Thinking about buying new Grado Headphones

Stringreen. Thanks. Prefer over ear for listening on my system. First HPs were KOSS Pro4A’s then Pro4AA’s.  Grados ever since, but I’m willing to try others.  And this will probably be last pair purchased.

I use in ear Grados wired .....I think they're great..   Knew Joe Grado personally

SOIX. OBERONIAOMNIA   Have done on-line purchases for $$$$.  As long as it’s a reputable seller. And I still deal with two vendors in DC area who will ship product. I will look at HIMAN and others in my price range.  You’ve convinced me.  And of course, compatible with my HP Amp.  Thanks again

That’s why I mentioned Amazon where you can try at home risk free.  Why not?

To All a PS. Aren’t many, if any brick and mortar stores in my area. Maybe I’ll wait for audio show in Tampa or take a ride into Tampa or Sarasota to listen to some in-store

These Hifiman Arya Organic open-backed, planar ‘phones are excellent, easy to drive, are at half your budget, and can be returned risk and hassle free through Amazon and I’d highly encourage you to give them a try.  I’ve got the prior Arya Stealth version and they are sublime — neutral, natural, and very open with a large soundstage that expands well outside the headspace, and these are considered to be a considerable step up in performance over mine.

https://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-Arya-Organic-Full-Size-Audiophiles/dp/B0C5RFXMM5/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3A26MQ5IDI04U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PZxOlY7QjWleDng64BJcoBTTYCPcBQFY2xWIkw-wS376V2HSSLXSuHsldcoAZ-sOizCWbspiltGmMA8iGOxUuFEZngYmlB7Zxc4GBzrgQ3UYZn2_5EDlB7jSh-cUrrXoOfOp1qHVwCK2v3MPUNEOgNY_kfXPtSb94kPU4kZ1Td_s9Mre1HwGsNY-ilkx63Fq7qyyr4mvUEKHvuEBD2mJD48FpX4uiOpDs6GW_1knP0s.hfDm4bXNx8ITinhGSmot_5L33J-5K6MCbJbhG-G2XRw&dib_tag=se&keywords=hifiman+arya+1000&qid=1736870789&sprefix=hifiman+arya+1000%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-4

 Here’s a good and informative review just fyi…

https://soundnews.net/reviews/headphones/hifiman-arya-organic-review-comparison/

Best of luck. 

Oberoniaomnia. Good advice. Thank you. I will

My first "decent" headphones were Grado R2e (modded with Beautiful Audio cups and headband), after listening through the entire series of Grado headphones at the time (around 6 years ago). I went for Grado because of a whole lot of news stories about them. Then got some Dan Clark Ether2 (around 2K), and OMG the difference! The Grados are ear-piercingly shrill even on a tube headphone amp (Woo WA2SE with upgraded tubes) in comparison. I would strongly recommend to listen to something outside the Grado universe before buying anything. I also have some tinnitus, and obviously I noticed loads of differences.

Sgordon1. Thanks for the response.  Actually, there’s nothing that can be done for tinnitus at this time.  I’ve been tested.  I currently use Grado SR225 HPs and started thinking about an upgrade,  But wondered if my mild tinnitus would prohibit any increased benefit in enjoyment with an upgrade

Why not invest in addressing tinnitus with a qualified professional?  Moderately priced headphones will sound good, as a result.  This my experience with Grado SR125 and Widex 440 hearing aids.

V-fi. Thanks for the advice.  Haven’t done anything yet.  Will probably go direct to Grado run store on-line to buy. Thinking about GS3000x or GS1000x. Their new HP model is a little out of my price range.  Othe two are a stretch!  And I’m also dealing tinnitus and wonder if it’s really worth the $$$$. But that’s another issue

Buy them from some place you can return easily for a full refund if needed. The newest Grado headphones actually sound real nice to my ears, and I'm someone who hasn't like a lot of the Grado designs over the past decade or more. But I will freely admit that Grados aren't as comfortable as many other headphones, and the sound is sort of polarizing.