Grado PS1000

Summary: I got my tax return early and picked these up along with a new-to-me Schiit Valhalla. I got them as an upgrade to my current BeyerDynamics DT-880's and HeadRoom Desktop Amp. I let them burn in for about 20 hours. I found the Grado's to have a really nice smooth sound. The sound stage is nice and huge thanks to the open air design. It won't win awards for it's bass reproduction of my DJ Magic Mike CD collection, but it's just right for regular hip-hop and all of my other normal listening. I ran them without an amp on my ipod and they still sound great, but just a tad bit quieter than normal. They're still very musical though. I do think that a portable amp will make a big difference with these headphones.

The only real big issue I can think of is the cables - and it's more of a pet peave. The cables can be a little stiff and long. The ear pads should be rotated every so often (90 degrees on their axis). This should keep any wear down.

Summary: The performance of my PS1000 headset is truly remarkable. In my opinion and auditory tastes, it's ousted my Senn HD-800 as the best-sounding set of cans that I own. But to be honest I would still have been more than happy and quite content with the Senn alone if I'd never purchased the PS1000, even knowing what I know about the Grado and hearing what I've heard from this superb set. Unless you REALLY have the money to burn (me, not really, unless I go through my usual self-justification contortions), I don't see (hear) the premium in owning TWO premium headsets, especially one that's another $300 more dear than the one I already had in my horde of headsets.

Low end performance is better defined with the PS1000 than on any earlier Grado set I've experienced, and spatially this unit does a fairly good job of containing itself from excess, something that I think Sennheiser goes overboard on at times, including with the HD-800. Detail resolution seems like it's about as good as it gets--at least for headphones--and even with middling quality recordings on CD, SACD or vinyl the PS1000 seems to make them more polished and flushed with enjoyable listening than they ever were previously. But is it really that much better? Again, it it was a price-no-object sort of comparison I'd say most definitely, but in the real world I can easily justify a price ceiling that stops with the Sennheiser set.

The nearly $1700 price tag buys you nicer materials than the plasticky HD-800--my main grouse with the Senn unit--and improved comfort (for me) than earlier Grado units. I still have issues using these over extended listening sessions, but generally they're tolerable from a wear standpoint. I didn't really comprehend Guttenberg's comment about there being no travel case or bag; maybe it's just cheap little ol' me but I'm not thinking that these cans (or the HD-800, for that matter) are outside-the-house material. Again, if the price doesn't cause you to flinch, then sure...go for it. But for me these are definitely IN-HOME headphones.

Would I recommend these to a friend? I'd recommend that--as long as he or she can comfortably afford them--the friend listen to them and compare them to other premium headsets and then decide. Neither the PS1000 or HD-800 is cheap, but if you're looking at this end of the market both are worth a serious audition. And perhaps you'll have no problem with the $300 premium and will just go for the Grado PS1000 with nary a flinch.

Me...I need to go throw some more water on my poor VISA card.