Can i do better for $700 than Grado RS-1?

The Grado RS-1 and RA-1 amp are great. They are my favorite and second to that is sennheiser hd600 (works good with tube amps). I have them both.

If you are going portable, I would highly recommend shure or Ety's. Simply because you can block outside sound, and you're not wearing big headgear moving around.

Good Luck!

Too much to spend on this headphone, unless you know you like it better than the Sennheiser HD 650, which can be had new on ebay for around $300 (list $499). For what it is worth, most people (by a fairly wide margin) who are into headphones prefer the HD 650s. But those who like the RS-1 do so with a passion.

Newmanoc,

I agree that The Senns 580, 600, 650 are what most people consider the best or one of the best headphones.

The HD 600 can be had for around $150 on the street, and I actually noticed only minor improvements if that going to the 650.In fact, I was ready to buy them, had the money in pocket, but felt like I would actually prefer my 600's to it. I walked away keeping my 600s.

The Grado's are clearly more musical (their strong suit), but they are pricier (by a wide margin), and bright with certain material unless you get flat pads.The Senns have a flat frequency response, but are considered analytical or boring to some people. Like I said I like both, but the Grado (musical - incredible transient reponse, and realistic sound of wooden instruments - because of the mahogany) will always be my choice.

In other words, don't just take our opinions or following what most people get (unless your a follower, then by all means).

Listen to the Grado's and Senns. The sound of both is sooo different.

Robm321:
I actually have owned two pair of HD 650's so far, as well as a pair of HD 580's, and I am quite familiar with their line. I am less familiar with Grado, but I have heard several of their cans (but only as high in the line as the SR 325) with the RA-1. For me they were just too warm, too far off an accurate representation of the music. Perhaps I would really like the RS-1 specifically, but given the Grado house sound, I suspect not. But that is just my taste, and I have no problem with you or anyone else differing. As I said, people who do like the RS-1s seem to like them passionately.

I agree that the Sennheisers are not without problem - I find them quite laid back, and for some people that can equate with boring if paired with the wrong amp and source. But I would stick by my recommendations for Overhang not to buy the RS-1 unless he has heard it and knows he likes it better than the much cheaper Sennheisers. This just makes sense, especially given that many people I know of who have heard both the RS-1 and the HD 650 prefer the latter. And if you buy the HD 650's for $300 new on ebay, you can unload them for $275 used on audiogon if you don't like them. I don't think the same opportunity exists with the RS-1. This is the jist of my argument for someone just getting into high end headphones.

Oh, to Overhang I would also say if you don’t buy the RS-1, then definitely look at some other headphone amp options. The RA-1 was designed to mate with Grado phones, and other amps do substantially better with Sennheisers, at least to my ear.

Thank You.
The problem is that i need a battery operated amp for porable use on the go.I intend on using it while commuting,travelling or just sitting in the park.