This is Part 2 of the Grado series, here's Part 1. • A look inside Grado La... John introduces his sons Jonathan and Matthew. The Grado website, gradolabs.com Follow me on Twitter @AudiophiliacMan #audiophile #highendaudio
1996 I got my first pair of Grado's right from John. I've bought 3 or 4 more pairs since then, and doubt I would ever buy anyone else's open headphones. Brooklyn based, family owned, customer centric company that produces their product in the USA, what more could anyone want??? Support local, small and family owned businesses!!!!!!
I like him for being so honest and candid on the video. He's not an audiophile because he only listens to his Grado hp and uses his own love and taste for music to calibrate his products. Thanks for the tour, I enjoyed it.
Tony Tunison said it all, the future of the Co. looks safe. Being English it's nice to see the top stuff is staying in families hands rather than being sold to big conglomerates.
Aside from my SR325s still being a fav, I dig the Grado micro-verse represented here. Authentic, intuitive (or perhaps counter?) and anti-heroic. If any of you also ride motorcycle and wear Arai helmets, these guys are in the same vain relative to family, art and quality control. No small feat to do or choose business in this way and to create, attain new heights and expand the new fan base. Grado has never been about attention and always about recognition via a value and ethic of pursuing a particular path of excellence. 100 or more years from now, they may still be in biz or perhaps, having become a producer of Stradivarius proportion.
I have owned three of their headphones, sounds like horn speakers, airy with great vocal presentation. Only issue is the comfort level of the ear pads, hopefully the kids will find some improvement on that.
@@brydon10 The "e" series have been tuned and developed with Jonathan, his oldest son. That's why they're a touch warmer than previous generations. They sound natural and fuller to these ears. And if you think they're bright, try listening to actual Shure monitors (SRH440, SRH940). Those are sharper and brighter overall. If you're treble sensitive, I could understand. I'm not. I love lots of detail. 😊
I used to like bright, I'm more into mellower treble at the moment (HD 650). I've been curious about the SR80e because I hear they are less extreme in the treble than SR60e, and produce a bit more bass.
@@brydon10 Yes they are. I own them. And auditioned both before going with the 80e. The 80e is more of an all-rounder because the added bass can add oomph to genres that need them (rock, jazz, etc.). They are of a different character to Sennheisers. Senns are as you said, mellow and lush, no/less fatigue for long listening sessions. When you audition both side by side, the difference might be shocking at first. But I guess you owe it to yourself to audition a different "flavor". You just might like it. :) Also, higher end Grados are more refined, maybe not as "hot" on the treble as the Prestige series so you may want to try them out too. Talking to self - "What are you doing, selling an aggressive Grado to a Sennheiser lover?!" Oh well, this hobby is about sharing, isn't it. :)
It actually took me a bit to get used to the Sennheiser. At first I thought it was a bit too warm/dark but now I enjoy it. I actually really like the Philips SHP9500s too, absolutely fantastic and brighter than the HD 650. I might check out the 80e sometime but I also hear the comfort can be an issue. What are your thoughts on the comfort of 80e?
❤❤Steve… I knew Joseph Grado… we collaborated on a product called Static Guard made by Alberto Culver.. I was the product manager and ran that and other brands.. we experimented with for vinyl static control… Great cartridges… and headphones…
I've been a big Grado fan of both the headphones and carts because to me they're "musical"...........after your 2 parts with the family behind the name, I love them even more. Very nice pieces :)
My first real hi-fi headphones were a pair of Stax SR80 electrostats. Then a dealer friend said "Stax? try these new Grado headphones". That was 25 years ago and Ive been Grado faithful since
This is so awesome! A 3rd generation family company. Making American headphones right here in Murica!! There aren't many companies in the world anywhere in the world that have this much longevity and family lineage.
I get what John Grado means about making a headphone for music rather than tests and sound effects. I'm very privileged to own the PS2000e and a Chord Mojo, which plays CD rips (WAV) from my iPad Pro. Currently I'm listening to an album of J.S. Bach organ pieces, played by Florence Mustric on the Beckerath tracker organ in Cleveland. The tonality is amazing from this purely acoustic instrument.
The first thing I did after watching Part 1 was check to see if Grado cartridges were available here in Australia. Great to see they are and amazing to see they start at such affordable prices too, I'll be a customer soon. Thanks Steve for making these videos I really enjoy them..!!
ooohh..this is is very very good.personal.the last part when john answered about how grado choose the correct sound, inner circle, the other headphones and do not forget about what jonathan said about production in china, 😁 i watch all the grado's factort visit in youtub. And youre video sir, by far, is the 'grado sound' 😁
I know the headphones are the bread and butter for Grado at this point, but the carts for me are so unique and so wonderful. The sound of your carts for is like THE sound of analog - don't change it too much. I have a V3 HO Sonata and I'm eyeing the Reference. Please never stop making the carts!
