[Badd99]

Hey guys, I have had my pair of semi-vintage Grado RS-1's that I bought used and told they are from 03 so they are not far after the vintage series for about 11 months now. Im thinking up upgrading to the GS1000 as I can sell these for about 500 and pick up GS1000 for about 600. I am using a CTH hybrid amp that connects to a cambridge dacmagic that toshlinks to my macbook pro. I listen to mostly electronic/acoustic rock/ screamo / alternative rock
 
I have read a lot up on them here but I just see mixed emotions...anyone help me out? 

 

[MacedonianHero]

A downgrade IMO....I've heard the GS1000 and GS1000i on several occasions and just keep coming away with thinking that the RS1/RS1i's are the best Grado headphones currently in production.

 

[nikongod]

 
Quote:

A downgrade IMO....I've heard the GS1000 and GS1000i on several occasions and just keep coming away with thinking that the RS1/RS1i's are the best Grado headphones currently in production.

+1
 
the $100 would be FAR FAR better spent as follows:
Save up another $100-150. 
Buy a pair of sennheiser HD580/600/650 (depending on personal taste.)

 

[bbophead]

I had just the opposite reaction but then I like a bigger soundstage and more comfort.
 
To each his own.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

I had just the opposite reaction but then I like a bigger soundstage and more comfort.
 
To each his own.

Then for $1000, better solutions are out there if you want wider and less intimate sound staging IMO.

 

[Happy Camper]

I did a comparison with the MS-2, RS-1 and GS-1000. For electric music the MS-2. For acoustic music the RS-1. For classical the GS-1000. Since most of my musical tastes falls in the acoustic realm, I chose the RS-1.

 

[bbophead]

Quote:

Then for $1000, better solutions are out there if you want wider and less intimate sound staging IMO.

 
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I just mentioned soundstage and comfort as two of the things I liked about the GS-1000.  Sorry.
 
Maybe you have a suggestion for cans in the $1000 plus range other than the GS-1000 for my listening preferences.
 
Acoustic jazz, jazz fusion, classical (chamber and orchestral), opera, and space, 
 
TIA
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[nikongod]

Quote:

 
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I just mentioned soundstage and comfort as two of the things I liked about the GS-1000.  Sorry.
 
Maybe you have a suggestion for cans in the $1000 plus range other than the GS-1000 for my listening preferences.
 
Acoustic jazz, jazz fusion, classical (chamber and orchestral), opera, and space, 
 
TIA
​

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Second hand
HD800
T1
new
HD650/600
DT880 (with a nice amp)

 

[Uncle Erik]

 
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I just mentioned soundstage and comfort as two of the things I liked about the GS-1000.  Sorry.
 
Maybe you have a suggestion for cans in the $1000 plus range other than the GS-1000 for my listening preferences.
 
Acoustic jazz, jazz fusion, classical (chamber and orchestral), opera, and space, 
 
TIA
​

[/size]

Magnepan MMG.

So they're not headphones, but I think you'd find the soundstage to your liking and they're plenty comfortable. Throw them on an old receiver/integrated with 100W or so and have fun - you can pull that off for under $1,000.

If you want headphones, hunt down an AKG K-501. I think you'd like them.

OP, I'm not sure if the GS-1000 would fit your tastes; the RS-1 is better suited. I actually kinda like the GS-1000, but can't bring myself to drop $600-$700 on a used pair. If they start turning up for $300-$400, I might grab a pair. Overall, I'd agree that the RS-1 is the best headphone Grado has in production.

 

[Badd99]

what would be the next upgrade for me then? With the gear I have dac and amp wise (dacmagic for DAC and CTH for amp) both pretty good...not junk by anymeans but not your 1000+? I like the Grado mids up in your face so Im thinking any HD800 or so would just be too boring for me.

 

[buffalowings]

Quote:

what would be the next upgrade for me then? With the gear I have dac and amp wise (dacmagic for DAC and CTH for amp) both pretty good...not junk by anymeans but not your 1000+? I like the Grado mids up in your face so Im thinking any HD800 or so would just be too boring for me.

at this price, I wouldn't go out and splurge on a pair of phones without listening to them myself first. especially going from a pair of grados to the HD series, try and find a local senneheiser dealer that will give you a chance to audition the HD800s

 

[carledwards]

Your stated preference in music is not the strong suit of the GS1K. They're great phones but not for electric music, IMO. And they're picky as to amplification.

 

[majkel]

All posts saying the GS1000 is inadequate for rock actually mean little experience with these headphones and improper amplification. My friend's son is a professional rock drummer and once he stated the GS1000 was the best headphone for rock, having had in mind that his father had owned the RS1 for quite a long time. For me, the GS1000(i) is a headphone comparable to the HD800 but I just prefer the presentation of Grado's, and its compatibility with rock. The RS1 is in a lower league than the HD800, T1, PS1000, GS1000, ED8 and 9, etc. The better amp you take, the more obvious it becomes in direct comparison. The best Grado in production is the PS1000, BTW. Mine came back from repair (amp failure blew the driver) and I'm considering selling the T1 despite a couple of upgrades applied to them (Furutech jack, cable shield mod).

 

[volume]

Quote:

All posts saying the GS1000 is inadequate for rock actually mean little experience with these headphones and improper amplification. My friend's son is a professional rock drummer and once he stated the GS1000 was the best headphone for rock, having had in mind that his father had owned the RS1 for quite a long time. For me, the GS1000(i) is a headphone comparable to the HD800 but I just prefer the presentation of Grado's, and its compatibility with rock. The RS1 is in a lower league than the HD800, T1, PS1000, GS1000, ED8 and 9, etc. The better amp you take, the more obvious it becomes in direct comparison. The best Grado in production is the PS1000, BTW. Mine came back from repair (amp failure blew the driver) and I'm considering selling the T1 despite a couple of upgrades applied to them (Furutech jack, cable shield mod).

That is entirely your opinion,the usual consesus is the RS1's would definetly win hands down when compared to the GS1000's,just because someones son likes them does not change it.
 
I agree with the fact that the GS does have larger soundstage and extend lower then the RS1's but are trying to sound Grado like,which the RS1s are definitely nicer at.
 
Everything else apart from rock get the other $1000.00 and beyond headphones,could get a K701 if on budget,will get you 95%  of the way.

 

[majkel]

 
Quote:

That is entirely your opinion,the usual consesus is the RS1's would definetly win hands down when compared to the GS1000's,just because someones son likes them does not change it.
 
I agree with the fact that the GS does have larger soundstage and extend lower then the RS1's but are trying to sound Grado like,which the RS1s are definitely nicer at.
 
Everything else apart from rock get the other $1000.00 and beyond headphones,could get a K701 if on budget,will get you 95%  of the way.

You can call anything an opinion. Just any comparative statement, and sum it up as subjective. The opinion about the GS1000 is mine, add at least two head-fiers thinking the same, include John Grado as the designer of both, and the humble example of a person who both plays and listens to the rock music. I could mention further examples of people I know who say the GS1000 is just better than the RS1, one of them being former Grado retailer. He still owns the GS1000i and he has never kept the RS1 for himself. I remember the SR325i "silver" being his previous possession. So, between all people I know virtually or actually, those who say the RS1 is better than the GS1000i are in minority. These are just some folks from head-fi.
 
Regardind the K701 - for me it's about 70% but compared straight from an iPod it might reach 99% probably.