Grado RS2x Hi-Fi headphones

The Grado RS2x Hi-Fi headphones use all the elements which made the reputation of both the range and the New York brand Grado. This RS2x new version is the evolution of the famous RS2e, making it this model’s 4^th generation.

GRADO RS2X: DESIGN

The new black leather headband featuring a white-stitched accent gives it an offbeat aspect. The housings are made from 2 different wood species. The housing’s sleeve and ring are made of maple wood, while the core is made of hemp.

For decades, Grado has been using wood for its warm and embracing tonal abilities. On the RS2x however, optimisation was focused on balance between these two types of wood. Maple takes care of most of the work, while hemp smooths out the top and low ends of the spectrum.

The set provides outstanding rigidity and produces little parasitic vibration and mechanical distortion.

For those put off by the lack of comfort from previous Grado headphones, you must know that this RS2x is very light and comfortable.
Manufacturing quality is remarkable; true craftsmanship in the best sense of the term. Assembling is entirely handmade in the historical production facility of Brooklyn.

GRADO RS2X: CHARACTERISTICS

The new 44 mm X Drivers have stunning performance with a 14Hz - 28kHz bandwidth! The drivers have undergone drastic sorting and matching (0.05 dB) in keeping with studio pro standard. This new driver features a more powerful magnetic circuit, a voice coil with decreased effective mass, and a reconfigured diaphragm. This allowed to drastically improve efficiency (99.8 dB!) while preserving the signal’s harmonic integrity and reducing distortion.

Along with the drivers, the cables and the headband have been redesigned for the RS2x. The drivers’ coil wiring and connection cable use very high-purity annealed copper conductors. The cable is composed of 8 different conductors.

GRADO RS2X: TESTING AND LISTENING

It’s important to know that similarly to all dynamic headphones, the RS2x requires around 50 hours of run-in before the reproduction is perfectly consistent.

It’s not necessary to pair it with a preamplifier, but a quality amplifier will allow you to take advantage of its full potential.

Its outstanding dynamics will bring happiness to rock and modern music lovers.

Drums and percussion are perfectly reproduced with rare precision. But the mid-range quality makes it very versatile. Vocals are precise and clear, their timbre quality and harmonic richness make them very realistic. The low end of the spectrum is deep and tense at the same time. It goes down very low with a very nice articulation.

The RS2x is not as nuanced, articulated and wide as its big brother the RS1x. But at this price, it’s above criticism.

Would recommend!