Grado Headphones

The Philosopher said:
Why do you need an amplifier?

this probably my means my 51. HD realtek on board sound on my gb mobo is not good enough?

So will have to fork out more....
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Onboard audio is terrible (unless you have a high-end mobo with a SupremeFX sound card with some Dolby options or something, but hey, those are usually sound cards). Well, it's fine until you get a decent sound card. What you don't know won't hurt you. All I can say is that as a passionate music lover, a decent sound card was the thing I always overlooked most.

You need an amplifier because of the Ohm rating of the Sennheisers (requires more power to be driven properly), which are higher than cheaper headphones/earphones. Onboard audio, and most other 3.5mm/6.3mm audio jack devices, do not provide that kind of impedence (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impedance_(electrical)), therefore amplification is required.

It's like running a car audio sub off the front loader. There is simply not enough power to drive the sub, therefore amplification is needed to generate the power needed.

Yes, you will have to fork out more, but you will be extremely happy, and feel it's the best money you've spent in a long time.
 
I see. Okay will save a few months more then I will get these.

btw, which suppliers sell sennheisers or are they only supplied to places like audiovision by themselves?
 
The Philosopher said:
I see. Okay will save a few months more then I will get these.

btw, which suppliers sell sennheisers or are they only supplied to places like audiovision by themselves?
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Not sure on that.

Prophecy sell them. But they're epensive, and you can find a better deal if you look around.

Take2's USA Amazon imports are no doubt the cheapest. R1,200 for the HD555! R1,900 for the HD595. The saving allowed be to get the HD595, they were about R2,500 at Prophecy, if not more.
 
The Philosopher said:
Why do you need an amplifier?
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If you're just going to be using the Sennheisers with your computer you probably don't need an amplifier right away. An amp will improve the specific sound quality of your headphone and increase the volume. Of course, this is just a generalisation, as some of the higher end headphones really need an amp in order to 'work'. But as far as the HD555 or the like, they'll work without an amp, but will be improved with an amp (and the reason you're spending that much money on them isn't to get half the experience, but the full experience they can offer). So, you can buy the headphones now, and the amp later.

One of the reasons I went for the Grados is that they have a low impedance (same as normal apple earbuds) and can thus be driven by just about anything. Sure, an amp would improve them slightly, but I can't be fussed to spend that much money. That, and according the community at Head-Fi, they have the best sound quality for the price range.

PostmanPot, please post your impressions of the HD595s when they arrive.
 
So my Grados arrived today, and wow. Just wow. Plugged them into my computer and played some Radiohead, and instantly started smiling. :D

Few impressions for anyone that's interested in these:

Sound: Extremely crisp, and surprisingly good bass. The bass just seems right, it's not booming, and there's enough of it (was concerned that they might lack bass after reading online reviews, but there's plenty for me). I'm no audiophile though, so go read up about the sound from people that know... All I can say is that I'm f---ing impressed. All of my housemates have listened to them by now and they all started smiling... haha.

Build: Not bad, not great. They seem solid enough, but there are a few artefacts in the plastic moulding here and there. The cable is nice and thick, about as thick as a LAN cable. The phones themselves are very light, and fit comfortably on my head (again, going against what I read online). The foam pads are larger than I thought they'd be, about the size of most over-the-ears headphones.

One thing though, you have to max out the volume on an iPod classic to get the same volume as my computer on halfway.

Overall, very happy with the Grados.
 
Rudimental said:
Which ones?

A number are identical except for PCI/PCIE interface, iirc:

D1 - PCI = DX - PCIE
Essence ST - PCI = Essence STX - PCIE
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This.

Although from my research on the ST/STX, the ST is slightly better. Not in terms of quality, in terms of having more features. Something like that.
 
these look cool, so is there in difference in performance of the cards pci E vs pci? also what happened to sound blaster or the audigy range, have they lost the plot?
 
The Philosopher said:
these look cool, so is there in difference in performance of the cards pci E vs pci? also what happened to sound blaster or the audigy range, have they lost the plot?
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No. But PCI-E is more favourable I'd say as it's future proof. Remember it can run in any PCI-E slot, be it 1x, 4x, 8x (?), 16x, or whatever. Most mobos, even from a few year back will have a PCI-E 16x for graphics cards, and at least a PCI-E 4x for other peripherals. PCI will phase out sooner.

Not sure, think they're more in line for gaming, where Xonars are for gaming and music. I could be wrong. But I regard Xonars as the best.
 
