Can any one recommend any good dealers in the Surrey, Sussex area where I could go and demo some new headphones.
I particulary want to compare the Grado SR125 and a similar priced Sennhieser model.
Most listening will be 70's rock, plus Dire Straits etc. Will be using a headphone amp fed from the tape out on my Shearne Pre amp as this has no Headphone socket.

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by Stormuk

Can any one recommend any good dealers in the Surrey, Sussex area where I could go and demo some new headphones.
I particulary want to compare the Grado SR125 and a similar priced Sennhieser model.
Most listening will be 70's rock, plus Dire Straits etc. Will be using a headphone amp fed from the tape out on my Shearne Pre amp as this has no Headphone socket.

Stormuk - you may have gathered that your quest to find such a dealer in the area you mention is "pie in the sky" - I believe this is because the Grado range is not usually sold by hi-fi dealers (I've only ever seen them at online hi-fi dealers) - I ended up buying headphones based on price & recommendation (reviews & forums) and recently switched from Sennheiser HD600's to Grado SR225's - Grados are always raved about as "rock" headphones due to their aggresive upfront sound (my Senns were certainly much more laid back in their sound) Grados also have perceived "comfort issues" - mine are less comfortable than my Senns were but I would say they are still comfortable to wear & I prefer their "on ear" style to the "over ear" style of the Senns - soundwise I prefer the Grados as I mostly listen to "rock" (like the bands you mention!)
HTH - Paul

[Reano]

Storm don't fight it Get the Grado's!!!! One place I went that had all three big names Beyer, Grado and Senn (all in shop and able to listen to) were http://www.stratfordhifi.com/

It was where I first heard the Grado's beat Beyer and Senn (can't remember the models I compared) but were all similar priced. Also superfi tend to carry the senn's and Grado as well www.superfi.co.uk

Cheers guys, I thought on-line would be the end result.
Looking at definately a pair of SR125. Think the extra expense over the 80's would be worth it.

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by Stormuk

Cheers guys, I thought on-line would be the end result.
Looking at definately a pair of SR125. Think the extra expense over the 80's would be worth it.

Go for the first one's you felt you wanted - Don't take a backward step or you'll always wonder if you would have got better 'phones for a bit more money
(It's a doddle spending someone else's money )
Paul

[Reano]

Hey Paul don't we all go for the one's we think we can afford (get away with) we're all doomed if we go for all the one's we want ......

Hi gang,
Well the headphone quandry has been resolved.
I found a shop in Horsham that sells Grado's. Tried them both and actually prefered the SR80s
In some ways I'm glad that I went for the lower cost option, as have been offered some mint vinyl that I have been after for years and am spending the balance on that.

Just got to wait for my dedicated headphone amp now. Will be paying for that at the end of the month.

[Reano]

Another Grado convert don't fight it guys resistance is futile...

I preferred the sr8-'s to the 125's.

There is the upfront agressive sound and then there's the 125's. I found it really harsh. Not in a good way like the sr-80's or 225's but in the ear raping nasty way.

[Digger]

Storm, out of interest what amp will you be getting?

Digger look at my sig:
Meier Headfive to start with, and may also get the BK unit for my portable MP3 Player.
As home use will be the priority the headfive is certain.Have reserved it and will be paying for it next week.

[Digger]

Originally Posted by Stormuk

Digger look at my sig:
Meier Headfive to start with, and may also get the BK unit for my portable MP3 Player.
As home use will be the priority the headfive is certain.Have reserved it and will be paying for it next week.

Thanks mate. This is the first time I have ventured into headphones forum to search for posts about amps...ergo...clueless! Seriously thinking about getting SR60/SR80. How much are they (Headfive) in English money ($250 right?)

Sorry for going Off topic guys...

Digger will PM you.

[padi89]

Just to say there if you guys are looking at the SR80/SR125,a much better choice is the Alessandro MS1. $100 shipped worldwide,personally i find it much much better than the SR80 i had.Highs are not as harsh ,bass is better and still has the grado sound,it is after all a modified Grado.Even with import duty it should still work out cheaper than an SR60/SR80 in the UK,altough you could be lucky like me and not get charged at all.I recommend the MS1 over the SR60/SR80 and definitely the SR125 as its far far too harsh.

Reano

I must research Grados' market share. Im not that convinced yet they have one

[Reano]

Originally Posted by parison

Reano

I must research Grados' market share. Im not that convinced yet they have one

Huh what you mean as in volume? If so you may want to research Ferrari's market share or rolex's loler

Or you could go with the one's with the largest market share (cheap and plenty available does not always = good).

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Alessandro MS-1's

Or grado HF-1, but you won't find those anymore.