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Author Topic: StratoGrado Measurements  (Read 8102 times)

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jerg

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2012, 01:04:55 PM »
Quote from: stratocaster on September 13, 2012, 10:14:29 AM
The StratoKOSSter bass is not bad, although the StratoGrados sound fuller and extend even better. Distortion looks better too, also compared to the distortion graphs of other Grados on Innerfidelity.

As for the rest, the Koss drivers are simply more well-behaved and unproblematic. You can simply put a KSC-75 or KSC-35 driver into a foam-damped cup, mount the StratoKOSSter pads, and  you will end up with a nice and decent headphone. If you do that with a Grado driver, you will end up with sonic desaster. You have to gag the driver and teach it a lesson.

When developing the StratoGrados I decided on using SR80i drivers I had lying around, just to see if it could work. I did not want to ruin a more expensive Grado driver (the PS500 drivers with their lack of hf energy could be an option) and burn my wallet.  Let's see if Purrin can measure a positive effect of changes to the setup. Then I might sacrifice Magnum drivers to create a really decent headphone.

Then again, even if the StratoGrados V80i are not still imperfect, it is definitely nice to listen to a "Grado" with real bass extension, comfortable leather pads and decent isolation.

I see! Thanks.

Is the prototype looking similar to stratokossers?
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stratocaster

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2012, 03:59:19 PM »
Quote (selected)
Is the prototype looking similar to stratokossers?
Yes, I was using the same cups, with the only difference that I left the bass vent open with the StratoGrados, whereas the StratoKOSSters are completely closed. If there is too much bass (yes, too much bass with a "Grado", haha!), you can partly close the bass vent or reduce air flow with foam.
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gurubhai

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2012, 04:17:50 PM »
Maybe you guys should try porting the stratokossters as well.They do seem to need some lower end boost .
« Last Edit: September 13, 2012, 04:26:09 PM by gurubhai »
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stratocaster

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2012, 04:22:20 PM »
porting the stratokossters does not help, there is simply not more bass energy to be achieved. porting results in bloated lower frequencies, whereas the closed stratokossters have a nice and tight bass and a good balance
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gurubhai

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2012, 04:30:22 PM »
^Are you using any kind of damping in the cups ?
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stratocaster

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #15 on: September 13, 2012, 04:36:46 PM »
stratokosster damping is documented in the stratokosster thread, stratogrado damping in a post above
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gurubhai

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2012, 04:50:45 PM »
Sorry, I missed the post above. IIRC, you were only using some foam in the Kosters. May be a scheme similar to grados would have helped a ported version of kosters.Perhaps, you already tried that as well though .
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stratocaster

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #17 on: September 13, 2012, 05:16:21 PM »
Cup damping is almost the same with both Stratos.

And, yes, I tried the StratoGRADO driver damping scheme with the Koss drivers and that simply did not work! Personally I also do not really worry about the StratoKOSSter bass, it is nice and decent. To my ears the StratoKOSSters are a fairly good setup, quite neutral and balanced. Plus they are easy to produce. The StratoGrados are a different story, though ...
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Marvey

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #18 on: September 19, 2012, 04:39:36 AM »
I put two pieces of felt in front of each driver in an attempt to reduce the mid-treble peak. Success! At least subjectively. Treble is still sharp at times, but definitely tolerable.

Here are the measurement results.

Not a huge difference in the CSDs, but the FR is smoother from 1kHz to 12khz.
  • The 2kHz and 5kHz dips are less evident
  • The lower and mid treble have been dropped a few db.
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stratocaster

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Re: StratoGrado Measurements
« Reply #19 on: September 19, 2012, 07:56:15 AM »
Yeah, that is definitely a step in the right direction.

Now, what would be really interesting is the question if something can be done about the dip around 500Hz. Any chance you might change something about the driver dampening, i.e. try the felt and/or the damping paper alone as damping and check if this has a measurable effect. If the FR can be flattened out in that region that would be quite a nice Grado FR, in fact quite unlike other Grado frequency responses, don't you think?
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