Grado RS 2x Headphone, Wired, Dynamic Open-Back

Grado RS2x — Hear Wood Sing

Slip on the Grado RS2x and rediscover the albums you thought you knew. The maple-and-hemp cups aren’t just beautiful; they’re tuned around Grado’s 4th‑gen X drivers to unlock air, texture, and that famous Grado midrange—speedy, vivid, and emotionally immediate. If you crave lifelike vocals, lightning‑quick transients, and an open stage that breathes, this is where the Reference Series starts to feel truly reference.

Why Audiophiles Choose This Product

• Bold, articulate sound
  • A classic Grado presentation: holographic staging, a world‑class midband, airy yet controlled treble, and bass that’s taut over thump. Many listeners note superb detail retrieval and a touch more warmth vs. the RS1x, while acknowledging limited sub‑bass—ideal for acoustic, jazz, classic rock, and vocal work.
• X‑Series driver engineering
  • 44 mm 4th‑generation X drivers use a stronger magnetic circuit, lower‑mass voice coils, and a re‑shaped diaphragm to improve efficiency and reduce distortion—purpose‑tuned for the RS2x’s bi‑wood housing.
• Hand‑built comfort and craft
  • Lightweight on‑ear design with L‑cushion foam, white‑stitched leather headband, and meticulously matched drivers (to 0.05 dB). The cups combine maple sleeves and rings with a hemp core for natural tone and fast decay. Hand assembled in Brooklyn.
• Easy to drive, easy to love
  • With 38 Ω impedance and 99.8 dB sensitivity, the RS2x reaches satisfying levels from laptops and dongle DACs—no dedicated amplifier required—yet scales with higher‑quality sources.
• Purpose‑built for focused listening
  • The open‑back design trades isolation for a wonderfully open stage. Expect significant sound leakage—perfect for quiet rooms, not for commuting.

What’s Included

• RS2x headphone: Reference Series, maple/hemp bi‑wood cups, 44 mm X‑Series dynamic drivers, L‑cush pads (on‑ear).
• Fixed cable: 1.8 m (68 in) super‑annealed, 8‑conductor OFC, terminated in 3.5 mm mini‑plug.
• Adapters and docs: 6.35 mm (1/4 in) adapter; Grado “story sheet” documentation; 1‑year warranty (parts/labor).

Technical Specifications

Professional Recognition

• Reviews
  • Forbes called the RS2x a “tour de force in audio design,” praising the lifelike midrange, feather‑light comfort, and room‑like soundstage—with a note that they’re not bass‑heavy and leak sound by design.
• Industry coverage
  • What Hi‑Fi highlighted the new X drivers and maple/hemp construction as a major RS‑series evolution, with 44 mm units tailored to the smaller RS2x enclosures.
• Heritage
  • Grado has hand‑built open‑back headphones in Brooklyn since 1953; the RS2x continues that lineage with artisanal woods and small‑batch assembly.
• Innovation
  • The RS2x ushers in Grado’s 4th‑gen driver architecture, a new 8‑conductor cable, and refined leather headband—tangible upgrades over prior RS2 iterations.

Real‑World Feedback

• “Easy to drive” with striking clarity, though some users find the stock cable stiff and the low‑bass modest—consistent with the open‑back, reference‑tuned intent.
• Enthusiasts comparing RS2x with RS1x often describe the RS2x as a touch warmer with a bit more bass body, while remaining highly detailed.

The Bottom Line

The Grado RS2x delivers that unmistakable “Grado grin”: fast transients, expressive mids, and an airy stage that gets out of the way of the music. Its bi‑wood architecture and X‑Series drivers aren’t specs for specs’ sake; they audibly sharpen imaging, microdetail, and timbral realism—without demanding exotic amplification. If you value vivid, open‑back listening with artisan build and honest tuning, the RS2x belongs on your short list.

Notes for buyers:

• Open‑back design leaks sound; best for quiet home or studio listening.
• On‑ear L‑cush pads prioritize clarity and space; alternative pads can alter tonality if you choose to experiment.

Prepared with verified specifications from Grado and authorized dealers, and cross‑checked against professional and community impressions to ensure both accuracy and credibility.