4 ms·

I don't care about the accuracy of their response curve (I know it isn't flat) after I found Grado[1] headphones. They are the only headphones I've found that d

by pdkl95 9y ago

I don't care about the accuracy of their response curve (I know it isn't flat) after I found Grado[1] headphones. They are the only headphones I've found that don't add a "headphone" quality to the sound. It's hard to describe what I mean - it's that most headphones don't sound like a proper set of (quality) speakers. I've speculated it's something to do with most headphones not being able to move enough air. Grado uses very large drivers (voice coil is about 4cm in diameter) in a supra-aural (open back) design, which may move more air? Whatever the reason, Grado Labs has discovered a design that I consider categorically better[2] than everything else. [1] http://www.gradolabs.com/headphones/prestige-series/item/1-sr80e http://www.gradolabs.com/headphones/prestige-series/item/1-s... [2] In terms of music quality. Other use cases may prefer designs that focus on other features.

cgb223 9y ago
This reads like an advertisement...
- pdkl95 9y ago
  It isn't, although I can see how it could seem that way. I'm just an enthusiastic fan.
jimmyjazz14 9y ago
I think the very open nature of Grados are what probably give them less of a "headphone sound". I'm a big fan of Grado as well, unfortunately since they are so open they leak sound like crazy, which makes them hard to use in an office environment.
- pdkl95 9y ago
  > leak sound like crazy That's very true, which is unfortunate. I completely agree they may not be appropriate in a office or other quiet environments.
jamesbrownjr 9y ago
The "headphone quality" is usually resulting from the fact that there is no crosstalk. When listening to speakers in a somewhat reverberant room, the signal from both speakers reach both ears, directly and via room reflections. This substantially adds to the impression of the mix and usually mixes actively make use of these effects. (That's also why "mixed for headphones" is a real thing.)
- pdkl95 9y ago
  Although this is an annoying effect, I'm fairly certain that isn't the problem. The Grado headphones fix the problem yet do not include a hardware crossfeed. Also, I use bs2b[1] (Bauer stereophonic-to-binaural DSP) which fixes all but the worst mixes (i.e. old music such as the Beatles with each guitar mixed pure L/R). [1] http://bs2b.sourceforge.net/ http://bs2b.sourceforge.net/
falcolas 9y ago
I wish Grados were more comfortable. The ear cups are too small and either scrunch my ears up, or push on them with far too much pressure, causing me pain to try and wear them for more than 5 minutes. I highly recommend trying them on before spending money on them. AKC's, Shure's, Sennheiser's, HiFiMan's, even IEMs are way more comfortable for me.
- smilekzs 9y ago
  There are alternative earpads made by 3rd parties. It's just a piece of sponge after all.
  - falcolas 9y ago
    This is another case of "defaults matter". The sound of Grado headphones was not good enough to justify additional purchases when similarly priced headphones were more comfortable while still sounding good.
    - smilekzs 9y ago
      Agreed, having tried both RS1 and RS2 (with and without extra earpads). At this price point you have comfy circumaural pads from all other open-back models, while Grado is stuck with supra-aural.
- cr1895 9y ago
  >I wish Grados were more comfortable. You might be able to stick the larger cups on yours, the over-ear ones (G I think?). The sound will change, however.

by pdkl95 9y ago

cgb223 9y ago

This reads like an advertisement...

pdkl95 9y ago
It isn't, although I can see how it could seem that way. I'm just an enthusiastic fan.

jimmyjazz14 9y ago

I think the very open nature of Grados are what probably give them less of a "headphone sound". I'm a big fan of Grado as well, unfortunately since they are so open they leak sound like crazy, which makes them hard to use in an office environment.

pdkl95 9y ago
> leak sound like crazy That's very true, which is unfortunate. I completely agree they may not be appropriate in a office or other quiet environments.

jamesbrownjr 9y ago

The "headphone quality" is usually resulting from the fact that there is no crosstalk. When listening to speakers in a somewhat reverberant room, the signal from both speakers reach both ears, directly and via room reflections. This substantially adds to the impression of the mix and usually mixes actively make use of these effects. (That's also why "mixed for headphones" is a real thing.)

pdkl95 9y ago
Although this is an annoying effect, I'm fairly certain that isn't the problem. The Grado headphones fix the problem yet do not include a hardware crossfeed. Also, I use bs2b[1] (Bauer stereophonic-to-binaural DSP) which fixes all but the worst mixes (i.e. old music such as the Beatles with each guitar mixed pure L/R). [1] http://bs2b.sourceforge.net/ http://bs2b.sourceforge.net/

falcolas 9y ago

I wish Grados were more comfortable. The ear cups are too small and either scrunch my ears up, or push on them with far too much pressure, causing me pain to try and wear them for more than 5 minutes. I highly recommend trying them on before spending money on them. AKC's, Shure's, Sennheiser's, HiFiMan's, even IEMs are way more comfortable for me.

smilekzs 9y ago
There are alternative earpads made by 3rd parties. It's just a piece of sponge after all.
- falcolas 9y ago
  This is another case of "defaults matter". The sound of Grado headphones was not good enough to justify additional purchases when similarly priced headphones were more comfortable while still sounding good.
  - smilekzs 9y ago
    Agreed, having tried both RS1 and RS2 (with and without extra earpads). At this price point you have comfy circumaural pads from all other open-back models, while Grado is stuck with supra-aural.
cr1895 9y ago
>I wish Grados were more comfortable. You might be able to stick the larger cups on yours, the over-ear ones (G I think?). The sound will change, however.