I actually LOVE the T1's, but I still love Grado RS1i's with flat pads more for anything that rocks out a lot. I found on rock recordings where I liked the transparency/detail etc. of the T1, that the HD800 are superb in similar ways and deliver pretty much everything plus some sub bass that I got from the T1 (for those albums). For the other stuff there are more moments for me where the fact that the RS1i colors the sound works to my great benefit in that it renders lousy recordings enjoyable. And sometimes I simply want what to my ear is that grado goodness (so reminiscent of the sound I grew up on: 60's JBLs driven by a Fisher receiver w/telfunkens). So I decided to use the combination of the HD800 and the RS1i's, with an Amperior for moments that I need isolation or poratability, to see me through my 60's and allow me to revisit the 60's at the same time! In a perfect world I would be able to afford to keep all three (T1, HD800 and RS1i). I would also try the 2 and 3 thousand dollar cans which I am ignoring. I would also deliver world peace and contentment, especially to all the lil children....
I also found that the grado with bowls, which my stepson loves (he hates the flats), are way more like the sig of the T1's than the flats. I loaned my Senn HD580 to him and he also loved those, so I am convinced that when he comes around this week and tries the T1 he will want them over the RS1i w/bowls.They will give him what he likes in the 580 times 10, and they deliver SO much more refinement: transparency,soundstage, imaging which brings details out more than the RS1i that I am willing to bet lunch that his jaw is gonna drop. He can't afford 2 expensive cans, and the T1 is a KILLER all arounder! They almost make me able to forgo the Grados.
If I'm wrong - then I will buy him lunch and he gets to keep my RS1i's. I will then sell the T1 and buy an RS1i and the Amperior. Otherwise he gets the T1 and only has to buy me an amperior when he can (which means it'll be 8 weeks or so before I'd get those). This I can live with. Boy is he lucky that his stepsis only wants her Amperiors for now...