Amp/DAC for laptop use.

[matt_d_19]

Has anyone tried the Cube themselves?
What's it like and how do you think it would match with the Alessandros?

The only feedback I've read is a review I found on Head Fi - so we can't really trust that!

[Drubbing]

I haven't heard the cube, so Marcus' opinion would be worth asking.

[grevillea]

So you think the Cube with the MS2 is a solid headphone setup and It'll nearly run them to their potential, since they're easy to drive?
And I forgot to mention that I'm using Apple Lossless format.

Again, thanks for your help

MS2 ? You're a brave man !

[matt_d_19]

Yes, but he hasn't tried it either. He said so on the last page.

And it's not in stock - I'm not sure if this means there isn't one to test at the moment.

@ Grevillea
I thought the energetic sound would be fun and engaging. Is it really that hard to listen to?

[grevillea]

Check with drubbing. I think consensus is that its not as 'edgy' as the SR325(is), the model I owned, but the MS2 definitely polarises opinions. I suspect that you can do better for the same money.

[matt_d_19]

The MS2 is recommended, so it must be pretty good. The only other options for the price really are the Dt250 and Dt880. The Dt250 is closed (I don't need closed) and quite ugly, and the Dt880 might just be too balanced and boring for my liking.

I have a few questions about the MS2. How hard-hitting is the bass? Enough to be as prominent as the highs? I would like a punchy headphone.
And how would it handle gaming?

Thanks

[grevillea]

1. Don't discount the DT250 on the basics of looks or the DT880 because you think it might be 'boring'. Plenty of longtime board members here will back up Marcus' high opinion of these headphones. That 'Recommended' tag doesnt come easily here.

2. Of all the headphones Marcus sells, a Grado/Allesandro design is about the last I would choose if I were looking for a punchy headphone for gaming. The have neither the soundstage nor the visceral bass thump you want for explosions etc. I also think there are more comfortable options than the weight (metal housings) of the MS2 for long periods in front of a screen.

I'll hand you over to Marcus for more specific recommendations, but IMO you can definitely do better for gaming than the MS2.

[matt_d_19]

1. Don't discount the DT250 on the basics of looks or the DT880 because you think it might be 'boring'. Plenty of longtime board members here will back up Marcus' high opinion of these headphones. That 'Recommended' tag doesnt come easily here.

2. Of all the headphones Marcus sells, a Grado/Allesandro design is about the last I would choose if I were looking for a punchy headphone for gaming. The have neither the soundstage nor the visceral bass thump you want for explosions etc. I also think there are more comfortable options than the weight (metal housings) of the MS2 for long periods in front of a screen.

I'll hand you over to Marcus for more specific recommendations, but IMO you can definitely do better for gaming than the MS2.

1. The MS2 have the SAME recommended tag. And I'm discounting the two mainly becuase I think I would prefer the MS2.

2. I'm not looking for a headphone for gaming. I was purely asking because I would try them for gaming, but probably switch back to my surround sound system. About 5% of its use will be for gaming. And I didn't say I'd be playing games with explosions.

[Drubbing]

The MS2 is recommended, so it must be pretty good. The only other options for the price really are the Dt250 and Dt880. The Dt250 is closed (I don't need closed) and quite ugly, and the Dt880 might just be too balanced and boring for my liking.

I have a few questions about the MS2. How hard-hitting is the bass? Enough to be as prominent as the highs? I would like a punchy headphone.
And how would it handle gaming?

Thanks

The MS2 bass is hard hitting, but it's balanced, tight and fast - that is, it's very responsive, so no doof doof woolines. The highs are what can be more fatiguing. Clear, bright and punchy. They are a WoW headphone to begin with - it is the definition of a punchy headphone - but some find this quickly becomes Ow.

FWIW I auditioned them to death... and chose the DT250 instead. Nuthin wrong with fugly. They're probably my favourite phone. One of Marcus' too.

[matt_d_19]

Thanks. That's the sound I'd like.

I already have many headphones with a warmer sound like the DT250, and I'm looking for something different. I'm sure I'd love the Dt250, but they're not quite what I'm looking for at the moment.

[dingostolemyipod]

All grado/alessandro phones seem to get a bad rap when it comes to gaming applications, but i think that's a little harsh.
They do have a small soundstage, but small soundstage doesn't mean bad positioning. The positional queues might not be completely in your face, but they will still be there. Much better than an average quality closed phone with muddy/blurred/resonant mids.
OK, they're not best choice for gaming, but by no means worst choice.

[matt_d_19]

All grado/alessandro phones seem to get a bad rap when it comes to gaming applications, but i think that's a little harsh.
They do have a small soundstage, but small soundstage doesn't mean bad positioning. The positional queues might not be completely in your face, but they will still be there. Much better than an average quality closed phone with muddy/blurred/resonant mids.
OK, they're not best choice for gaming, but by no means worst choice.

Ok. Thanks for that.
So they'd be a decent headphone for occasional gaming, with the vast majority of its use for music.

[grevillea]

There are games WITHOUT explosions ? Dude, next you'll be telling me that there are games where you dont win by slaughtering every living thing around you !

OK, I accept that FPS isnt the only genre in the gaming universe, and that knuckle-draggers like myself are the lowest common denominator. We just wanna kill stuff, OK ?

[matt_d_19]

There are games WITHOUT explosions ? Dude, next you'll be telling me that there are games where you dont win by slaughtering every living thing around you !

OK, I accept that FPS isnt the only genre in the gaming universe, and that knuckle-draggers like myself are the lowest common denominator. We just wanna kill stuff, OK ?

Ok

FPS are fun. I like to kill stuff too sometimes

[cloughie]

I owned the MS2 for tears and loved them. After upgrading to the Pros I still used them from my portable until I bought the DT250 and found the sound more to my liking.

If you're after lots of energy and fast hard hitting bass I think you will like the MS2.