The star of this week’s Picture Sunday is the original Grade PS1000. Check out other recent Picture Posts Here, and Here.
After meeting Dimitri for lunch, beer, and a few dry fags, I trotted a couple blocks over to e-Earphone. The mission: re-terminating my MyST Nail 2×2, speccing out an XLR-2,5mm balanced adapter, and finally, repairing my Grado PS1000’s headband. The metal bit slipped out of the plastic nub. It’s crazy that in a 1700$ headphone such chintzy bits hold together the entire thing. E-Earphone told me mine wasn’t the first request PS1000 headband repair request they’ve had. In fact, they gave a quick, experience-informed answer to my question of cost.
Evidently I’ll be out up to 100$, shipping to and from New York included. I’m okay with that. The PS1000 is my favourite top-flight headphone. In my opinion, its only weaknesses are what caused its headband to bite it: weight and size. It is too heavy for its frame. And, even at its smallest setting, is too large for my narrow head.
It’s even more ridiculous an issue considering that the RS1, which appears to use the same parts, fits perfectly, and isn’t too heavy for its frame.
Another thing that makes little sense is my devotion to the PS1000. I’m the guy that appreciates fit and comfort first, branding and build quality second, and sound quality third. But what continues to draw me to the PS1000 is its brilliance. Powerful bass, extended highs, and the mild upper midrange suck out I enjoy for electronic music.
The PS1000 is a frustrating headphone. It is both somewhat delicate and uncomfortable. And yet, it it is my favourite Grado headphone. It is also the headphone of any brand to which I first reach. I can’t wait for it to be back from New York.