gregmacc Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) Hi all ... I'm currently listening to the Grados straight from the headphone jack of my ageing HP mini notebook (Windows 7 Starter). Source files are mostly FLAC ripped from my CD collection and some downloaded HD albums. When listening on my Krix Equinox speakers the HP mini signal (again straight from the headphone jack) is sent through my early 1980s model NAD 7155 receiver. I plan to soon add some sort of DAC to the system (bypassing the DAC in the HP mini notebook). I'm generally pretty happy with the sound of the Grados given the less than terrific signal source. My music taste is heavily biased towards contemporary jazz guitar and I enjoy a warm base weighted sound. My hope is that everything will improve once I decide on a decent DAC. My main complaint about the Grados is that they are uncomfortable after an hour or so of listening. I've experimented with adjusting/bending the headband in all sorts of ways but nothing seems to help. I often read and wear glasses when listening. Foregoing the glasses does offer some slight improvement but nothing substantial. Are there any suggestions for a supremely comfortable headphone? They don't need to be portable although something lightweight would be good. I don't have any particular preference for on or over ear ... closed back or open. I have large ears so I suppose smallish over ear models may not work for me. Budget ceiling is $1000 ... although I could be convinced to stretch that somewhat if necessary. Edited July 1, 2019 by gregmacc omitted budget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/grado-labs-g-cush-ear-pads Why don’t you get a pair of these they fit perfectly and the discomfort factor is fixed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Batmaqn beat me to the punch with the suggestion of using different ear pads. While you are at Addicted To Audio, try the other Grados as well. If you like the Grado sound, difficult to move away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregmacc Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 thanks BATMAQN and Snoopy8 ... has anyone had a try of the replacement Grado ear pads? They look very similar to the stock ones on the S80 ... and $75 for a couple of pieces of foam ... let's just say I'm quietly sceptical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 I have a pair of SR80 but have not used it for a while. The pads do go soft and deteriorate over time, without you realising it. I did try other pads including some Sennheiser ones (can't remember model number), not the Grado ones and they do change the sound slightly and comfort level can vary. Yes, the Grado ones are expensive and may not work for you. Hence my suggestion to try the other Grado headphones while you are there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) 34 minutes ago, gregmacc said: thanks BATMAQN and Snoopy8 ... has anyone had a try of the replacement Grado ear pads? They look very similar to the stock ones on the S80 ... and $75 for a couple of pieces of foam ... let's just say I'm quietly sceptical Yes I've used them for years I'd never go back to the originals they are quite different to the S80 pads and no they aren't easy on the wallet perhaps you should do as Snoopy has suggested at least then you'll know what you're up for perhaps $75 may not seem that bad then. Moot point I know your budget being $1000. Edited July 1, 2019 by BATMAQN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) If you are willing to try, I was using these at one stage: https://www.radioparts.com.au/product/20526029/ephd414-earpad-for-hd414-pk2-sennheiser#.XRmVA69R1PY Edited July 1, 2019 by Snoopy8 Typo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregmacc Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 Thanks guys ... interesting ... If the problem can be solved by spending $75 instead of $1000 all good and well. I didn't realise ATA had a shop in Adelaide (relocating currently according to the website) ... Blackwood HiFi sell Grado too so I'll get over there and do some demo time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 3 minutes ago, gregmacc said: Thanks guys ... interesting ... If the problem can be solved by spending $75 instead of $1000 all good and well. How about $24.30 including postage? The Senn HD414 pads fit well, are very comfortable and from memory improved the sound slightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregmacc Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: and from memory improved the sound slightly. Thanks Snoopy8 ... to confirm are you saying you used those pads on SR80? Edited July 1, 2019 by gregmacc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 20 minutes ago, gregmacc said: Thanks Snoopy8 ... to confirm are you saying you used those pads on SR80? Yes. But please do a search on what else people use today. It was a long time ago when I found that the HD414 pads worked for other people's SR80. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flanders Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 @gregmacc, if you like the sound of the Grados and want to move up the line, I have a pair of as new SR325e that I’ve not used for more than 4 hours. I prefer the sound of my Senn HD600. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregWormald Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 On 01/07/2019 at 3:20 PM, Snoopy8 said: Yes. But please do a search on what else people use today. It was a long time ago when I found that the HD414 pads worked for other people's SR80. I've used the 414 on my SR80 for years. They are a great improvement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregmacc Posted July 4, 2019 Author Share Posted July 4, 2019 1 hour ago, GregWormald said: I've used the 414 on my SR80 for years. They are a great improvement. ... thanks Greg ... yep, I'm gonna' go for a pair of those 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 (edited) 11 minutes ago, gregmacc said: ... thanks Greg ... yep, I'm gonna' go for a pair of those Your original post prompted me to revive something long forgotten! ** Thank you**. And please provide some feedback, especially after a long listening session. May be useful for others as well. Edited July 4, 2019 by Snoopy8 Added ** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregmacc Posted July 18, 2019 Author Share Posted July 18, 2019 hmmm ... so the Sennheiser 414 pads didn't work so well for me. I found them to be even less comfortable than the original pads on the SR80 in fact ... slightly smaller in diameter with barely perceptible added foam thickness resulted in increased discomfort. Sound was virtually unchanged to my ears. I have auditioned the Sennheiser HD660s alongside my SR80 and prefer the Grados . I'm starting to accept that the Grado sound is something I've come to appreciate very much ... so I'm trying to organize a listen to the Grado SR325e or even something from the "Professional" range. Hopefully comfort levels improve for me with the higher end models. Although that does not seem to be the case for many people if a multitude of online reviews are anything to go by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted July 18, 2019 Share Posted July 18, 2019 4 hours ago, gregmacc said: hmmm ... so the Sennheiser 414 pads didn't work so well for me. I found them to be even less comfortable than the original pads on the SR80 in fact ... slightly smaller in diameter with barely perceptible added foam thickness resulted in increased discomfort. Sound was virtually unchanged to my ears. I have auditioned the Sennheiser HD660s alongside my SR80 and prefer the Grados . I'm starting to accept that the Grado sound is something I've come to appreciate very much ... so I'm trying to organize a listen to the Grado SR325e or even something from the "Professional" range. Hopefully comfort levels improve for me with the higher end models. Although that does not seem to be the case for many people if a multitude of online reviews are anything to go by. I have the SR325 with the big G Cush cups no complaints here just sayin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted July 18, 2019 Share Posted July 18, 2019 5 hours ago, gregmacc said: hmmm ... so the Sennheiser 414 pads didn't work so well for me. I found them to be even less comfortable than the original pads on the SR80 in fact ... slightly smaller in diameter with barely perceptible added foam thickness resulted in increased discomfort. Sound was virtually unchanged to my ears. I have auditioned the Sennheiser HD660s alongside my SR80 and prefer the Grados . I'm starting to accept that the Grado sound is something I've come to appreciate very much ... so I'm trying to organize a listen to the Grado SR325e or even something from the "Professional" range. Hopefully comfort levels improve for me with the higher end models. Although that does not seem to be the case for many people if a multitude of online reviews are anything to go by. Sorry the 414 pads did not work for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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