Noob: Grado SR125e vs RS1e

[bach98]

I have just purchased an RS1e today and compared it with my old 125e. I haven't felt the difference in price between these 2 models.

The Rs1e has a more detailed sound, better soundstage, smoother mid and treb and better seperation, but I just didn't feel that it's worth the upgrade.

The Sr125e also sounds great with the RS1e'pads on.

Or mayb the problem lies in the source since I used the iPhone Xr.

Any comments guys?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I have just purchased an RS1e today and compared it with my old 125e. I haven't felt the difference in price between these 2 models.

The Rs1e has a more detailed sound, better soundstage, smoother mid and treb and better seperation, but I just didn't feel that it's worth the upgrade.

The Sr125e also sounds great with the RS1e'pads on.

Or mayb the problem lies in the source since I used the iPhone Xr.

Any comments guys?

It might not be the source. In terms of outright power the sensitivity is the same, and the RS1e's stronger low end makes full use of that.

If anything you could probably get more of that low end if you used a low output impedance amplifier since I found the old RS1i to sound even more like a tin can on my NAD 304 than my SR225. Just make sure the amp isn't one that has a distortion pattern that gets sharper as you push it, though given the high sensitivity it's hard to imagine pushing any decent, modern amp to start distorting. Still, maybe try the Meier Corda Rock and an ODAC or OL DAC, but again no guarantees on whether you'd think the difference worth it.

Personally I only recommend the RSxx to somebody who doesn't have a lower range Grado or has/had one and finds every other headphone to be either tinny or too laid back because they just want more of the upper bass boost (vs most other headphones) helped along by the high sensitivity.

 

[bach98]

It might not be the source. In terms of outright power the sensitivity is the same, and the RS1e's stronger low end makes full use of that.

If anything you could probably get more of that low end if you used a low output impedance amplifier since I found the old RS1i to sound even more like a tin can on my NAD 304 than my SR225. Just make sure the amp isn't one that has a distortion pattern that gets sharper as you push it, though given the high sensitivity it's hard to imagine pushing any decent, modern amp to start distorting. Still, maybe try the Meier Corda Rock and an ODAC or OL DAC, but again no guarantees on whether you'd think the difference worth it.

Personally I only recommend the RSxx to somebody who doesn't have a lower range Grado or has/had one and finds every other headphone to be either tinny or too laid back because they just want more of the upper bass boost (vs most other headphones) helped along by the high sensitivity.

Cheers, many recommend using the C4 as in their opinions, the C4 and RS1e are a perfect match.

But I already have the Iphone as the source so Im thinking about getting a DAC/Amp.

 

[3Putter]

My SR125e, Dragonfly Black, iPhone 11 streaming Tidal Hifi and it sounds terrific. When I run through my JDS Labs Atom Amp it sounds good, too, but the Dragonfly just does a better job for my ears. Whenever my spike in Upgraditis hits I just go back to this and figure, why spend more now? Would like to have a set of higher end Grado's to see what I may be missing but just haven't the need to part with the money.