Grado Labs celebrates its 30th anniversary with new Reference Series headphones

The newest RS1x and RS2x are leading the way with 4th generation X drivers and for the first time, three different wood species are working together in a Grado headphone. The housing is made of a maple sleeve, hemp core, and cocobolo outer ring. Combined them for their warm and embracing tonal abilities, but finding the right balance of three separate woods is no simple task. The reward though is an RS1x and RS2x that opens Grado to a new level of sound.

Signature Sound

Pulling everything we can from the new 50mm X Driver, our signature sound is brought to new heights when combined with maple, hemp, and cocobolo. Maple takes care of most of the work, hemp smooths out top and low ends, while cocobolo adds that extra punch. Together the sound the woods produce, when combined with our special processes, are full-bodied, dynamic, and truly defined.

X Series Drivers

The RS1x is the first headphone to be built with the larger 50mm X Drivers. Specifically tuned for the tri-wood RS1x, this new speaker design features a more powerful magnetic circuit, a voice coil with decreased effective mass, and a reconfigured diaphragm. Reengineering these components for our 50mm drivers improve efficiency, reduces distortion, and preserves the harmonic integrity of your music.

New Cable & Headbands

Along with the speakers, the cables and headband have been redesigned for the RS1x. Housed in a more durable exterior, the now super annealed copper 8-conductor cable reveals even more of your music with improved purity. The new black leather headband features a white-stitched accent.

Hand-Built in Brooklyn

Our first wooden headphones were built in the middle of the night back in 1994 by John Grado. Wood has been a staple on our workbench ever since. Each RS1x headphone is hand-built by our team in Brooklyn – these headphones go from workbench to workbench until they’re ready for your ears. We started building on a kitchen table in 1953, and every experience since then has led to the RS1x.

Both models will go on sale on December, just in time for the holiday season The RS1x can be yours for £799/$750 and RS2x for £599/$550.