Customer Reviews

Grado Prestige Series SR80i Stereo Headphone

5 star:		(230)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

If you are reading this you have probably already read one of the many reviews raving about the perfectly balanced and clear sound of these headphones. [...] Most of those (older) reviews comment on how the older earpads were too hard on the ears, or the headphones themselves were overall just uncomfortable to wear.

I just wanted to add that (at least in the newest incarnation--the pads have been tinkered with by the manufacturer) they are *very* confortable, compared to many other headphones. The earpieces have two pivot points: one allows them to pivot on a vertical axis attached at the headband and another on a horizontal axis running through the earpiece. This combined with the bendable headband allows for a lot of adjustment. I have a pretty large head and they're not overly tight or otherwise uncomfortable. And the apparently-recently-redesigned earpads on this model have some cushion without being mushy-soft on their outer surface (pads like that always made my ears sweat).

Before buying these, I read just one (recent) review that claimed these were comfortable, and I didn't beleive it. Now I do. (I also didn't beleive they would sound appreciably better after a break-in period, but they did after about 30 hours of being attached to my receiver with the radio on nonstop.) Well, that's all I wanted to say. Back to listening.

I've had my Grado SR 80's for over 3 years now and cannot imagine life without them.

For years I had used a pair of Sony MDR-somethings until the earphone pads were disintigrating. I had some extra cash and decided to do some research before rushing out and buying a new pair. I was unfamiliar with the Grado brand, but all of the reviews were fantastic for their entire line. But I wasn't really thrilled about an open-ear design, I had been used to closed-ear headphones. Research on a bunch of audiophile sites said that open-ear headphones gave the most natural sound, and the Grado SR 80's were rated the best buy for any headphones under one hundred fifty dollars, better than the more famous Sennheiser brand. Then I kept reading how uncomfortable they were. I hesitated buying them and for over a week I kept reading more Grado reviews. I almost bought some other brand because the reviewers claimed they were more comfortable than the Grado's. I finally found a few reviews that said the newer pads on the Grado's were more comfortable and became even more comfortable after a short break in period, just like the sound quality improves after a few dozen hours of play. So I broke down and ordered them.

The very first time I put the Grado's on I could not believe the sound difference over my old Sony's. It was like listening to the artists in the studio or on a small stage, instead of them in the room next door. There is no muffled or tinny sound. Everything becomes crystal clear. You can pick out individual instruments, hear individual voices in crowds, even the artist breathing. Lyrics become much easier to understand, and my appreciation and enjoyment of music has increased because of the Grado's.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to anyone. And from the websites I've read that while there is a quality boost going to the SR 125's, the sweet spot price wise in the Grado line is with the SR 80's. I encourage you to read up on these, the more you read the more you'll be convinced to buy them.

It would cost ten times more to put together a stereo system and speakers that sound as fantastic as these headphones do.

Pro's -

GREAT Sound, fantastic bass, great for rock, jazz, country, classical, world music, everything I've tried sounds incredible.

Uncomfortable reputation isn't true. Was a tight fit the first couple of times I used them, but they have a metal strip under the top that you can stretch out and then they feel great (if you have a big melon like me).

Very lightweight, I wear them for hours and do not feel a need to take a rest from them.

Much cheaper than any equivalent sounding stereo system.

Cons -

Somewhat large if you wanted to use them as portable headphones with an ipod or other mp3 player.

If you are going to connect it to most stereo systems you will need a mini-to-standard connector. You probably already have on if you've had headphones before. The connector on the headphones is the standard mini size most headphones today are.

What are you waiting for? Get yourself some Grado's!

People who are not into audio equipment may look oddly at the Grado SR80. These headphones lack the flashy design most would expect from a circa $100 cans, the design reminds me of old soviet navy headphones. Do not let the looks mislead you, these cans pack enough sound to give a good fight against the Senn's beautiful $350 HD600. The open headset takes some time to get used to, the padding is a little harsh to the ears and it may take some time for the metal arch to accomodate itself to your head, the set is, however, quite lightweight.
Once you get used to them, and after spending a few days of burning them in, the SR80 starts to shine. Connected to an Arcam CD72 CDP via an Onkyo TX810 stereo receiver, Mahler 5th (conducted by Rattle) could finally show its tragic might. "Nozze di Figaro" (conducted by Kleiber) overture was as lively as Mozart intended it to be, although the cans have very dominant bass, it didn't overshadowed the brightness of the violins. "Kind of Blue" was a little bit too "Bassy" to my taste, but overall the details and clearness overwhelmed me. Listening to the live preformance of "Your Latest Trick" (Dire Straits' "Sultan of Swing") the SR80 lacked the soundstage to deliver the live performance feeling, but again - details were astonishing, this lack of soundstage was the SR80 vice when playing "Alexander Nevsky" (conducted by Bernstein), "Arise ye Russian People" and again the cans were a little too "boomy". The ability of the SR80 to show the finest details of the sound with its great bass capability made listening to a fine studio record, such as "Violator", a true delight - "Halo" is my favorite track and the SR80 shows the great production work put into that record. In another great studio production - The SR80 make Suzanne Vega and Joe Jackson a delight to listen to with "Left of the Center", on the same CD ("Tried and True"). More velvty productions may sound a little "hazy" with the SR80, this could be either a downside, as with "Moonlight Shadow" (from Oldfield's "Crises"), but with the tragic "Song after the Rain" (from Poliker's "Ashes and Dust") the SR80 sound truly fits the occasion.
As an added bonus, and unlike Senn's offerings, the SR80 are very easy to drive and can color your iPod (or any favorite MP3 player) with briliant sounds.

