RS-1 worth it? - Page 5

For those of you who think I'm nuts, here is what an RS-1 fan boy has to say about the MS-2 . His impressions mirror mine.

You'd be much better off spending that $300 on improving your source.

-Matt

I sold my SR225 and kept the MS-2i. The MS-2 have better soundstage and bass detail. They are also less colored and less strident in the upper midrange.

These two headphones are in different leagues, IMO. MS-2i and RS-1 are much more similar to eachother than SR225 and MS-2i.

-Matt

crazyfrenchman, what pads do you prefer for the ms2i? have you tried the reverse bowls?

Nope, I am the same. When I had to wait for the RS-1's, I was using SR60's and I couldn't listen to them without speculating about the sound of the RS-1's. When I ordered my Ety's from Headroom, they arrived in Canada during a 3 day blizzzard. The first day they "tried to deliver" FedEx style, and due to weather were not going to try again for a few days. So, I WALKED to the airport dispatch outlet to get them. Took me 4 hours to get there, should have taken 2 at most. I was able to score a bus back though. Thank goodness.

RS-1s; heck yes

Now that my RS-1s are sold and I can post without it seeming like I'm just trying to push my gear . . . 8~)

I absolutely think that the RS-1s are worth the wait and price of admission, plus some. It was the decision to get the PS-1s that prompted me to sell the RS-1s (could not afford both; or either for that matter but that's a different story). Packing them up today to send to their new home was actually a sad affair. I'm certain that I'll end up with another pair at some point.

I drove to get the RS-1s and paid expedite fees for most of my other gear. Guilty. But, having typed that, IMHO, wait for the RS-1s

MS-2i and RS-1's are totally different beasts. I'd say the sr-225 is closer to the RS-1's creamy presentation where as the ms-2i was more cold and anlytical.

The MS2i are more closer to the Hp-2's than the rs-1's. The only problem is it isn't even close.

The MS2i can or MS2's for that matter are very good cans in their own right. The only problem is when compared directly to a hp-series phone then the MS2 or i's come off badly. It sounds like a more "rawer" version. Also the highs of the hp-2's don't go as high as say a R-10 or he60. But it is very smooth at the top.

By comparison the MS2i's sound grainy at the top end. It's not as cohesive.

For the price though you can't complain about the Ms2's or i's. And represent for those who want the Grado style cans but with out the grado highs it proves itself to be worthy addition to your collection.

Seek out a pair to audition and make you own decision if it has a place in your collection.

Is the Rs-1 worth it? I don't know the answer for I have a bias towards the headphone. It is my one of my two top faves for sure. Technically it can't compete with the "mega" headphones. But I do find it's midrange the most seductive of all the headphones I have owned. I know of many owners who loved it but then tire of the sweet midrange and long decay rates. I never got to that stage.

I love it warts and all. The woolly bass, the somewhat etchy highs when using bowls. I love the look of it. But I think for the most part if you can find an amp which synergises with it, even modest budget amps it can reward if given the chance. I disagree it needs a super expensive amp to make it sing.

One of my first amps was an EMP. It sung like an angel. Sure it didn't have that controlled bass and the detail was a little lacking but that midrange blew me away.

But on the flip side I can understand why people get put off by the midrange and they rather stick to their Ms2's or whatever. Not everyone can handle the midrange.

But audition and listen with your own ears. Try it flats, bowls to see if you think you could put in the hours with it. Make sure that the comfort level is adequate for you as I know many headfiers dislike Grado's comfort.

But most of all have fun auditioning them and other headphones as well.

You can't always fix the problem with money. Except in this case.

Do the MS-Pros make up for the treble deficiencies of the MS-2? Or are they just woodier?

IMHO, There is no better headphone that is worth every single penny and the tax than the RS-1's. They are marvelous. I know you will love them.

the RS-1 are fantastic phones. even compared to the HP-2 and PS-1, both cans that i adore, i think i like the RS-1 the best.

I have had the SR80, 325i and now thw RS1s. You will have a drastically improved soundstage with the RS1s which I really dig. But this comes at the cost of a slight loss in detail when compared to my 325i but this also makes the music more musical to listen to .

Anyway, I would suggest that you don't keep your expectations too high so as to be expecting a drastic improvement over the SR225. The sound signature will more or less be the same and you will find it very hard to justify the price difference of $500 in terms of the performance improvement. That is how I feel, though many folks may disagree. Anyway, inorder to get the added soundstage and musicality provided by the RS1, you have no other choise but to shell out for them and a few months down the line, you would have totally forgotten about the money and would be rolling in the musical bliss.