Grado RS1x – Three Woods, Flagship Reference Sound

The redesigned RS1x is the flagship of Grado's Reference Series, pairing maple, hemp and cocobolo wood around the fourth-generation X dynamic driver. Hand-built in Brooklyn, these open-back on-ear headphones deliver a wide, articulate soundstage, deep controlled bass and airy highs.

Key Features

• 4th-Gen X-Series Dynamic Driver: Redesigned voice coil, diaphragm and magnet for lower distortion and richer detail
• Maple, Hemp & Cocobolo Earcups: Three timbers tuned to balance warmth, clarity and natural decay
• Open-Back Reference Flagship: Expansive, airy soundstage with a holographic stereo image
• Leather-Stitched Headband: Premium feel and secure fit with Grado's signature supra-aural comfort
• 8-Conductor Super-Annealed Copper Cable: Low-interference signal path and rugged braided exterior
• Handmade in Brooklyn, NY: Assembled, matched and tested by the Grado team to within 0.05 dB driver pair-matching

Customer Benefits

With the RS1x you get the top-tier voicing of Grado's Reference line — the three-wood cup adds body and resonance, the X driver reveals layers across your favourite recordings, and the hand-built craftsmanship means every pair measures and sounds the same. A headphone for collectors, audiophiles and musicians who want a Brooklyn-made flagship with real personality.

Quick Specs

• Driver Type: Dynamic (4th-Generation X-Series)
• Operating Principle: Open-air, open-back
• Frequency Response: 12 – 30 000 Hz
• Sensitivity (SPL @ 1 mW): 99.8 dB
• Nominal Impedance: 38 Ω
• Driver Matching: 0.05 dB (pair-matched)
• Cable: 8-conductor super-annealed copper, 3.5 mm termination
• Ear Cushions: L-Cushion (foam)
• Housing: Maple, Hemp & Cocobolo wood

What's in the Box

• 1 × Grado RS1x Headphones
• 1 × 6.3 mm (¼") adapter
• 1 × Owner's Guide & Warranty Card

Use Cases / Ideal For

Ideal for home audiophiles, vinyl listeners, producers and musicians who want a hand-built flagship open-back with Reference-level resolution and unmistakable Grado musicality.

Compatibility

Works directly with any 3.5 mm headphone output and, via the supplied ¼" adapter, with full-size headphone amplifiers, integrated amps and DACs. The 38 Ω impedance drives easily from quality portable amps to dedicated headphone stages.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

• Flagship Reference Series sound quality and resolution
• Striking three-wood earcups (maple + hemp + cocobolo)
• Tight 0.05 dB driver matching and hand-built QA
• Easy to drive from almost any source

⚠️ Cons:

• Open-back design leaks sound — not for office or commute
• L-Cushions can feel firm until broken in
• Fixed cable (XLR termination is a factory option, not user-replaceable)

The Grado RS1x is a rare thing in 2026: a handmade, three-wood flagship that lets you hear into the recording without chasing statement-tier pricing. If you want open-back musicality at the very top of Grado's Reference line, the RS1x belongs on your desk.