Grado RS1x drops to £549: best price yet on audiophile headphones

Kai Brauer
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Kai Brauer
Tech writer at All Things Geek. Covers consumer audio, home entertainment, and AV technology.
6 Min Read
Grado RS1x drops to £549: best price yet on audiophile headphones

The Grado RS1x price has just dropped to £549 at Peter Tyson, undercutting the previous record-low by £145 and making these premium audiophile headphones genuinely compelling for serious listeners on a budget.

Key Takeaways

  • Grado RS1x price falls to £549, down from £695 record-low at Peter Tyson
  • This represents a £145 deeper discount than the earlier reference point
  • RS1x features three-wood construction: maple sleeve, hemp core, cocobolo outer ring
  • Reference Series headphones deliver 12–30,000 Hz frequency response with 99.8 dB SPL
  • Amazon was £55 more expensive than Peter Tyson at the time of earlier coverage

Why the Grado RS1x Price Matters Right Now

The Grado RS1x price of £549 is significant because it finally makes these reference-grade headphones accessible to serious audiophiles who previously balked at the £799.95 original retail price. What Hi-Fi? has consistently praised the RS1x as a five-star model worthy of their awards, yet at full price, they remain a luxury purchase. This deal changes the math entirely. At £549, you are paying less than many mid-tier audiophile headphones, yet you get Grado’s exotic wood construction and proven sound engineering.

Peter Tyson’s pricing has been trending downward on this model. Earlier coverage showed them at £695, which was then considered a record low. Now, at £549, the retailer has undercut that by a meaningful margin. For context, PriceRunner tracks the RS1x across five retailers with a lowest listed price of £699.00, making Peter Tyson’s offer sharper. Amazon was £55 more expensive than Peter Tyson during the earlier low-price period, suggesting this deal is genuinely competitive.

What You Get at the Grado RS1x Price Point

The RS1x belongs to Grado’s Reference Series, positioning it as a serious instrument rather than a consumer lifestyle product. The headphones use three distinct woods in their construction: a maple sleeve, hemp core, and cocobolo outer ring. This isn’t marketing fluff—Grado’s wood selection directly affects the sonic character, and the RS1x’s combination is engineered specifically for neutral, detailed reproduction.

Technically, the RS1x delivers a 12–30,000 Hz frequency response with 99.8 dB SPL at 1 mW, 38 ohms nominal impedance, and 0.05 dB driver matching. Those specs translate to an open-air design that demands a quiet listening environment but rewards you with exceptional clarity and soundstage. This is not a headphone for commuting or casual listening. At the Grado RS1x price of £549, you are investing in a stationary, dedicated listening experience.

How the Grado RS1x Stacks Against Alternatives

What Hi-Fi? positions the RS1x as superior to Grado’s own SR325x, despite the SR325x earning five stars and multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards. The key difference is that the RS1x offers superior sound quality and a more distinctive design, making it the better choice for listeners willing to spend more for noticeably better results. At £549, that premium over the SR325x becomes easier to justify. The RS1x is not competing with mass-market Bluetooth headphones—it is competing with other reference-grade wired models, and at this Grado RS1x price, it undercuts typical UK retail pricing of £799.96 by a substantial margin.

Is This Deal Worth Acting On?

Yes, if you have the listening environment and equipment to support open-air reference headphones. The Grado RS1x price of £549 represents genuine value for a five-star model. What Hi-Fi? has recommended these headphones consistently, and the discount removes a major barrier to entry. Stock at Peter Tyson may be limited, so checking availability directly with the retailer is wise. For audiophiles who have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade, this is it.

What is the Grado RS1x price in other regions?

The £549 price is specific to Peter Tyson in the UK. In Canada, the RS1x is listed at C$1,099.99, with taxes and shipping extra. US pricing typically sits around $750.00. Currency conversion and regional pricing differences mean this Peter Tyson deal is particularly strong for UK-based listeners.

How does the Grado RS1x price compare to its original retail cost?

The original retail price was £799.95, making the current £549 deal a £250.95 discount or roughly 31 percent off. Even compared to the previous record-low of £695, you are saving £145. This is a substantial reduction for a model that rarely goes on sale.

The Grado RS1x price drop to £549 is the kind of deal that does not appear often on reference-grade headphones. If you have been curious about Grado’s audiophile engineering, this is the moment to commit. The combination of proven sound quality, exotic construction, and now a genuinely competitive price makes this one of the strongest headphone deals currently available.

Where to Buy

No price information

Edited by the All Things Geek team.

Source: What Hi-Fi?

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Tech writer at All Things Geek. Covers consumer audio, home entertainment, and AV technology.