What if...*shock!* *horror!* folks prefer the RS-1's to the GS-1000's? In that case, getting rid of the RS-1's would mean sacrificing the sound others will love for a new sound.
What are the initial thoughts thus far? This is the non-grado Grado. This is the Grado for those who didn't like the Grado sound etc., etc. Now much could be hyperbole, since we are already given hints that the same general flavour of the sound is the same but that aspects are improved in some ways or different in others.
If the RS-1's are the "on stage" feeling, and the GS-1000's are the disctinct "I'm part of the audience," then it seems both have a place.
As for pricing, there will always be those that complain and want everything cheaper cheaper cheaper. Well, think Wallmart mentality and what it does to manufacturers. It kills them. Folks, face it, Grado sells through a distribution network. It is a small company capable of a certain volume of products. John has stated he doesn't feel like going mainstream which means moving, hiring more employees, getting his foot in the door with larger retail outlets etc etc., like Senn, Sony and AT.
So, this means, bills need to be paid, R&D needs to be paid for, a good profit margin for the company and then the distributor and the dealer etc. This is how businesses work. Of course, as I indicated above R&D needs to be paid for...the new pads are pricey they aren't $50 from Todd because everyone wants to make a fortune, they are priced that high because the base cost is high. The new cups might cost more to manufacter etc etc. So they cost what they cost and ideally, if folks can't afford them...when they start hitting the used market, perhaps then. When I first started out, I couldn't afford the RS-1's new, but I didn't go ape, I just waited until I could get them on the used market.
I can't afford the speaker system I want, but in time and when the prices drop on the used market, I will be able to. Some are lucky to have the cash, others aren't. 'Tis life but we can't expect all manufacturers to price for the poor and/or for those that don't want to buy at a decent asking price.
Regarding pricing flagship products, this is my opinion alone, but doesn't it seem odd that products that are priced low are immediately cast aside as inferior to other products priced higher?
When the RS-1's first hit the scene, they were going head to head with the Big O and the Stax Omega II's. In fact, in-print reviewers were choosing the RS-1/RA-1 over the Big O!! Years later, with headphones at the top of its game thus far (in terms of fanbase and sales) I would bet few would choose the RS-1's over the HE90's without hearing first, if only because of the hype, exclusivity of the HE90's and their pricing. After a listen, well then all is fair game, but reading poll after poll after poll, RS-1's aren't considered at the top. Near it, yes, but at the top? Not usually.
Yet the GS-1000's get demo'd and whispers that it is on par with the classified greats like R10's and HE90's makes this phone sound out of this world. I read a post by Hirsch stating that after the stagnation in companies like Sony, AT, maybe even AKG...we have something great coming out of an American company that could actually be pushing the bar again. Most consider the Qualia a downgrade from the R10. Most consider the 701's inferior to the K1000's, many feel the HD650's are simply a side-step from the HD600's, yet if initial impressions are true and the GS-1000's are a major leap above the RS-1's, then WOW this could be a phone, priced well below the top phones from other companies (K1000, L3000, R10, Qualia, Omega II, Omega I, HE90, and heck...even the PS-1!!) and yet not only compete head to head but might surpass most of them, if not all of them.
Drop the price...and in the world of Head-fi...it won't be considered the best because it isn't priced as high as the best. There have been numerous threads in the past about this very thing. "Statement Ultra-high end products" HAVE to be expensive because they have to be cost no object bleeding edge. It won't sell as well because it is priced far too low to be a true contender. Ignorant mentality? Perhaps, but it sure works that way. Maybe the HD650's are the best in the world (paired with that Tubeville amp it seems some do think so) yet at $250-300 few would declare so next to a $4000 R10.
As for the poll, I voted RS-2. I have never been an overt fan of this phone. I think it sounds good, but it falls short of the RS-1's in my opinion, but at $200 less, is it only 2/3 of the way there? No, I would say it is closer to 9/10 of the way there, so the RS-2 is a good value. It should stay too.
