All Grado headphones operate using Grado’s vented diaphragm technology, dynamic transducers, open-air, “circled” 40mm driver-oriented supra-aural earcups (excepting the circumaural GS-1000 and PS-1000), an Impedance of 32 ohms, and a Sensitivity level of 98 dB. All Grado headphones have a non-resonant air chamber (with the SR325i having an aluminum version, and the Reference and Statement headphones having wooden versions), and all Grado headphones use high-energy neodymium magnets for each earcup. All Grado headphones are available only in one color with the exception of the iGrado, available in either white or black. The iGrado use the same drivers as the SR60, but are assembled in China to reduce cost.
The improvements made for early 2009 include upgraded driver designs, enhanced ventilated diaphragms, eight-conductor cable design, and refinements to cup housing, just to name a few. Each product before the PS1000 carries the “i” designation which means “improved” with the exception of the SR325, which carries the “is” designation.
Grado PS1000
Grado headphones can reproduce as natural a soundstage from stereo recordings and provide as much listening pleasure as a good pair of speakers do. Grado headphones are free of room effects and placement problems, and they minimize any interference from external noise. They also offer portability and the ability to listen without worrying about the neighbors. With Grado headphones, you will hear recordings with greater clarity and with deeper bass than others! Beyond Grado’s critically acclaimed Reference Series and the General Statement, the Professional Series PS1000 takes the best qualities of past Grado technology and merges it into one headphone that’s a vital affirmation of music’s presence in the present.
Grado’s Professional Series PS1000 is a hybrid of wood and metal extends the Grado sound to levels never before achieved. This is truly the best headphone Grado has ever produced. Throughout the audio spectrum, the Grado PS1000 delivers definitive highs, tight midrange, and rich bass. The concept of a hybrid metal/wooden headphone delivers that neutral tonality that no transducer could approach. This step up from the Grado GS1000 is so significant that audio enthusiasts are ready to sell all their headphones to own just the PS1000.
The Grado PS1000 features voice-coils that are wound from ultra-high purity, long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper. The copper is slowly drawn through the die in extremely small increments and is annealed following each drawing operation. Ultra-high conductivity copper yields the clearest transmission and lowest coloration possible. The sound of UHPLC copper is smoother, cleaner and more dynamic. Each headphone driver is made to Grado’s high standards, then pair-matched for exact imaging. These headphones also utilize UHPLC copper in the connecting cable.
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Grado Statement Series GS1000i
Listen and enjoy! What does the i stand for in the new GS1000i from Grado? Improved, that’s what! Featuring a new species of handcrafted Mahogany earpieces made using an intricate curing process; Grado has been able to optimize the tonal quality.
The GS1000i uses new upgraded dynamic transducers and the new 8 conductor cable design. All this, new wood, driver and cable designs result in improved control and stability of the upper and lower range of the frequency spectrum with both better supporting the GS1000i’s new world renowned midrange.
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Grado RS1i
The RS-1i is the Masterpiece of the Grado collection, the Top-Of-The-Range product which oozes class both in looks and sound. Featuring handcrafted Mahogany earpieces made using an intricate curing process, Grado has been able to optimize the tonal quality. The RS1 uses dynamic transducers in an open-air configuration, the cups being open-backed.
The result is a smooth, coherent sound with detailed dynamics. Frequency response ranges from 12-30 kHz and the drivers are matched to 0.05dB. Weighing 9 ounces, the headphones are an example of the wonder of mother nature with a gorgeous, honey-colored look.
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Grado PS 500
Grado releases the little brother of their state-of-the-art PS 1000 Headphones, using trickle-down technology to cut the price by two-thirds, while retaining much of the performance! Also made in America, the new PS 500s are Grado’s second offering in their Professional Series line, designed both for the audiophile and recording engineer who value neutrality and high definition over all other design goals. They are an open air design, as are all high end Grado’s, and are very light and comfortable.
An extraordinary value, and fully appropriate for both reference and critical listening. In the category of musical neutrality for the picky audiophile and the demanding recording engineer, the PS 500s are unsurpassed at this price point.