The Good - Astonishing vocal range, clearness and detailing you will not find even in >$1000 speakers, great bass. Unique design and build quality.

The Bad - Little "bassy" to my taste, tiny soundstange. Ergonomics could have been better, anachronistic design.

Conclusion - For less than $100 (or even triple than that), you will not be able to find a better piece of equipment. It will astonish you with details that will make you rediscover your CD collection. You may not like the design, ergonomics, the emphesis on bass or the lack of soundstage, but the SR80 cans easily get 5 stars for overall value.

I will include 4 sections in this review, going in order through "General Impressions," "Pros and Cons You Will Notice," "Alternatives/Comparisons" and "Other Things to Consider."

General Impressions:

I spent a lot of time researching headphones and finally came to the decision to buy the SR80s. I couldn't be happier. These headphones will not completely transform your music or change your life, however, you WILL hear things in your music that you've never heard before and you WILL become much more immersed in your music, achieving a new level of appreciation for it. The things that you will hear from the SR80s that you won't hear from your generic $20 headphones or earbuds will be 1) balance, 2) clarity, and 3) instrument separation. The balance (in my opinion) is perfect. Some say the SR80s have a "bloated" bass compared to the Alessandro MS1s and the SR60s (which I will talk about later), but I prefer a little more bass and I think these are just right. They represent everything across the range at just the right volume without anything being too overpowering. As far as clarity goes, if you're music is high enough quality (see "Other Things to Consider"), you will be able to hear the little details that you would normally miss in your music. For example, if listening to a song with acoustic guitar, you will hear the buzz of the strings, the sliding of the fingers, and the actual contact between the pick and the string. Instead of just hearing it, you will now see and feel it too. Although instrument separation may not seem too exciting, it means the difference between a listening to a song and feeling like you're in the same room as the band. It prevents things such as the rhythm guitar from being drowned out when the lead comes in. As far as comfort goes, the SR80s are uncomfortable. I got them, put them on my head, and was pretty upset after only a few minutes of listening. However, I carefully stretched the metal band and replaced the donut pads with a set of softer covers from an old set of headphones I had and they are REALLY comfortable. With a simple modification like this I was able to completely transform them, now they are light, comfortable, and mostly secure. They sell the SR60s ear pads (which are softer and cover the whole ear) seperately and go for around $10.


Pros and Cons You Will Notice:

The Pros- Beautiful to listen to (of course). Great length cord (I measured it at around 7 feet). Fold flat for transport. CAN be powered by an iPod (easily).

The Cons - Uncomfortable (but only at first, check "General Impressions"). Sound "leaks" out (and may be louder than you expect it to be). To a bystander, it sounds as if you are listening to regular headphones at top volume. This also means that these are in no way "noise canceling," if it lets sound out it can also let sound in (if this is an issue, check "Alternatives/Comparisons").

Pro?Con? - Retro styling (I personally think it's quite cool). Can expose your low-quality music for what it really is (you'll hear static and noise clearer than ever), but is this really a bad thing?


Alternatives/Comparisons:

What kind of person do the SR80s work the best for? Someone on a low to moderate budget looking for an amazing set of headphones for use primarily at home. Someone who's music collection consists of mostly rock and prefers more bass over treble. If you don't fit that criteria, you should consider one of the following options.

Grado SR60s: Although I don't have first hand experience, I've read enough to know that these will fulfill your need for high-quality headphones, leaving you very satisfied for the small price of $69. You won't hear as much bass from the SR60s however (and there's a slight difference in the wiring) and I obviously think it's worth the extra $26. Check out http://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReviews/60vs80.htm for more info.

Grado SR225s: From what I understand, you should just skip over the SR125s because the balance just isn't very good (some even say the SR80s are BETTER than the SR125s). If money isn't much of an issue, go for these guys. However, an amp may be necessary for an iPod.

Shure E3c's: GREAT choice for sound isolating headphones. GREAT choice for any headphones. Super isolation with accurate sound and portability. The sound isn't as good as the SR80s, but it's mostly about the difference in function in this case.

