Grado Reference Series RS1x Dynamic Headphones

Reference Series RS1x Dynamic On-Ear Headphones, by Grado Labs.

For the first time, three different wood species are working together in a Grado headphone. The housing is made of a maple sleeve, hemp core, and cocobolo outer ring. Grado Labs build with wood for its warm and embracing tonal abilities, but finding the right balance of three separate woods is no simple task. The reward though is an RS1x that opens Grado to a new level of sound.

Pulling everything possible can from the new 50 mm X Driver, the signature Grado sound is brought to new heights when combined with maple, hemp, and cocobolo. Maple takes care of most of the work, hemp smooths out top and low ends, while cocobolo adds that extra punch. Together the sound the woods produce, when combined with our special processes, are full-bodied, dynamic, and truly defined.

The RS1x is the first headphone to be built with the larger 50 mm X Drivers. Specifically tuned for the tri-wood RS1x, this new speaker design features a more powerful magnetic circuit, a voice coil with decreased effective mass, and a reconfigured diaphragm. Reengineering these components to handle the 50 mm drivers improve efficiency, reduces distortion, and preserves the harmonic integrity of your music.

Along with the speakers, the cables and headband have been redesigned for the RS1x. Housed in a more durable exterior, the now super annealed copper 8-conductor cable reveals even more of your music with improved purity. The new black leather headband features a white-stitched accent.

The first Grado wooden headphones were built in the middle of the night back in 1994 by John Grado, and wood has been a staple on his workbench ever since. Each RS1x headphone is hand-built by the team in Brooklyn – these headphones go from workbench to workbench until they’re ready for your ears. The company started building on a kitchen table in 1953, and every experience since then has led to the RS1x.

Features

• Hand-Built in Brooklyn.
• Maple / Hemp / Cocobolo Wood Housing.
• 8 Conductor Cable.
• L Cushion.
• Drivers Matched .05 dB.
• De-Stressed Driver.
• White-Stitched Leather Headband.
• Metal Gimbals.

Specifications

• Transducer Type: Dynamic
• Operating Principle: Open Air / Open Back
• Frequency Response: 12 – 30,000 Hz
• SPL 1 mW: 99.8 dB
• Nominal Impedance: 38 ohms
• Driver Matched dB: .05 dB

Included

• Headphones
• Warranty
• Grado story-sheet
• 6.5 mm Golden Adapter
• Extension cable

More Information

• Grado Reference Series RS1x Headphones
• AV Forums Review, June 2022: Grado RS1x Highly Recommended – 9/10