It’s fantastic for Families in this Contemporary Era to develop and have the next younger Generation to become involved and to continue with Family Business. Family Heritage is fantastic. Sometimes I do regret not taking up and continuing in my own Grandfather’s own small business. After 100 years it ended because non of us thought it cool enough to carry on. A regret that the choices my own generation made which closed the doors on a Family Legacy.
With my first Grado product, a 'Grado A' m-c cartridge, I was sold! Good visit, S.G. (And, we assume that the boys are working on a Fourth generation? Good thing.) . : .
I know first hand you can’t beat their Cartridges for the money. Bought my brother one of their lower end models for his old Dual turntable and he still can’t believe the difference a decent cartridge can make. Well done Steve 😎
Watching this video gave me such a great appreciation for all that John Grado, his sons, and the rest of his employees/family do. I feel lucky to have stumbled upon such a great sounding headphone and as lucky that it was built by hand in Brooklyn by a family business that is now in its third generation. A local shop that has been at the same location since 1948 let me demo the Grado Statement Series GS1000e headphones and match them up with the Sennhaiser HD 800 S! The Grado’s were significantly better than the Senn’s. I go into more detail below, but the clarity, detail, and instrument separation made me fall in love with the Grado’s. The much more expensive and popular Senn’s couldn’t match them. The Senn’s couldn’t reproduce the sound of a piano the way the Grado’s could. The Senn’s sounded “piano-like”, but the Grado’s made me feel like I was sitting right next to the keys. The detailed story: When visiting a local audio shop I was offered the change to listen to some headphones that were way out of the price range I was looking to spend. I’m always eager to try out the best products so I gave them a go. I listened to the Grado Statement Series GS1000e and the Sennhaiser HD 800 S hooked up to a Bryston BHA-1 amp. I listened to a jazz trio on the HD 800 S’ and was surprised that I didn’t love them. I know how highly venerated the brand and this pair are. When I listened to the Grado GS1000e’s I was blown away! These much cheaper headphones made by a brand I heard very little about on forums and online reviews just blew away one of the most highly rated headphones by one of the giants of audiophile headphone companies! For so long I had been listening to people describe their experience listening to headphones and I finally truly understood what they had been talking about! The Grado’s outshined the HD 800 S’ with more detail, better instrument separation, and clarity. I realized that the piano lessons I took in high school paid off. I’m not sure how many audiophiles have played instruments, but I quickly realized how valuable the first had knowledge of what an instrument sounds like in person is for evaluating headphone quality. In addition to the differences I described the Grado’s presentation of the piano was absolutely perfect. The HD 800’s couldn’t replicate it. They produced a sound the was similar to that of a piano, but the Grado gave you the true sound. With the HD 800’s I found myself desiring to get the headphones off of my ears quickly listening to the piano, but the Grado’s just made me smile widely and feel so happy! I could just listen to them for hours!!
The company could probably make out with more financially by laying off everybody, shutting down, and selling their fully-paid-for Brooklyn property for all the filthy lucre they could rake in from greedy New York real estate developers who would convert the buildings to ticky-tacky condos. But where would the pride and self-worth be, from doing that? This is from a longtime Grado user, since the early 1960s! Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac is a wet-behind-the-ears youngster!!!
SR325 on my ears for the past year................. sound is natural and easy to listen for hours ......... comfortable and well designed. No reason to buy more expensive heads. Voices sound real and the music on You Tube, I can easily tell the difference between awful and wonderful recordings. Made in USA for over 60 years.
Awful recording is sound so bad on these grado. You can hear cracking and swooshing noises from bad recording. They sound wonderful when the material agree with it. They are wonderful for Gaming too. Grado should make a SR125 with mic and called it a Gaming Headset
Great Grado episode, getting to know the "officers". This provides the chance to further appreciate my three Grado cartridges: Black, Gold, and Statement 2. No headphones for now, as long as the "pads" are "supra-aural". Maybe, when the pads are circumaural...
The thing that's an incredibly invaluable intangible is that it's essentially an enthusiast's company. Grado has lasted because of its reputation. To be able to keep it in the family is nothing short of a miracle. Companies in this business don't always last. I immediately think of Jim Theil. There wasn't a talented creative person to assume the reins, and being caretakers in this business doesn't move people to purchase product(s).The quality and innovation of the 1st generation doesn't necessarily transfer to the 2nd and third. I'm happy to see this going forward.
Steve, thank you! Don't, don't, don't do the China thing. Some people think Grado is 20 years behind, but they are actually 50 years ahead. I have owned my SR60s for 15 years, and GH4s for just a bit, but both are fantastic!
