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| Model: | RS2e |
| Category: | Headphones |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $500 |
| Description: | headphones |
| Manufacturer URL: | Grado |
| Review by bullethead on January 31, 2016 at 07:52:41 IP Address: 108.14.40.252 | Add Your Review for the RS2e |
Mahogany bliss.
The Grado RS2e, I've had for a few weekends. They are very good and exactly what I was looking for when upgrading from Grado SR60 which were over 10 years old and that I've enjoyed for a long time and still enjoy.
The detail is much more fluid, very airy and effortless. I'm using the Grado RS2e with a Google Pixel 2 chromebook ($1,300), Audio Engine D1 DAC ($170). Playback with with the Google ChromeOS media player (FLAC lossless), as well as music service Google Music (320kbps mp3). The Grado RS2e ($500) at this current time are very enjoyable with a Schiit Vali 2 headphone amp ($170), with upgraded EH tube. I prefer EH due to the neutral presentation all EH tubes present.
Listening to the J Davis Trio "These things Happen" - "Do you mind if we dance wif your dates?", very good laid down bass line, vocals are deep into the middle of my skull. A nice realistic experience for a studio album. "Breezay" from the same album the drums are very realistic sounding (bongos), Trumpet sounds like a trumpet, notice the bass line with the trumpet at the same time, sense of decay. As the line says "listen to your ass because it's telling you to shake it".
The Orb, "Moonbuilding 2703 AD", an ambient house album. First track, God's Mirrorball. Track eases into the music, not as much atmosphere as my main system in terms of the depth of the bass, but these are headphones and I don't expect my body to vibrate as it does in the main system. No comparison there but enjoyable. Bass lines tend to be very delicate and airy, very nice exquisite sound.
Sure two examples of music, Jazz rap and Ambient House. Well I can go on and on with other examples, noise music, hollywood hip hop, black metal, etc… All sound good.
Worth $500? I would say yes with the good warranty and USA made quality. I can get at least 10 years+ out of these taking care of them. Which I intend to do.
| Product Weakness: | none for price |
| Product Strengths: | beauty, sound quality, usa made, lightweight |
| Amplifier: | Schiit Vali 2 |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | n/a |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Google Pixel 2 |
| Speakers: | Grado RS2e headphones |
| Cables/Interconnects: | generic rca |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | all kinds |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
I had, and enjoyed, a pair of RS2's for over 14 years or so. I had them rebuilt by Grado in 2013. I always found them very engaging but ultimately they lacked definition and extension in the low bass and upper treble. I have since moved on to Hifiman 400's, as they filled my need for a fuller and more extended sound. They also impart more detail and are a great value, too.
My suggestion is that you continue to enjoy your Grado's but if you fancy headphone listening, you might want to add to your stable a pair of Hifiman 400i's, or the older 400's, which can be had used for around $200.00 or so. You won't be disappointed.
Happy listening!
One of the nice things about Grado woodies is the very light weight. HiFiMan planars (and all other planars, AFAIK) are significantly heavier headphones and simply cannot provide the same type of comfort that Grado woodies do. Those who appreciate this type of comfort likely to feel shocked when hoisting a pair of planars.
Grados also have a unique sound signature. Some like it while others do not. As with everything in hifi, there are +/- trade-offs to be made in every direction.
I love my system and listening to music and sometimes (At least twice a week) I get carried away and listen till midnight. My wife who is very special, puts in ear plugs and goes to sleep.
Having a quality preamp with a supposedly good headphone section, Its going to be my next purchase.
I'll put these on my list...
I'm loving my Grado RS1e but I doubt there's a huge difference between them and your RS2e, probably making your RS2e a better value. But heck, I even like my old SR80's (but my RS1e are more comfortable and do sound better overall).I've come to the conclusion that I prefer an open design that breathe so my ears never get warm or hot. While excellent, my Grados are probably not the last word in bass but I'm fine with that. Too much bass and I'll start head banging my computer monitor while I work. ;-0
Enjoy!
