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| Grado Headphones Sr60/80 GOING OUT OF FAVOUR??; Headphones | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 7 Feb 2007, 09:51 AM (3,137 Views) | |
| MARCPKH | 7 Feb 2007, 09:51 AM Post #1 |
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Dear Folks Seem that with the emergence of IEMs... The old favourites like Grado cans are slowly disappearing from the scenes...many ex-owner of SR60 like heady ,siao catz etc are now looking more at IEMs. I really wonder how good the IEMs will the small drivers can bring out the vocal weight & fine detail bass of the bigger bros (Full headphone). Nevertheless, for the Hi-End like AT-D900 or AKG 1000 they are some followers. Maybe the grado is good just for the entry into head-fi but ppl mpve on to IEMs for its portability & less discomfort. Just my thoughts Marc
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| HiddenHand | 7 Feb 2007, 10:06 AM Post #2 |
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The IEM sound will never quite sound like cans, but for portable use, IEMs are the best choice as most of them isolate better than Grados which are open cans, so you do not have to turn up the volume that much. Another point is the comfort factor, our climate is not exactly suited for the portable use of cans. Try using cans under the hot sun for an hour and you see how much sweat comes out around the ears. If you are looking for an IEM that would come close to sounding like cans, I have heard the superfi 5EB comes pretty close when matched with the appropriate amp. |
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| mrhobbit | 7 Feb 2007, 02:43 PM Post #3 |
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less discomfort? actually i feel more at home with something around my ears, then something in my ears! and i dont think headphones are going out of favour,i myself is trying to make a decision whether to get the SR60/80, or the DTX 50. the sound quality of the SR60 is better than the DTX50, but i cant bring the cans out, thats the main reason i am hesitating to plunk my money on the SR60, which IMo, is a very good pair of cans indeed.....
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| aaron-xp | 7 Feb 2007, 04:53 PM Post #4 |
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Boy
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While I personally love IEMs (I find them more comfortable than "normal" headphones), they are still rather lacking in terms of soundstaging. I'm sure that they may eventually catch up with headphones, given the new advances in triple-driver technology and Westone's new three-way crossover. However, till then, I'd stick to headphones for home use. For portable use, on the other hand, IEMs offer great isolation, and is rather discrete. They sound rather good, though an open headphone at the price point would probably beat it. |
| team Lover, You Should've Come Over | |
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| mrhobbit | 7 Feb 2007, 05:27 PM Post #5 |
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that is for sure for most models.but i sort of think that the TC20 eats the FC-7 for lunch and they are around the same price range. but i guess if you are comparing IEM's with headphones of the same price range, sound quality is sacrificed for portability? the UM1 is quite abit more expensive than the SR60;s, but IMO, the grados wins hands down. of course others may differ, but i dont like stuff deep in my ears,and i certainly cant be bothered with the troublesome process of wriggling them into my ear canal, which is quite uncomfortable for me
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| flu_fighter | 7 Feb 2007, 05:31 PM Post #6 |
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TERROR.DEATH.WORSHIP!!!
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For portable use, how much sound quality is sacrificed when listening to Grados in the bus/MRT? To compensate for the surrounding noise, you would probably turn the volume up high, which is not good for the ears and ot good for the people sitting around you. |
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Team DT 150 Team Big Mini Team Belden Team Portaphile Team Tekkeon Team "> One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig Team "SAY NO TO KITCHEN APPLIANCES" Klub Karma MySpace
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| mrhobbit | 7 Feb 2007, 06:29 PM Post #7 |
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haha you misunderstand me. i was talking about the design, not the envoirment in which we listen to. but yes, for portable use, IEM's would probably be a better choice, but for sound quality and sound quality only, i would think headphones would get you more bang for your buck
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| welcome to HPH, where we are sincerely sorry for your wallet! | |
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| xjazzdummy | 7 Feb 2007, 07:03 PM Post #8 |
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Grado fans please don't flame me for this. I feel that SR60 and SR80 are so popular only because of their affordability. For most people, that's their entry point into head-fi because they sound pretty fine for the price. That's where most people associate good head-fi sound with the bright Grado sound. Their first contact and their first impression is Grado. That's also why there are much fewer Sennheiser lovers (at least in Singapore), because the entry point into good sound with Sennheiser is much costlier (HD650 region). So, it's no wonder now that SR60 and SR80 are not in vogue, cuz the new entry point is now IEMs. |
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| flu_fighter | 7 Feb 2007, 07:08 PM Post #9 |
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TERROR.DEATH.WORSHIP!!!
