Gradolabs Petition

[Usagi]

Grado has been a favorite headphone of mine ever since I purchased the SR-60. The sound is unique and exciting, but I have always been unsatisfied with the container/protective casing for which they have chosen for their products. Keeping the retail price and shipping costs down,due to weight, is important, but the customers who purchase a $300 325i, $700 RS-1, and a $1400 PS-1 have already decided that they are willing to spend what it takes to acquire the best. Now in many cases, being one of the best is not enough. Looking the part is at times equally important. Aesthetics are generally crucial to customers who spend high amounts of money on specialty products or collector items.

All of Grado’s headphones currently are packaged in cardboard boxes, but in the past I believe their Reference series were placed in wooden cases. This is what I, and many others, would like to see happen again. The case could be of any kind of wood, but the design should be visually appealing to properly represent a wonderful product and respected company.

I know it has been said that we, at Headfi, account for about 1-2% of sales. Is this enough for Gradolabs to warrant a change in production? No, but what if our stance on this issue represents the remaining 98% of Grado’s customers? We should voice our opinion to John Grado, and with a little luck, our efforts could bring about a small change that could make a big difference. In the past, Headfiers have proved this concept with the resurrection of the Sennheiser HE90 Orpheus .

I offer a suggestion. I propose we draft an online petition and submit it to Gradolabs with the purpose of improving the packaging of their high-end products.

 

[jjcha]

I like the pizza box of my Grado PS-1. Easy to ship in. Fits right in a USPS box.

I mean, my W2002 came in a nice case. The L3000 comes in a decent velvet -ish box. Omega 2 has a nice case. But honestly, if I were to bring my PS-1 on a business trip - a nice case would be too bulky for me. I'd stuff it between some underwear or something.

Guess I just don't understand why people care about cases, that's all. Besides, wouldnt you want to go aftermarket?

Best,

-Jason

 

[afobisme]

eh, i think gradolabs has bigger problems to worry instead of headphone cases. besides that, if you are going to expect the same price + wooden boxes, then you might be in for disappointment. no reason for them to do it (since i don't think it's enough to actually result in bigger sales). if they charge more for their products, on the other hand, some may not be happy with that

 

[warpdriver]

I think, as a matter of principle, the reference series should have a nicer packaging. I can imagine the wooden boxes were pretty expensive to make (relatively speaking), but the pizza box is a little too much.

 

[gpalmer]

I would personally be quite happy with a case you could buy if you were interested. I certainly would. That way both the people who wanted to save every penny they could and don't feel the need for a case and the people who wanted a nice case could be happy. I think it makes a lo more sense of John's part to cut corners on things that most folks will probably never use or miss...

 

[kramer5150]

I'm only in favor of this IF it doesn't increase the retail price of the can.

 

[Jahn]

Cardboard isn't so bad. Consider the alternative.

 

[Mr_Tasty]

I would prefer something more useful like a stand or extra pads to be honest. I mean really now, how often do you see people mentioning the Joe Grado HP series of... retail boxes.

 

[patrox89]

i think that youre missing the point of buying a set of grado headphones. its all about the sound. that is all. read the interview thats stickied at the top of this forum.

 

[Usagi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Tasty I would prefer something more useful like a stand or extra pads to be honest. I mean really now, how often do you see people mentioning the Joe Grado HP series of... retail boxes.

I'm not saying that Grado shouldn't make anything else i.e. extra pads, headphone stand, etc. I'm suggesting a case be constructed for the upper tier headphones. What GPalmer said was a good solution and compromise. People need a place to put there headphones so that dust will not harm the drivers. I would love to show off my headphones to friends and family without pulling it out of a plastic bag first. My RS-1s deserve better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer I would personally be quite happy with a case you could buy if you were interested. I certainly would. That way both the people who wanted to save every penny they could and don't feel the need for a case and the people who wanted a nice case could be happy. I think it makes a lo more sense of John's part to cut corners on things that most folks will probably never use or miss...

Jahn....how would GoRedwings say this? "You are one cheap meatstick!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Cardboard isn't so bad. Consider the alternative.

 

[Usagi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrox89 i think that youre missing the point of buying a set of grado headphones. its all about the sound. that is all. read the interview thats stickied at the top of this forum.

I have read the interview repeatedly, in detail, over the last couple of weeks. I surmise that you don't truly believe in the rhetoric that you just wrote. If you believe that it's all about the music then you wouldn't mind purchasing a pair of RS-1s with my initials carved on every visible piece of the headphone. It would still work the same! I would put my money on the fact you'll check for flaws when you receive that Headroom Micro DAC that you want to buy.

Presentation is important whether you would like to admit to it or not.

I remember how cool it was to open my 3rd generation iPod. It was so beautiful! At that point, I knew that my money was well spent. I wish the same for Grado products.

 

[Cerebral_Mamba]

I'm all in for the solid Wood (preferable Maple, Teak etc)....











..... as long as the already exorbitant price does not increase any further. Sorry mate, but thats how I would like it

. But I am sure Grado can manage that; dealers, middle man. whatever the reason may be, their price is EXCESS. And if you demand a wood case on top of that, I would easily estimate $50-$75 more... after all, it will be a GRADO Case

But all said and done, they do have to provide better packaging. Presently its Function-before-Form taken to the extreme. I wouldn't be surprised if it started comming in those plastic sandwitch wrapers

...

 

[acs236]

I think that you would get better, faster results by sending Larry over at Headphile an email -- but, who knows, I could be wrong.

 

[Elephas]

I think the pizza boxes are OK as retail packaging; I threw them away.

Instead, I would prefer if there was some kind of storage/carrying case available as an optional purchase.

I currently use an aftermarket case to store my MS-1 and RS-1. The cases are lightweight, compact, and inexpensive. I don't worry about damage or scratches while storing or travelling.

One downside is the case is not thick enough for the RS-1 with bowl pads without compressing the pads. I would want to buy a case designed specifically for the RS-1.

 

[amartignano]

I want a petition to GradoLabs so they starts to sell their headphones with the flats again... 30$ for the todd's flats are too much!

Andrea