Grado PS-1000 Headphones

General Design Commentary on Grado Headphones
All 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 Headphones
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! 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 PS1000 Details
Grado is proud to introduce the new flagship of their headphone line, the PS1000. This hybrid design has an inner sleeve of a selected species of hand-crafted mahogany made by using an intricate curing process. Its outer housing of metal machined from a special non-resonant, very hard metal alloy utilizes a special processing and casting method to increase the porosity of the alloy. This combination of wood and metal insures that the earphone chamber has no "ringing" which might obscure detail or add coloration. The way the wood and metal housing moves air and reacts to sound vibrations is now virtually unaffected by transient distortions. Grado has also designed a new cable for the PS1000. The new eight-conductor cable design, utilizing UHPLC (ultra-high purity, long crystal) copper, improves control and stability of the total range of the frequency spectrum. The PS1000 also utilizes a newly re-configured voice coil and diaphragm design, resulting in unsurpassed speed and accuracy response. The cushion design creates the correct balance between the driver and hybrid housing to give the resulting musicality desired. The cushion design also makes the PS1000 one of the most comfortable to wear headphones in the world. Grado has taken all their knowledge and years of experience in controlling resonances and eliminating distortions and this has culminated in the development of their finest headphone ever, the PS1000.

The manufacture of the PS1000 housing is a complicated and proprietary process that results in a sonic signature and voicing that is the Grado hallmark. An important step in this process is the metal housing being stressed and then cured resulting in a unique aesthetic finish. As with all Grado products the most important aspect is the sound. If you are interested in owning the finest headphone Grado has ever produced then the PS1000 is the choice that will satisfy the most critical music lovers.

Comments on the Grado PS1000

"…we think the PS1000 is the best-looking and best-sounding headphone we've tested from the company. That also makes it one of the best pair of headphones we've ever heard." - Steve Guttenberg/CNET

"I’ve been listening to Grado headphones for over 15 years, and I have to say that the PS1000 is the greatest headphone they’ve ever made." - Mark Rivera, long time member of the Billy Joel Band & Musical Director for Ringo Star

"The PS1000's are finally, the first set of headphones that would motivate me to sell all the rest, because these PS1000s do it all and do it as flawlessly as I've yet experienced. The PS1000's are the very best Grado headphone ever made." - Jason Morin, aka Zanth on head-fi.org

Grado PS1000 Features Technical Data