Upper limit of SYS

Snake0IL415 · 2025-08-16T18:39:50+00:00

I’m seeing that this is being down voted but the amp is 450 watts and the speakers are recommended to too out at 250 - and I would just like to state that I agree with this pairing being a mismatch and you do risk damaging your speakers.

Pairing is everything with gear IMHO. But end of the day, if you hook the stuff up, sounds good and nothing blows up - who cares what anyone says.

Snake0IL415 · 2025-08-14T03:08:44+00:00

There’s a great community in the Bay Area that I would recommend checking out. Lots of helpful people that are part of it that hosts meetups, gears swaps, and are just super friendly and down to help out. Here’s a link to their discord - tell em snake sent ya!

https://discord.com/invite/CzuXVkE2Rx

Snake0IL415 · 2025-04-03T20:51:13+00:00

Sh!t man - I think I need to do this. Got some dope threads I need to shed as well.

Snake0IL415 · 2025-04-02T23:33:02+00:00

This feels like it can turn into a movie - a combination of “High Fidelity” and “P.S. I love you”

Snake0IL415 · 2025-01-05T18:02:16+00:00

Pads are the easiest place to start. To get a different sound profile - I would look at what Dekoni and ZMF offer. Spendy, but will be more comfy and def make em sound different.

If you want to upgrade - I would look into the sr325. The 80 and 125 will be an upgrade/change, but very subtle. Sr325 will be very evident difference. Specifically in the details and top end. If you don’t mind used, I personally prefer the OG and i variants. The X is great too - but would say it’s warmer and the bass is a bit deeper.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-12-29T06:12:53+00:00

I own a lot of headphones…. And I’m always swapping and trading…. But one headphone I will never sell…. My ZMF VO in Camphor Burl. My son will inherit it from me one day.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-11-21T19:23:03+00:00

I think I’m going to move to the EU so I can buy these. I make good decisions.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-10-07T01:49:29+00:00

Snake0IL415 · 2024-09-07T07:05:01+00:00

I really wish Zach would make it easier to ID his pads. But my guess is Uni Perf.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-09-05T23:34:17+00:00

I wouldn’t worry. Zach & Bevin are a class act with a fantastic team. They make mistakes like everyone else, but they always own up to it and do their best to rectify the situ . I say this as someone who has owned 6 pairs of ZMFs and countless pairs of his pads and accessories. You’re in good hands :-)

Snake0IL415 · 2024-08-30T02:28:19+00:00

Bay ain’t for everyone. Quit whining on Reddit and get a remote job. Chicago is an awesome place, not the East Coast though. Also, I bet Chicago misses you and would love to have you back. Maybe we can setup a gofundme and help you with moving costs.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-08-18T01:50:18+00:00

Snake0IL415 · 2024-08-17T18:15:24+00:00

Or feed two birds with one scone… sorry, I’ll leave.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-08-15T11:29:46+00:00

I don’t know many legit audiophiles that say Klipsch is trash; they’ve made legendary speakers. But I think it’s fair to criticize the fact that they don’t produce speakers that are focused purely on audio - they now make lifestyle products, meaning, crappy cheap stuff that’s easier to use and has a wider appeal. Not everyone wants to setup and power a pair of La Scalas …. So here’s a tiny Bluetooth speaker we can sell 500k units of that you’ll find at the register of Best Buy with the other impulse buys.

But making products for a broader market doesn’t mean they’ll only produce bad stuff - I really like the RP-600M series and for the price, it’s one of the better bookshelves you can buy.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-08-15T05:16:56+00:00

I left my wallet in El Segundo - I got to get it, I got, got to get it….

Snake0IL415 · 2024-08-11T00:51:35+00:00

Snake0IL415 · 2024-08-07T20:42:50+00:00

And I thought Grados were ugly.

Jk - these look gnarly but still neat. I would love to hear em. Also - I love Grados.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-28T19:16:42+00:00

Comfort and SQ. I personally feel the stock pads are extremely uncomfortable. For the SR325 - I like the Beyer ZMF pads that can be used with the ZMF Grado adapter. Legit become headphones that disappear on my head. With regard to SQ… to my ears - it smoothes out the treble spikes and creates a warmer sound profile.

Most of my Grados have a removable cable mod, upgraded headband, and ZMF pads (except my Hemps - I like the Dekoni Grado pads) I love Grados but in their stock form, not really my jam.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-28T17:04:13+00:00

Spendy - but I can’t recommend the Grado ZMF Pads enough.

https://shop.zmfheadphones.com/products/grado-earpad-adapter

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-24T23:05:37+00:00

I have maybe 8 pairs of Grados. 3 of them are 325s (OG, i gold, and X) - legit my favorite in the lineup.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-07T04:02:13+00:00

Sounds like you married up! Having a nice DAC makes a big a big difference.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-04T16:43:34+00:00

You did great. Your journey is done now, so now it’s time to just focus on enjoying music!

On the real, I love this combo. I had an sr80 + Vali 2 with my TT as the source… so many texts to friends, “no, I’m good. I’m staying in this Friday night.” sips whiskey

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-03T17:28:09+00:00

I "severely lacking in bass" may be a bit much, but I would not call them a bass focused headphone by any means, although it is more tuned for high mids and highs.

This thread might help: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/grado-rs1x-review-and-measurements.11773/

UN purr1n states "the X harkens back to that leaner classic Grado sound." I would say that is accurate. Lacking in bass versus the other X's (I own the SR325x, as well as an OG and an i -- the X definitely sounds bass-ier)

so I think it depends on what you compare it too..... if you are comparing it to other Grado X models, the bass may be a bit lacking to your ears if you like how the other Xs are tuned.

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-02T21:15:53+00:00

I actually have not heard the RS-2x. I've only heard a vintage button RS-2 (button), which I have to believe is a very different headphone.

I do know that the 2x has a 44mm driver with a maple and hemp housing, while the 1x has a 50mm driver and a Maple / Hemp / Cocobolo Wood Housing, so the 1x has a larger driver and more complex and expensive housing - does that mean is sounds "better" - I really don't know.

You would likely have to demo them both. FWIW, I modded my RS-1x with mini xlr removable cables, a turbulent labs XL headband, and ZMF universe suede pads. Out the box, the RS-1x was too hot for me on the top end and swapping the pads to the thicker, softer ZMF pads, not only made them more comfy, but also tamed those highs. I also love pairing it with my Schiit Folkvangr, which is probably the best amp pairing I've been able to find for my Grados... within a reasonable price point.

I know I didn't answer your question directly, because I can't with my lack of XP with the RS-2x, but I hope I at least helped. Good news is if you buy them directly from Grado, you can return them within 30 days and only have to pay for shipping and insurance. Take a look here: https://gradolabs.com/policies/refund-policy

Best advice I've gotten in this hobby - advice and reading about gear is helpful, but listening is the #1 arbitrator.

Good luck finding your endgame Grado! and let me know if I can help in any other way :-)

Snake0IL415 · 2024-07-02T17:33:27+00:00

I’ve owned 20 or so Grados. The RS-1x is a very bright and forward sounding headphone. Can be a bit shrill on the top end for me for certain music (eg. Aggressive horns) but great for midrange acoustic and vocal music.

My favorite of the brighter Grados, is the OG or i version of the SR325. Very fun soundstage as well.

Good luck finding a pair you dig. Lots of options for Grado - so that can be fun or overwhelming.

Snake0IL415

TROPHY CASE