[Philimon]

Very unlikely that placebo is operating here. That Schiit desktop gear is pretty damn good.

I am too lazy to research claims or dbabx. In this case and imo, 50/50 chance amp/dac is placebo, 50/50 chance you're a shill. smiley face emoji because unserious, but this statement is also 50/50. I like to think that I've the experience to know when I hear the difference between iPhone dongle and Schiit rig, but in my experience Im not convinced I do.

 

[jonathan c]

I am too lazy to research claims or dbabx. In this case and imo, 50/50 chance amp/dac is placebo**, 50/50 chance you're a shill. smiley face emoji because unserious, but this statement is also 50/50. I like to think that I've the experience to know when I hear the difference between iPhone dongle and Schiit rig, but in my experience Im not convinced I do.

** 50/50 chance amp/dac is off/on …

 

[jlaseter]

Well, the myth is that HP-1 was relatively neutral and of much higher build quality compared to the Grado that followed.

I don't know whether I'd call them neutral, but I'd describe the HP-2 (same as HP-1, sans polarity switches) as the most revealing headphones I've heard. But I've had limited experience in the realm of "flagship" headphones, so take that as you will.

In terms of build quality, however, it's more than myth that HP-1000 series headphones stand up to the test of time, other than the flaky red lettering. All metal construction with rodblock locks, captive springs to hold the rodblock locks in place, allen screws to hold the drivers in place with no glue -- no injection molding, gluing, or flimsiness to speak of (unless you count the glued logo button). And they do just fine with a stock cable, which isn't the hulked-out versions Grado would later move to before changing to a tech flex braid.

Modern-day Grado should take lessons from these.

 

[jonathan c]

GS3000x + Monoprice Cavalli Liquid Platinum + Tesla ECC802 pair …

 

[JohanneMusic]

Hello dear Gradolovers ,

I own a RS1i, a Hemp and a SR325x, and each headphone I love in its own way.

I use the Hemp and the SR325x with the stock Grado F pads included. For me, these pads give the music something almost tangible that just grabs me.

I use the RS1i with the L-Cushion reversed modded with tape. This way the RS1i sounds a little too bright for me, but depending on the music, that's fun too. A nice complement to the rather darker 325x and the Hemp.

Have also tried other pads that are lying around here now, but with the configurations I am very than satisfied.

Now I'm looking for a new addition that sounds similar to the RS1i, the Hemp and the 325x, but with a slightly different flavor. I was thinking of the RS2e, which I can buy at a good price.

Can anyone maybe tell me how the RS2e sounds compared to the others? I suspect after much reading that the RSe2 will sound a little brighter than the Hemp and also has less bass, but will sound a little darker than the RS1i with a little more bass?

Thanks everyone for your feedback

 

[544322]

Hello dear Gradolovers ,

I own a RS1i, a Hemp and a SR325x, and each headphone I love in its own way.

I use the Hemp and the SR325x with the stock Grado F pads included. For me, these pads give the music something almost tangible that just grabs me.

I use the RS1i with the L-Cushion reversed modded with tape. This way the RS1i sounds a little too bright for me, but depending on the music, that's fun too. A nice complement to the rather darker 325x and the Hemp.

Have also tried other pads that are lying around here now, but with the configurations I am very than satisfied.

Now I'm looking for a new addition that sounds similar to the RS1i, the Hemp and the 325x, but with a slightly different flavor. I was thinking of the RS2e, which I can buy at a good price.

Can anyone maybe tell me how the RS2e sounds compared to the others? I suspect after much reading that the RSe2 will sound a little brighter than the Hemp and also has less bass, but will sound a little darker than the RS1i with a little more bass?

Thanks everyone for your feedback

RS2e has detailed treble and lean bass. It responds very well to some up-EQed bass which makes it pretty much perfect then.

My RS1 button is more balanced and sounds pretty good on its own.

Not sure how the RS1 relates to the RS1i.

 

[jaxz]

Hello dear Gradolovers ,

I own a RS1i, a Hemp and a SR325x, and each headphone I love in its own way.

I use the Hemp and the SR325x with the stock Grado F pads included. For me, these pads give the music something almost tangible that just grabs me.

I use the RS1i with the L-Cushion reversed modded with tape. This way the RS1i sounds a little too bright for me, but depending on the music, that's fun too. A nice complement to the rather darker 325x and the Hemp.

Have also tried other pads that are lying around here now, but with the configurations I am very than satisfied.

Now I'm looking for a new addition that sounds similar to the RS1i, the Hemp and the 325x, but with a slightly different flavor. I was thinking of the RS2e, which I can buy at a good price.

Can anyone maybe tell me how the RS2e sounds compared to the others? I suspect after much reading that the RSe2 will sound a little brighter than the Hemp and also has less bass, but will sound a little darker than the RS1i with a little more bass?

Thanks everyone for your feedback

Hi my friend. I own RS1i, SR325X and RS2X. The latest fit between the first two. RS2X have great clarity, transparency and it's very very detailed. Bass feels much more controlled and less bloated than 325X.

All headphones have stock pads.

Good journey!

 

[daveya]

I agree re the RS2x, I sold the Hemp and 325x and just EQ the RS2x to whatever I'm listening too as couldn't be brothered changing phones each time I changed genre . The RS2 responds to EQ really well and tbf most of the time its no EQ and stock L pads

 

[Dan DRC]

I use an RS2e with Grado G-pads. I would agree that it responds very nicely to EQ as I use the EQ in Roon software to bump up the bass a little. The only other Grado that I have owned was a 225 with L-pads and tape mod. Some would say that the RS2 and the 225 are sorta of the "sweet spots" in the Grado line up as far as price/performance goes. I think the RS2e is defiantly better than my 225 that I had as it is just "more" of everything refinement and musicality wise. I would say go for an RS2e, if you did not like it you should be able to resell it at very little if any loss financially.

 

[Philimon]

Grado SR80 with F-pads: Tone and technical ability are very good. I would choose to use over HD650, I think its on that level technically while SR80 preferable tonally. To be fair, Im evaluating SR80 from iPhone dongle.

Grado RS2x is technically superior to SR80, but I havent a pad that makes RS2x as “neutral” as SR80 w/ F-pads. So I ordered more pads to try. I did try those velour bowls which were good except a little too much excess highs (6-10kHz).

^ My earlier impressions.

Relative measurements.:

^ FPC

Does the bass sound like it extends that deep? Im going to say yes but am unsure. I dont know, Ive not compared to my other headphones yet, and Ive been afraid to listen to electronic beats - sticking only to what Grado does best. Amongst each other no single headphone in my collection is best at everything.

 

[jonathan c]

Not headphones, but LK:

 

[gimmeheadroom]

GS3000x + Monoprice Cavalli Liquid Platinum + Tesla ECC802 pair …

I didn't expect it from you, but I'm impressed that you liquid-cooled your A20. You're not so old-fashioned after all

 

[544322]

Deleted, for new version of my 8 Grado comparison go to link in signature.

 

[jonathan c]

I didn't expect it from you, but I'm impressed that you liquid-cooled your A20. You're not so old-fashioned after all

??

 

[gimmeheadroom]

??

The power cords about it look like coolant pipes