Well....nice to know that you have the option. I can't think of any headphone beside the R10 that is built better than the L3000. The L3000 is very well built. It is also luxurious but the magnesium frame is pretty tough to beat. You are pretty lucky about the confort on those HP1000s. I cound't wear them for more than 20 mins. I love the HP1000 too.

Yeah I agree in fact I think I actually find the HP1000's slightly more comfortable than the RS-1's believe it or not. It actually sits better and is more firm without causing any discomfort whatsoever. However I do have a humongo head and my ears are like bat ears as they are pretty huge (fitted hat size = 7 3/4 I think).

Here's a pic from my wedding ceremony so you get an idea of my melon.

As you can see my head is about 2x the size of my wife's head. With a head like mine grados just happen to be very comfortable, the more metal the better.

Yeah I agree in fact I think I actually find the HP1000's slightly more comfortable than the RS-1's believe it or not. It actually sits better and is more firm without causing any discomfort whatsoever. However I do have a humongo head and my ears are like bat ears as they are pretty huge (fitted hat size = 7 3/4 I think).

Here's a pic from my wedding ceremony so you get an idea of my melon.

As you can see my head is about 2x the size of my wife's head. With a head like mine grados just happen to be very comfortable, the more metal the better.

nice pic! you both look happy.

i have a big head to, which greatly affects my affinity for Grados. RS-1s with flats are about as comfortable as it gets for me.

I did have some comfort issues with the HP2 though, mainly due to the weight.

christ, you're head is as big as mine. i pity you. getting fitted baseball caps is a chore.

Ummm...I don't even bother with fitted hats, more or less hats in general. I think its weird when you have an adjustable cap, and the strap is on its last rung and it barely fits. I don't bother.

I think its weird when you have an adjustable cap, and the strap is on its last rung and it barely fits.

Me too. I was just talking about this with someone this weekend, about why I don't where hats. I expressed it just like you did in the quote.

Yes, I didn't mention that I prefer several electrostats, the R10, Qualia, K1000 and maybe a few others more than the L3000 or HP-2.

...I don't think the HP-2 ranks with the top electrostats or dynamics, to me it is RS-1, K701 or HD650 level (single-ended amp).

Dang, HP2 same level as K701/HD650? Are you drunk as you type this?

I would personally put HP2 a couple levels above, but for some reason I *really* like extremely neutral solid state amps for HP1000's, though I'm usually a tube lover.

As far as 'stats, looks like people will have to stick to the usual expensive suspects for now, as the $1000 HEAudio one so far is not parting the Red Sea...

christ, you're head is as big as mine. i pity you. getting fitted baseball caps is a chore.

7 3/4 represent!

Wow, a meager 6 7/8 here and even that's a generous size given my tiny pea-sized brain.

7 3/4 represent!

Good to know there are folks here who have big head. It's a good thing I keep my hair real short, otherwise, I've a feeling I won't be able to wear most headphone comfortably.

Good to know there are folks here who have big head. It's a good thing I keep my hair real short, otherwise, I've a feeling I won't be able to wear most headphone comfortably.

i lied. I jsut checked my hat. 7 1/4

My hat size is 7 1/2 easy and 7 3/4 is better with long hair. NogginZ Rule!

7 5/8 when I used to shave my head. =T

Why is 7 3/4 so hard to buy, I used to buy it all the time.

Dang, HP2 same level as K701/HD650? Are you drunk as you type this?

I would personally put HP2 a couple levels above, but for some reason I *really* like extremely neutral solid state amps for HP1000's, though I'm usually a tube lover.

As far as 'stats, looks like people will have to stick to the usual expensive suspects for now, as the $1000 HEAudio one so far is not parting the Red Sea...

Nice picture of the HE Audio headphone, that looks like the best pair so far.

Nice picture of the HE Audio headphone, that looks like the best pair so far.

Yah it looks real nice - love the new thread title by the way. HP-2 #1 just came in today, but it has bowls, yuck. I'll have to swap them out when I get home.

Yah it looks real nice - love the new thread title by the way. HP-2 #1 just came in today, but it has bowls, yuck. I'll have to swap them out when I get home.

We'll expect before and after pics too. Congratulations Ryan!

Nice picture of the HE Audio headphone, that looks like the best pair so far.

The finish is indeed getting better but they are instead messing with the drivers in a bad way.

We'll expect before and after pics too. Congratulations Ryan!

Sure! Man, I used to be a freak about lettering but it really looks darn sexy without it.

Before:

After:

And I got a 2nd set coming in Friday, oh lordy I am listening to #1 right now and damn its like being reunited with an old friend. Acoustic memory is failing me though as I don't remember the standard cable being able to sound this dynamic with great extension, #2 coming in has the ultrawide. Headsup, I just put up #1 for sale on HF but if anyone is interested hit me up, I don't mind having HC priority.

Headsup, I just put up #1 for sale on HF but if anyone is interested hit me up, I don't mind having HC priority.

Duuude, that is soooo tempting me right now!!!

Duuude, that is soooo tempting me right now!!!

Hey man just let me know, even though I've replied to like 8 people I think I have room to fit you in at the front of the line

shit, great deal on the HP-2! this would have to come up at the same time as that other thing in the secret place.

well...I hope mulveling doesn't want them because I just pmed Ryan on head-fi! =)

Hopefully I'll finally be able to scratch that itch and own the HP2s...one of the few headphones that I have never owned.

Dang, HP2 same level as K701/HD650? Are you drunk as you type this?

I would personally put HP2 a couple levels above, but for some reason I *really* like extremely neutral solid state amps for HP1000's, though I'm usually a tube lover.

I'd say the HP-2 is definitely above the K701/HD650 level, it's somewhere around the RS-1. In some areas the HP is better, in others the RS edges ahead, and in most areas they're both well ahead of the K701/650.

I'd say the HP-2 is definitely above the K701/HD650 level, it's somewhere around the RS-1. In some areas the HP is better, in others the RS edges ahead, and in most areas they're both well ahead of the K701/650.

Yes, but not when you pair up the HD-650 with great amp. The HP-2 is pretty sweet sounding but when you give enough power behind the HD-650, they are pretty tough to beat at any price.

Yes, but not when you pair up the HD-650 with great amp. The HP-2 is pretty sweet sounding but when you give enough power behind the HD-650, they are pretty tough to beat at any price.

I disagree. Good amps for grados are a far rarer breed then good amps for hd-650's.

Biggie.

I disagree. Good amps for grados are a far rarer breed then good amps for hd-650's.

Biggie.

Probably. But from my experience, the HD-650 balanced out of SDS-XLR was head and shoulder above balanced PS-1, and RS-1 out of the same amp. The best I've heard the HP-2 was out of the Melos Sha Gold Ref and SP SDS, still I prefer the HD-650 over the HP2.

Probably. But from my experience, the HD-650 balanced out of SDS-XLR was head and shoulder above balanced PS-1, and RS-1 out of the same amp. The best I've heard the HP-2 was out of the Melos Sha Gold Ref and SP SDS, still I prefer the HD-650 over the HP2.

Its comments like this that give me + my wallet comfort