AD700 v SR80i Showdown

[Linkin]

Have ordered my SR80i's and awaiting delivery I won't be doing any fancy double blind tests or any such thing. What I will be doing is testing them with my STX, with the stock op amps and the ones I'm currently using. So basically, I'll be testing both headphones with the stock op amps, and then the "improved" ones, as well as comparing the headphones themselves, and my initial/final thoughts/findings. As for testing material, I'll use a few songs that I have observed being clean/transparent/well recorded or otherwise influenced the most by your equipment, be it high or low quality.

Essentially:

AD700/SR80i w/ STX + stock opamps

AD700/SR80i w/ STX + aftermarket opamps

Set selection of tracks (to be determined, but I have a few in mind)

I'm not going to try and declare one better than the other, but something more along the lines of where each set of cans shines and where they don't, and what I think they will be good for based on listening to them.

[Linkin]

Received cans today, still at work. Expect initial impressions later tonight. No pics either, no camera

[Linkin]

First thoughts:

They're definitely not over-the-ear, and they let more sound in than the AD700's. So far I think the top end is a little sharp and the mids/lows are not exactly there yet. Only one song in though. Even after ~5 mins, definitely not as comfortable as the AD700's.

Also, not a single scrap of paper with any technical specs anywhere. The warranty sheet is very full of marketing. Might not seem important if you've done your research, but there is note one single specification listed apart from "Grado SR80i" on the sticker that seals the box.

EDIT: Cable length is also severely lacking. Excess is good, and it's not like you're going to be wearing open cans in public...

[Linkin]

So after some more listening, I find that the SR80i's have better low end. More of it is there and it's not loose or sloppy, but it's not over substantial either.

edit: Definitely not liking these for gaming at all. Soundstage is very odd compared to the 700's.

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by Linkin

First thoughts:

Also, not a single scrap of paper with any technical specs anywhere. The warranty sheet is very full of marketing. Might not seem important if you've done your research, but there is note one single specification listed apart from "Grado SR80i" on the sticker that seals the box.

Specs are meaningless anyway, so what purpose would they serve? It's really not marketing if you've already bought them - who would they be trying to sell?

IIRC with mine, it's just some harmless blurb on what fine headphones you've chosen.

As for gaming, Grados aren't renowned for it, AD700s are.

I think if you're going to do a meaningful review, you need to get to know both of them first. Banging out first impressions don't reveal much.

[Linkin]

Originally Posted by Drubbing

Specs are meaningless anyway, so what purpose would they serve? It's really not marketing if you've already bought them - who would they be trying to sell?

IIRC with mine, it's just some harmless blurb on what fine headphones you've chosen.

As for gaming, Grados aren't renowned for it, AD700s are.

I think if you're going to do a meaningful review, you need to get to know both of them first. Banging out first impressions don't reveal much.

This is day one of many...

[Snufkin]

After many years of comparisons, I find the Alessandro MS1 (based on the Grado SR125i) and AD700 to be different enough to each other to come purely down to personal preference of sound, but the AD700 is more popular amongst gamers because of its soundstage, where the Grado based models tend to fall back.
I like the MS1 more for music, especially rock etc

[Linkin]

Originally Posted by Snufkin

After many years of comparisons, I find the Alessandro MS1 (based on the Grado SR125i) and AD700 to be different enough to each other to come purely down to personal preference of sound, but the AD700 is more popular amongst gamers because of its soundstage, where the Grado based models tend to fall back.
I like the MS1 more for music, especially rock etc

That's what I've found so far. Being spoiled by the 700's soundstage, I probably won't even use the 80i's for gaming. They definitely have different sound signatures, and I've yet to properly get the grado's burnt in, whereas the 700's I bought already used.

I have found that I need to turn the volume down with the grados as the highs can get very harsh.

I also can't be arsed changing the op amps in my card again, so I'll stick with the replacements I got.

[Linkin]

I think I'm getting used to the Grado's. They definitely have a frequency response closer to flat than the AD700's. I think I'll grow to like these for my music, but for gaming, it's no contest. AD700's or I don't play. It's not enjoyable with the SR80i's

[Linkin]

I definitely prefer the Grado's for music listening now. They're just more accurate, better frequency response and dynamics. They unleash some extra detail compared to the AD700's (using Pink Floyd The Wall Live 80-81 - Limited Edition as my listening material). Of course the difference is more profound with high dynamic range music. I find it hard to test thoroughly with highly compressed tracks.