How old is Grado RS-1 ?

[cowby]

Well RS-1 is always on my shopping list but I would like to know how old is it. When is it first hit the market ? Up until now, are there any revision of the can.?

 

[Rob N]

I think it was 1995 or 1996.

 

[Panther]

I don't think there's any revision to his 'Prestige' and 'Reference' series of Grado's except the SR-325i.

 

[amartignano]

I confirm that Rs-1 hits the market around 1995.
There was no revision, except the use of the bowls pads

, while they were originally engineered with the flats.

Andrea

 

[Xanadu777]

The original RS-1 has a brown headband and gold L and R letters. It came in a dovetailed wood box with flat pads stock. It may have had different drivers, but not sure. Wood and finish can be slightly different, buttons seemed to match better and had a different flange. Second generation went to black headband and cheaper wood box, probably bowl pads and possibly current drivers. Third style (current) comes in cardboard box but otherwise I believe identical to second version.

Shown below is original version and current (front to rear).

 

[Usagi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanadu777 Third style (current) comes in cardboard box but otherwise I believe identical to second version.

You mean to tell me that $700+ headphone comes in a cheap recyclable cardboard box, why? Why wouldn't Grado want to represent his flagship to its fullest? People buy consumer goods for the aesthetics just as much as they do for the functionality. I can see everything from the Sr225 down packaged in the cardboard box, but not the Sr325s and up.

You can find ways around this if cost and profit margins are an issue. For instance, Grado can assemble the box out of the cheapest wood available. That would cost all of $20 or less per box. I'm sure they can fit that into the $700 price tag somewhere.

I love the Grado sound. I just hate to see $20 Sonys packaged better than a RS-1.

 

[Cerebral_Mamba]

Man, the old one looks good

If it had different drivers then wouldn't that be the ones which would have received the Steriophile awards etc. Just a small thought that occured.

Ya, leave alone the fact that they dont even ship with any box, they also dont provide any complimentry carrying or safe keeping bags. Guess, grado thinks they can have their way now since they already establised a name. Simple human tendencies, i don't blame John for it, but its after all his baby, so he should know a little better.

 

[amartignano]

Hey, Xanadu777, you have too many Rs-1!!!... can you give me one? I could accept also the "new" one...

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Usagi You mean to tell me that $700+ headphone comes in a cheap recyclable cardboard box, why? Why wouldn't Grado want to represent his flagship to its fullest? People buy consumer goods for the aesthetics just as much as they do for the functionality. I can see everything from the Sr225 down packaged in the cardboard box, but not the Sr325s and up. You can find ways around this if cost and profit margins are an issue. For instance, Grado can assemble the box out of the cheapest wood available. That would cost all of $20 or less per box. I'm sure they can fit that into the $700 price tag somewhere. I love the Grado sound. I just hate to see $20 Sonys packaged better than a RS-1.

Maybe Grado only cares about SOUND quality and not aesthetics? I mean, Grados aren't the sleekest looking cans anyway

 

[tennisets]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerebral_Mamba Ya, leave alone the fact that they dont even ship with any box, they also dont provide any complimentry carrying or safe keeping bags. Guess, grado thinks they can have their way now since they already establised a name. Simple human tendencies, i don't blame John for it, but its after all his baby, so he should know a little better.

How many people, of everyone who buys the RS-1s, are actually going to carry them around anywhere? Also, why spend money on a fancy box when it adds absolutely nothing? Why would you buy a headphone for the box it comes in, or why would you care what box it comes in? Sure, I care about the aesthetics and build of the headphones (though that doesn't factor into my purchasing decisions), but the box it comes in? Give my a break! Anyway, I think the box is better than the blister packs lots of other phones come in.

 

[amartignano]

I think a good box (not cardboard one) it's a must thing for an expensive headphones, because it is strong, it defends the headphone in travels (and here at headfi we often buy via internet and the cans come shipped to our homes).

But the "problem" is this: the cardboard-boxed Rs-1 cost as much as the old that comes with the really nice wooden box!!!

Moreover, I think that if you spend a lot of money, it's good to have a "precious" thing in your hands. C'mon, also the cheapier DT880 and HD650 comes with good boxes.

Andrea

 

[iamdone]

The box was replaced with the 15' extention cord and 1/4" adapter. The orginal did not come with these extras. I would love to have the box but the extras are much more useful and practical.

 

[Ttvetjanu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit Maybe Grado only cares about SOUND quality and not aesthetics? I mean, Grados aren't the sleekest looking cans anyway

Thats a matter of taste, I like their retro look a lot.

 

[iamsmrt]

Having a sexy box increases the "Wife Acceptance Factor"... I don't know if my gf would have recommended that I purchase the Audio-Technica w2002's without the sexy box...

 

[smittysan89]

having a nicer box will increase sales. especially at retail. If i am looking for high fi headphones and see the DT880 or HD650 box I would assume that they are higher quality sound just because the RS1 have a plain carboard box. Now im not talking about for headfi users etc, but for those other kind of people, looks can be decieving.