Post by Boomzilla on Nov 14, 2020 10:34:58 GMT -5
EMOTIVA AIRMOTIV GR-1 HEADPHONE REVIEW
BY GLENN YOUNG
BY GLENN YOUNG
The Emotiva Airmotiv GR-1 headphones are the first headphone product from online audio giant, Emotiva. The Emotiva Airmotiv GR-1 headphones are priced at $299 and are described by Emotiva as “Graphene Reference” models.
• Detachable / replaceable cord of high quality
• Mixture of open / closed ear cup technology
• Graphene-reinforced polycarbonate diaphragms
• Semi-aperiodic diaphragm grills
• Bass bump will please only some users
• Travel carrying case included
• Heavy duty construction
• Small, perforated leather ear cups
"De gustibus non est disputandum" (In matters of taste, there is no dispute). Nowhere is that more true than in the world of headphones. Some prefer “over-ear” models, others “on ear” ones. Some prefer heavy bass, others a lighter presentation. One man’s fillet minion is another’s flank steak. So there are no “universal headphones.” That said, is the Emotiva GR-1 for you?
EMOTIVA GR-1 SPECIFICATIONS:
• WEIGHT: 12 oz.
• PRICE: $299
• MANUFACTURER: www.emotiva.com
• EARCUPS: Perforated leather, round, over-ear, semi-open back
• AMPLIFIER CONNECTOR: 3.5mm stereo with ¼” adapter included
• EARCUP CONNECTORS: 2.5mm mono (one per cup)
• DIAPHRAGMS: 50mm graphene-reinforced polycarbonate
• HEADBAND: All metal with ball-detents for adjustment
COMMENTS:
The Emotiva GR-1 headphones are new from the online sales company, Emotiva. The company sells internet-direct with a generous return period.
I happen to have large ears placed on a large head. In order to fit me, I had to extend both sides of the Emotiva GR-1’s adjusters to their maximum extension. If you have a HUGE head, then you may run out of extension before you get a fit. This will affect only a tiny percentage of potential buyers, but I thought I’d mention it.
The cups of the Emotiva GR-1 headphones are just a tiny bit too small for my ears, and I had to rotate the cups back and forth for my ears to fit inside. This happened every time I put the phones on. This will affect only a tiny percentage of potential buyers, but it bears mentioning.
I also find the cups of the GR-1 headphones very, very hot after only 15 minutes or so of listening. I do NOT like for my ears to sweat while listening to headphones, so this won’t be the ultimate pair of headphones for me. YMMV
I find the 12 oz. weight of the Emotiva GR-1 headphones noticeable. Others may not object to the weight, or may even prefer it as a sign of durability and quality, but I'm used to lighter headphones and don’t care for the mass of these
LISTENING TO THE EMOTIVA GR-1 HEADPHONES:
So one of the first questions to be answered is “the sound of the Emotiva GR-1 headphones compared to WHAT?” So in my recent past, I have used the following headphones, ranked in order of preference:
1. Sennheiser HD-560S
2. Sennheiser HD-6xx
3. Audio-Technica AIR ATH-AD500
The thing I liked most about the Sennheiser HD-560S was its bass extension. It had but a slight bass boost, but its extension was deep, deep, deep! The Sennheiser HD-6xx had the same clarity, but without the bass boost and extension of the HD-560S. The Audio-Technica headphones have a HUGE ear-cup that accommodates even my Dumbo-the-elephant-sized ears.
The Emotiva GR-1 headphones, have the bass boost & extension of the Sennheiser HD-560S models, but in even greater quantity. In fact, the Emotiva phones remind me somewhat of the “Beats” brand, but not quite as pronounced in their bass boost. In fact, after an hour or two, the Emotiva GR-1 bass boost becomes “normal,” and you don’t continue to notice it, most of the time. I can understand how, if you’re a stickler for accuracy, the bass of the Emotiva GR-1s might be bothersome, but I found it only slightly so, and even then, only occasionally.
The midrange and treble of the Emotiva GR-1s is excellent. Good clarity, detail, and treble extension abound with no trace of sibilance or treble glare.
So depending on your tolerance for bass boost, the GR-1s may be excellent.
The GR-1 phones are highly efficient and I drove them without problem from:
1. The headphone jack of my Mac Mini
2. The headphone jack of the Emotiva TA-100 integrated amplifier
3. Directly from the Audioquest Dragonfly Ver. 2 (Black)
CONCLUSIONS:
From a pure sonics standpoint, I like the Emotiva GR-1 headphones quite a bit. I find the bass boost tolerable in order to get the extension that I like and the midrange and treble sound very good to me.
From a comfort standpoint, however, the Emotiva GR-1 headphones just aren’t for me. The ear cups are too small and too hot; the weight of the phones is bothersome, and I just can’t get comfortable with the headphones. The majority of my complaints probably won’t affect other potential customers, so don’t make too much of my discomfort.
VALUE STATEMENT:
Provided that these headphones are comfortable to you, and provided that you’re a listener who likes bass, I would think that these would be a great value for their $299 asking price. Besides, if you try them and DON’T like them, they’re inexpensive to return for a full refund, and Emotiva has a history of standing behind their products.
Boomzilla