I thought that these videos had made me a Grado true believer, and I was all ready to place an order until...I saw that terrifying clown painting on the listening room wall.
Grado Labs is the biggest nickel & dime brand in existence. If something falls on the floor and gets crap on it, they'll just wipe it off and still package it as new. In Canada, Grado's using a guy out of his own measly house where inventory is stored in a humid basement ! If you buy anything Grado in Canada, big chance you're gonna get something previously used or repaired !
Great.I can understand that the Grado products are the subject at hand but were all wondering what tools are in that listening room.I have talked with John so know what he has at home for a deck but I know he mentioned one time that Grado had a speaker (or two) that was still upstairs.Love to know if you noted what decks and else was in that stack other than the AR amps and pre.Guess I can inquire next time I call there
i have SR 80's and 225's and love the later the most. have a couple of more expensive phones from other companies but i do thing the 225's sound best. sent them in to the company a year or so ago to fix a frayed cable , and they came back sounding even better it seems ( there was i think an 80$ fee but worth it). was hoping to see a part about the headphones and cartridges themselves.
It's incredible how reality differs from what You imagine about a company. This is a SMALL family company. Anyway, five minutes after watching this video I purchased one of the last available brand new Grado GH 2.
Maybe someone here can help me out. So if I suggest running 4 speakers in "stereo" people are constantly saying "but the comb filtering!!!" But then I think about any other non stereo setup. Nobody says "but the comb filtering!!!" When it comes to a 7.4.2 setup. Or when someone uses 4 subwoofers. They always just say that frequencies are getting more even and bass is distributed much smoother. Isn't that contradictory??
Ok, I love me some Grado, cartridges and headphones. Please, PLEASE for the love of god, make your headphones with detachable cables! I have 3 pairs of headphones, but if the cable was detachable, I’d own 10
Does anyone know of a source for an inexpensive replacement cable for SR60? Mine have been down for years, and I just need to resolder a new cable. I've fixed the stock cable many times over the past 20 years, but it finally has an internal break that is not fixable. Sending them to Grado for repair doesn't make sense for $70 phones. Maybe I should just finally buy a pair of SR125's!
Unless you make your own cable and solder it, in my opinion the cost of replacing the cable would be about the same as just purchasing a new pair of phones altogether. Good luck and enjoy!
@@ChrisTopher-xu4ef Sadly I fear you are correct.... and it's a sad state of the world that I should throw away perfectly good headphones because I can't buy a $5 replacement cable. What I have done for my iGrados (that I use for running) is buy a cheapo pair of earbuds for about $5-7 JUST FOR THE CABLE! I cut off the buds, and solder the cable to my iGrados. For those that think I'm rough on my headphones...… no i'm not, but I use the iGrados when exercising or working in the yard, and the cable gets snagged sometimes!
Hi I have a question for John . I have a vintage grado GT bright blue in colour. What can you tell me about cartridge . Windings / gold? Or pretty much standard?
Not really a factory tour , seems more like an assembly joint picking parts out of imported cardboard boxes, how these people survive against todays multitude competition is commendable. . Sort of reminds me of the defunct mastertouch pianola roll factory where it was tea and scones personal touch to keep the staff happy doing mundane process work.
Joe would not like approve of the quality of the headphones that’s only because he wants to keep it in America fair enough but the quality is not what his father wanted and then I used to work on the West Coast and tweak all radios cartridges that went to five major stores and pick out the top ones for Shelly‘s are you pacific island Pacific stereo and several others distributors of the cartridge show is meticulous in quality and build not any longer that’s
@@billdunn8542 Adam sounds like a socialist. But in America the corporations tell the masses whats cool, guess thats better than the government setting that standard. Later comrades......LOL
@ Dave....goes to show it doesn't matter so much. Guess it all comes down to years of experience in the business. As for those 20-60 year old ears....they'll hear things differently to both you and I, regardless of age. They just seem like an honest family run business that just so happens to be headphones and cartridges. I'd have thought there'd be more to the cartridge side of things....esp in terms of some new design, but it seems not. Old school ways and old school values in this day and age. Very 😎
@@nostro1001 i would say that nearly all audio manufacturers will measure and then listen. Speakers are designed first with computer simulations, saves time and money.
@@r423sdex 'Better' is a very subjective term. I'm not a Grado headphone guy, but I've had a cartridge of theirs in the 90s. Can't recall the model 'reference something' perhaps? As for pricing I'm neither in the UK or USA, so hard for me to comment. We get slugged stupid amounts for import taxes, currency conversion etc. I do like Harbeth speakers, although I can see why you say they are overpriced compared with similar speakers from the competition. No doubt being manufactured in the UK or USA comes at a cost relative to those being manufactured offshore. It's an interesting discussion. :)
