Grado RS2i Reference Series On-Ear Headphones

by Grado

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0006DPMUO
• Item model number: RS2i
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 13, 2004

Product Description

What does the i stand for in the new RS2i from Grado? Improved, that's what! The RS2i is the little brother of the RS1i. The RS2i has an upgraded driver and the new 8 conductor cable design. The characteristics of the RS2i remain the same as its distinguished big brother, with the new species of hand crafted mahogany, but with a smaller wooden air chamber. Although a miniature version of the RS1i, the RS2i still maintains an overall sound that is pure Grado, warm harmonic color, full bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and ultra smooth top end. These truly are audiophiles dream.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grado ALMOST Best Headphone, May 18, 2006

By 

Alan Seals (Midland, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grado RS2i Reference Series On-Ear Headphones (Electronics)

By paying $500, it may seem like you should get the top of the line of a companies headphone. With the Grado RS-2, you nearly do. The RS-1 sells for $200 more but the difference is minimal. Most people who listen to them side by side would probably choose to save the extra money......unless money is no object.

These headphones are classy from the getgo. They arrive in a wooden box. They are made of real mahogony wood. The wood is treated not just for great looks (which it has) but for performance. The headband is real leather.

The sound?

Outstanding!

The highs are great, the midranges are tremendous and the bass is realistic and tight. They, in my opinion, outperform all other competitors. Those who cannot afford this much for a headphone may wish to consider a less expensive model from Grado. The SR-80, which sells for $95, is probably the best buy of the entire line. But if you can afford these, they are worth the investment

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible headphones, July 15, 2008

By 

David H. Braswell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grado RS2i Reference Series On-Ear Headphones (Electronics)

After reading the other reviews I expected the RS2's to hurt. When I put them on I realized that the only uncomfortable part of these cans is the pads. I used the pads from my SR125's and now the RS2's are comfortable.

The sound that this headphone produces is amazing. Now music has a new dynamic range. All it takes is one listen from these headphones and you have to own a pair.

39 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great sound - not a great headphone., December 27, 2006

By 

Bob "Bob" (Bob) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grado RS2i Reference Series On-Ear Headphones (Electronics)

Look, I know I'm stepping into the lion's mouth with this one, but these headphones just aren't comfortible enough to be considered spectacular. OBVIOUSLY the sound is great, but a feature that is almost important as sound, when it comes to headphones, is comfort. After all, music is meant to be listened to through speakers, so if you're willing to strap those speakers onto your head, you'd better be able to deal with them on your head for an extended period of time.

I can draw an interesting analogy to the Playstation 3 here. People have been saying, for example, that with the PS3, Sony has put technology first and gameplay second. Likewise, Grado has - beyond denial - put sound first and the actual "headphone-ness" of the headphones second. I normally wouldn't have a problem with that if the headphones weren't distractingly UNCOMFORTIBLE, but the RS-2s are. The speaker is rock hard, and is pushed right into your ear. Additionally, unless your ears are circular (which, last time I checked, not many people's are), the earcups simply are NOT MADE TO FIT YOUR EARS. They are made to ACCOMODATE THE SPEAKER IN THE HEADPHONE. Add to that the foam earpads, and I found myself rather disenchanted. Put shortly, RS-2 simply feels unnatural on your head.

There are a thousand articles testifying to Grado's sound, and I'm not going to disagree with them. But when you get headphones, let's be honest, you're looking for more than great sound. Polk's LSi9's (by way of example) have great sound, but I'm not considering strapping them to my head. Likewise, Grado's have great sound - the bass is smooth, the highs are great, and the soundstage is rather large. But they just don't feel like a real headphone to me, and with many other comfortible, slightly less expensive, and virtually identical sounding high-end models out there, I'd advise looking in another direction.