[rage3324]

I am looking for a pair of headphones to compliment my Grado SR325i (soon to be RS1i). I am looking for something with a large soundstage, airy, not too laid back ( I like forward mids ), controlled and tight bass (I hate bloat), and smooth natural highs. I listen to a lot of rock, soft rock, accoustic, female vocals, and would like to get into jazz. To give you a idea, I listen to everything from The Beatles to Elton John to Led Zepplin, to New Pornographers, to Pearl Jam, to Nine inch Nails. I love the grado sound signature, but I need something that is a bit more laid back with a larger soundstage that I can use for lengthy listening sessions. I can listen to my Grados for an extended period of time, but I do get fatigued around 2 hours. Also, they are so groovy and excited, that I can get distracted from work.
 
For reference, I had the AKG K7xx and disliked them a lot. The soundstage was unnatural (too left to right), the mid-bass was bloated and ate into the highs which just ruined it for me. I do love my AD700s and I am really looking for an upgrade of those (Think a baby of AD700 and Grado). 
 
So, How do these headphones compare? Right now, I am leaning towards the T1. I fear the HD800 might be too laid back even though the soundstage sounds like exactly what I am looking for. 
 
The amp for these would be Woo Audio WA7

 

[brokenthumb]

I think we have similar taste in music and would recommend the HE-560 from the headphones I've owned.

 

[rage3324]

  I think we have similar taste in music and would recommend the HE-560 from the headphones I've owned.

I considered that headphone but I want a larger soundstage. It is a headphone I am considering in the long-run, just not now.
 
I should mention that I am using Woo Audio WA7 to power whatever headphones I get

 

[whirlwind]

I have heard the GS1000 original...not the "i" or "e" and I only only had it for a short time period....2 days on a loan....I loved it...but not in any way more than the HD800.
 
I have never heard the T1.....but many like it.

 

[rage3324]

How would you rank these headphones in terms of soundstage and what are the differences in soundstage?

 

[whirlwind]

I have never heard the T1...so I can not comment on that.
 
The HD800 trumps the GS1000 original in sound stage

 

[rage3324]

  I have never heard the T1...so I can not comment on that.
 
The HD800 trumps the GS1000 original in sound stage

Can you explain further how the soundstage's differ and the sound signatures?

 

[rage3324]

Anymore input? I think I am now deciding between the HD800 and T1. How do the soundstages compare? How do the mids compare?

 

[Asr]

If you don't need to make an immediate purchase, then you should attend the upcoming Axpona audio show in the Chicago area in April. It's mostly for loudspeaker-based audio but there will be some headphone displays there too. More info at www.axpona.com and in this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/751817/chicago-area-meet-saturday-april-25-part-of-the-ear-gear-expo-at-axpona-2015
 
Also MusicDirect.com is based in Chicago and they sell the HD800 and GS1000. You should call ahead of time to make sure they allow local demoing though, and that they have the headphones in-stock.
 
I heard the GS1000 years ago before the I and E series came out. "Laid-back" and "larger soundstage" are descriptions I definitely remember thinking of the GS1000 compared to most of the other Grado models (I previously owned the HF2, RS1, SR325, SR225, SR80, and SR60), so it might be what you're looking for, but it also might not, just depends.
 
Btw, the WA7 isn't really an ideal amp for either the HD800 or T1 due to its specs (transformer-coupled and a high-current 1W @ 32 Ohms). It won't drive either of those headphones properly. You'd be better off sticking with low-impedance efficient headphones like Grado, or Audio-Technica, or the Fostex TH600/TH900 (which could be viable sonic options for you as well—there's a TH900 review accessible through my profile) if you don't need an open headphone.
 
Oh and I wrote an old HD800 vs T1 review here that also references the AKG K701: http://www.head-fi.org/t/511201/review-beyerdynamic-t1-vs-sennheiser-hd800

 

[rage3324]

Thanks for the heads up on the expo. According the WA7 thread, it sounds like the HD800 does pair rather well, but yes probably not the best pairing in the world