The Philosopher said:
these look cool, so is there in difference in performance of the cards pci E vs pci? also what happened to sound blaster or the audigy range, have they lost the plot?
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There is the Xi-Fi Titanium HD, which is supposed to be pretty good, but I haven't seen it locally.
 
A great comparison between the two headphones mentioned in this thread, the HD555s and the SR80is, posted on Head-Fi yesterday.

I own both the HD 555 and sr80i. I don't own the 448s, but wouldn't recommend closed cans personally. As for the 555s vs sr80is, they are extremely different sounding headphones, both with there merits. I'll give you a quick run down of the pros and cons of each. The HD 555s have a wider soundstage, more detailed bass, and are more comfortable. The mids are very solid, but the highs are not superb. The Grados have excellent highs and very detailed mids. Unfortunately, they don't have a great soundstage and the bass is a little muddier although it is quick and has a good impact. Some Grado owners complain about comfort, personally I don't have a big problem with the Grados comfort wise, but after a few hours the earpads can really heat up your ears. Specifics aside, the HD 555s sound much more laid back, while the sr80is are aggressive and exciting. For this reason I prefer the sr80is for rock. For this same reason many people think the Grados sound unnatural. f I had to chose between the two, I'd pick the Grados. I really like there aggressive fun sound. The HD 555s certainly are more neutral than the Grados, but they aren't as fun to listen to in my opinion. However, if you prefer Jazz or classical music, the 555s might be more suited for your tastes.
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francoiswnel said:
A great comparison between the two headphones mentioned in this thread, the HD555s and the SR80is, posted on Head-Fi yesterday.
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Nice grammar there (the review). :p

Jokes aside, were the HD555s being amplified?

Well I don't listen to rock, so suits me fine. :)

Glad you are enjoying yours, man.
 
PostmanPot said:
Nice grammar there (the review). :p

Jokes aside, were the HD555s being amplified?

Well I don't listen to rock, so suits me fine. :)

Glad you are enjoying yours, man.
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Haha yeah, probably an American.

So stoked with the headphones, didn't think I would notice the improvement this much.
 
PostmanPot said:
Hehe. Hmmm, were the Sennies amped?
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Odds are, if one was amped, both were amped. Also, if headphones require amplification to beat other pairs, then said amplification's cost should be factored into the total price, which most likely moves your budget from entry-level to mid-end or even high-end, depending on the expensive of the amplifier of choice. Also, source then comes into play as well and a proper DAC can set you back a good few grand too.
It doesn't really matter whether the 555's were amped or not.
 
Messugga said:
Odds are, if one was amped, both were amped. Also, if headphones require amplification to beat other pairs, then said amplification's cost should be factored into the total price, which most likely moves your budget from entry-level to mid-end or even high-end, depending on the expensive of the amplifier of choice. Also, source then comes into play as well and a proper DAC can set you back a good few grand too.
It doesn't really matter whether the 555's were amped or not.
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Not sure if both were amped, that's why I'm asking.

But of course it matters. The HD555s are designed that they require amplification. A review is supposed to detail the true potential of the stuff being reviewed.

It's like comparing a souped up Audi A4 vs an Audi RS4 Avant (the one modded by Porsche a while back?). The A4 runs off normal fuel, but the Avant is designed to run off high octane fuel. Because the Avant is being run off normal fuel in the test/"review", it performs similarly, and so is graded (pun :)) similarly. I'm sure you understand the analogy...

Running something designed to be optimal without being amped, and testing it against something that is designed to be amped to operate optimally without amping it, is complete bs and unfair.

Again, I have no idea whether the HD555s were amped or not. I am simply contesting what you brought up. ;) Regardless of whether an amp needs to be factored in, one cannot review it while un-amped if it designed to be amped.
 
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I'm probably going to pick up a set of the HD555's over the weekend. I've had 515's for 5 years now, and they have served me very well, but the foam pads are showing their age now (daily use). Since the pads alone are R300, I thought I might as well buy a new set. I once sent them in because the one side had developed a distortion, they sent me a whole new set back.

Even if the grados sound better, they are not at all comparable in terms of comfort...

(595 mod will be done as soon as I get them...)
 
P924 said:
I'm probably going to pick up a set of the HD555's over the weekend. I've had 515's for 5 years now, and they have served me very well, but the foam pads are showing their age now (daily use). Since the pads alone are R300, I thought I might as well buy a new set. I once sent them in because the one side had developed a distortion, they sent me a whole new set back.

Even if the grados sound better, they are not at all comparable in terms of comfort...

(595 mod will be done as soon as I get them...)
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Can't go wrong. R1,200 from Take2 USA is a steal.
 
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