Right now, the MS-1(i) would be my "inexpensive" HD650.

The MS-1 was my gateway drug.  Got them because of HF and I'm here because of those...

The MS-Pros were not as good as the RS-1 to me.  The MS-Pros were not quite as compelling and the RS-1 had more satisfying bass.

I would recommend the MS-1 (less the "i" version due to $10 and goofier cups without appreciable diff in SQ).

Yes, I listened to MS-1 vs. MS-1i over time and also MS-Pro v. RS-1...

I owned the MS-2i and sold them to get the HF-2.

HF-2 (and probably many Grados) can vary...I traded my first HF-2 with a good friend but preferred my first pair.


Sum this rambling up?  MS-1 and RS-1 = okay. 

HP1000 were better than RS-1 in SQ but not that ergonomic for me...or easy to get!

(I would rather work now with the 800s and RM to try to achieve my sonic happiness.)

What do the MS1 and HD650 have in common other than the fact that the MS1 is one of the warmer John Grados?  They seem like polar opposites to me.  :-)

They are the "rolled-off" and veiled of the Grados in the line-up.  That's how I feel about the HD650.  But the MS-1 are $100.  Maybe it would be interesting to see which I preferred between the two.  I can drop off the MS-1 if you feel like borrowing, RD.  I need to return your M50's...

Will do.

I had a pair of MS-Pro's on loan for a few weeks early in this hobby and really liked them at the time. I wonder if I'd still feel the same way.

They definitely were a warmer, smoother, full-bodied Grado, but that's only comparing to modded/woodied SR60s and SR225s that I had. They definitely have that Grado flavor, though.

I spent a lot of time modding Grados, and contrary to what Grado modders say, you can't mod a Prestige series Grado to make it into an RS1/MS-Pro -- unless you do a driver replacement like the Magnums.