Grado achieved this minor miracle by applying the lessons learned in constructing the wondrous PS 1000s. While still using mahogany to cover the motors, they added aluminum shells to double dampen the housing and kill vibrations. This sandwich design creates the most neutral performance. The large diaphragms contain rare earth metals, including gold wire for maximum definition. The connecting cable is Grado’s newest formula, with some fifteen wires enclosed in a proprietary shell. By being American made, they save big bucks from having to import phones from China and can, instead, bulk up on the technology.
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Grado RS2i
The newest edition to the Grado family, the RS2i is the little brother of the RS1i. The characteristics of the RS2 remain the same as it’s distinguished big brother, with the hand crafted mahogany, but there is a smaller wooden air chamber.
Although a miniature version of the RS1, they still maintain an overall sound that is pure Grado – warm harmonic color, full bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and ultra smooth top end. These truly are an avid audiophiles dream. Great sound is also alligned with superb comfort. The Grado RS2 has an upscale flexible, leather-covered headband and old-school metal height adjusters that connect the earpieces to the headband which allow for up-and-down height adjustment. You can also control full 360 degree rotation of the earcups.
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Grado GR10
proprietary wide bandwidth moving armature design provides the listener with unsurpassed performance. Small size allows earphone to nestle well within the ear canal, maintaining an excellent air seal for improved bass and reduction of outside noise without causing discomfort.
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Grado Prestige Series SR325is
The top-of-the-range Grado headphone model SR325i comes in a gold color, in honor of Grado’s 50th anniversary. Grado has taken one of the world’s most acclaimed headphones, and pushed it a few steps further.
The new SR325i has an upgraded driver design, and an enlarged and improved mass distribution in the metal housing. The way the SR325i’s new driver and metal housing move air and react to sound vibrations are now less affected by transient distortions. With the SR325i you will notice improved control of the upper and lower range of the frequency spectrum, providing a quality audio envelope to Grado’s world renowned midrange. The SR325i will produce a sound that is pure Grado, warm harmonic color, rich full bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and an ultra smooth top end.
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Grado GR8
Grado is known for its exceptional line of outstanding studio and pro-quality headphones. Now imagine taking all their acoustic experience and quality and creating a quality earphone. That’s the Grado GR8 Transducer Earphones.
These Grado In-Ear Series Headphones offer Noise Isolation. It’s comfortable fit in your ear canal isolates most of the ambient environmental noise, This lets you hear your music. The trnasduction system delivers exceptional sound throughout the audio frequency range. This is an earphone for a mobile user who appreciates listening to music. The Grado GR8 is truly great.
It is an elegant wide bandwidth single magnet armature design that results in a musical clarity and character that is the signature of Grado engineering and voicing. An additional benefit of this approach in design is that it results in a device that is smaller and lighter than the competition and therefore much more comfortable to wear in the ear. As a result of precision hand crafting it is exceptional in reproducing vocals. Its clarity in mass instrument recordings is unsurpassed. Realistic spatial definition is quite apparent also.
A proprietary wide bandwidth balanced armature design provides the listener with unsurpassed performance. Small size allows earphone to nestle well within the ear canal, maintaining an excellent air seal for improved bass and reduction of outside noise without causing discomfort. Raised dot on left earphone provides tactile indication of channel allowing earphones to be put on correctly even in the dark.
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Grado Prestige Series SR225i
What does the i stand for in the new SR225i from Grado? Improved, that’s what! Features are the same as the SR125i, new driver, cable and housing designs, but this headphone has an increased rear air flow, utilizes Grado’s larger ear cushion and has closer matched drivers.
Air flow is increased by 50% which is achieved through an improved rear metal screen. The use of closer matched drivers and the larger cushions results in an enlarged soundstage, while the improved rear screen frees the headphone from colorations.
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Grado Prestige Series SR125i
Grado’s SR125 Headphones combines lightness with extreme rigidity, for a more enriching sound experience. Its internal damping, improved diaphragm and voice coil design create fine tonal spread and balance — delivering a better audio experience.
It also features UHPLC (Ultra-high purity, long crystal) copper voice coil wire for better sound. Its diaphragms are put through a special ‘de-stressing’ process in order to enhance inner sound detail. For audiophiles who want a superior home listening experience, the Grado SR125 is the way to go.
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