Grado RS1i Appreciation thread - Page 14

How would you guys compare the sound of the RS1i to the PS1000 and GS1000i? I currently own the RS1i and am considering upgrading to either of these.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vpop4me 

How would you guys compare the sound of the RS1i to the PS1000 and GS1000i? I currently own the RS1i and am considering upgrading to either of these.

Both of those phones sound very different to RS1i. You need to listen to them first and decide if they are an improvement or just different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog'd 

I owned a pair of 1996 RS1's until a couple of years ago. I was thrilled by them. I was not thrilled with the sound after 1 channel went out and Grado Labs replaced the drivers maybe 5 years back. There was a bit of brittleness in the highs that I never heard in my original drivers. Break-in did not make it change completely either. my only Grado Labs letdown. and they were far from horrible, but I was spoiled.
I have since had PS1's which I loved, but found to be too heavy to wear for long sessions.

So I just took the plunge and decided to give the RS1i a try. I am extremely glad I did. As much as I disliked the new drivers 5 years ago right outta the box, I love the sound of these - even with barely any hours on them. Not sure since I can't a/b them, but I'd absolutely swear these baby's are faster than my vintage were (vs brighter like my last go-round) and there is clearly "more better bass" than even my vintage pair had with their original drivers broken in for years. I am as impressed again as I was in 1996 (through around 2004). Actually more so.

I decided not to get an old pair as I would be afraid of an old driver going out and my not being able to replace it, and after paying the insanely inflated prices for a vintage that would be tough to take. After some soul searching I decided that I trust John and John (Grado and his long time chief engineer) from my having experience with rs1, ps1, gs1000, sr325, sr60 and many cartridges from Master to the Statement. My trust was well founded. John Grado is not some scam artist - the RS1i changes are not "smoke and mirrors". These are the real deal, killer RS1's!!! and I am one happy guy!

lol i love my RS1i drivers as well. the semi-vintage RS1 drivers where horrible imo, bright with bowls and shouty and muddy with flats. the rs1i drivers are much smoother and have a very warm and enjoyable sound with great bass as well. never heard the original rs1 vintage drivers.

Have any of you heard how the RSA Predator sounds with RS1i? I was thinking about buying a used one in the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posam 

Have any of you heard how the RSA Predator sounds with RS1i? I was thinking about buying a used one in the future.

i've actually heard the RS1i out of the predator lol. sounds awesome! plenty of power for a portable amp. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubstep Girl 

i've actually heard the RS1i out of the predator lol. sounds awesome! plenty of power for a portable amp. 

Anyone else? Is there something else I should be looking at for a DAC/amp (under$350ish)?

Has anyone compared the RS1i to the PS500 for rock? 

 All aboard the RS1i gravy train people - #10476 signing in.

 Is it just me or does my pair have a very dark finish? This shot was taken with full flash!

 Very happy with them - they're very smooth and a lot warmer than I expected, I generally

 like a sharp signature but these are quite special.

 Yes I'm insane, they're my new portable :-)

those are very dark. they look cool though, mine are the typical rs1 wood color.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubstep Girl 

those are very dark. they look cool though, mine are the typical rs1 wood color.

 They're a bit lighter on the cups -

I see you have the 325 also, how do the RS1 compare? Which are better for rock/metal?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

 

 All aboard the RS1i gravy train people - #10476 signing in.

 

 Is it just me or does my pair have a very dark finish? This shot was taken with full flash!

 

 Very happy with them - they're very smooth and a lot warmer than I expected, I generally

 like a sharp signature but these are quite special.

 

 Yes I'm insane, they're my new portable :-)

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by marts30 

I see you have the 325 also, how do the RS1 compare? Which are better for rock/metal?
 

 325i for me would win that bout ~ don't get me wrong, you'd be one happy camper either way. They're still the rock gods in my book.

 However, the 325i is the rough bad boy of the family ~ it's slightly unhinged through the upper mids and mid treble to give rock that

 edgy, gnashy grind that is missing from all other cans.

 Think Iggy Pop's track - 'Raw Power' - it's a punch in the face laid down on a record, the RS1i presents it in a nicer, smoother manner.

 But there's nothing nice and friendly about Iggy Pop on that record 

I'd like to add a Grado to my collection, but which to go for? I guess I'd probably look at the 325 (what is the difference between i and is?), RS1i and PS500.

i like the 325 because like you said, they are  edgier and sharper sounding than the warmer and more smeared sound of the rs1. the 325 are also alot faster sounding because of it. however, i can't keep the 325 because the T1 are way better and have similar mids to the 325, just being more laid back rather than forward like the grado.

plus alot of newer metal and metalcore isn't very well recorded, so the 325 can be unlistenable at times depending on the band

So the T1 does it for you in the rock/electric guitar department dubstegirl? I won't receive mine until the start of April, but I was looking at Grados as a dedicated rock can.