The vintage RS-1 are definitely on par with the HP-1000s imo

I liked them better than HP1000s when I heard his pair but that's me. For that matter I liked them better than the PS-1

I dislike them each for different reasons

I've never heard a true brown headband/wood box RS-1. However, at one point I owned a serial numberless dark wood black headband RS-1, a newer serial number buttoned RS-1, and a buttonless RS-1, and I detected little to no difference between them.

The wood box is neat though.

I've never heard a true brown headband/wood box RS-1.

I recently heard a recabled one briefly with my Pico, I'm not sure if my tastes have changed since I sold my black headband sans serial number version or if it just didn't pair well with the Pico or possibly the recable but to be honest I was rather disappointed.

wow, so many opinions. I guess that does mean that I should audition them. I'm going back to champaign IL to visit family this week and I know they have a store there that sells grado headphones. Last time i went there 4 years ago they didn't carry the RS1 but that might have changed by now. I may go up to chicago too and there must be a place that has them there.

EDIT: one things that's nice about buying used is that you're only out the cost of shipping.

I've owned, and sold, HP-1, HP-2, PS-1, MS-Pro, SR-325, HF-1, SR-200, and GS-1000. The RS-1 appears to be the sweet spot in the Grado line for me. The only Grado's I still own are a single-ended and a balanced RS-1 (oh, and an iGrado). That said, I think the first RS-1 I bought sounded awful. It was new-in-box, and I returned it. For me, the key to the RS-1 is flat pads, particularly running single-ended. Balanced, the bowl pads can be used.

Time can change tastes. There was a period when I swore by the HP-1000 series. Now, I can take them or leave them. At current pricing, I can simply leave them.

The RS-1 has proven to be a keeper in the long haul. There are only three other headphones I can say that about: HD-600, K-1000, and R10. (I've only been using electrostatic cans for about 3-4 years or so, and it will be a couple more years before I can consider any of them to be long-term keepers.)

Time can change tastes. There was a period when I swore by the HP-1000 series. Now, I can take them or leave them. At current pricing, I can simply leave them. would rather have another pen.

FTFY.

FTFY.

For what it's worth, I have the newer version RS-1. Out of the box, they were kind of harsh and thin sounding. Running them overnight with dangerously high-volume pink noise (afraid of blowing the drivers) transformed them into more relaxed full sounding can with less harshness. Just like I could hear the drivers had softened. I never heard the vintage RS-1's though so I can not comment on differences.

I had a legit offer of 2k for my vintage pair from someone overseas & turned it down.The buyer found a pair after that & I believe he paid less,then later sold them.The buyer had to have them & was willing to go that high with out even ever hearing a pair.

While most would have jumped at that offer,I thought it was over the top myself.I have owned them since 1995 & just couldn't sell them.

Don't think I didn't think about it.Call me crazy or whatever but in the end I still own them.

You should keep them. They sound amazing out of the Krell amp!

I didn't notice it before but larryminator's add for his over priced rs-1's has been up for 2 months now. I hope his dogged persistence isn't rewarded.

He's had adds up for > 4 months before.

I didn't notice it before but larryminator's add for his over priced rs-1's has been up for 2 months now. I hope his dogged persistence isn't rewarded.

I think vintage RS1 prices are crazy in general, but that dinged up cable should lower the price significantly. Makes you wonder what the can has been through.

I was thinking that too. I also find it suspicious when people try and sell old grado's with out even bringing up the condition of the "Y" part of the cable.

I definitely think that my balanced brown leather pair are the best sounding RS1s -- to my ears -- that I have heard. JP#s (their former owner) and foo_me and others apparently compared the brown leather to his black no-serial-no. pair and felt the same way. I did pay him a lot for them, iirc.

larryminator just reduced his price again. This time it's actually a bargain considering what vintage RS1s have been going for recently.

I share the frustration. I've been contemplating a RS-1 myself but can't seem to get there. The info in this thread has been helpful. I considered the HF-1 as a lower cost alternative but the price on them has gone up and I find it difficult to hand that money out for them when a used RS-1 is only a bit more.

So in regards to serials, when did Grado start using them? Do the RS-1 sound that different from an MS-Pro? I like classical and acoustic guitar and what I've heard hear sounds like they may not be the best choice for those types of music. I can't audition them either as the only place that did carry any would only do the SR125 and SR225 and is now closed up. Any recommendations?

... I'm going back to champaign IL to visit family this week ....

And there's also a pair of MS-Pro's about 45 miles south if you want to give them an audition

hmmm....wondering if i should get a backup pair...

plus a having that wood box would be nice

And there's also a pair of MS-Pro's about 45 miles south if you want to give them an audition

Wow thanks for the offer but my short time here is going to be completely booked. I would jump on it other wise!

hmmm....wondering if i should get a backup pair...

plus a having that wood box would be nice

Damn that price is quite good. I don't think you'll regret it since they seem to be getting shittier and shittier. Take a page out of my book ;p

Also then maybe you can balance a pair worry free

I'm going back to champaign IL to visit family this week

Ah, Champaign in August. I've got six years of memories from there when I was in grad school. Particularly of note was the smell when a wind from the south came in over the experimental pig farms in summer...an experience that still causes me to shudder.

Ah, Champaign in August. I've got six years of memories from there when I was in grad school. Particularly of note was the smell when a wind from the south came in over the experimental pig farms in summer...an experience that still causes me to shudder.

I did not know you went to UI. When were you there? I also remember the smell and it is still there (at least it was last week).