and making 5 sets of different cables.

    Yes. A bit tighter and less vibrate-y. Note the higher-end Grados do have these. It really depends on what you want.
     

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