Grado RS1i Reference Series Headphones

by Grado

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B00076VEG6
• Item model number: RS 1
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 13, 2004

Product Description

What does the i stand for in the new RS1i from Grado? Improved, that's what! Featuring a new species of handcrafted Mahogany earpieces made using an intricate curing process; Grado has been able to optimize the tonal quality. The RS1i uses new upgraded dynamic transducers and the new 8 conductor cable design all in an open-air configuration, the cups being open-backed. The result is a smooth, controlled and coherent sound with detailed dynamics. Frequency response ranges from 12-30 kHz and the drivers are matched to 0.05dB. Weighing 9oz, the headphones are an example of the wonder of Mother Nature with a gorgeous, dark-colored Mahogany look.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best headphones ever, January 16, 2005

By 

G (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grado RS1i Reference Series Headphones (Electronics)

I am extremely happy that Amazon.com started stocking Grado products.

To audiophiles, Grado is a very big name. Grado makes some of the world's best consumer turntable catridges, and makes some of the most notoriously fun, musical headphones out there.

The Grado RS-1 headphones are the second-most expensive Grado headphones on the market now. The PS-1 is a limited-edition headphone that is very seldom-made (but it is in production currently) that contains some of the best detail, fluidity, warmth, and excitement than any other headphone. However, the RS-1s are very close to the specifications of this headphone.

The Grado Reference Series 1 is, in my opinion, the true audiophile way to ENJOY your music. Others may say that they do not like the musicality, because it has a very colored sound. Audiophiles normally know that this is not good because it doesn't "faithfully" reproduce the information on your record/CD properly. However, I don't always want to sit there and listen to the minor details of my music. Sometimes I just want to rock out and enjoy myself as much as possible, which is where the Grado RS1 headphones take the responsibility of fulfilling this for me.

The RS1 headphones at first are going to look very cheap to those who are not familiar with them. The headband is leather, but it is thin. The earcups do not surround the ear at all, they just touch them. This is a very open headphone, so outside noise will come in, and your sound will leak.

But these are all very obvious and welcome shortcomings. This leads to a very good performing headphone. While they may not be as comfortable as the Senns, they are definitely faster, more enjoyable, and contain a much more fluid sound than the Sennheiser HD650s. If you want to listen to Rock on these headphones, particularly bands from the seventies and eighties, these are the best option you will have.

Another great thing about the headphones is that they are really easy to drive without the presence of a headphone amplifier. I have experienced, however, that with my Perreaux SXH-1 amp, it really improves the sound quality. Things that the Grado sound lacks are dynamic range and midrange neutrality, but the amp was able to tone down the midrange and bass was much more dynamic than before.

If you wanna have some of the best sound quality on the planet from a name you can trust, then you will want to go with a Grado headphone. Everything from Classical to Metal sounds amazing on these headphones. They are extremely versatile, are durable even though they look like they were from WW2, and, best of all, they are some of the best sounding headophones you can buy. Male vocals, drums, wailing guitars, you name it - Grado will reproduce it faithfully.

Some albums I recommend on the Grado RS1:
Pink Floyd - The Wall
The Doors - Morison Hotel
Todd Rundgren - Something Anything
Neil Young - After the Goldrush
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick

Happy listening!

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate sound delivery system, May 13, 2006

By 

Larry L. Hoffman (Grass Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grado RS1i Reference Series Headphones (Electronics)

Like other Grado's the RS-1's look like a throughback to the headphones I used on my crystal radio set of the late 50s. Unlike my Grado 125's, however, the materials used in the RS-1 are far superior and such be considering the price.

Having said that, these headphones produce, without a doubt, the best electronically-produced sound quality that I have ever experienced. I have written reviews for the 125's, Senn's and the Koss Pro 4a's as well as cheaper sets I use on an MP3 player. While many of these models give you great bang for the buck, they fall far short of the RS-1, the sound from which reveals even the most minute detail with the vibrancy of a live performance.

These puppies are fair trade items, so you'll be forking out $695 unless you find an unscrupulous dealer or buy a used set on eBay. I was able to get free 2nd day shipping and no sales tax, and that helped a bit. If you can afford them, they are worth ever penny.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grado RS1i - even better than my 1996 vintage pair of RS1's, September 14, 2009

By 

J. Niss (Western Mass) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grado RS1i Reference Series Headphones (Electronics)

All I can say is WOW! The changes in the drivers, cables and wood (there might be other physical changes that I am not aware of) result in the range being extended from lows to highs quite noticeably, and they are stunners.

As I told my daughter (a happy Grado SR60 owner and sharer of my RS1's since the age of 10 - she's 23 tomorrow -and currently enjoying HF1's) "These are NOT your fathers RS1's"!

Sort of... I'm still her Dad but the RS1i's themselves are not exactly what she grew up listening to. They are faster (resolving notes more quickly with zero smudging of sounds/tones together), with 'more bettter' bass (tighter, sweeter, more controlled and deeper), highs that are more transparent and do go on and on, the famous Grado midrange beautifully apparent (although perhaps a tiny TAD less coloured - though that may be simply be a function of their being heard in the context of the extended highs). And I guess it's a result of all that there is even more detail now to boot. Despite these changes there is no mistaking these for some other headphone, they are RS1(i)'s through and through. And all these delicious sounds are presented in a beautiful (to me perfect) balance.

These are amazing headphones, as were the originals. Noone who loves the traditional Grado "house sound" need shell out to those charging crasy high prices for the "vintage" Rs1's to get in on the mojo. THESE are the real deal(in fact even better than) and they sell for suggested retail (and a bit less used of course if you can find someone willing to let them go. hey, don't look at ME!).

I gave up a pair of Grado PS1's which I thought were the ultimate embodiment of the RS1 style Grado house sound. They were a bit too heavy for me to listen to for really extended periods or I'd have never sold them. I had thought I'd still be pining for them but would "get by" with a new pair of RS1's. RS1i's to the rescue!! The Rs1i is
SO great a pair of cans that I am not looking back to the PS1's at all - only closing my eyes and listening to the music.