General Design Commentary on Grado HeadphonesAll Grado headphones have a vented diaphragm design that incorporates a large air chamber. This design concept lowers the frequency resonance (distortion) of the diaphragm and extends bass response. The diaphragm is made of a low mass polymer, carefully formed to broaden resonant modes to reduce their amplitude. The diaphragm mass is determined with the compliance of the suspension in mind so that the desired low frequency resonance is achieved. The diaphragm's total mass is calculated to provide a full 20 KHZ bandwidth, while avoiding break-up at lower frequencies. Technical refinements for Grado drivers include improved diaphragm and voice coil design for increased bass response and a larger perceived sound stage. A unique process to "de-stress" the diaphragm results in enhanced inner detail. An increased ability to control driver resonance virtually eliminates distortion. For all models, an improved headband spring will afford greater comfort for the majority of listeners.
The Sonic Reproduction of Grado HeadphonesGrado 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! Grado headphones are the antithesis of mass production, as each Grado headphone is hand-assembled and closely scrutinized to meet full performance specifications in the U.S.A.
Grado GS1000i DetailsWhat 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.
Grado’s GS1000i cushion design actually creates a “room” for the ears to sit, creating a larger soundstage and greater spatial experience for the listener. It was most important to design the correct balance between the driver and our wooden driver housing to give us the resulting sound that we desired. This has been accomplished. By creating this “room” for the ears to sit, positioning of the cushions with regards to the ears (i.e., forward or back) is somewhat critical in finding the absolute sweet spot. With this cushion design, we believe the GS1000i to be one of the most comfortable headphones on the market today.
The GS1000i retains a sound that is pure Grado, rich full-bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and an ultra smooth top end. The presentation is very detailed, the bass is deep and the music is very tight and non-fatiguing. All with a soundstage that is huge allowing for unbelievable separation and layering of the music which is simply stunning.
Comments on the Grado GS1000i"It’s not often a product I review elicits in me an emotional response…The Grado is like no other headphone I have ever tried… I’ve hook them up to quite ordinary hi-fi, to iPods and even my laptop and still been bowled over by the sheer beauty, clarity and spaciness…They have improved my life to such an extent that I have bought a pair for my own selfish use…A sound investment." -Jonathan Margolis/ Financial Times/UK
"The latest offering from Grado Labs represents decades of educated trial and error experimentation, the slow and painful development of mastery, and I feel the GS-1000s are a masterpiece… Good enough for Accessory Of The Year? Undoubtedly." - Max Dudious/Positive Feedback
"The Grado's bring excitement and an engaging musical quality to the table. I urge you to audition the GS1000 and to appreciate the new qualities which John Grado has brought to the table. The new GS 1000's are a statement option which now belong on the top of the short list up there on the top." - Ryan Clarin / sixmoons.com
"The GS1000 was the only headphone selected and recommended by Fortune magazine for their Holiday Gift guide." - Fortune magazine
"This may well be the finest electricity-to-sound transducer in the world. If you don’t want to be haunted by the suspicion that your interest in audio is terminally superficial, you absolutely must hear a pair of these." - Richard Black / HIFI Choice magazine
"The first thing that struck me about the GS 1000 was the comfort level. The GS1000 is one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever tried." - Ryan Clarin / sixmoons.com
"The GS1000s were superb and did a fantastic job of putting a three dimensional space inside my head, almost fooling me that I was listening to a pair of speakers." -Jeff Dorgay / Tone magazine
"Each and every instrument has body and the vocals come across without any doubt or question. When you hear the sound of a voice, you can actually hear and feel the sound as it would be coming from a real human flesh and blood. These qualities, along with the immediate proximity of the headphone, allow the music to actually get right under your skin." - Dr. Reinhold Martin / HiFi&Records (Germany)
"The GS1000 was named one of the six great indulgences in the world." - Details magazine
"Grado’s flagship cans just might make the best sounds you’ll ever hear." - Richard Black / HIFI Choice
"But there’s more to the GS1000 than just soundstage. The overall sense of neutrality and transparency. The effortless and liquid midband. And the bass – strong yet perfectly controlled and detailed. The GS1000 may be as close to a perfect headphone as I’ve so far heard." - Jude Mansilla, founder of Head-Fi.org
"Tell Mr. Grado that those new (GS-1000) headphones are probably the
best/finest Dynamic headphones that I have ever heard in the world...in my life." - Wayne Shuurman, Audio Advisor
"The GS1000 is a fantastic headphone for every musical taste. It is my headphone of choice and for good reason. Its soundstage is huge, the highs are detailed, the mids are sweet and the bass is deep and rich. Oh, and it's comfortable to boot! Way to go John!!!" - Todd Green, Todd The Vinyl & Headphone Junkie
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