[XLR8]

The RS1 is a small bit bassier. The RS1i is a wee bit treblier. My listening was done with the flats as pads for the RS1 and the bowls for the RS1i, just as Grado sold them. The bassier RS1 may be a result of the buttons, which take a step toward closing them. However, moving from the L bowls to flats tends to decrease bassiness.

Kudos for this. If you use the same L-cush are the differences negligible?

 

[wormsdriver]

when I had the Rs1i, the TTVJ flat pads made them a bassy mess. I also couldn't stand them much with the L-cush, too peaky, so the Rs1i was a no go for me, thats why I prefer the older version.
 
Side by side, the Rs1i was definitely clearer. switching back and forth the older version had a slight veil (compared to the Rs1i). 

 

[ruthieandjohn]

 
Kudos for this. If you use the same L-cush are the differences negligible?

No... if anything, going to the L-cush makes the RS1 more bassy (and it was already bassier than the RS1i).  It is as if the RS1i is a step toward the brightest Grado, the SR325, while the RS1 is a step toward the bassiest Grado, the PS500.

 

[stacker45]

  Just got mine yesterday,RS-1 serial  #10 554

 
I just noticed this old post, from back when I had my RS1i. I had taken them back after only 4 days.
 
Fast forward 3 years, and I now own serial number 2390, and these babies aren't going anywhere soon.

 

[stacker45]

  when I had the Rs1i, the TTVJ flat pads made them a bassy mess. I also couldn't stand them much with the L-cush, too peaky, so the Rs1i was a no go for me, thats why I prefer the older version.
 
Side by side, the Rs1i was definitely clearer. switching back and forth the older version had a slight veil (compared to the Rs1i). 

 
I think that the classic RS1, are as detailed as the RS1i, and I think that the RS1's sound offers more decay, and is airyer, than the RS1i.
 
I do agree with you regarding the earpads though.

 

[xrodx]

just got my RS1i, second hand, pristine condition, and I love the sound!
 
btw serial number is #11313

 

[ruthieandjohn]

YAYYYYY! Welcome to The Brethren (and Cistern)!

 

[xrodx]

Thanks ...I still own my 325is, thinking on selling them to get some money back.. thinking, thinking....  the big difference is 325i's were a little too brilliant for my taste, while with rs1i's I can listen for long periods without fatiguing my ears, bigger soundstage, and more detailed with better instrument separation. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my time with the 325is.

 

[pickerdd]

I just received a pair of new-old-stock button RS-1's. They seem to be classic B's according to the RS-1 classifying thread. Black headband, square cutout in the gimbal, serial #3146. I'll post photos of them later tonight.
 
Is there any correlation between serial numbers and date(s) of manufacturer with Grado headphones? I have a PS-1000e that I purchased in May 2015 and a PS-500e that I purchased in June and I'm curious to the date my RS-1 was made. Also, are grado headphones numbered sequentially?
 
Thanks,
David

 

[pigmode]

After being scanned for departure in CA last night @ 11:06pm, my demo RS-2i has arrived at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii @ 2:39am, then Kahului, Maui @ 4:30am. As far as I know its now sitting in a delivery truck in Honolulu.

 

[ruthieandjohn]

  I just received a pair of new-old-stock button RS-1's. They seem to be classic B's according to the RS-1 classifying thread. Black headband, square cutout in the gimbal, serial #3146. I'll post photos of them later tonight.
 
Is there any correlation between serial numbers and date(s) of manufacturer with Grado headphones? I have a PS-1000e that I purchased in May 2015 and a PS-500e that I purchased in June and I'm curious to the date my RS-1 was made. Also, are grado headphones numbered sequentially?
 
Thanks,
David

I put together this table on the RS1 and RS1i from a whole thread of information folks had posted with serial numbers and post dates, which may be indicative but not exactly correlated with purchase dates...
 
 
 

Serial #​	Model​	Owner​	Post Date​
0 (none)​	RS1	maconhel	4/30/12​
0​	RS1 Classic A	Anarchris	12/20/11​
0​	RS1 Vintage	etteoh	1/27/11​
0​	RS1 Vintage	nick1973	12/18/11​
0​	RS1 Vintage	cla55clown	4/28/12​
0​	RS1 Vintage B	eclipes	10/9/11​
0​	RS1 Vintage B	LCfiner	12/19/11​
253​	RS1 Vintage	pigmode	10/20/11​
274​	RS1 Vintage	Nick01	8/18/11​
1059​	RS1	devouringone3	5/4/12​
1815​	RS1	Roleaux	4/7/13​
2709​	RS1 Classic B	kayandjohn	9/29/14​
3505​	RS1	willmax	10/10/11​
7377​	RS1i	BobinNJ	6/1/12​
8983​	RS1i	Arleus	7/27/11​
9057​	RS1i	jr41	8/3/11​
9354​	RS1i	Zendel	7/24/11​
9381​	RS1i	LugBug1	7/27/11​
9569​	RS1i	TwoTrack	10/22/11​
9587​	RS1	whirlwind	7/24/13​
9647​	RS1i	Posam	2/8/12​
9809​	RS1i	havagr8da	8/16/11​
9934​	RS1i	Aizura	10/7/11​
10000​	RS1i	e36boy	5/5/12​
10011​	RS1i	kayandjohn	8/26/14​
10165​	RS1i	realstar	1/21/11​
10282​	RS1i	Mercuittio	1/28/12​
10286​	RS1i	willmax	1/26/12​
10632​	RS1i	levinhatz	5/5/12​
10746​	RS1i	Gwarmi	4/28/12​
11020​	RS1i	Rizzo	8/25/14​
12097​	RS1i	raysclim1568	2/7/12​
30439​	RS1i	XLR8	9/17/14​

Grado RS1/i headphones & owners, sorted by serial number
 

Serial #​	Model​	Owner​	Post Date​
0​	RS2	willmax	7/24/11​
0​	RS2	Pasko1	2/8/11​
1237​	RS2 Vintage	WhiteCrow	7/20/11​
6878​	RS2i	markkr	8/14/11​
6952​	RS2i	Essjay	1/31/12​
7452​	RS2	995bimme525i	8/13/11​
7591​	RS2i	saved by grace	8/2/11​
7609​	RS2i	thrak	10/7/11​
7759​	RS2i	Rolaux	7/20/11​
7901​	RS2i	alv4426	4/28/12​
8052​	RS2i	Allforheather	12/18/11​
8086​	RS2i	kmj2587	1/31/12​
8215​	RS2i	KGJag	5/6/12​
8959​	RS2i	Pe8er	7/24/13​

Grado RS2/i headphones & owners, sorted by serial number.

 

[pickerdd]

Thanks John!

 

[XLR8]

Pigmode post your impressions once they arrive.

 
John thanks for updating the table and I will add my Rs2i's to this list as well.
Serial number: 9058-5
 
Happy listening RS fans

 

 

[pickerdd]

I emailed the folks at Grado and they were kind enough to let me know that my buttoned RS-1 serial # 3146 was made in March 2006.
 
- David

 

[wormsdriver]

  I emailed the folks at Grado and they were kind enough to let me know that my buttoned RS-1 serial # 3146 was made in March 2006.
 
- David

way to go Grado! Very cool they looked that up for you! Congratson your new (NOS) Rs1!