Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - flat-ish mix ref headphones...grado etc

joeq · 12th August 2008

another vote for the Grados

There are a lot of models, I have the SR-225s and I really feel I can trust them when I am away from the monitors, or as an alternative. I don't think they are fatiguing at all, and they strike me as being quite flat. I don't listen very loud, though, and I could see that maybe at a higher volumes the clarity would get tiring.

By comparison, I found the Sennheissers generally 'flattering' and a little cushy in the bass. I would love to own a pair of 650's for when I am listening for pleasure, but I prefer the Grados for "work". Not only for mix balance, but also to hear fine details that I may have missed.

Just like monitors, so much of it is what you are used to. Knowing what they sound like, and what to expect, etc. To a certain extent, there is also how they match up or differ from the monitors you usually use.

As far as physical comfort, the Grados are very light and the band can easily be bent to sit properly on your head, but the surrounds are just foam and do not really support the element completely off your ear. Some people find it annoying to have something touching their pinnae, however lightly.

12th August 2008	#8
joeq Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 9,889	another vote for the Grados There are a lot of models, I have the SR-225s and I really feel I can trust them when I am away from the monitors, or as an alternative. I don't think they are fatiguing at all, and they strike me as being quite flat. I don't listen very loud, though, and I could see that maybe at a higher volumes the clarity would get tiring. By comparison, I found the Sennheissers generally 'flattering' and a little cushy in the bass. I would love to own a pair of 650's for when I am listening for pleasure, but I prefer the Grados for "work". Not only for mix balance, but also to hear fine details that I may have missed. Just like monitors, so much of it is what you are used to. Knowing what they sound like, and what to expect, etc. To a certain extent, there is also how they match up or differ from the monitors you usually use. As far as physical comfort, the Grados are very light and the band can easily be bent to sit properly on your head, but the surrounds are just foam and do not really support the element completely off your ear. Some people find it annoying to have something touching their pinnae, however lightly. __________________ . “What you ask about is music. What you like is sound. Now music and sound are akin, but they are not the same.” — Confucius