Edits: 02/02/16
any reason why you chose the RS1e's? Also can you let me know if you ever got that headphone amp you were questioning about?
I looked at the RS1e's they seemed very nice, but big.
I just pulled the trigger, I didn't do any previous listening other than my SR60, just blind faith in what Grado makes.
I -think- the RS1e are the same size as the RS2e and they look almost identical on the Grado website. Could I be wrong about their size?I purchased without physically comparing and I had a particular budget in mind. The dealer I bought mine from gave me a decent discount and I've been very happy with the Grados. To be honest with you, I find the Grado product line confusing so I lucked out with my choice because I hear the RS1e are lighter than some of the aluminum Grado headphones. Overall light weight and airy breathable ear cushions are important to me for comfort.
I had an inexpensive tube headphone amp and while it was better than using the direct 1/8" headphone output from my Mac laptop, that little tube headphone amp volume control was twitchy and the amp hummed ever so slightly. I got it as a Christmas gift and if nothing else, it clued me in on the potential for using headphones with my laptop.
I eventually purchased the Schiit Asgard 2 which I love but it does run very very warm to hot even though it is fully solid-state. It needs space above it so it can breathe. I have a 6 hour timer on it so I have to press the start button every 6 hours. No big deal but more of a piece of mind paranoid safety thing for me in case I forget to turn my Schiit OFF.
Schiit Asgard2
Timer by Belkin. 1/2 hour, 3 hour, and 6 hour settings.
Edits: 02/02/16 02/02/16 02/02/16
The RS-1 wooden bodies are indeed a bit longer. Maybe only 1/4 inch or so longer? It's enough to alter the sonic personality of the headphones slightly - and for the better, IMO.
Whether or not upgrading from RS-2 to RS-1 is worth the extra few hundred is a question that only the individual can answer. I suspect that many people who buy the RS-1s do so because of the sense of pride that owning the most legendary of Grado headphones might bring.
I suspect that many people who buy the RS-1s do so because of the sense of pride that owning the most legendary of Grado headphones might bring.
I probably would have been just as happy with the RS-2e but not having the opportunity to audition headphones, I did come across several favorable RS-1 reviews. With the modest discount from my dealer the RS-1e were in my budgeted price range so I took a chance and bought a pair.
Some say that the real bargains in the Grado lineup are the plastic-bodied SR-225 and the aluminum-bodied SR-325. I used to own the slightly brighter sounding 325, loved them but they do have a much heavier feel than the plastic or wooden bodied models.
Edits: 02/03/16
Not me, the grados are for casual listening and then the system gets jealous and I go into the listening room. I think when I don't want to listen to music the grados go on and soon enough I am engulfed in my system, sort of a teaser.
I own RS-1i and a few other pairs of mid-priced headphones. If I had to keep only one pair for the proverbial desert island retreat, it would probably be the mahogany-bodied Grados.
The sonic differences between RS-1 and RS-2 are very minor (some say negligible) ones. Perhaps a touch more bass, air, and detail with the RS-1. Both models will provide us with the characteristic, full-bodied listening experience. I also love the very lightweight feel of these headphones once the headband tension has been optimally adjusted for a perfect fit.
Enjoy.
I talked about how light they were, but some of the review got cut off,
the headphones are really good. Was why I picked the RS2e over the 1 because I have a small head, I have them all the way up and it fits perfectly. That is a good thing.
I can wear the headphones all day and not feel uncomfortable.
Yes as you say the full-bodied sound is very enjoyable. When you add some tubes into the mix when playing back from a PC like I do it does really mix nicely into an exquisite fluid experience. Great for Jazz, Jazz Rap, Nu-Jazz. Classical is also very nice.
Also the cable is very high quality, the heaviest part of the headphones. These are for home listening, and if I had to live in a desert island, all I ask for is electricity and internet, so I can use the setup I've built for myself. It is a hell of a good time, thanks.
Also to note, made in USA.
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