Alessandro MS1s: These little babies almost found their way to my ears, but lost out at just the last minute. If you are considering this Alessandro/Grado hybrid, it comes down to this: the SR80s have more energy (meaning more bass, more punch) and a more extended range, while the MS1s are more analytical, neutral, and are "laid back" compared to the SR80s energy. Many people complain about the MS1s highs though, saying that they get fatiguing, though some also complain about the SR80s "bloated" bass. The MS1s may be more accurate, great for things like classical music, but in the end it seems the Grados are the only way to go for Rock. The two headphones are very comparable in price ($95 compared to $99 for the MS1s) but vary in the balance department and are all about personal preferences.

Sennheiser HD555s: These headphones are better quality than all other headphones listed here (minus maybe the 225s). They are over-the-ear headphones so they block out more sound than the others, but not as much as the Shures. They seemed to be extremely cheap for the level of quality ($100 at the time of the review), however I didn't explore the possibility because I knew they would require an amp. You also may want to consider the sound card in your computer if you buy these. As far as sound goes, they are more clinical and less exciting than Grados.

Other cans to check out: Denon AHD2000, AKG K70, Beyerdynamic DT880 or DT990, Sennheiser HD280 Pro (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sennheiser-hd-280-pro-grado-sr80-229599/)


Other Things to Consider: An amp can cost a lot of money and can significantly increase the cost of your purchase. I chose to buy a pair of headphones that didn't require and amp and told myself I would buy one later on if I really felt the need. It could turn what was once a relatively cheap purchase into an expensive one. Also, as mentioned before, you will need quality music to match your quality headphones. As well as hearing all of the details of the music, you will hear the extra noise and static. Many songs that were fine before will start to bother you with that "ssssssss" sound in the background, just something to think about. When it comes to my modification with the different ear pads, there is a slight difference in sound quality. With the softer pads the music will sound slightly muffled, so slight that I can only BARELY notice it. For me, the trade off for extra comfort is well worth it. If you want to listen to the SR80s on an iPod, they do not need an amp and are definitely loud enough. I usually keep the volume at 50-60%. Finally, in my opinion, before considering any of the more expensive options, know that the SR80s will leave you very satisfied. If this will be your first pair of high-end headphones, buy them. If you want to go running with headphones or noise leakage is an issue, try the Shure E3c's or another set of in-ear headphones (or buy both, a set of in-ear phones will likely be by next purchase). Otherwise, you will be happy with your decision, guaranteed. Don't expect miracles, but expect a darn good set of headphones.

I had Sennheiser HD497 for over a year which I loved except for that its Bass performance was not good.

Then came the SR60, which I soon exchanged for SR80 (because of its superior Bass performance) and also bought a Total Bithead Headphone amp and I absolutely love the setup.


Q. How do you know a good can from bad??

Ans. I use a simple solution that works for me.

1. Firstly, Close your eyes while listening to music.

2. Put a rather noise song (something that has many instruments playing simultaneously) and try to figure out-
-- diffrentiate exactly what instruments are playing
-- in which ear and at what pitch level they are playing?
-- how audible the soft ones like bells and chimes are?
-- How defined, spacial and NATURAL sounding the Bass is? (There are many people for whom loud Boom-Boom Bass means good Bass. What they fail to understand is how NATURAL it sounds is more important.)
-- How the overall experience is?

Do this much with a Grado and you are sure to take one home.

Yes, the best sound - I'm an audiophile/audio editor of classical music and can hear the subtle difference between the SR60 and SR80 (ok, the difference in the bass resonance and presence is not so subtle).

I've long been familiar with Grado's amazing ability to produce high quality sound for a ridiculously low price - their original stereo phono cartridge from the 1960s was correctly top rated, selling for 40% the cost of the then standard-to-beat Shure and Pickering cartridges. Amazing!

So when I needed the best phones, I trusted my experience with Grado.

Yes, they are uncomfortable for lengthy listening.

But the worst thing is that after buying the SR-60s and having the wires into the cans twist loose because of the 360 degree swivel, and breaking, I bought this more expensive model hoping for better construction. Yes, on this model the wiring is permanently attached to the cans so they can't twist/break, but the wires were crimped at the V split and yes, after a few months, they finally broke all the way through. After taping the V with duct tape (lovely to look at!) I thought all was well until a few months later when the wiring again broke in one of the cans.

I am not an abuser of headphones. I have treated these lovingly, but the construction/design is so shoddy, these things break.

These headphones produce a wonderful transparent, clean, smooth sound if you don't mind replacing them every year. That's an expensive way to go.

You will not be disappointed with the unbelievable sound these cans produce.

