For this review the GS1000e was paired with my RWAK120-S & VortzPure II portable "dynamic duo". Having never heard a Grado headphone before I was hoping that the GS1000e would be the end of my long exhaustive search for the holly grail of auroral bliss. In the past 6 months I’ve owned or returned these headphones...
Viso HP50
B&W P-5
HD650
Oppo PM-1
Fostex TH600
HD800
HD700
You may think I’m crazy for even considering these headphones for portable use but my version of “use” is different than most. I listen to music around the house & walks in my neighborhood. I don’t care what my headphones look like (the GS1000e’s will get some funny looks
or if they are sound isolating or not.
The sound of the GS1000e’s strikes the right balance for me. GS1000e is a musical headphone first & foremost. This musicality gives them character and a natural tonality. They have the fun factor of the HD650’s but with smoother, more extended highs and tighter (although less extended) bass. This was just what I was hoping for.
Smooth detailed highs, smooth as butta.
Mids are present-right in the middle where they should be
Bass tight & clean. Notes are clear, easy to follow, a tight, ripeness to the sound. The sass rips nicely. More punch than the HD800’s with just as much sub-bass (that I can hear at least Compared with the HD700’s the bass notes are clearer & cleaner, individual notes are easier to follow (more black space around the notes).
The highs are just right, not too lean or not so bright with hyper detail that it gives me an aural brain freeze (HD800) or ringing. Much more extended high’s than the HD650 that giving a clearer & more focused picture of the music. Electric guitar sounds right to me on the GS1000e. The distorted fuzzy sound of the guitar on the Doors “Hello I Love You” or Keith’s delicate strumming on “Rocks Off” or the top of the mountain solo on “Comfortably Numb” all sound more tonally true & authentic. Snare drum rocks too (I should know, I’m a drummer).
Sound stage is truly amazing. Not as wide as the HD800’s (too wide too, lost), but just the right width & depth that you can pinpoint locations and notes easily. Seems like the GS1000e has more sound stage depth than anything I’ve heard. I really enjoy the sound stage. Listening to the Doors “Riders on the Storm”, Pink Floyd's “Money”, Talking Heads “Born Under Punches” I was yes, BLOWNAWAY!
The other thing I noticed is I don’t hear any “hollowness” (artificial thinness, air) that I experienced with the HD800 & HD700. The GS1000’s are to my ears more engaging, they make me air drum, air guitar, windmill ect.
The GS1000e’s are comfortable, light and work well from a mobility standpoint (although an eye-full on walks & wife
Compared to the PS1000e….
GS1000e sound & feels…
More polite
Dryer sounding bass, more “pluck” less boom
Has airiness to the sound
Greater micro detail
Instruments are in better focus, isolated within the sound stage-you can hear & pin point the individual instruments easier
The sound stage sounds more realistic to me (wide & deep & directly in front of you)
Easier to listen to over a long period of time
Smoother highs, yet extended
Faster sounder (with most music/rock)
Very sweet sounding
More comfortable for walking, you can bend your head up & down, and side to side easily
Ear touches driver but due to lightweight it’s hardly noticeable
More “fun” sounding
Slightly more dynamic depending on the music
Electric guitar had more edge
Vocals have more "breath" & realism
With my little portable rig and my ears, the GS1000e sounded better than the PS1000e (highly subjective) and significantly more comfortable. I have no doubt that will different amplification the PS1Ke would rule the day.
Until my next phone shows up to try to take the crown, the Grado GS1000e is a keeper.
Viso HP50
B&W P-5
HD650
Oppo PM-1
Fostex TH600
HD800
HD700
You may think I’m crazy for even considering these headphones for portable use but my version of “use” is different than most. I listen to music around the house & walks in my neighborhood. I don’t care what my headphones look like (the GS1000e’s will get some funny looks
or if they are sound isolating or not.The sound of the GS1000e’s strikes the right balance for me. GS1000e is a musical headphone first & foremost. This musicality gives them character and a natural tonality. They have the fun factor of the HD650’s but with smoother, more extended highs and tighter (although less extended) bass. This was just what I was hoping for.
Smooth detailed highs, smooth as butta.
Mids are present-right in the middle where they should be
Bass tight & clean. Notes are clear, easy to follow, a tight, ripeness to the sound. The sass rips nicely. More punch than the HD800’s with just as much sub-bass (that I can hear at least
Compared with the HD700’s the bass notes are clearer & cleaner, individual notes are easier to follow (more black space around the notes).The highs are just right, not too lean or not so bright with hyper detail that it gives me an aural brain freeze (HD800) or ringing. Much more extended high’s than the HD650 that giving a clearer & more focused picture of the music. Electric guitar sounds right to me on the GS1000e. The distorted fuzzy sound of the guitar on the Doors “Hello I Love You” or Keith’s delicate strumming on “Rocks Off” or the top of the mountain solo on “Comfortably Numb” all sound more tonally true & authentic. Snare drum rocks too (I should know, I’m a drummer).
Sound stage is truly amazing. Not as wide as the HD800’s (too wide too, lost), but just the right width & depth that you can pinpoint locations and notes easily. Seems like the GS1000e has more sound stage depth than anything I’ve heard. I really enjoy the sound stage. Listening to the Doors “Riders on the Storm”, Pink Floyd's “Money”, Talking Heads “Born Under Punches” I was yes, BLOWNAWAY!
The other thing I noticed is I don’t hear any “hollowness” (artificial thinness, air) that I experienced with the HD800 & HD700. The GS1000’s are to my ears more engaging, they make me air drum, air guitar, windmill ect.
The GS1000e’s are comfortable, light and work well from a mobility standpoint (although an eye-full on walks & wife
Compared to the PS1000e….
GS1000e sound & feels…
More polite
Dryer sounding bass, more “pluck” less boom
Has airiness to the sound
Greater micro detail
Instruments are in better focus, isolated within the sound stage-you can hear & pin point the individual instruments easier
The sound stage sounds more realistic to me (wide & deep & directly in front of you)
Easier to listen to over a long period of time
Smoother highs, yet extended
Faster sounder (with most music/rock)
Very sweet sounding
More comfortable for walking, you can bend your head up & down, and side to side easily
Ear touches driver but due to lightweight it’s hardly noticeable
More “fun” sounding
Slightly more dynamic depending on the music
Electric guitar had more edge
Vocals have more "breath" & realism
With my little portable rig and my ears, the GS1000e sounded better than the PS1000e (highly subjective) and significantly more comfortable. I have no doubt that will different amplification the PS1Ke would rule the day.
Until my next phone shows up to try to take the crown, the Grado GS1000e is a keeper.
Unfortunately, I have not heard either the SR-225e or the RS2e's. I'm afraid to try them, I might like them