I bought my RS2E about a year ago and they also do not have red drivers. The drivers are greyish. I bought them new from a reputable Grado dealer. For what it’s worth they also came in the redesigned packaging, not the old school pizza box. I am not sure when they stopped using red drivers or on...

Question for my fellow Grado fans: I’ve been using my RS2e at my computer as gaming headphones (in addition to music). For team games I’d like to add a microphone to my setup — I’d rather not invest in a gaming headset which will certainly have worse sound than my Grados. Has anybody solved...

It’s Grado, so of course not. John Grado probably thought they sound better this way. I don’t think Grado advertises this particular quality of the pads but it is something people have noticed comparing them to the knock off ones. They are probably more costly to manufacture so it’s reasonable...

B&H Photo and Video in Manhattan has them in stock and on display for demo purposes. B&H may or may not be close to your friend depending on where in NJ they live.

Seconding this. Get a decent DAC like the Schitt Modi or Grace Design Standard DAC, something that puts out a line level signal, and then plug your Vali 2 into that. Also, don't expect angels singing in your ears! You will only be disappointed. Expect music that sounds good and a small but...

Interesting, I can’t turn my Vali 2 past 7 or 8 o’clock on low gain without it sounding too loud, but I tend to prefer quieter listening when possible (I.e in a quiet room without too much outside noise).

I also would like to hear the comparison to the RS2e

Interesting. They look similar to the GH3 but it looks like with L-pads standard instead of S-pads. I wonder how they sound compared to the GH3 and the high end of the SR line.

Love my RS2e. Don't think I will ever upgrade. Don't want to hear anything better either :darthsmile:

If you can get an RS2e for the price of a 325e I would do it. I’ve never heard a flagship Grado so I won’t speculate on value beyond the RS2e, but having used both these models I think when you listen to the RS2e you know where the extra $200 went. For the same price as a 325e it’s a no brainer.

For what it's worth, I emailed Grado asking if there was an amp they recommended for my RS2e, and I got a reply that they like Schiit amps. I think the RS2e sounds pretty good from my Vali 2. Sounds pretty good straight from my iPhone also, but the Vali 2 noticeably puts more space between the...

If you were wearing them when it happened and it was loud enough to be damaging I'd be more worried about your ears than the driver

I recently bought the Vali 2 to go with my RS2e and I've been very happy with the combination. I listen on low gain at about 7 o clock on the volume knob and haven't heard any channel imbalance. Would be nice to have more headroom on the volume knob but otherwise no complaints.

Good deals, can’t wait to hear your impressions :)

Thank you for all of the advice. I decided to buy the Vali 2 from B-stock. Unlike my Fulla 2 (which drives my computer speakers) it won't be on all the time, will be far enough back on the desk he can't reach it, and he is always supervised when sitting at the desk anyway. I'll just have to...