What are the main frequency response differences, between low-end and high-end Grado cans?
Granted, what I've done on my end isn't necessarily a scientific experiment, but just a casual observation of sound from various Grado headphones. I've owned many, except for the original higher-end Grado collector headphones, the HF-1, the original SR-325 (black aluminium shell), the PS-1000 and the GS-1000i.
It has taken me a while to get up to the RS1i and the PS-500 models, which I have now. For several years, funds didn't permit me to be able to buy a $595 or $695 pair of headphones, so the upper models were off my list of options. What did I do? I made the best out of what I had available to me. Simple modifications - adding wooden cups, various pad options and maybe a new cable here and there. At one point, I had the option to hear the MS-Pro for a period of a week. At the time, I don't remember being too impressed with what it offered in comparison to my Magnum build at the time. What was really doing wrong? Should this even be the case where a headphone over twice the cost didn't impress me as much as I thought? Maybe.
After working on some equipment changes and switching around with other headphone brands and models, I somehow migrated back to Grado. Fortunately, I had some better DAC and amp options this time around.
While I do have the RS1i and the PS-500, I so have a trusty pair of Allesandro MS1i headphones that are still in pure stock mode. I had the RS1i last evening and tried various jazz and folkish-country-light rock songs to capture or grasp some form of sound capabilites of the RS1i. I then had the MS1i within reach. I would listen to the RS1i for a period of time, then switch out for the MS1i. Granted, I didn't have a true A/B source where it was level matched, nor did I have the capability for double-blind testing. However, the "presence" and the refinement that the RS1i had could be noted. There was a margin there. Not a huge margin, but not necessarily a small one either. I don't believe that Grado makes the RS1i solely for the purpose of making large profits from unsuspecting consumers. They make the model for those who want a bit more, and can afford a bit more, so there is a market for what they offer.
What does this mean? Well, I don't see any reason to instantly sell off my MS1i or quickly donate it to some needy soul. I still don't think that the sound offered by the MS1i is bad in any way. But, I do believe - as I've heard, that the sound of the RS1i just takes things a bit further. If I had owned a pair of the SR-60/60i, 80/80i, 125/125i, 225/225i, MS1/1i, MS2/MS2i, etc., I would be quite content with what I had. The only time the difference with the RS1i comes into play is when one has the ability to hear a pair side-by-side with their current pair of headphones.
Often, as headphone enthusiasts, we have an urge to upgrade. We come into a few bucks, so we start to calculate in our minds about the options available. This usually permits us to move up a step or two. If your ears and listening habits have acclimated to where you are content with an SR-80i, then stay where you are and enjoy being content with your headphones.
Additionally, I have a simple rule that I have been able to maintain quite well when it comes to audio and headphones. I never listen to something that's out of my price league. What good would it do me to listen to a pair of Stax "009" at $4,500 and paired with a $5,000 amp? Actually, all it would probably do is allow me to sample a bit of sound and if I truly loved it, then seeking such a setup would be my goal. It might be a goal that could take one year to reach, or 10 years to reach, depending on various situations. However, if I had not heard that $9,500 setup, there's a good chance that it would never have become a goal of mine to achieve. I would not be frantic in my efforts just to chase the upgrade. Instead, I could use the time, enjoy the music, enjoy the peace in the music and have the music clear my mind after a bit of time away from home for that activity that they call work.
Finally, some might say life is short, so enjoy it. This could mean that since we only have one life, we should chase our goals and buy that $9,500 rig and enjoy it. But, would we really enjoy it? Or, would we then feel like we had to seek out the $25,000 Sennheiser Orpheus? Thus, maybe since we just have one life, we might be best to spend our time enjoying the music as opposed to constantly chasing a product or a device that could have a chance of making our music sound better. The choice is yours. I'm not good at spending the money of others.
