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ALTERNATIVES
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Grado RS2x Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£570Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Grado RS2x 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 RS2x
5.4/10

Overall score

Score
5.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

80%

4.8

Technical score

20%

7.8

User score

▼Worse than 90% of headphones
6.0

Value for money

Value for money
6.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

7.5

Price

▼Worse than 95%
4.8

Technical score

Technical score
4.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.3

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 96%
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

4.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▼Worse than 65%
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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 RS2x

Technical score
Technical score
4.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.3

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

4.8
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

4.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.8
Popularity
Popularity
4.5/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 63% of models
Popularity:
Grado RS2x has a popularity score of 4.5 points, which is lower than that of 62.9% of products in this category.
4.5
Value for money
Value for money
6.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

7.5

Price

6.0
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
44 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 44 mm, larger driver size than 83% of headphones and equal to 0.7% 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
14 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 14 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 64.2% of headphones and equal to 0.4% 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
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% 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
Show more
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.
Show more
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
230 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 230 g, heavier than 53.6% of headphones and equal to 1.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Grado RS2x vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 4 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (44 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    44 mm vs 40 mm
  • 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.
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 4 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (14 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    14 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 4 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (44 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    44 mm vs 40 mm
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 4 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (14 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    14 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.
  • 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.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 6.33x more expensive
    Grado RS2x is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£570 vs £90).
    £570 vs £90
  • 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
  • 20.6% worse value for money
    Grado RS2x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.03 vs 7.3).
    6.03 vs 7.27
  • 6.33x more expensive
    Grado RS2x is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£570 vs £90).
    £570 vs £90
  • 20.6% worse value for money
    Grado RS2x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.03 vs 7.3).
    6.03 vs 7.27
  • 2.8% lower 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
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Grado RS2x
    the average pair of headphones
    Grado RS2x has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.79 vs 8).
    7.79 vs 8
  • 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.
  • 5.5% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (230 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    230 g vs 218 g
  • 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
  • 12 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (98 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    98 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.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 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

Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

soundstagesolo.com
20/02/2022
Listening test · Open-back sound
Verdict
The Grado RS2x places voices and instruments in a roomy, lifelike space, but its light bass makes heavy music feel less punchy.
pcmag.com
15/08/2023
Hands-on test · Open-back audiophile
Verdict
The Grado RS2x has a wide, lifelike stereo image and detailed highs, suiting home listeners who accept that it leaks sound and comes with no extras.
F
forbes.com
04/05/2023
Summary of the review
Grado's RS2x Reference Headphones Are A Tour De Force In Audio Design
S
superbestaudiofriends.org
15/01/2022
Summary of the review
Grado RS2x Review and Measurements
uk.pcmag.com
15/08/2023
Expert review · Open-back wired
Verdict
The Grado RS2x is a detailed, wide-sounding wired pair for home listening, but it has no noise cancelling and leaks sound to people nearby.
audio-head.com
26/03/2022
Hands-on review · Open-air listening
Verdict
The Grado RS2x delivers a big, airy, out-of-the-head sound, but it isolates almost nothing and its bass is tidy rather than punchy.
lindwurm.wordpress.com
26/02/2025
Personal review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The Grado RS2x is a fast, direct open-back that suits rock and films well, but needs new pads for comfort and isn't clearly worth its price on sound alone.
H
hifi-regler.de
No specific date
Summary of the review
Grado RS-2x Reviews - hifi-regler
(Translated)Show original
M
maplatine.com
Date non spécifiée
Summary of the review
Grado RS2x Hi-Fi Headphones - maPlatine.com (Review and Listening)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

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

What customers like about Grado RS2x

  • Open and transparent soundstage with excellent clarity and detail
  • Detailed mids and articulate highs suited for genres like classical and acoustic
  • Extremely lightweight and non-fatiguing design for extended listening
  • Easy to drive even with low-powered portable devices like phones and laptops
  • Hand-built quality with a unique aesthetic featuring maple and hemp wood accents

What customers don't like about Grado RS2x

  • Non-detachable cable that is noted for being overly thick, stiff, and prone to twisting
  • Open-back design naturally leaks significant audio and provides zero noise isolation
  • Lacks deep sub-bass impact compared to modern closed-back models
  • Stock foam earpads can feel rough or apply moderate pressure for some users
  • Minimal accessories included for its price point (no carrying case or pouch)

Verdict

The Grado RS2x is a high-end open-back, on-ear headphone featuring hand-built bi-wood housings that combine a maple exterior with a hemp core to deliver warm tonal characteristics and minimal transient distortion. Internally, it employs 4th-generation 44mm X Series dynamic drivers with a powerful magnetic circuit and reconfigured 'de-stressed' diaphragms, matched to within 0.05 dB for precise stereo imaging. Key technical specifications include a frequency response of 14 Hz – 28 kHz, a nominal impedance of 38 ohms, and a high sensitivity of 99.8 dB, making it easily driven by portable devices. Main pros include its lightweight 230g design, exceptionally clear midrange, and an immersive, wide soundstage with articulate high-frequency detail. However, notable cons include its bulky non-detachable cable, sparse included accessories, and potential on-ear comfort issues during long sessions due to the firm stock L-cushion foam pads.

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