Emotiva Airmotive GR1 Headphone Review
United States of Analog | July 13, 2023
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This is a review of the Emotiva Air Motive GR1 headphones ($199). Host Bob covers the specs, build quality, design features, and begins comparing them to other headphones in his collection.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Emotiva Air Motive GR1 headphones – $199, 23Hz-24.5kHz frequency response, 32 ohm sensitivity, 106 dB efficiency, natural ash wood body, semi-open design, vegan leather ear cups, dual 2.5mm audio inputs [00:00:33-02:04]
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones – Host uses 5 hours/day for work, has two pairs including metallic orange version, describes as “very clear, very defined, very comfortable” [00:00:18-05:47]
- Sennheiser HD 650 headphones – Gift from wife 3 years ago, host calls them “a hot mess” and says they sound “like somebody put a warm, wet blanket over my head” despite trying various amplifiers [00:06:15-07:16]
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- The GR1’s cable is disappointing – thin, has a zebra pattern that doesn’t match aesthetics, and exhibits microphonics/noise [00:03:21-04:02]
- The connector mechanism is very satisfying to use [00:04:08-04:36]
- The headphones have solid build quality with nice ash wood construction [00:02:04-02:24]
- Vegan leather ear cups tend to get sweaty during long listening sessions [00:02:46-02:55]
- Very negative opinion of Sennheiser HD 650s despite trying multiple amplifiers [00:06:45-07:16]
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- Recommends finding a high-quality replacement cable as one of the first upgrades [00:03:55-04:02]
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- “send me a million dollars and I’ll just go away completely, whatever’s easiest for you” [00:01:22-01:26]
- Host’s obsession with the satisfying connector snap: “Oh, man, that is, that is, that is satisfying… I could do that all day. I just love that snap.” [00:04:16-04:36]
- His “church and state” separation between work and home headphones: “I never listen to music at home on my work headphones… it would take me hours and hours of therapy to figure out why” [00:05:19-05:34]
- Calling the highly-regarded Sennheiser HD 650s “a hot mess” and comparing them to having “a warm, wet blanket over my head” [00:06:45-07:16]
3-Paragraph Summary:
Host Bob introduces his review of the Emotiva Air Motive GR1 headphones, which retail for $199 on Emotiva’s website. He speculates that a refresh might be coming since they’ve been available for a couple of years. The headphones feature impressive specs including a 23Hz-24.5kHz frequency response, 32 ohm sensitivity, and natural ash wood construction with a semi-open design and dual 2.5mm audio inputs per ear cup.
Bob provides a detailed examination of the build quality, praising the solid feel and attractive ash wood grain, while noting that the vegan leather ear cups can get sweaty during extended use despite being perforated. However, he’s particularly critical of the included cable, describing it as thin and prone to microphonics, though he admits to being oddly satisfied by the satisfying snap of the connector mechanism. He suggests that buyers should consider replacing the cable as one of their first upgrades.
The host sets up his comparison methodology by discussing his other headphones, including his work Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones that he uses five hours daily but maintains a strict separation from his home listening setup. Most surprisingly, he delivers a scathing critique of the well-regarded Sennheiser HD 650 headphones, calling them “a hot mess” and describing their sound as like having “a warm, wet blanket” over his head, despite trying them with multiple high-end amplifiers from brands like McIntosh, Naim, and Jolida.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Emotiva Airmotive GR1 headphones (main product being reviewed)
- Sennheiser headphones (current model – described negatively at [00:07:25])
- Sennheiser HD 414s (vintage 1970s model)
- Grado Labs SR80E headphones
- Audio-Technica headphones (mentioned briefly)
- Jusheli Labs Archer 3 Pro amplifier
- McIntosh MHA-100 headphone amplifier
- Schiit Magni 3 Heresy amplifier
- iPhone (used as source)
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- [00:07:25] Current Sennheiser model: “Sound is dull, unexciting, no sparkle… They’re a hot mess”
- [00:09:10] “The Emotivas best them” (referring to beating the Sennheisers)
- [00:09:57] Emotivas have “a very full, full sound… It’s still lush. It’s non-fatiguing”
- [00:09:55] Grado SR80Es don’t beat the Emotivas, though they’re “a joy to listen to”
- [00:10:20] Emotivas have good fit: “not super clampy either”
- [00:10:57] One complaint: headphones don’t twist/rotate for positioning adjustments
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- [00:12:10] Used multiple amplifiers for testing including Jusheli Labs Archer 3 Pro, McIntosh MHA-100, Schiit Magni 3 Heresy, and iPhone
- [00:12:50] Focused on “stuff with dynamics and texture”
- [00:13:01] Specific test using Dire Straits “Private Investigations” at 5:44 timestamp
- [00:13:11] Looks for Mark Knopfler’s “cat wailing” guitar tone and distant bottle breaking sound as detail retrieval test
- [00:13:28] Uses this track to evaluate equipment’s ability to pick up faint, distant details
Were there any price/value assessments?
- [00:08:48] Vintage Sennheiser HD 414s sell for “$400, $500 on the secondary market” even used
- [00:09:36] Grado SR80E estimated “under $200… somewhere in that $100 to $150 range”
- [00:12:30] McIntosh MHA-100 “probably retailed between $3,000 and $4,000”
Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?
