Grado SR60 for Drum & Bass? Absolutely!

[Matt]

Grado SR60 for Drum & Bass? Yes!

For ages people went on about the 'Grado bas, Grado bass'. I used to think they were mad, especially against the like of The Denon AH-D1000/1001 headphones. So let's go back to the beginning ...

It's my belief that bar the Alessandro MS-1 headphones, the Grado SR60 headphones is probably the best all rounder under $100 (or £100). There's nothing that I've tested that can't match the open sound stage (although some would argue this) the detailing and speed of the mids and highs. My only concern (coming from the Bose AE and OE) was the lack of deep bass. for arguments sack we'll skip the 'Booming Bose Bass' issue for now.

I've come to understand that although at time, deep booming bass is fun, it's also a bit of a distraction to what's actually going on. With this in mind, I tried my favorite Drum and Bass track the other night, Shimon - The Shadow knows. The speed of the percussion was as good as I would hope, not only that, but the bass line as coming through clean and strong. I then tried the AKG K450, not known for being bass shy, and I have to say that ... o.k. the AKG's sounded a touch veiled, but the bass was not as ... easy to pick out, neither was it as impressive as the 'Grado Bass' which was a shock!

It's not the depth, but the speed and punch of the bass that left me gob smacked. So, see the light .. I get 'Grado Bass' and I like it.

P.S. I listen to the SR60's unamped 99% of the time!

amazon.com/grado/sr60

[thammuz]

Maybe it was my short audition and lack of using familiar music (trying it out at AC Gears) but I think the SR80 are worth the bump in price... I'd still take the SR60s if I could get them used cheaply, though.

They had some indie type song playing. =/ Should have plugged my iPod in for some metal.


Now I tried the SR60is, would the SR60s really perform any differently?

[Matt]

Now I tried the SR60is, would the SR60s really perform any differently?

your guess is as good as mine. maybe i need to try it out! But there are a lot of companies doing this sort of thing, whether there's a genuine improvement, I'm not sure. But going by the bull that the audio world usually comes out with, I think the improvmenets are more likely to be in your head, rather than genuine improvements!

[thammuz]

That is pretty much what I was/am assuming.

[Matt]

comments about taming the midrange have been passed about, but then if you want to tame the midrange Alessandro's are good for that apparently. Personally i don't have an issue with Grado ... apart from the fact that the comfort becomes increasingly appalling as you move up the range for some reason!