What headphones are you using with the Bushmaster?

[Ammonite Audio]

I am getting some fantastic sounds from my Venom modded Bushmaster, using an elderly pair of Grado SR60 'phones. The combination does work very well, but clearly there is scope for much better. So, I have been considering rewiring the SR60s with Cardas cable. Alternatively, Analogue Seduction are selling B-Stock Grado SR325is 'phones for an enticing £269, which is not a huge amount more than the cost of rewiring the SR60s. Given that I do like the family look and comfort of Grados, I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who owns a set of SR325is 'phones, to help me to make my mind up.

Any SR325is users out there?

Many thanks

[The Grand Wazoo]

Not so sure about the 'i's Hugo, but I had the 325's for a long time. I'm not a big headphone user but they were all about detail - huge gobs of overwhelmingly layered detail. I had them so that I could listen in closely to mixes and I couldn't imagine anything better for the price. I sold them to Hamish, not because I replaced them or didn't like them, I just didn't feel owning them was justified from the little use I got out of them. Hamish bought them to use while working and found he was constantly being drawn away from work because the phones were so good on that detail that listening was more important than working!
However, for some folks they're perceived as brain numbingly bright - I think Jeff (goraman) tried and hated the 'i's.
On that basis, I'd certainly try before you buy.

[Ammonite Audio]

Thanks for that Chris. The 'problem' here is that these particular SR325is 'phones are a B-Stock bargain from Analogue Seduction, so I can't try before I buy. Richer Sounds have them in their store local to me, at a much higher price, but I'm not going to abuse their time and facilities just to buy elsewhere.

Bearing in mind how much I'm enjoying the SR60s, maybe the answer is to carry on with these, and simply remain in blissful ignorance of what I may be missing. Or maybe I should just go for it and order these SR325is 'phones while the offer is there!

[alan47]

I have had a pair of SR325is's for a couple of years now.I got them cause they were on offer £250.I found them a whole new ball game after my SR80i's,which i still have.I use some KRK KNS8400 if the wife is still up,but the 325's always come out when she goes to bed.I have done a few mods to mine which are easy on grado's,(to many hours looking at headfi)Great pair of phones for the money,plus if you don't like them after 50 hours,you can get your cash back at that price.
Go on,you know you want to....

[Bluedroog]

Well I ordered a pair blind. I own the 80s which have served me well for years, I'm going to give them to my mum when the 325is arrive.

[Cans]

I have been using the sennheiser flagships with the bushmaster for some time now. The BM has a warm low end and doesn't roll off at the top either.
So for those who are contemplating the HD800 but are worried about all the hype that says they're bass light, well if you have the BM you go right ahead and spend some money
My bushmaster has been modified to run the optimum level for the audeze lcd2's which are also a joy.
They are both used regularly on the BM as well as the HRT Streamer Pro and the M2tech young dac and the Mdac. It's like having a garage full of ferraris. Endless enjoyment. .....
Just a different viewpoint from someone who spends 2k on one piece to achieve the ultimate set up.
I prefer lots of different sounding kit.

[StanleyB]

I have mentioned many times that most owners of the HD800 are blaming the bass and treble performance of the HD800 on the headphones themselves, instead of the headamp driving them. I worked out long time ago that the HD800 needs loads of current drive in order to get those big drivers to pump out bass properly. Any sensible audiophile with difficult to drive speakers would have figured that out if the HD800 were speakers. But once they are confronted with a set of headphones most people abandon years of experiences and knowledge in favour of wild guesses .
The BM headamp can deliver up to 500mA of drive current, which is one reason behind its solid bass performance. If you compare that to the current delivery ability of the other popular DACs in the UK with a headphone output, or to the current output ability of some rather expensive stand alone headamps, it isn't too difficult to figure out why using a BM as headamp is such a good idea.

[Ammonite Audio]

I have just taken delivery of some Grado SR325i phones, which are a bit strident and shouty straight out of the box, but I expect them to beat the SR80s which really sing with the Bushmaster.

[alan47]

These are my 325i's,with a bit of modding they can sound very smooth with a Bushmaster.cups 006.jpg

cups 004.jpg
For only $ 150 they can sound like RS1's

[Rare Bird]

Ross 'RE272' & 'RE261' Studio Monitor Series headphones..



But no bushmaster