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Grado Headphones and Cartridges At Fred's Sound Of Music Audio Video Inc.

Grado, one of the oldest family owned companies in the Audio Industry, has for almost half a century been the leaders in design engineering for the high-end audio and recording industries.
Grado is famous for their remarkable headphone and phono cartridge designs and hold over 48 patents. Company founder, Joseph Grado is credited as the inventor of the stereo moving coil phono cartridge. He is responsible for more innovations in phono cartridge design than any other person in our lifetime and was inducted into the Audio Hall of Fame in 1982.

Grado Prestige Series Headphones

Grado RS2i Headphone Features:
The RS2i features handcrafted mahogany earpieces that require an intricate curing process to optimize the tonal quality.  The RS2i keeps a very close family resemblance in looks and sound to its big brother the RS1i. Sound: warm, smooth, full-bodied, rich and non-fatiguing... quite the statement.  Come to Fred's and compare all the Grado over the ear headphones side-by-side!
Grado RS1i Headphone Features:
Grado RS1i uses new upgraded dynamic transducers and the new 8 conductor cable design all in an open-air configuration, the cups being open-backed. The result is a smooth, controlled and coherent sound with detailed dynamics. Frequency response ranges from 12-30 kHz and the drivers are matched to 0.05dB. Weighing 9oz, the headphones are an example of the wonder of Mother Nature with a gorgeous, dark-colored Mahogany look.

Grado PS500 Headphone Features:
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”… Grado Labs takes “IP” learned from the development of the  State of the Art  PS1000 and  has applied  it to a form factor that is compact  resulting in the PS500. The PS-500 creates  an articulate and dynamic musical presentation that will put a smile on the most demanding  sound professionals and music enthusiasts.

Grado SR325i Headphone Features:
What does the i stand for in the new SR325is from Grado? Improved, that’s what! Yes, Grado has taken one of the world’s most acclaimed headphones and taken it a few steps further. The new SR325is has an upgraded driver and cable design. The way the SR325is’ driver, cable and metal housing move air and react to sound vibrations are now less affected by transient distortions. With the new 8 conductor cable design you will notice improved control and stability of the upper and lower range of the frequency spectrum with both better supporting Grado’s world renowned midrange. The SR325is will produce a sound that is pure Grado, warm harmonic color, rich full bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and an ultra smooth top end. Listen and Enjoy!

Grado SR225i Headphone Features:
Vented diaphragm, Non Resonant air chamber, UHPLC copper voice coil wire, Standard copper connecting cord. Features are the same as the SR125 but, this Headphone has an increased air flow by 50% which is achieved through an improved rear metal screen and closer matched drivers. The result is an enlarged soundstage achieved from closer driver tolerances, while the improved rear screen frees the headphone from colorations.

Grado SR125i Headphone Features:
Vented diaphragm, Non Resonant air chamber, UHPLC copper voice coil wire, Standard copper connecting cord.  Grado's ability to combine lightness with extreme rigidity and internal damping has been put to good use on the SR125.  Based on the same design as the SR80, the SR125 features an improved diaphragm and voice coil design and UHPLC (Ultra-high purity, long crystal) copper voice coil wire. The Diaphragms are put through a special 'de-stressing' process in order to enhance inner detail. An improved headband spring provides even greater comfort allowing the listener to relax and enjoy the fine tonal spread and balance. Bass, midrange and treble are all more open.

Grado SR80i Headphone Features:
Vented diaphragm, Non Resonant air chamber, Standard copper voice coil wire, Standard copper connecting cord, mini plug with 1/4" adaptor
Built on the same features as the SR60, but utilizes a 4 conductor connecting cable and larger ear cushions, the result of which gives a more open stage. The SR80 provides an improved bass resonance, which enhances the overall detail. John Grado says he strove for the best sounding phones for the money, and with the glowing reviews the SR80's have received, who can argue. 

Grado SR60i Headphone Features:
Vented diaphragm, Non Resonant air chamber, Standard copper voice coil wire, Standard copper connecting cord, mini plug with 1/4"; adaptor, The SR60 has gained"LEGENDARY" status., The SR60 has received rave reviews from around the world and is the most commonly recommended headphone on the market today.
The SR60 was awarded STEREOPHILE "PRODUCT OF THE YEAR" in two categories, "The Accessory of the Year" and the prestigious "Budget Component of Year".

Grado iGrado Headphone Features:
Grado Labs is pleased to announce the “iGrado”, street style headphone. Designed specifically for the portable electronics market, it was our goal to design a street style headphone that will sonically outperform anything currently available in the low-end portable market. This we have accomplished. The new iGrado is functionally stylish, lightweight and comfortable.

Grado GR8 In Ear Headphone Features:
A proprietary wide bandwidth moving armature design provides the listener with unsurpassed performance. Small size allows earphone to nestle well within the ear canal, maintaining an excellent air seal for improved bass and reduction of outside noise without causing discomfort. Included: 3 pair ear tips (small, medium, large; proprietary blend of two silicon rubber materials) Ear wax proof cloth x4, Ear wax proof cloth ring x2.

Grado iGi In Ear Headphone Features:
Grado Labs has invested countless hours of design engineering and listening tests to bring to you a fantastic and affordable in-ear headphone. A proprietary wide bandwidth dynamic design provides the listener with unsurpassed performance. Small size allows earphone to nestle within the ear canal, maintaining an excellent air seal for improved bass and reduction of outside noise without causing discomfort. Included: 4 sizes of ear tips.

Grado Phono Cartridges

Grado Prestige Silver and Gold Cartridge: The Grado Silver and Gold models use a four piece OTL cantilever technology, ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire in the coils and Grado's specially designed elliptical diamond mounted on a brass bushing. The Gold model is selected from the Silver production run and meet higher test specifications. Approximately 5% of the production run meet these standards and become Gold models.  Most needle stylus 's in stock.

