Nice review Alex. 
Will you be purchasing a pair? That’s kind of the “ultimate” testament. 
Ha!
Nope dont think I will purchase these. They are nice but just not my favorite type of sound signature. They are light, easy to wear.
I am just spoiled using the other cans I have…
Alex
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I looked at the Hemp, sort of wistfully, but the RS1e that I already have is my favorite Grado so far. Much more neutral sound signature
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I sent a note directly to Grado asking them about the Hemps in comparison to the RS1e’s there answer was direct and to the point "the RS1e’s are far better the superior product…
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Currently listening to the Grado RS2e. Macbook --> Mytek Liberty DAC --> RebelAmp --> Grado RS2e. I’ll get it out of the way right away, I hate on-ear headphones and Grados are no exception. I would like to try some alternative pads with them as the default pads are small, scratchy and hot all at the same time. For something that only weighs 0.5 lb, it sure does a good job of being terribly uncomfortable.
Soundwise, they sound like Grados. Somewhat muted low-end, nice mids and somewhat piercing treble. Not Beyer treble but still not really my alley. These are probably the punchiest pair of Grados (but Grados tend to be very bass light so context is important) I’ve personally listened to though and I can see some people really enjoying the sound.
Every couple months I get the itch to try some Grado and I generally come away feeling the same way each time. I’m not their target audience.
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You need to try the RS1e. Bigger diaphragm, more bass, better balance. There are some pad alternatives, but I really don’t mind on-ears.
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I’m really wondering now what can be done with the Grado form-factor and technology. I think they might retune them substantially with a similar diaphragm and coil – if they wanted to. However, Grado = Bright in many minds.
Just today I was testing these, as they have detachable cables and work with one of my spare balanced cables:
I got them to experiment with mods and alternative cups (i.e., drill holes or cut out the centers), but they sound too good to destroy. What I’m getting at is these are really similar to Grado SR80/SR60 on-ear closed construction but without the Grado tone. They generate an “M” with no serious highs and no serious lows. However, they are boosted in the mid lows and mid highs.
If I cut a Grado center tube down the middle…?
I agree that Grado could re-tune if they want. The RS1e is an example. Much more balanced than any other Grado I’ve tried. I compare it to the Senn HD-600 or HD-650 if Grado were to make it. Wider soundstage than the Senn, considerably more detail, but quite surprisingly, that same relatively neutral profile.
I don’t use the tape mode with the RS1e, because I don’t think that the treble needs any taming. But the fact that the tape mod exists and demonstrably works (Tyll) means that they could modify tuning by making a multi-density foam. I suspect if they were to make a slightly larger foam L-Pad (I don’t like the big pads that much) with increased density around the rims and the back of the foam that many would prefer it. If there were a hybrid with velour, maybe even @taronlissimore’s delicate outer ears would find them more comfortable. Or, given the climate where he is, perhaps a ZZ-Top treatment.
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I’ve owned pretty much all of the SR series, personally I wouldn’t go above the 125e if you’re buying new. I bought the 225e used for $90, and that was the best value purchase I ever made. The 325 doesn’t justify its top pricing in this series in my opinion.
I’ve also had the PS-500e loved them, but sold them to move on to something else.
I’m trying to get a set of GS-1000e’s now. Will let you know my thoughts if I do.
I love the openess of the sound on the Grados, but I get the complaints about the highs. With the right pairing they can sound fantastic.
People more familiar with the SR lineup do say that the 225e is the best sound for value. I’ve heard only the 60 and 80. I did get some good listening time years ago with the first 1000s, and they were fine headphones.
The tape mod for the ear cushions is easily reversible. Or cheap, if you just want to buy a set of L-pads for the mod. I don’t know why, but I’m not a fan of the big G pads. Too much of an attempt to crawl over my ears, when I expect on-ears, I guess.
For those that don’t know about the tape mod, just wrap the edges of the L pad with some tape, using enough pressure to very very slightly compress them. This happens pretty naturally. Someone on here, I forget who, experimented with different types of tape. I had black plastic electrical tape handy, it worked fine. The old black friction tape might even look a bit less obvious.
I was skeptical, but Tyll was right and so were his measurements. It does tame the highs. And slightly improves the bass.
