MSRP of $1000? So... then theoretically these should be on the same quality level as Grado Labs GS1000E's.... I find that VERY hard to believe. Yes, I know those are open and these are closed, but I'm not talking about sound characteristics. Just build quality.
JalucianIn term of build Quality, It's the same as TH-600 but with a wooden instead of a magnesium cup (there should be a small premium for wood in more case than not but it's debatable) . The MSRP on the 600 is 1300. In term of sound I'd say 90% of reviewer say this is better. Now, I don't know if Grados are like that, but for most manufacturers Street price is much Lower than MSRP. Street price of the TH600 is more like 799.
JalucianTell me if I'm wrong, but, having a look at GS1000E from the pictures, Aside from leather band and wood ring, The build quality look extremely similar to my cheaps Grado/Alessandro MS1 (100$) Am are seing right that all moving parts, Hinges, and links are all plastic? Hopefully I'm wrong but to me the build quality of those don't come close to the Fostex but maybe it's just me and would gladly be corrected if it's just the picture that gave me false impression..
JalucianIn any case this MSRP is irrelevant , since they are only sold here. they cost what they cost and should be compared to what you can get for 400-450.
Pierre111[moderated] Hinges and the MOVING parts of headphones have ZERO - absolutely NOTHING to do with sound quality... which is why IF they are plastic it would have no bearing on sound quality whatsoever. I don't own that particular series of Grado - I own the reference series. The Reference series, which are actually a step down from the Statement series, only have two plastic pieces on the entire headphone - the piece that slide up and down the metal bar for sizing, and the rings which fasten the earphones to the band segment. And just as I already said, neither has anything to do with sound quality whatsoever...so your pathetic attempt to imply that Grado's are cheaply made was a colossal FAIL. [moderated]
Jalucian[moderated]
You compare these headphones to GS1000E "... but I'm not talking about sound characteristics. Just build quality."
And Pierre111 makes a comment about GS1000E's BUILD QUALITY.
And of course you reply with an insult and "Hinges and the MOVING parts of headphones have ZERO - absolutely NOTHING to do with sound quality... which is why IF they are plastic it would have no bearing on sound quality whatsoever."
You set the terms of the comparison and when presented with another view, you decided that it doesn't matter, because it has no impact on SQ?
Brilliant!
JalucianDon't take everything so personally. While plastic hinges don't affect SQ, I agree with Pierre111 that Grado cans are not of the highest build quality. In my experience, even the 325e mid tier Grados have meh build quality.
zbellsNot an opinion or indication that the Grados I originally had were bad quality or anything, but I remember my SR60 took some effort to feel comfortable on my admittedly pointy head. Eventually my the girlfriend's new toy dog (think it was a Pekingese, but it was an evil little toy dog) that went to town on them. I tell you.. usually I am pretty forgiving of four legged creatures, but I almost punted the dog for that one.
JalucianSorry you feel that way...Peace I guess. I have no doubt they are good headphones, sure would love to own a pair but it's above what I would be ready to pay for good sound
JalucianPrice doesn't mean everything. Plus Grado isn't known for BQ, just their design looks unique and their sound signature is unique and typically the same with most of their headphones.
chzelYeah because that aspect of the build has no bearing on the quality. Makes perfect sense. These are headphones, not fashion statements. Any aspect of the build that actually had an effect on performance I wouldn't have bashed you for, but when say something that irrelevant, you were asking for it.
zbellsI wasn't comparing them to mid-tier Grados. The ones I mentioned are NOT mid tier. I actually would agree with you if the comparison had been to something less than near top-of-the-line Grados.
TristinCouldn't disagree more. Price should and almost always does reflect quality. When it doesn't, the market forces usually step in in short order and make the manufacturer lower the price to more accurately reflect the quality.
JalucianWell grado doesn't change their quality in their higher end headphones hardly at all using the same band and plastic connectors on the cups. They may use a different cup, but they don't change much, hardly even in their sound.