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Does anyone have any experience with Grado headphones?
I'm looking for a new pair of cans for mixing. Though I have very nice nearfield monitors, the acoustic characteristics of my studio/office force me to fine-tune my mixes with cans on. Since my studio doubles as our office, I can't adjust the acoustics the completely the way it should be.
Currently I'm using a pair of Sennheiser HD495. Today I tested the Sennheiser HD600 and, thanks to the salesperson, I also tried the Grado SR325 and the Grado RS-2. I really liked the Grados!
But until today, I never heard of Grado before. Seems they've been around for some 50 years, located in Brooklyn, New York. Since a lot of US citizens frequent these forums, I thought I might ask around 'bout them here.
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They have a big following, surprised you haven't heard of them.
However, they are audiophile 'listener' type headphones. They do enhance the sound a bit.
Not necessarily what you want in some instances, but then again, if you 'learn' them you may be able to adjust.
Search any headphone comparison and they usually include Grados.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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If you look them up on the web you will see that they are generally held to be the finest for the money. In addition Consumer Reports also rated them the tops. They are music enthusiasts most highly recommended brand.
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Here in the Netherlands they are hardly available. I was in a special high-end store to testdrive some cans. I also wanted to try the Beyer Dynamic DT770 and the Sony NC 500, but these where not available.
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Mike,
Just as a point of interest, as I use the Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones.
What is the deficit or problem with your HD 495's? And was there an audible improvement using HD 600's?
Cheers,
John
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Mike, Disclaimer: I work for Westone Laboratories - we make in-ear monitors. I believe they are the finest on the market today. Our distributor in the Netherlands is a company called Variphone. I highly encourage you to see if you can try some locally before you invest in on-the-ear (supraaural) or around-the-ear phones (circumaural). Reason: You can use these on-stage as in-ear monitors, you can mix with them, and you can also use them as the finest set of iPod headphones you will ever own. You won't be wearing Grados on stage or out on the street. Very flat response with the UM1 and UM3x models. The UM2 model has an intentional boost of the low frequencies. http://www.variphone.com/nl/in-ear-monitors/universal-series/um3xVariphone also sells our custom ES series of in-ear monitors - custom fit to your ears. PM me if you would like more information. -Scott
Last edited by rockstar_not; 05/04/10 04:18 PM.
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I use and love my Alessandro headphones, which are modified Grados. I agree, if you like Sennheiser, you would certainly like Grado.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Quote:
Here in the Netherlands they are hardly available. I was in a special high-end store to testdrive some cans. I also wanted to try the Beyer Dynamic DT770 and the Sony NC 500, but these where not available.
I have a 14-year-old pair of DT 770 and highly recommend them. They are flat (being reference phones, after all), durable, and the most comfortable 'phones I have ever worn. I can wear them for eight hours to do medical transcription and then use them in the studio after work.
They were also the first set I wore which could produce SPLs approaching live music. Just in case ya wanna make yer ears bleed. 
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Hi Scott Sounds like an interesting job. How would you characterize salient differences between these Westone monitors versus Etymotics earbuds? Am not aiming to create controversy with that comparison. But I have some Etymotics ER-4P so it is a point of reference I could understand. Have been pretty happy with the Etymotics ER-4P for certain 'critical listening' tasks, for instance listening for artifacts in DSP algorithms. Always eager to hear about neato gadgets. Are there factors that would make the Westone's better than the Etymotics? Quote:
Disclaimer: I work for Westone Laboratories - we make in-ear monitors. I believe they are the finest on the market today. Our distributor in the Netherlands is a company called Variphone. I highly encourage you to see if you can try some locally before you invest in on-the-ear (supraaural) or around-the-ear phones (circumaural).
Reason: You can use these on-stage as in-ear monitors, you can mix with them, and you can also use them as the finest set of iPod headphones you will ever own. You won't be wearing Grados on stage or out on the street.
...
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@Shackman: For just listening to music for pleasure there's absolutely nothing wrong with the HD495. For reference phones they do miss a lot of definition and they ad too much to the sound. Strange thing was the (old) HD495 sounded better than the (new) HD595. The HD600 sounded a tad more open, but, just like the 495, added some extra low and added a "blanket" over the complete sound (sounded a little muffled).
@Scott: I have a pair of (custom made) Earproof in-ears. Best friend any musician can ever have. I've been using them for two years now and I will never go on stage without them anymore. For live situations they're absolutely the best, but the are a bit hyped in the mid-high. This gives me as a singer just the right boost in the spots I need it.
@Ryszard: I will try the DT770. I hope to be able to test them next to the Grado RS2i
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I have had the ATH-M40fs headphones for a few months now and love them. The mids seem accurate, and folks that I work with have commented that the mixes I have doing are a lot cleaner & more balanced on there various systems. They are advertised as "mixing" phones.....
Bad part is that they are not that comfortable, I can only handle 2 hours before I need to remove them for a few min.....nowhere as comfortable as my old AKG240's! But for $40 as a S&D I will put up with them.
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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Where'd you find them for $40??
I've been paying 60..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Hi Mike,
I have a pair of Alessandro Music Series, which are basically the cheapest Grados. $99 and I like them a lot, nice and flat, no hype.
I changed the foam cushion for the sennheiser 414 type which makes them a lot more comfortable.
Chris
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rharv, I got the from Music 123 as a "scratch & dent" item, but the only damage I see is to the box. The look & work like new. They had 5 sets when I bought mine, and they were all gone in 24 hours.....; 
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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I ended up buying the Grado RS-2i. Took about a week and a half to arrive at the store, but it is now safely on my head Breaking it in with "The pros and cons of hitch-hiking" album by Roger Waters. (another one for the favorite album thread) Ahhhhhh......the crystal clear sound of these cans.... It'll take a while before they can force the smile from my face.....
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