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Interesting thoughts. I find that I like the L-Pad cushions, for me the on-ear feels right. I know that others like @taronlissimore just can’t adjust to it. The S-Pads are comfy, but not, I think suitable for critical listening. I’d like to try Yaxi’s new PURPLE S-pads though to see if they are different.
With cheaper GRADO, I like the Tape Mod with the L-Pad. I do understand that some people find the treble just a bit too hot, and the Tape Mod both tames that and enhances bass a bit. I use stock L-Pad with the RS1e.
It’s interesting that you talk about 600 series Sennheiser in the same breath, @Lothar_Wolf. I have had HD-580s for about 20 years now, and HD-6xx (Massdrop’s HD-650 clone but with clamping force of 200 Newtons) for about 2 years. I find the RS2e Grado to have a similar balance to the HD-6xx, but with more defined sound throughout and with a wider soundstage. I find a big difference in the RS1e bass compared to Prestige series, perhaps because of the wider diaphragm.
Compared to my planars, the RS1e is less fatiguing (not comparing to the Audeze iSine 20 or LCDi3, which I like very much, but they are not headphones, but sort of IEMs). I don’t know why. I don’t find electrostatics to be fatiguing, and think that I’d rank by old STAX SR-5n as about equal to the RS1e, and the Nectar Hive as clearly superior in almost all respects (except that you are tied to that e-stat amp, so it fails on portability).
It’s been years since I tried Grado’s high end, so I really don’t like to comment on them.
One thing I like about the Grado foam or any foam cup is that it does not interfere with room sound. I find this to be more natural. My speakers are in a room, a concert is in a hall. If some car or truck happens by outside, it doesn’t bother me that I’m aware of it.
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This is a very honest assessment of Grado headphones. I have moved up the Grado chain also. I have heard the improvements in each series. The ability for the Grado headphone to capture and articulate the sounds coming from a studio or mixing board is as real as I have heard from music that I have listened to a lot. The reality of the physical acoustics of an instrument whether amplified or not is uncanny. I can’t agree more with Lothar_Wolf at the lack of musical body that is not recreated in some headphones. These other headphones get the separation of instruments well, but the actual sound of the instruments are not realistic. Amplifiers make the signal louder only. That doesn’t fill in the missing acoustics that an instrument creates when played. Grado’s include all that detail. With or without an amp. I really enjoy the realism that Grado is able to pass through their drivers. I use the PS 1000e now.
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Thought I’d add another horse to the stable. Wanted to try something different. Ordered a pair of SR80e from the good folks at Upscale Audio. I have a wide range of amps so I should be able to find something that it works well with.
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Note that these come with the “comfy” S cushion. If you find that you either don’t care for that style cushion, or find that the Grado house sound is a bit to bright, pick up a set of the “L” cushions (which also fit) and try the “tape mod”. This will improve bass and moderate the treble brightness.
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Thanks for the info. At 70 years old, bright is not really a problem. 
Everything in my collection is over the ear so I’m looking forward to these lightweights.
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@pennstac just likes to talk about the L cushion tape mod. He’s oddly obsessed with it.
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Yes, he is. I was astonished at the difference with my SR60e. After I read about it, I figured I try, and it really smoothed them out. @Mr-Rick, my ears are only 4 years behind yours, and I am not bothered by the Grado high end. What I did find was that the frequency response was more pleasing.
I don’t think the tape mod is for many of the higher-end Grados. I have the RS1e, and I don’t use it on that headphone, nor would I use it on the 1000’s that I’ve heard (older models, but still).
The SR60e was bought to replace a pair of Sennheiser PX-100 that I had broken - even more lightweight. Both the Senns and the entry level Grados brought a smile to my face.
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Hi @pennstac ,
I hope you weren’t offended by my comment, just meant to be some good nature teasing.
You do mention this modification a lot though… 
Anyway, I love the Grado house sound and my next set of cans is going to be one of the GS series. Probably the 2000e, unless the right deal comes my way
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Offended? No, I am OBSESSED!! I can only think modified Vanilla Ice
Tape, Tape, Baby
My secret plan involves sending PURPLE tape to @TylersEclectic, along with a set of L-Pads, *BUT NO LOW-END GRADOS!!!" Bwahahahahahah!!!
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