Grado PS1000 Review | 93 Data compared

The Grado PS1000 headphones are recognized for their exceptional dynamic range, detail, and massive soundstage, delivering a top-tier listening experience with remarkable ease of drive. Known for profound and clean bass, they provide an engaging, transparent sound in an open-back design. However, the headphones are noted for being very heavy at 500 grams due to the wood-metal hybrid construction, causing pressure points from the thin headband. Furthermore, the large G-cushion pads are described as abrasive to the skin and the cable is considered impractical, often requiring third-party adjustments for comfort. For a detailed look, visit Head-Fi.

The Grado PS1000 is a premium pair of dynamic open-back headphones evaluated as a benchmark for neutrality and detail. Shifting from the wooden housing of previous models to a special non-resonant metal alloy, the design incorporates internal mahogany to support a vented diaphragm driven by a re-configured voice coil. It features a low 32-ohm impedance that makes it highly compatible with portable players and standard headphone amplifiers. Sonically, the headphones excel in tonal accuracy, matching the timbres of live instruments closely, and managing a powerful, realistic bass impact despite being a headphone. They deliver a level of dynamic control and intricate detail that rivals the best loudspeakers on the planet. The primary advantages of the Grado PS1000 lie in its extraordinary sonic neutrality and resolution, making it effortless to discern minute details and sudden dynamic changes in any recording. The earcups are physically accommodating, eliminating any sensation of "aural claustrophobia". However, a significant drawback is its physical footprint; weighing in at a heavy 500 grams, the headphones can feel oppressive over time. This weight, paired with a relatively hard headband...

The 6moons Grado PS1000 Review highlights how Grado Labs created a new flagship headphone by grafting a heavy aluminum-alloy outer body over a traditional wooden inner housing. Pros include a wider soundstage and increased comfort due to the jumbo "salad bowl" foam cushions that move the drivers further from the ears. Sonically, the headphones feature low-mass polymer diaphragms vented into large air chambers, which effectively lowers the resonant frequency and boosts bass response. The machined metal alloy is also specially processed to prevent the metal from ringing, while the oxygen-free copper voice coils ensure high-quality signal transmission. However, the reviewer points out several notable cons regarding the $1,695 headphone's design and premium feel. Compared to high-end rivals like Sennheiser and Audio-Technica, the Grado's build and trim level are described as bare-boned, pedestrian, and lacking luxury. The 1-meter captive Y-cable is a major downside, as it looks and feels like a cheap, freebie power cord rather than a premium fabric-covered wire. Furthermore, the physical design relies on very basic materials, using a minimally padded headband and raw foam ear cushions without...

The Grado PS1000 headphones offer exceptional, transparent sound with superb instrumental separation and improved comfort over previous models, effectively eliminating the vocal stridency found in lower-tier Grado designs. However, the headphones are hindered by a heavy design that creates uncomfortable pressure points, combined with a soft, warm low-frequency presentation that lacks deep macro-dynamic "slam".

The Grado PS1000 is a premium, open-back flagship headphone from one of America's oldest hi-fi companies. Known for its striking retro/industrial design, this model features a unique combination wood-metal earcup, where the drivers are bonded to a mahogany mounting piece inside a solid, round metal exterior. Reviewer Steve Guttenberg notes that this approach provides a highly inert structure, resulting in a more natural sound, excellent clarity, and a wider, more spacious stereo imaging scale compared to previous models like the RS-1i. Despite being a heavy headphone, its large, bowl-shaped foam ear cushions and leather headband make it the most comfortable Grado headphone tested. Performance-wise, it retains Grado’s signature dynamic excitement while delivering a more refined treble and exceptional bass depth and texture. The package also includes high-quality accessories, such as a 15-foot extension cable and a 6.3-millimeter to 3.5-millimeter adapter for portable use with devices like an iPod. However, the PS1000 has clear drawbacks, primarily centered around its massive $1,695 price tag and a total lack of included travel or storage cases. Because it is an open-back design, it freely...

