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Author Topic: Alessandro MS-1 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plot Measurements  (Read 8938 times)

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Marvey

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Alessandro MS-1 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plot Measurements


Subjective impressions and some thoughts.
I guess "people" say that the Alessandro line is more neutral than the John Grado series. After listening to these, I would have to say that's bullshit. Let me explain why. It all comes down to the trickery of the bass tuning. Everyone knows that certain Grados such as the HF2 and RS1 are tuned to have moar bass, and that most of the SR line tends to have less bass, hence the current use of the comfy pads for the SR60 and SR80. The treble of the MS-1 (isolated from the volume of the bass) is just as if not more fucked up than any other Grado.

Basically the MS-1 reminds me a lot of the HD700. It has the exact same wierd-ass sounding midrange suckout of the HD700. With the HD700 having better bass extension, slightly flatter bass, and real treble extension. I am wondering how the graphs will line up. It all makes sense now. The HD700 is really Senn's attempt at a cyber-Grado, or whatever Mav said. He called it just by looking at the measurements before listening to them too!

For those thinking of buying the MS-1s because they are supposedly more neutral Grados - just don't.

Posting measurements ...
« Last Edit: July 09, 2012, 05:06:51 AM by purrin »
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Marvey

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Graphs attached using standard bowls. Looks like ringing intentionally added at 2.5k to go with the cup resonance (broad 2k-3kHz ridge)
« Last Edit: July 10, 2012, 06:40:14 AM by purrin »
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Marvey

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Alessandro FR MS-1 Comparisons
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2012, 05:13:05 AM »

MS1 (GREEN) vs. HD700 (BLUE)
Culprit of the upper midrange wierdness and pain: dip at 4kHz with sharp rise at 5.5kHz. You gotta hand it to Senn though - at least the HD800 is warmer!


MS1 (GREEN) vs. HF2 (RED) vs. SR80i Comfy Pads (BLUE)
MS1 and HF2 were using the standard bowls. Note that HF2 and SR80i do not have the Senndo suckout/rise of death. The MS1 are really nasty sounding because of that up-down-up thing.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2012, 05:33:16 AM by purrin »
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rhythmdevils

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Marvey

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 :-0 :-0  Added extra comments in the posts above.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2012, 05:30:50 AM by purrin »
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Sforza

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Subjectively speaking, how would you describe the weirdness of the huge midrange dip compared to headphones that don't have it? I have my ideas but I'm curious about what other people have to say.

Coincidentally, doesn't the K550 have a pretty similar dip too?
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Marvey

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LOL. I would describe it as kind of a wierd hollow sound that's also kind of edgy. The K550 has a little bit of it (the pain part), but the MS1 and HD700 are much more closer to each other in terms of this effect.

If I recall correctly, the K550 sounded flatter overall, like nothing is wrong, and then BAM! The K550 didn't have that wierd hollowness at all times.

Some people may find this sonic effect exciting, fun, and clear. I find it wierd at best and painful at worst.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2012, 05:43:28 AM by purrin »
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rhythmdevils

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Wow, these didn't seem that bad to me, I must admit i was one of those "people" :-)  Back in the day (5 or 6 years ago) the MS1 was my favorite John Grado, liked it more than the RS1.  I didn't think they were this bad when I heard them briefly a week ago either.  They seemed bright, and harsh but charming nonetheless.  Maybe I didn't listen to them long enough.  Or maybe they're pulling a Sextett on me.   

I'm interested to hear what Mike has to say. 
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Marvey

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Back in the day, we either had Grados or HD650s! At least they are not $1000.

It's still better than SR60/80/125 with bowls. But the SR60i/80i with the comfies beat it.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2012, 06:17:23 AM by purrin »
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CEE TEE

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I am surprised that these measure so closely to the HD700.


The suck-out might explain why they sounded a bit "dull" to me at times compared with other phones.


They never hit me as annoying as the HD700 though.


THANKS for the graphs!!  And the new smileys!!


 :)p7   
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