Grado Prestige Blue and Red Cartridge: The Grado Blue and Red models use a four piece OTL cantilever technology, standard oxygen free wire in the coils and Grado's specially designed elliptical diamond mounted on a brass bushing. The Red model is selected from the Blue production run and meet higher test specifications. Approximately 10% of the production run will meet these standards and become Red models.

Grado Prestige Black and Green Cartridge: The Grado Black and Green models use a three piece OTL cantilever technology, standard oxygen free wire in the coils and Grado's specially designed elliptical diamond mounted in a brass bushing. The Green model is selected from the Black production run and meet higher test specifications. Approximately 15% of the production run will meet these standards and become Green models.

Grado Prestige "78" Speed Cartridge: The Prestige Series of 78-RPM cartridges and Needles are designed for high output and excellent stability under even severe use. Each cartridge can be used for either archival or casual play without concern for undue wear on the record. All Grado 78 cartridges have a considerable reduction in tip mass resulting in extended frequency response while tracking forces can range from 2-5 grams. The experts acclaim these cartridges as virtually the finest 78 rpm cartridges in the world.  Fred's also stocks 78rpm styli for most Grado cartridge models.
 

Grado Platinum1 & Sonata1 Cartridge: The newly redesigned Platinum1 and Sonata1 have had their coil design reconfigured, and the effective moving mass of their generating system has been reduced by 17%. All this is hand-assembled within a machined, new processed, Australian Jarrah wood housing. The Platinum1 and Sonata1 models use a modified four piece OTL cantilever technology achieving a 10% tip mass reduction over the Prestige series and ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire in the coils. The Platinum model uses Grado's specially designed elliptical diamond mounted on a brass bushing, and the Sonata model uses Grado's specially designed nude elliptical diamond.

Grado Master1 & Reference1 Cartridge: The newly redesigned Master1 and Reference1 cartridges have had their coil design reconfigured, and the effective moving mass of their generating system has been reduced by 17%. All this is hand-assembled within a machined, new processed, Australian Jarrah wood housing. The Master1 and Reference1 models use a five piece OTL cantilever technology achieving an additional 5% tip mass reduction over the Platinum1 and Sonata1 models. The coils are wound with ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire. The Master1 model is mounted with Grado's specially designed nude elliptical diamond, and the Reference1 model uses Grado's true ellipsoid design diamond.

Grado Accessories

Grado RA-1 Headphone Preamplifier: After years of relying on other equipment to drive Grado headphones, you can now listen and enjoy headphones through our new Grado Reference Headphone Amp, the RA1. Designed for state-of-the-art performance and specifically to play Grados, the new RA1 will allow you to hear your headphones like never before. This new amp is machined from a solid block of mahogany and measures 5" wide, 5 1/2" deep and 1 1/2" tall and weighs in at 12 oz. The RA1 is available in an AC version or can be powered by two 9-Volt batteries that will drive the amp for 40 to 50 hours of listening pleasure. And the sound? Just like all Grados: warm, smooth, full-bodied, non-fatiguing and rich. Hook it up to any line source (portable or in-home) and drive your Grado headphones to their full potential.

Grado PH-1 Phono Preamplifier: The Grado Phono Preamp represents the most successful solution to one of the most complex technical challenges in the field of audio that Grado Labs has ever tackled. It can be compared to the undertaking of designing our highly acclaimed phono cartridges, headphones and our world renowned RA-1 headphone amplifier over the past several years. Our design goals were for a truly superb sounding phono preamp to work equally well with both low and high output cartridges with negligible noise. We wanted a phono preamp with ultra wide band pass, high overload, virtually perfect RIAA amplitude and phase coherency, and very low output impedance. This was the challenge set forth! This we have accomplished!

Grado Headphone Mini Adaptor Cable: Fred's stocks the Grado mini adaptor cable that converts a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) plug to 1/8 inch (3.5mm) plug. The mini adaptor cable has a 1/8 inch (3.5mm) plug then 8 inches (20cm) of cable connected to a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) jack. The 8 inches (20cm) of cable eliminates added leverage on the output circuit board of the source. The mini adaptor cable is constructed of the same high quality wire as their headphone cable. Grado guarantees no degradation of sonic quality with Grado headphones while using their mini adaptor cable.

Grado Headphone Y Adaptor Cable: Grado offers a Y adaptor cable that will allow the listening of two headphones from one headphone output. The cable has a 1/4-inch (6.3mm) plug to twin 1/4-inch (6.3mm) jacks. The 8 inches (20cm) of cable, between the plug and jacks, eliminates added leverage on the output circuit board of the source. The Y adaptor cable is constructed of the same high quality wire as their headphone cable. Grado guarantees no degradation of sonic quality with Grado headphones while using their Y adaptor cable.

Grado Headphone Extension Cable: Grado offers a 15 foot (450cm) extension cable terminated with a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) plug and a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) jack. This cable is constructed from the same high quality wire as their headphone cable. For longer lengths the cable may be piggybacked up to 3 cables. Grado guarantees no degradation of sonic quality with Grado headphones while using their extension cable.

Grado Headphone Ear Cushions: Genuine Grado replacement foam ear cushions in all sizes. Bring your headphones into the store and we'll match them up!

Fred's Sound Of Music also carries other famous brands of needle stylus or cartridge for Shure Ortofon Sumiko Sony Denon Fisher Kenwood Marantz Panasonic Pioneer RCA Sansui Sanyo Sherwood Technics  Audio Technica Dual Empire ADC BSR GE Hitachi Onkyo Magnavox Mitsubishi Pickering Sharp Stanton Tetrad Toshiba Yamaha Zenith.