The Grado PS-1000 review on Head-Fi characterizes the headphones as an engineering achievement that delivers a forward, high-clarity sound while addressing previous midrange recession issues. Key pros include a wide, cohesive soundstage, impressive transient speed, and low impedance allowing for versatile amplification, though they require high-end gear to reach full potential. Cons noted in the review involve initial harsh treble sibilance, significant physical weight causing comfort issues, and a thick, non-detachable cable that limits customization.

The Grado PS1000 is highly praised as a state-of-the-art, open-air dynamic headphone that delivers an exceptionally realistic, highly transparent, and musical listening experience. In terms of sonic performance, its standout pros include a spot-on amount of lifelike detail that never sounds overly analytical, remarkably pure and extended bass response that avoids a "one-note" character, exceptional midrange clarity, and a true-to-life treble response. Constructed as a hybrid design, the headphones combine a hand-crafted mahogany inner sleeve with a non-resonant, hard metal alloy outer housing to effectively eliminate internal ringing and minimize distortion. However, the headphones also come with distinct physical and practical disadvantages. The primary cons are their physical comfort and fit, as they require significant finessing to stay properly positioned on the head and are prone to slipping during quick movements. Additionally, their open-back principle means they provide no isolation and leak sound to the surrounding environment. Lastly, despite the premium $1,695 price tag, the packaging and accessories are notably sparse, consisting of a plain cardboard box, a standard plastic-coated cable, an extension cord, and a single mini-plug adapter.

The Head-Fi community review characterizes the Grado PS1000 as a high-end, hybrid-design flagship offering an intimate, spacious soundstage with precise imaging and fast, punchy bass. The mids are forward and highly detailed, creating a transparent, resolving experience, while the headphone’s high sensitivity allows for excellent performance without requiring heavy amplification. Conversely, the, PS1000 features a notoriously bright, harsh, and sometimes grating treble, necessitating a significant break-in period to smooth out the audio. Furthermore, its high-resolution nature can make poor recordings sound unpleasantly analytical, with potential for bass resonance within the metal housing. Ergonomically, the heavy, hybrid metal-and-wood structure causes substantial head pressure, making long-term comfort an issue, despite the open-soundstage benefits of the large, foam ear pads.

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the Grado PS1000 headphones highlights a world-class audio performance characterized by powerful bass, intense detail, and a vast soundstage, complemented by a durable, high-quality build. Despite this, the review identifies the extremely high price as the main drawback, making it difficult to justify compared to lower-cost competitors like the Sennheiser HD800.

The Grado PS1000 is a high-end, open-back headphone priced at £1795 that delivers an astonishing, spellbindingly transparent sound. Combining a mahogany inner core with an alloy outer casing to damp resonances, it produces a fluid, powerful dynamic performance with superb midrange detail and highly controlled bass. It requires a top-tier source and a capable amplifier to reach its full potential. While it lacks the physical impact and front-facing soundstage of standard speakers, it provides an exceptionally cohesive, musical, and revealing presentation that easily outperforms competing high-end cans. On the positive side, the design is beautifully built, offering powerful playback, effortless dynamics, and unmatched insight. However, these headphones feature a dated, "pre-war" aesthetic and a beefy weight of 500g, making them significantly heavier than the typical 300g alternative. A notable drawback is their completely open design, meaning sound leaks heavily and everyone else nearby will be forced to listen along with you. Despite these physical quirks and the staggeringly high price tag, they justify the cost by mimicking the acoustic performance of speaker systems that would easily cost ten times more.

The Grado PS1000 headphones offer exceptional transparency, detailed, smooth treble, and superior instrumental separation, building on a classic, warm, midrange-forward sound. While comfortable for extended listening due to low clamping force, the headphones suffer from a heavy, "tippy" design that can cause discomfort. While the sound is highly musical, the bass lacks the deep definition, punch, and macro-dynamic slam found in other high-end models.