The Grado Green1 is not Grado's entry level cartridge, rather it is a hand selected version that offers much better performance at a minimal price difference. 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 Blue1 and Red1 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 Red1 model is selected from the Blue1 production run and meet higher test specifications. Approximately 10% of the production run will meet these standards and become Red models.