OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Grado RS1x Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£790Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Grado RS1x Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Grado RS1x
5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
Score components

80%

5.1

Technical score

20%

7.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 80% of headphones
5.9

Value for money

Value for money
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

6.3

Price

â–¼Worse than 96%
5.1

Technical score

Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

52%

5.7

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 90%
7.8

User score

User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

9.6

User ratings

30%

3.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 63%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Grado RS1x

Technical score
Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components:

52%

5.7

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

5.1
User score
User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

9.6

User ratings

30%

3.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.8
Popularity
Popularity
3.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
Popularity:
Grado RS1x has a popularity score of 3.7 points, which is lower than that of 67.4% of products in this category.
3.7
Value for money
Value for money
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

6.3

Price

5.9
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
50 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 50 mm, larger driver size than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 8.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
12 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 12 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 64.9% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Grado
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
320 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 320 g, heavier than 84.9% of headphones and equal to 1.4% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
2.2
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 2.2, lower clamp force than 93.3% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more

Grado RS1x vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 10,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 2.1 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (2.2 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    2.2 vs 4.3
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 2.1 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (2.2 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    2.2 vs 4.3
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 0.5 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (1.7 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    1.7 m vs 1.2 m
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • 10,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.45 dB tighter channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a lower channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (0.1 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    0.05 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 46.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (320 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    320 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 8.78x more expensive
    Grado RS1x is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£790 vs £90).
    £790 vs £90
  • 23.9% worse value for money
    Grado RS1x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.87 vs 7.3).
    5.87 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 2.2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (99.8 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    99.8 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 8.78x more expensive
    Grado RS1x is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£790 vs £90).
    £790 vs £90
  • 23.9% worse value for money
    Grado RS1x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.87 vs 7.3).
    5.87 vs 7.27
  • 58.5% less popular
    Grado RS1x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (3.7 vs 5.9).
    3.7 vs 5.87
  • 46.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (320 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    320 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 2.2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (99.8 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    99.8 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 10.2 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (99.8 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    99.8 dB vs 110 dB
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

4.0
GREQ Reviews
≈ estimated
25/09/2026
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and comparisons
Verdict
Grado RS1x is hard to recommend as tuned, and only listeners who enjoy heavy EQ correction are likely to like it.
7.0
The Audiophile Man
✓ explicit
23/04/2023
Comparison review · listening tests on CD and vinyl
Verdict
Grado RS1x is not a bad headphone, but it's a little inconsistent and isn't an award winner for its creator.
Shop video
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

whathifi.com
03/08/2022
Listening review · Tri-wood open-back
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is a lively, clear open-back for home listeners who want fast, detailed sound, though its open design is not always practical.
avforums.com
17/06/2022
Hi-fi review · Open-back home headphone
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is a superb home headphone with transparent, immersive sound that is easy to drive, though minimal padding and high leakage limit everyday use.
sound-advice.online
30/05/2022
Expert review · Open-back over-ear
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is a slightly quirky reference headphone that delivers dynamic, engaging sound and is easy to drive, though it exposes poor recordings and leaks sound.
everydaylistening.net
11/02/2022
Everyday listening · Tri-wood open-back
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is the most classic Grado yet, a striking, revealing wood-cup for home listeners willing to accept lean sound and modest long-term comfort.
T
theaudiophileman.com
31/05/2023
Summary of the review
REFERENCE & STATEMENT HEADPHONES FROM GRADO sound-advice.online
S
superbestaudiofriends.org
19/12/2021
Summary of the review
Grado RS1X Review and Measurements
headphone.guru
19/04/2026
Listening review · Reference open-back
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is a linear yet musical reference headphone with deep bass and a huge soundstage, offering remarkable value for its sound.
theheadphonelist.com
19/04/2026
Everyday listening · Tri-wood open-back
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is the most classic Grado yet, a striking, revealing wood-cup for home listeners willing to accept lean sound and modest long-term comfort.
everydaylistening.net
11/02/2022
Sound breakdown · Tri-wood open-back
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is an airy, vocal-forward headphone with tight mid-bass, suited to listeners who like an intimate, upfront presentation.
musicalhead.de
18/07/2022
Listening test · Open-back on-ear
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is a light, detailed on-ear for home and travel, suited to listeners who accept an open design and lean bass with little depth.
H
hifi-regler.de
No Date Provided
Summary of the review
Grado RS-1x Review - hifi-regler
(Translated)Show original
on-mag.fr
25/06/2022
Hi-fi review · Open-back over-ear
Verdict
The Grado RS1x is a neutral, precise open-back that excels with well-recorded classical and jazz, but it exposes weak sources and poor mixes and is not warm.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Grado RS1x

  • Exceptional clarity and unfaltering detail retrieval across the frequency range
  • Vibrant, energetic 'forward' sound signature that remains engaging and musically involving
  • Wide and cohesive soundstage with top-notch instrument separation and imaging
  • Aesthetically stunning 'tri-wood' design featuring maple, hemp, and cocobolo
  • Highly efficient and easy to drive, performing well even with mobile devices or low-power sources
  • Lightweight build that allows for longer listening sessions than previous heavier models
  • Improved durable 8-conductor cable that resists tangling compared to older vinyl versions

What customers don't like about Grado RS1x

  • On-ear 'L-cush' pads can be scratchy and cause ear fatigue or hotspots during extended use
  • Unforgiving nature that highlights poor quality recordings or low-end source electronics
  • Sub-bass extension is rolled off, lacking the deep 'slam' found in closed-back or planar rivals
  • Thick, non-detachable (captive) cable remains a point of frustration for some users
  • Open-back design results in significant noise leakage, making them unsuitable for public use
  • Minimalist packaging and lack of accessories like a carry case at a premium price point
  • Occasional reports of minor build quality inconsistencies, such as splintered wood finish on the cup interiors

Verdict

The Grado RS1x is an open-back dynamic headphone distinguished by its unique tri-wood housing, which combines a maple sleeve, hemp core, and cocobolo outer ring to achieve a full-bodied, harmonic tonal balance. It features the 4th-generation 50mm X Series drivers, matched within 0.05dB, offering a frequency response of 12Hz–30kHz, a sensitivity of 99.8dB, and a 38-ohm impedance that makes it exceptionally easy to drive without specialized amplification. Main pros include a highly revealing yet smooth midrange, a remarkably spacious soundstage for an on-ear design, and a durable 8-conductor super-annealed copper cable paired with a premium white-stitched leather headband. However, its non-detachable captive cable can be cumbersome for some setups, and the on-ear L-cush pads may cause comfort issues during extended listening sessions while offering virtually no noise isolation.

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