I wonder if there's a price/pay-off issue there? Know as you move up there's diminishing returns, but the difference in results/price between the SR225 and RS1 (or possibly even the SR60 and RS1) seems a different ratio than say a low end and high end Sennheiser or Sony. Maybe a compliment to Grados low end, but still part of the equation.

Talking about RS1... I'd like to give them more try as I know my ears hear differently on different days. It sounded very smooth and refined but I missed the aggressive treble energy of SR325 with rock stuff.

Overall I like Grados. I'll be happy to live with one of them but at the same time there are many other headphones that will make me happier. So you can count me as a person who doesn't love them nor hate them.

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Thats how the rs-1's are with good gear behind them; smooth, refined and syrupy. The 325's give me an instant headache heh. Feel free to drop by and pick up your cd's btw! You can do some listening to if you'd like. My system sounds a little different now.

Biggie.

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I didn't find the treble that bad - but anyway, Brian: Did you ever have the chance to compare it to the RS2? When I had the opportunity to listen to the (almost) complete lineup, the RS2 actually seemed the best balanced model to me...

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Did anybody else also wonder, btw, why even Grado themselves don't seem to agree on how to write the model numbers - especially for the RS models? Check out the site, if you don't believe me: The product selector seems to prefer blanks between the series denominators and models numbers, the product texts are all mixed (like RS1, RS1's, RS-1...), while the labels on the RS models are RS-1 and RS-2 as well as SR60(80...325) on the SR models... It's a complete mess.

The only thing I've ever been unhappy about with my RS-1 (or any of my other Grados) were the bowl pad. Once gone, I love the sound and the fit. No comfort issues whatsoever.

i miss my sexy wooden rs-1's

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Even though I liked the sound, I had the same problem with them, headaches within the first song. Oh well. Now wheres that PS1?

I've stopped my headphone journey atm after my last two purchases: SR225 and RS-1. There was experimentation with pads but the sound difference made me come back to the bowls. At first there was a serious comfort issue with my first Grados (SR80), but now all three of them have bowls. I cannot stand to go back to the senn or flats.

Another fit issue was the ban pressure. My SR80s were stretched, but now I prefer the tight stock fit, and both RS-1 and 225s have not been stretched.

Based strictly on usage, the RS-1 and SR225 are #1 and 2 in my book. Sound-wise my ER-4S comes in between the two.

I've posted all of these statements before, but what with the search function being up and down, I don't mind chewing my carrots twice.


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Hmmm, I seem to prefer the sound with bowls on my RS-2. However, when/if they become a tad uncomfortable I just turn them around and I have instant (free) flats. However it doesn't last long since I miss the sound bowl's offer.

When I first got them, I really loved them. Awesome dynamics, amazing midrange, perfect for fun listening, but longterm? no, I don't think I ever listened to them for more than an hour at a time. Then i got my cd3k's and it was all over . I still believe the sr225's are the best spot for grados, then just go straight to your hp-series and ps1 (which many of us would like to audition).

I think blessingx is right on this one. I owned a used pair of RS-1's for a short time and always came away feeling that they just weren't $500+ better than the SR-125's. They absolutely require the flat pads which greatly improves there sound IMHO. If Grado sold them for $350.00, I don't think they could keep up with the demand.

Warning...... Rant: <Keep in mind that when Grado brought the RS-1's out, they came in a matching wood presentation box. Now they come in a cardboard pizza box, and to my knowledge, the price hasn't come down. As a former machine shop employee, I doubt it costs as much to manufacture the RS-1's as it does the SR-325's and yet they cost $400 more. They are just way overpriced IMHO.>.....End of Rant.

BTW, I'm not a Grado basher. With the exception of the SR-325, I really do enjoy their sound.

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This has been discussed before. As far as I know, Grado provides you with mini adaptor cable and 15 foot extension cable instead of wooden box if you buy RS-1's or MS Pro.

However I agree that prices of manufacturing mahogany and aluminium alloy chambers should be very similar. Plus both materials aren't very expensive and not difficult to obtain.