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The price of the Senns are quite steep, not to mention the 600 series needs recabling for them to sound decent. The recabling costs almost as much as the price of the headphones.
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Team DT 150 Team Big Mini Team Belden Team Portaphile Team Tekkeon Team "> One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig Team "SAY NO TO KITCHEN APPLIANCES" Klub Karma MySpace
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| yongchris | 8 Feb 2007, 06:59 AM Post #10 |
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Your statement IMO is quite true. Most many, Grados was our first 'adventure' into hifi headphone sound. In fact, I still use my SR60s to this day (looking for a replacement, but that's another story). Although I've always been into hifi, I never really ventured into the headphone world till I met the SR60. From there, there was no turning back. I still prefer to listen to my hifi on most days, but sometimes, there's nothing like the intimacy of using headphones. And I can't live without my UM2s when travelling. Chris |
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Recipes at Secret Garlic Butter. Click me | |
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| MARCPKH | 8 Feb 2007, 09:35 AM Post #11 |
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Dear Chris May i know why are you looking for replacement for the SR60? a lot forumer suggested SR80 rather than SR60 so are you looking at it now?? if not wat did you have in mind to replce the SR60? Thanks Marc |
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| raptor84 | 8 Feb 2007, 09:36 AM Post #12 |
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I too first heard the SR-60 at some CD shop and was blown away by the sound. As I was just a student then I could not really afford the price of one. It was only later that I bought a Koss after all the feedback instead. I guess now with the increase in overall affluence of teens and young adults and the need for audio on the do IEMs are the next logical step for most of them. Also portable audio has gotten much more afforable. Although I do feel that it might also be a 'trend' (my friend has one so I'll get one too kinda thing). |
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Pet Portrait Portfolio Galleries - Flickr 30GB 5.5G + LOD + Corda Move| ER4p | DT150 | |
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| Fongalv | 8 Feb 2007, 10:34 AM Post #13 |
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What member?
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Yes...Im afraid its also the proliferation of forums like this that encourage such notions. Regarding the lower-end Grados being "entry to head-fi" sound, theres an incident that I would like to share with you guys. While I was still working a short while ago, one of my younger colleagues actually brought an AT-A900 from a friend and was using it happily in office. Then an older(40s) colleague saw it and said something like "wah so hardcore, why don't you get BOSE?" Luckily my younger friend has some sense in him and said BOSE was mostly vapourware, which I then joined in ;), this older colleagues next comment was "so get Grados? they are expensive headphones". I do not know what exactly this middle aged colleague of mine has been exposed to, but it seems like Grados has been associated with Bose for him. My guess about this is that a lot of it boils down to pricing and marketing. Brands like Sennheiser are so heavily marketed and with the readily available lower end cans/buds and ultra rare high end models, it sublimely leads people to think something like Grados which are not as heavily marketed with the "lowest" end can starting at somewhere $120 is something that is niche, "better" and "classy".Regarding the TS question, I believe that IEMs are getting popular over headphones is hugely because IEMs ride on the popularity of smaller DAPs. It was only within the last few years that portable audio has become such a common place, and thus the demand for IEMs have also risen because the DAPs are mostly for use on the go. I wouldn't go as far to say IEMs offer a lower sound quality for a pair of full sized can of the same price range, but what I have come to realised is that they are for very different purposes, and provide a very different experience, which is then very dependent on how/where you use it. |
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Music, without life is lame...Life, without music is crippled... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rigs(outdated image): 32Gb S9 →SMicroIV → e500C → me 2200mAh H140(RB) → Grover S → SMacro3v6/Diablo → e500C → me Philips CD850(circa '90s!) → 1694A → DA7.2x(TCXO) → Grover UR8 → SP MPX3 SLAM → '03 DT880 / DBE V3 → me
