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Review 5 of 51
Price Paid:
$375.00
from Second user Summary:
Note the price is UK £375. OK at last I have the RS1's I read all the reviews first about how these headphones compare to the HD600. I am an amateur piano player and the rest of the flamily play instruments (intermediate or good) bass player cousin who has played with Ronny Jordan and co, drummer who has played with Pato banton (remember with UB40 rat in my kichen lol), my wife plays violin, kids play, etc so I have a musical ear hehe. I also auditioned these against the HD600. I previous owned the Grado SR80, also have sennheiser px200, mx500 and mx400 (for personal hifi use).
When I brought the Grado SR80 I auditioned against comparable Beyer and Sennheiser and thought the Grado won just on clarity. I thought the bass was just right and the Senn's were too bassy. My musical preferences are Jazz, classical and RnB so I like both bass and Treble.
Then I thought I just have to go one step further and let me tell you the RS1's are definately the best. I am a pround owner of the Musical Fidelity X-CAN v3 and have a reasonable marantz CD player (DR6000) so everything source wise is ok. I listened to Jill Scott (RnB), Regina Carter (Jazz violinist) and Mozart 'jupiter' (classical) to compare the headphones. I can say that the RS1's won on every category bass, clarity of instruments, environment feel (e.g. you get lost in the music thinking your there).
When I first put RS1's on then went back to listen to my normal system (Marantz CD, Pioneer 2011 Amp, Kef Q5 speakers) I am both home cinema and hifi buff so had to match both. I can say I was angry. I thought my system is rubbish now!!! I heard so many small bits to the music I had not previously heard (soooooo much). You take the headphones off and now know your missing loads of detail. Damn!!!! It also shows how wonderful your ears are!! Anyway back to the headphones. The RS1's look lovely too when I was in the shop comparing the too both men and women commented on the look of RS1's favourably (in the shop we compared on Linn CD player). However the build quality of the RS1's are poor for headphones that cost the average man a couple of weeks wages (c£700 rrp) I think Grado need to look at this. The ear felt seems to be coming away and looks like someone just stuck it on in the factory with kid's glue. Also the Senn's out the box are more comfortable but after careful adjustment of the Grado's you can wear for hours (I have even played many a PC game using the headphones to help burn them in).
The HD600 were the shop demo' and at the time the RS1's had maybe only had about 10 - 20 hours use so I think it was maybe a fair comparison. I wanted to get the HD600 as I could get them for about a third of the price £129 from Ask Direct UK but I know I would have regretted it having heard the RS1's where as now I have no regret having not got the HD600.
I have tried to be as objectional as I could as I like both headphones but if you can get a second user pair go for the RS1's but I think the retail price of £650 - £700 is just too much. At £400 the RS1's are a good price.. Strengths:
Clarity, Bass just right, takes you into the music and the looks. Given 5 stars because ok build is naff but its the sound what counts as long as I think it will last for a good few years. Also I gave 5 star for value at the price I brought it for Weaknesses:
Build quality, take time to get adjustment just right, price.
Also you will want to upgrade your existing hifi unless you have speakers and amp worth I would say at least £2,500 each minimum maybe more!!!! You have been warned!! Similar Products Used:
Beyer 990
Grado SR80
Sennheiser HD600
sennheiser mx400 & mx500 (very good in ear phones)
sennheiser px200 (make ears sweat but good for mp3/portable)
Sennheiser RS 45 and 65 (wireless ok for outdoors, etc)
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4.61 of 5
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