analog'd
1000+ Head-Fier
I owned a pair of 1996 RS1's until a couple of years ago. I was thrilled by them. I was not thrilled with the sound after 1 channel went out and Grado Labs replaced the drivers maybe 5 years back. There was a bit of brittleness in the highs that I never heard in my original drivers. Break-in did not make it change completely either. my only Grado Labs letdown. and they were far from horrible, but I was spoiled.
I have since had PS1's which I loved, but found to be too heavy to wear for long sessions.
So I just took the plunge and decided to give the RS1i a try. I am extremely glad I did. As much as I disliked the new drivers 5 years ago right outta the box, I love the sound of these - even with barely any hours on them. Not sure since I can't a/b them, but I'd absolutely swear these baby's are faster than my vintage were (vs brighter like my last go-round) and there is clearly "more better bass" than even my vintage pair had with their original drivers broken in for years. I am as impressed again as I was in 1996 (through around 2004). Actually more so.
I decided not to get an old pair as I would be afraid of an old driver going out and my not being able to replace it, and after paying the insanely inflated prices for a vintage that would be tough to take. After some soul searching I decided that I trust John and John (Grado and his long time chief engineer) from my having experience with rs1, ps1, gs1000, sr325, sr60 and many cartridges from Master to the Statement. My trust was well founded. John Grado is not some scam artist - the RS1i changes are not "smoke and mirrors". These are the real deal, killer RS1's!!! and I am one happy guy!
I have since had PS1's which I loved, but found to be too heavy to wear for long sessions.
So I just took the plunge and decided to give the RS1i a try. I am extremely glad I did. As much as I disliked the new drivers 5 years ago right outta the box, I love the sound of these - even with barely any hours on them. Not sure since I can't a/b them, but I'd absolutely swear these baby's are faster than my vintage were (vs brighter like my last go-round) and there is clearly "more better bass" than even my vintage pair had with their original drivers broken in for years. I am as impressed again as I was in 1996 (through around 2004). Actually more so.
I decided not to get an old pair as I would be afraid of an old driver going out and my not being able to replace it, and after paying the insanely inflated prices for a vintage that would be tough to take. After some soul searching I decided that I trust John and John (Grado and his long time chief engineer) from my having experience with rs1, ps1, gs1000, sr325, sr60 and many cartridges from Master to the Statement. My trust was well founded. John Grado is not some scam artist - the RS1i changes are not "smoke and mirrors". These are the real deal, killer RS1's!!! and I am one happy guy!