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| aaron-xp | 8 Feb 2007, 03:43 PM Post #14 |
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Boy
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I would definitely agree with this point. IEMs and headphones still have quite different uses. You don't usually see performers on stage using headphones (though they exist), and most will still go with headphones for home listening. It really boils down to the application, and IEMs and headphones still have their own areas of specialization. |
| team Lover, You Should've Come Over | |
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| razer | 9 Feb 2007, 05:49 PM Post #15 |
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banned + locked
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Frankly speaking, during my short 1.5 years into this hobby, I realised that quite often, many new comers into this hobby are heavily influenced by not what they hear but what they read and see on the forums by other old birds in the forums. When someone praises the SR-60 they tend to register that in mind. Together with other new comers whove been fed with this ideology, they tend to have a picture in thier mind about thier next purchase and even if it really doesn't sound that great, they'll probably psych themselve into thinking that they do...Like what raptor84 has mentioned, the trend kinda plays a huge role in guiding or pointing a direction to these newcomers on the kind of cans to get. I've seen in countless WHAT HEADPHONE TO GET posts and its either the SR60/SR80 or the ATH-A900 or HD595 or HD555..... However, lately it seems that the trend has shifted to IEMs.... My main point however is....trends are there to be followed but never follow blindly...Cause when i first entered this hobby, I followed the trend on headfi. Got myself the PA2V2, the HD650 and even a Grado SR80. Sooner enough, I ventured out to try the SR-71 amp, the Headphile GS-1 amp and guess what, neither of them pleased me too much. My first big wow came only from the AD2000 which wasn't a headphone bought due to hype and trend...But rather, I had a chance to listen to them during the time when they were relatively unknown on headfi. And dang! were they great sounding..... So I was thinking to ppl out there, hey, don't just limit your auditioning to certain cans and stuff that's been constantly brought up in the forums. What may seem as a great sounding piece of equipment for lets say 1000 people might not always be one that you'll enjoy....If you like bloated bass and shirll highs, so be it. The most important thing in this hobby is to find a kind of sound that you and only you can enjoy and like and not something that everyone claims to be heavenly but turns out to be a big DIS for you... |
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Headphones/Earphones: ATH-L3000, ATH-AD2000, SA-5000, HD650, K701, HF-1, E5C, ES-7, GS-1000, Stax Omega 2, ESW9
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| MARCPKH | 10 Feb 2007, 06:27 PM Post #16 |
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I read with interest on our fellow forumers' feedback about the over-enthusiasm of SR60. I had listen to the SR60 & make comparison with the headphones in the same categories & price range like ATH-ES5, PX200 & K518 and i can conclude that the SR60 emerge the winner in term of details & mid. Even though it is slightly more forward than the AKG & PX200, it is not harsh. Well i must confess that the local dealer do mark up quite considerably. I understand there will be feight cost involved but i believe Senn products also have transport charges since it's all the way from Germany. Pardon me for my ignorance if actual scenario is otherwise. Wonder does Grado has a authorized agent here for repair? Does it accept international warranty? MarcPlease refer to the posting guidelines with regards to the posting of dealer prices. Feel free to pm me if you have any doubts or questions |
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| mrhobbit | 10 Feb 2007, 07:24 PM Post #17 |
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at the end of the day, audition and use your ears, forgetting opinions. forums give me an idea of what to test, not what to buy. if you are basing the decision SOLELY on opinions and forums, and buy without trying, you may be in for a big disappoinment..... come to that, what i like is quite different from others, i love SUPER HEAVY bass, with lots of kick and slam, but some people prefer the details of ety, which i personally find tiring and fatiguing to listen to, but i THINK we are going OT this thread was supposedly about headphones going out of favour,and IEMs being popular, so maybe buying adviceisn;t suitable for ths thread!
