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Author Topic: Another take on GradoMagnums  (Read 1484 times)

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stratocaster

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Another take on GradoMagnums
« on: March 28, 2015, 12:44:12 PM »
I recently took some renewed interest in Grado drivers for a project. In addition, I have been experimenting on pads and pad changes, both for comfort reasons as well as sonic improvement. Now, here is what I have come up with:

Pic1: Turbulent X drivers from Turbulent Labs (said to have followed Magnum V4 drivers) in black ebony cups, rosewood inner sleeves, GradoBeyer pads (using some Grado L-cush bottom with Beyerdynamic DT250 velours on top), Brainwavz HM5 headband.  Internal damping. Closed.

Pic2: Grado SR15i drivers in rosewood cups. Internal damping. Open.

Pic3(animated): Stock Turbulent X drivers in open housing, same drivers with GradoBeyer pads (still open), internal damping applied, damping variation

Pic4(animated): See above, but CSD plots

Pic5(animated): See above, sonograms

Pic6(animated): Rosewood SR125i measurements

Soundwise, these rock. Very clean and fast sounding, especially the X set.

« Last Edit: April 04, 2015, 04:24:58 PM by stratocaster »
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takato14

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2015, 05:56:13 AM »
Holy shit strato, those look fantastic. Especially the CSDs.    p:0
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stratocaster

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2015, 10:49:59 AM »
I finally put the Turbulent X drivers into the rosewood cups since those are really light and very comfortable to wear with the lambskin headband. After trying some damping variations and evaluating these on the measurement rig, I have come up with a setup that I think I won't be able to improve any further. The Turbulent X drivers are really capable and - if combined with a more suitable pad than the notorious Grado cushs - show a lot less distortion and ringing than comparable Grado drivers. Plus, driver matching is awesome.

Pictures 1 to 4 show measurements of the final setup, pic 6 compares it with my Senn HD600, pics 6 to 8 are measurements of the stock (undamped) TX driver using Grado L-cushs.

Pic 1: Overlay
Pic 2: Right driver FR
Pic 3: Right driver CSD
Pic 4: Right driver Sonogram
Pic 5: Overlay Turbulent X vs Sennheiser HD600
Pic 6: Stock Turbulent X driver in open, undamped cup, using Grado L-cushs
Pic 7: CSD of Pic 6 configuration
Pic 8: Sonogram of Pic 6 configuration
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Tachikoma

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2015, 02:34:26 PM »
Wow, a Grado with deep bass.
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spoony

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2015, 04:07:26 PM »
Holy shit, that's fast!
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riker1384

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2015, 05:24:48 AM »
Are those the best measuring headphones ever?

How do those drivers perform in a cheap Grado frame,like SR60i?
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spoony

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2015, 05:30:21 AM »
Did they remain easy to drive?
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stratocaster

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2015, 07:05:59 AM »
Quote from: riker1384 on April 11, 2015, 05:24:48 AM
How do those drivers perform in a cheap Grado frame,like SR60i?
The frame will not have any serious effect. I used the drivers in two different frames, and they measured the same. Internal damping combined with the GradoBeyer pads does the trick.

Quote from: spoony on April 11, 2015, 05:30:21 AM
Did they remain easy to drive?

Efficiency went down just a bit, for sure. Yet, they are easy to drive, I often listen to these from my DAP only.
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Solderdude

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2015, 02:45:14 PM »
And a great trick it is ...  :)p7

Too bad Grado isn't considering changing the design and pads in a substantial way.
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Use your ears to enjoy music, not as an analyser.

stratocaster

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Re: Another take on GradoMagnums
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2015, 04:28:07 PM »
Yes, it's a pity, but as long as they are successful enough with their current offerings they may find no need for a substantial change. It seems as if you can make enough money by selling mediocre stuff to people who judge a headphone by its price or testimonials only. It's ridiculous but if companies offer mediocre stuff at crazy prices, they will always find people who will buy these headphones just because they think the price guarantees quality. You can make substantially less money by pleasing audiophiles than by selling cleverly marketed or hyped poo
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