Jump to content

Grado Owners & Discussion Thread


Recommended Posts



35 minutes ago, Bengineer said:

Both on the G cush pads? Stock ones?

Yep stock G pads

14 minutes ago, Bengineer said:

PS1000e seems like a winner!

PS1000 (not e) is my preference this morning. That could change this afternoon ?.

 

The RS1e might be first to go due to a Boxing Day sale which got me ?‍♂️

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some models the “e” variant is more different than others.

 

on the PS1k I’ve read the bottom end rolls off earlier and this seems to be confirmed by the frequency response graphs 

 

you know how it goes in this hobby, everything has to be taken with a grain of salt till your own ears confirm it ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites



I keep coming back to Grados. This year I had Sony z1r,  zmf  eikon, Final D8000, Final Sonorous viii. 
 

sold everything and keep the GS3000e. 
 

the Grado has a musicality that the others can’t touch.

 

in saying that I have a focal utopia coming this week.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



I've really liked the Grados I've auditioned before which were the 325e and GH3. They do something really unique where the sound is very energetic and focused, generally a more intimate soundstage all the while feeling very open. I don't have a pair of my collection currently but have definitely considered it even just for how amazing they sound for rock.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, petng said:

I say the next step up would be to grab a pair of ps1000e for around $1100-1300. This would give you an impressive improvement over the GH4. After that the pinnacle would be the GS3000e which is what I have atm!!

You’d have to pick up a second hand PS1000 to get it for $1200 ish

 

there is a pair of GS3000e on gumtree for $2000. I made an offer but fortunately he declined ?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, bruc3 said:

I've never heard a Grado before, so what is the appeal to them?

I just recall people saying that they are very bright headphones, and dont seem to know much else about them to be honest.

Some models are bright, and a bunch aren't. Seems to be some gems.

 

They have a unique staging and imaging, and a inherent "excitement" with the sound.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 27/12/2020 at 7:06 AM, Bengineer said:

 

Really isn't much saving grace. Plastic cheap looking rod blocks. Cheap basic metal rods with dipped rubber top grommet thing. Plastic gimbals!?! Unpadded headband. Fixed, thick, basic cable. Pads from the 1980s.

 

The wooden cup is the only part that is on par for quality for the price. Everything else is stuck in the 1980s.

 

For $799, the GH4 is up against the likes of Beyer DT1990 and DCA Aeon (original). Both a lesson on actual quality of build. And the Grado retain a lot of these cheap parts moving up the line, where they start competing in price with Focal and ZMF.

 

Not trying to bag on them too much, I like the aesthetic and the sound. But they are taking the piss in today's market. For something not truly made from scratch in house by a monk, the price doesn't reflect the quality of materials used.

 

You forgot to mention the beautifully presented pizza box you get a bonus! Grados' only saving grace is their sound (on a handful of their headphones).

 

I don't see any talk of John's creations? Now these were something else...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



@Bengineer

I suggest hunting down some vintage Grados (for instance, buttoned RS-1 with square rods or older). Sweeter sounding without the harshness of their later brethren. Better headband too. If you want neutral, a HP1000, the build quality of which makes other Grados feel like toys.

 

Failing that, or if you prefer to stick to recent variants, I suggest a PS1000 (not e). Careful amping is needed to make them sing and tame the highs.

Edited by cogitator
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, cogitator said:

@Bengineer

I suggest hunting down some vintage Grados (for instance, buttoned RS-1 with square rods or older). Sweeter sounding without the harshness of their later brethren. Better headband too. If you want neutral, a HP1000, the build quality of which makes other Grados feel like toys.

 

Failing that, or if you prefer to stick to recent variants, I suggest a PS1000 (not e). Careful amping is needed to make them sing and tame the highs.

Finding a HP1000 ain't gonna be easy :P

Nice cans though. 25-30 years old now no?

 

I'm looking for a close to neutral one with the highest resolution they have. Any peaks I can EQ out. And comfort and build I can mod to suit too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

True story: a few years back my ex girlfriend and I had a falling out and she stomped on my GS1000 and submerged them in a bubble bath. They actually played fine after that; the only problem was a chip on one side of the wooden housing. I gave them away after that and have yet to return to the Grado fold...

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Bill_F said:

True story: a few years back my ex girlfriend and I had a falling out and she stomped on my GS1000 and submerged them in a bubble bath. They actually played fine after that; the only problem was a chip on one side of the wooden housing. I gave them away after that and have yet to return to the Grado fold...

Why did you split up? You and the Grado that is?

Edited by Bengineer
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



Started doing most of my critical listening on loudspeakers. For cans, I switched to IEMs and haven't really looked back. I find IEMs better for portable use, including knocking around the house. Grado ergonomics are particularly ill-suited to mobility. 

 

That said, I retain a strong affinity for the Grado sound--and their pizza boxes! Started with the SR80, then the RS1, (with the matching head amp) then the stomped-and-dunked GS1000. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Bengineer said:

Finding a HP1000 ain't gonna be easy :P

Nice cans though. 25-30 years old now no?

31 - released in 1989. I still kick myself not picking up a pair that showed up on eBay Australia about 20 years ago. It went for $265 - I thought it was too expensive. No other pair I know of has showed up since. You would have to buy it overseas. The happy part to the story is that I ended up finding an even rarer pair of SR200 with the black star drivers. Less than 300 pairs exist.

Edited by cogitator
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Bengineer said:

I'm looking for a close to neutral one with the highest resolution they have. Any peaks I can EQ out. And comfort and build I can mod to suit too.

That’s a tough one. Outside of the HP1000 driver variants (all vintage and difficult to source), Grados are coloured to varying degrees.

 

You could look at Alessandro’s which are more neutral than their Grado equivalents, but nothing like the neutral HP1000’s.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

8 minutes ago, cogitator said:

That’s a tough one. Outside of the HP1000 driver variants (all vintage and difficult to source), Grados are coloured to varying degrees.

 

You could look at Alessandro’s which are more neutral than their Grado equivalents, but nothing like the neutral HP1000’s.

Doesn't have to be strictly neutral. Just not overly bright, or bass light, or super dark.

 

I have the GH4. I like them. Inject some more resolution / refinement I'd be happy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.




×
×
  • Create New...
To Top