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| welcome to HPH, where we are sincerely sorry for your wallet! | |
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| aaron-xp | 10 Feb 2007, 09:56 PM Post #18 |
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Boy
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I believe the mark up on Grados is not really too high in Singapore (thanks to John Grado not applying European prices on us). As for Senns and AKGs, I do think we may be at the losing end. It's most probably due to freight costs, shipping insurance and the ability to provide local warranty. However, let's not forget that Senns don't really cost that low in Germany, the country of origin. I think it's cheaper in the States where the market is bigger. Audio Technicas are considerably cheaper in Singapore due to our relative proximity to Japan and probably the local market resale price set by Audio Technica Singapore. As the saying goes, you win some, you lose some.We really shouldn't complain about the prices and availability of stuff, especially when compared with some countries in the region. Also refer to the redalf thread on AKG K601 in Dubai. http://z10.invisionfree.com/headphonehaven...php?showforum=6
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| team Lover, You Should've Come Over | |
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| chrstphr | 25 Feb 2007, 11:35 PM Post #19 |
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Hi there relatively new here and was browsing through the old posts when this topic caught my eye. I'm a proud owner of the SR-60 for the past 2 years it has served me very well despite the emergence of IEM and I believe it was continue to do so for the foreseeable future
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| mrhobbit | 25 Feb 2007, 11:46 PM Post #20 |
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welcome to headphonehaven chrstphr!! and we are sincerely sorry for your wallet!! yes, i do not believe that headphones like the SR60 and 80 are going out of favour despite IEMs, i personally find headphones so much more comfortable than IEM's although you have to admit,bringing headphones out is a kind of hassle, a reason why i am getting IEMs for portable use and a pair of SR60's for home use once again, welcome to our forums
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| welcome to HPH, where we are sincerely sorry for your wallet! | |
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| yongchris | 27 Feb 2007, 03:17 AM Post #21 |
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I don't know yet what I'm getting to replace my SR60s. but I am chronicling my adventure here. My search PS. I have sat down with the SR60 and SR80 side by side doing a blind A/B and I can't tell the difference between the 2 (which is why I bought the cheaper one. )
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| MARCPKH | 27 Feb 2007, 11:40 AM Post #22 |
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Hi Chris I had also done the A/B comparison btw SR60 & 80 and i believe SR80 has better performance if it is amped. However, i am not tempted to buy another headphone amp to pair with my MP3 player. As such, i believe the SR60 will be a better bet. Regards MARC
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| ahdui | 27 Feb 2007, 06:38 PM Post #23 |
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aux!
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If you cant detect any difference between 2 headphones, it's always the best bet to go for the cheaper one. However I've encountered tons of people who just go for the higher range one, either because they wants to show that they are rich or it's the Brand/Name thats attracts them instead. yongchris: Very wise choice there.
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Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530 Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod) Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530 Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000 Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5 | |
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| chrstphr | 27 Feb 2007, 08:03 PM Post #24 |
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To be honest, I too did a comparison before I went for my SR-60 with the SR-80 and I could not tell the difference either. Anyway, like I mentioned in my above post, I love my SR-60
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| aloy | 27 Feb 2007, 10:53 PM Post #25 |
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Poor Student
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lol. my first pair of cans were my AKG K81DJ. was considering SR-60, but regretted not trying out long, so ended up just buying AKG cause it's a pair of closed cans. hmmm... may consider to try again, and maybe sell my K81 to buy the SR-60, if i like it. |
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| Fugusama | 15 Apr 2007, 05:07 AM Post #26 |
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Heh lower end Grados going out of fashion? The king is dead, long live the king. My Alessando MS-1s are serving me fine, although I'll probably get a pair of IEM for when I work out. |
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| sghound | 15 Apr 2007, 02:00 PM Post #27 |
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totally agree with the Alessandros being superior, in price and quality. my old SR60's have failed me on 1 side after serving me faithfully in discomfort for a few years. so i managed to do a direct comparison with the two similar 20-22khz dirvers, namely MS-1 and SR225. i was wowed by the MS-1, like a veil lifted and less harsh. i wonder they did to the cans during the mod. and the price diff will never justify the purchase of the SR225 over the MS-1. maybe in future i'll be fortunate enough to compare the more ex 18-24khz drivers, the MS-2 vs SR325 and the 12-30khz drivers, MS-Pro vs RS1. even i just got poisoned with my new AKG 701, i have a newfound respect for Alessandro when compared to the Grado. |
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| corsair | 15 Apr 2007, 11:00 PM Post #28 |
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The MS-1 is a very bang for buck rock cans... Now I'm totally bewitched to get the MS-2 now.... |
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Phones: Alessandro MS-2, Audio Technica ATH-CK7 Amps: iBasso P1 Source: iRiver H120 (Rockbox) | |
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| sghound | 16 Apr 2007, 12:14 AM Post #29 |
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awesome bang for the buck coz price difference between MS-1 & SR225 is huge. whereas MS-2/SR325 & MS-Pro/RS1 about same price. thus MS-1 will still be the most important can for Alessandro, in terms of value for money. |
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| yongchris | 17 Apr 2007, 01:43 AM Post #30 |
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MS1 and 225? Nope, sorry, I think you are a little mixed up here. The MS1 is a refurbished SR80. When I say reburbished, I mean that Grado is tweaking the SR80 drivers for Alesandro. |
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My guess about this is that a lot of it boils down to pricing and marketing. Brands like Sennheiser are so heavily marketed and with the readily available lower end cans/buds and ultra rare high end models, it sublimely leads people to think something like Grados which are not as heavily marketed with the "lowest" end can starting at somewhere $120 is something that is niche, "better" and "classy".
4:15 PM Jul 11