Grado Labs

Grado Labs is a manufacturer of open-air headphones as well as phonograph cartridges.

Background

Founded by Joseph Grado and based in Brooklyn, NY, Grado Labs specializes in dynamic open-air, supra-aural, high-fidelity headphones, which have won awards and accolades from audio-related publications such as Stereophile magazine. Grado Labs holds 48 patents as of October 30, 2006. Grado currently produces three families of headphones, at different price points:
*The Prestige series consisting of models: iGrado, SR 60, SR 80, SR 125, SR 225, and SR 325i.
*The Reference series consisting solely of the RS1 and RS2 headphones
*The Statement series, with the GS1000 as the sole offering of its series

An older series of headphones (the "HP Series") designed by company founder Joe Grado are also held in high regard in the audiophile community, often selling for high prices on the used market. Currently all present and future Grado headphone models are designed by Joe Grado's nephew John Grado. The question of which member of the family is the better audio engineer has sometimes been a source of contention among Grado enthusiasts.In addition to their headphones, Grado has also produced a highly-regarded series of phono cartridges for over 40 years.In its more than 50-year history, Grado has kept a very low profile by relying on word-of-mouth advertising among audio dealers and consumers instead of mass advertising campaigns to protect its brand image.

Grado also produces three models of headphones for the Pennsylvania-based Alessandro High-End Products company; the Alessandro Music Series One, Two, and Pro. These are built from the ground up and are not based on any existing model Grado produces at the moment. In addition, Grado produced a model for a German Distributor, which they call the PS1, and was sold in the US for a retail price of US$1400. However since this is an obsolete item, and almost all new stock has been depleted, secondhand PS1's have gone up in value and are selling for upwards of US$1800.

Joseph Grado and his achievements at Grado Labs were recognized as Grado was inducted in the Audio Hall of Fame in 1982.

Current line of headphones

All Grado headphones operate using Grado's vented diaphragm technology, dynamic transducers, open-air, "circled" 40mm driver-oriented supra-aural earcups (with the exception of the "iGrado", which has 30mm drivers, and Grado's "flagship GS1000" that noticeably has a larger earcup), an Impedance of 32 ohms, and a Sensitivity level of 98 dB. All Grado headphones have a non-resonant air chamber (with the SR325i having an aluminum version, and the Reference and Statement headphones having wooden versions each), and all Grado headphones use high-energy neodymium magnets for each earcup. All Grado headphones are available only in one color with the exception of the "iGrado", available in either white or black. Below is a table of Grado's current headphone line-up:

Phono cartridges

Each individual cartridge manufactured by Grado is hand assembled and tested for frequency response, channel output, channel balance, phase linearity, inductance and resistance. This meticulous care in design and construction lavished on each Grado cartridge contributes to an unchallenged consistency of performance and guarantee of reliability.

Prestige Series

The Prestige series of cartridges are designed for high output and excellent stability under severe use. A considerable tip mass reduction results in a frequency response to 50 kHz and beyond and tracking forces from 1 to 2 grams. Acclaimed by experts as virtually the finest pickups in the world at their price.

Prestige models available in both ½" mount and P-mount. 78 RPM styli are available for these models. All styli in the Prestige series are user replaceable.

Reference Series

The Reference series of wooden cartridges are a fixed coil design, hand-crafted at Grado labs from a specially selected species of mahogany. An intricate procedure of curing is done between production steps to achieve optimal sonic quality. Unlike the Prestige series, the Reference series generator/stylus module is not replaceable allowing a redesigned one piece magnetic circuit and a reduction of chassis resonances. The Reference series utilizes manufacturing and assembly techniques of fantastic accuracy and precision, the result is virtual perfection in a phono pickup resulting in the finest pickups in the world without exception. Should be used only with the finest equipment. Recommended tracking force ¾ to 2 grams.

All Reference series cartridges are ½" mount. 78 RPM styli are not available with the Reference series. All re-tipping on the Reference series is done by Grado.

Future production

*As of September 27, 2008, no future products have yet been announced.

External links

* [http://www.gradolabs.com/ The official Grado Labs website]
* [http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html Official Website for the Alessandro Music Series Headphones]
* [http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/interview-john-grado-127867 Interview with John Grado] on Head-Fi.org