An Interview With John Grado

[Kram Sacul]

Darn it. Still a good read though.

[saint.panda]

Originally Posted by Zanth

Nope, but maybe I can find out at some point. In the design John stated he was using his ears mostly then in production he used high tech gear for testing.

Thanks! If the occasion arises, perhaps you can ask him but it's not something important.

[sbulack]

Many thanks, Zanth, for an inspiring write-up. I've been a Grado fan since 2002 (SR-60), and have been REALLY enjoying my SR225 since 2003. After reading the interview with John Grado, I started my RS-1 fund. Sometime in the next year or two, it will grow to where I can finally own the phones of my dreams: the RS-1. Your write-up inspired me to take the first step toward making my RS-1 dream come true. Again, many thanks Zanth!

[DeeJayBump]

Originally Posted by Zanth

Because I own the HP-1, RS-1 and PS-1, I too would likely have a good time with an RS-1 with PS-1 drivers in there with the new dampening techniques etc. I mean, why not? I love switching up as it is.

Zanth-

First, thanks for doing this and sharing it with us.

Second, does anyone know whether the drivers in the PS-1s are actually different than the RS-1 drivers? What if in fact the drivers are the same as the RS-1s and the sonic differences are a result of the PS-1 driver housing and dampening techniques?

I have not heard either the RS-1 or PS-1, but hopefully someday I will make it to a meet and have that pleasure.

[VR6ofpain]

It seems John gave a number on the HP-1000 series (1000 total). How about the older SR headphones?

I'm wondering what an estimate of the old SR-200 and SR-300's production numbers would be?

I guess I am just trying to see what my odds are at finding a decent set of either one....

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Originally Posted by DeeJayBump

Zanth-

First, thanks for doing this and sharing it with us.

Second, does anyone know whether the drivers in the PS-1s are actually different than the RS-1 drivers? What if in fact the drivers are the same as the RS-1s and the sonic differences are a result of the PS-1 driver housing and dampening techniques?

The dampening techniques are within the drivers themselves. And as someone who has listened to the ps-1 drivers outside of their housing, I can tell you that they are definetly not the same as the rs-1 drivers. The rs-1 drivers have a tougher time getting 's' and 't' sounds right and dont exude this kind of bass (perhaps a good thing hehe).

Biggie.

[DeeJayBump]

Originally Posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ

The dampening techniques are within the drivers themselves. And as someone who has listened to the ps-1 drivers outside of their housing, I can tell you that they are definetly not the same as the rs-1 drivers. The rs-1 drivers have a tougher time getting 's' and 't' sounds right and dont exude this kind of bass (perhaps a good thing hehe).

Biggie.

Biggie-

Thanks.

Bass is most definitely a good thing (visceral, textured, expressive, stygian bass please) for me, so that is also good news. That just makes me want to hear the RS-1 and PS-1 for myself and see if I consider them worth the price difference over my 325is.

[wolfen68]

Originally Posted by sbulack

Many thanks, Zanth, for an inspiring write-up. I've been a Grado fan since 2002 (SR-60), and have been REALLY enjoying my SR225 since 2003. After reading the interview with John Grado, I started my RS-1 fund. Sometime in the next year or two, it will grow to where I can finally own the phones of my dreams: the RS-1. Your write-up inspired me to take the first step toward making my RS-1 dream come true. Again, many thanks Zanth!

I feel the same way. Unfortunately, my sources do not justify an RS-1.

[Zanth]

Originally Posted by wolfen68

I feel the same way. Unfortunately, my sources do not justify an RS-1.

When I first owned the RS-1's I had an RA-1 and a PDCD by Panasonic. It did not do the RS-1's justice. I also had a fairly cheap DVD player but it was still better than the Panasonic. I could definitely tell the difference between the SR60's and the RS-1's but in the end...I would say I was really bottle necking the system there with my source. Though when I went all out with my source, the RS-1's kept getting better and better, I don't know if I would personally invest heavily unless I knew that in the short term I would have a good enough source to pair with them.

Granted, HD Daps are said to be very good, the iRiver supposedly quite excellent. Your SR71 should be excellent with the RS-1's as well...so maybe you are not so far off the mark afterall I mean, Stereophile and Ultra High Fidelity found the iPod to be at least as good an entry level player, perhaps one as high as $1k. If the iRiver is at least as good...you should be in good form.

[grawk]

I can hear the limitations of my sources with my PS1 or RS1 and MPX3, but it still sounds better with these headphones than with other lesser phones...I'd rather have phones capable of delivering the full capability of my source, rather than a source limited by amp and cans...