- [00:09:10] Direct comparison: “The Emotivas best them” (vs Sennheisers)
- [00:09:55] Grado SR80E vs Emotiva: “Do they beat out the Emotiva? I don’t think so”
- [00:10:11] Notes Audio-Technica and other headphones have rotation capability that Emotivas lack
- [00:12:25] Acknowledges McIntosh amp is “a little overkill” for these headphones
Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- [00:12:54] Dire Straits “Private Investigations” used as test track
- [00:13:05] Specific reference to 5 minutes 44 seconds mark for guitar tone and background detail testing
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- [00:07:46] “They’re a hot mess” (about current Sennheiser model)
- [00:08:15] “Music from the heavens. The 414s” (about vintage Sennheisers)
- [00:08:59] “Sennheiser, if you want to redeem yourself in my eyes, bring back the HD 414”
- [00:11:02] “If you don’t know anybody with an odd head shape, it’s probably you”
- [00:13:11] Describes Mark Knopfler’s guitar as sounding “like a cat wailing”
Summary
This portion of the review focuses heavily on comparative testing, with the host expressing strong negative opinions about a current Sennheiser model while praising vintage Sennheiser HD 414s from the 1970s. The host describes the current Sennheisers as “dull” and a “hot mess,” lacking sparkle and high-end response, though acknowledging they’re non-fatiguing. He makes an impassioned plea for Sennheiser to reissue the beloved HD 414s, noting their high secondary market prices.
The Emotiva GR1s emerge as clear winners in direct comparisons, besting both the current Sennheisers and the well-regarded Grado SR80Es. The host describes their sound as “very full” and “lush” while remaining non-fatiguing. He provides technical details about their graphene-infused polycarbonate drivers and notes their comfortable fit, though he criticizes their lack of rotational adjustment for different head shapes.
The testing methodology is comprehensive, utilizing multiple amplifiers ranging from a basic iPhone to a high-end McIntosh unit. The host employs specific test tracks, particularly Dire Straits’ “Private Investigations,” using precise timestamps to evaluate the headphones’ ability to reproduce subtle details like distant ambient sounds. This demonstrates a methodical approach to evaluating the Emotivas’ detail retrieval capabilities across different price points of amplification.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
- Emotiva AirMotive GR-1 headphones [00:14:17] – The main product being reviewed
- Jusheli Labs Archill 3 Pro [00:14:57] – Used as amplification/tone control to compensate for perceived lack of sparkle
- Sennheiser HD 650 [00:17:29] – Mentioned as something to avoid
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50X [00:17:30] – Recommended for radio/recording work
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
Positive verdict at $199 price point [00:16:31-00:16:39]: “I’m getting good separation, 200 bucks. You can’t go wrong. Yeah, you can’t go wrong with Emotiva.” The host praises the guitar tone as “super, super smooth and super round,” excellent separation, good dynamics, and impressive detail retrieval that allowed him to hear room ambience and amp characteristics he’d never noticed before.
Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?
- Buy/Consider: Emotiva GR1 for $200 [00:17:17-00:17:24] – “give the Emotiva GR1, the AirMotive GR1, consideration when you’re looking for headphones”
- Skip: Sennheiser HD 650 [00:17:29] – “Avoid the Sennheiser HD 650”
- Specific recommendation: Audio-Technica ATH-M50X for radio/recording work [00:17:30]
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
Hearing limitations caveat [00:14:33-00:14:56]: Host acknowledges his age-related hearing limitations, advising viewers to “take that with a grain of salt” when he mentions the headphones lacking sparkle.
Availability warning [00:17:12-00:17:14]: “Get them while you can” – suggesting limited availability.
Unique listening technique [00:18:00-00:19:21]: Detailed explanation of listening to headphones while falling asleep, claiming there’s a “twilight sleep” moment where hearing becomes intensely clear and music becomes “3D.”
How did the video wrap up?
Standard channel sign-off [00:17:41-00:17:48] with host Bob thanking viewers and encouraging channel support, followed by a bonus segment [00:17:56] explaining his “headphone trick” for enhanced listening experience while falling asleep.
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?
Strong recommendation: [00:16:34-00:16:39] “200 bucks. You can’t go wrong. Yeah, you can’t go wrong with Emotiva.”
Mystical listening experience: [00:19:00-00:19:09] “I can tell you that for me, it’s real, and it’s pure magic. It only lasts for a second. It’s kind of a high.”
Summary
In this final portion of the review, the host concludes his testing using guitar-heavy tracks from Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty’s Mud Crutch, and Kenny Burrell. He’s particularly impressed with the GR-1’s guitar tone reproduction, describing it as “super smooth and super round” with excellent separation that revealed previously unnoticed guitar layers in the recordings. While noting the headphones might lack some high-frequency sparkle, he successfully compensated using the Jusheli Labs Archill 3 Pro amplifier’s tone controls.
The host delivers a strong positive verdict for the $199 price point, emphasizing that “you can’t go wrong with Emotiva.” He praises the build quality, comfort, and the satisfying magnetic cable connection mechanism. His testing revealed impressive detail retrieval, allowing him to hear room ambience and amplifier characteristics in Stevie Ray Vaughan recordings that he’d never noticed before. He specifically recommends giving the GR-1 consideration when shopping for headphones in this price range.
The video concludes with standard channel pleasantries before transitioning into a bonus segment where the host shares his unusual “headphone trick” – listening while falling asleep to experience a moment of enhanced hearing clarity during the transition to sleep. He describes this as a brief but magical experience where music becomes three-dimensional, encouraging viewers to try the technique themselves and share their results.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
