Yep...I research everything to an almost obsessed level before I buy anything....especially audio equipment. The jump from the 125 and the RS2e will give you like about a 20 - 25% increase in quality of sound...and about 90% of the top of the line units. Definitely the sweet spot in the lineup.



Roman

Roman and Art,
I have used the Grado RS-1 for years. But I consider the HiFiMan HE 400i headphones a REALLY significant move up in sound quality for me. Plus the Grado foam pads keep turning to crumbling dust and have to be replaced fairly often.
I do like them, their sound is great, especially for rock and roll.
But the HiFiMan cans have a fuller, richer sound, more and better bass and more refined mids and treble. In my humble opinion.
YMMV.
God Bless,
Wayne

Not sure where the SONY MDR 1A's fit in in all these comparisons. But driven via an Audio quest Jitterbug into a Audioquest
Dragonfly Red, it's pretty darn good.

Good enough for me to keep patiently waiting for GEt closed back headphones. We all have different priorities. Mine is closed back where I can play anywhere.

Whenever GEt introduces one, I'm there...

Rick

rjohn79395 wrote: Not sure where the SONY MDR 1A's fit in in all these comparisons. But driven via an Audio quest Jitterbug into a Audioquest
Dragonfly Red, it's pretty darn good.

Good enough for me to keep patiently waiting for GEt closed back headphones. We all have different priorities. Mine is closed back where I can play anywhere.

Whenever GEt introduces one, I'm there...

Rick

I'm with Rick!

WayneWilmeth wrote: Roman and Art,
I have used the Grado RS-1 for years. But I consider the HiFiMan HE 400i headphones a REALLY significant move up in sound quality for me. Plus the Grado foam pads keep turning to crumbling dust and have to be replaced fairly often.
I do like them, their sound is great, especially for rock and roll.
But the HiFiMan cans have a fuller, richer sound, more and better bass and more refined mids and treble. In my humble opinion.
YMMV.
God Bless,
Wayne

Wow. I am guessing the ones you got were either defective or we hear VERY differently. Or maybe the new E varient (guessing you have the i version based on your "for years" comment) has really changed the headphones. I listened to both the RS1e and the RS2e and both were amazing. Blew my HiFiman He 400s (not i) units out of the water. Brought them with me for A-B comparisons.



Roman

WOW Roman, I can't imagine!!!! I thought you were getting the Grados to use differently than HiFiMans. NOT as a step up.
My RS-1 Grados were their top of the line when I bought them, WAY expensive and were their best/reference headphone until not that long ago: headfonics.com/2011/05/grado-reference-series-rs1/

Even with a good amp they never came up to the standard of the ortho dynamics to my ears. So the HiFiMan HE 400i at $499 were cheaper and better to me, WAY better!!!! I suspect that the 400s phones at $299 are not quite as good as the i series, but I would think they are still really good.
That is why it surprised me to read what you wrote.
Do you have a good amp to run your HE 400s with? That could be a difference.
BUT it does not matter, to each his own, and as long as you are happy, that is great.
Whatever turns you on, happy listening,
God Bless,
Wayne