I did my research before buying these. I had a price point of $100 I wanted to spend on cans and I read about damn near every review for every set of headphones in that price range. I kept stumbling upon two sets of headphones. The Grado SR60's and the SR80's. After much research on these two sets of headphones I finally decided to go with the SR80's. I decided on these because the cord is thicker and I kept reading that the bass and clarity surpasses the SR60's.

Let me tell you this... I was NOT dissapointed with my purchase! I went to the store (Cherry Creek Audio - terrible service btw) and purchased these. I couldn't wait to get home and test out my brand new cans. After what felt like an hour drive (actually it was like 10 mins) I arrived home and immediately plugged these into my stereo. I grabbed the first CD I could find, which happened to be a techno CD. Now i'm not really a techno fan all that much, but it was the first CD I could get my paws on so I figured, what the hell... let's test the bass response on these phones. I was completely blown away! I pumped it up nice and loud and I almost teared up because the sound was so good. Every facet of the sound quality was well above average. I haven't burned them in yet, but I keep reading that once these burn in they will sound even better. I can't wait! they sound amazing right now! (2 hours in so far)

Before these cans I was using Sennheiser HD490's. These aren't known to be the best, but they were the same price as my Grados. The Grados are at least 5 times better. If you are still trying to decide which cans to buy, then you can stop right now. Just get these... you will not regret it.

Okay, I hate to admit it, but there are some downsides. If you have read any reviews on these then you probably know what they are.

First, they are a bit scratchy on the ear. Because of this, after a couple hours you will need to take a break, however, you can always buy different pads that are much more comfortable for around $10. Fortunately the ear pads are extremely easy to replace.

Second, the sound leaks quite a bit. You will probably annoy people at work if you jam these too loud.

Third, a lot of people think that these look weird. I happen to like the retro style, so this may or may not be a downside for you. You don't look at em while they're on your head anyways!

So why the 5-star review? Well, I believe that a product needs to be perfect to receive a 5-star review but despite the minor flaws in these cans, I was so blown away by the sound quality that it more then made up for the three flaws listed above. These should cost a lot more!



** UPDATE **
Well, i've had these for a few weeks now with plenty of burn-in time (I listen to them for 4+ hours a day at work, plus I burned them in for three days straight). The sound seems a bit rounder now. The bass is a little bit clearer and more defined and the highs and mids have become nice and round - easier to listen to.

It is simply amazing how different music sounds now. For example, there are a couple songs on the Doors Greatest Hit album where you can actually hear what some of the people in the crowd are saying! I used to hear just a mumble and was always curious, but with these phones I can hear the words! Also, now I can hear picks on guitars, and other sounds that I never knew existed!

One last thing... These phones seem a lot more comfortable now that i'm used to them. For the first week or so they irritated my ear a bit after listening to them for an hour or two. Now, I can go pretty much all day at work listening to them without any problems, in fact... they are comfortable! (something I thought I would never say)

After burn in, and getting used to these cans, I can safely say that - If you are looking for phones in the sub $100 range... look NO further... you simply can't get better then this for the price. I will be purchasing only Grado headphones in the future when I want to upgrade... I'm already lookin at getting some Grado 325i's for home and keeping the SR-80's for work (call me a fanboy... I don't care! one listen and you will become one too! =)

First the good: These headphones will clearly reproduce any note or sound given to it. You will hear beautiful clear music. Bass response is excellent. 1 review here says it is too bassy, another review says there is not enough bass. I think it is perfect. Grado does not give their headphones the "Sony" treatment by boosting the bass. High notes are unlike anything I have ever heard. They sound like NHT Zeros (perhaps even better), clear, pristine, sweet. I have had my Grado SR80's for 2+ years now and I'm used to the large "uncomfortable" earpads. Super long cord, must be close to 5 or 6 feet. The tip of the connector appears to be gold tipped (although I could be wrong). Inexpensive - for the money you can't beat these cans. At under $100, it's like buying a Toyota Corolla with a Porshe engine.

Not so good: These headphones utilize "open air" design. Not only can you hear sounds while you are wearing them, but the sounds you are listening to will exit as well. You can't really wear these on a plane because you will bother your neighbors. The best place to listen to them is in a quiet office or bedroom. Not so comfortable to wear (if they are new), either in the long term or the short term. Cheap foam covering the headphones. Thick "stethoscope-like" cord can be cumbersome. My Panasonic portable CD player does not have any problems driving these headphones at all. Maybe it's because my CD player is older and I picked a good model. :) I have owned older Sony CD players that had difficulty driving any headphones, regardless of power requirements.

These are the best headphones I have ever owned. The soundstage is the same as my other Sony headphones so I can't say whether it is good or bad. I can say this: the reviewer "Gal" from Jerusalem (below) has it right on.

From the moment I put them on my
head and pressed "Play", my chin
was on the floor. I was moved nearly
to tears by the difference in sound from
the various headphones I've been using
for the past 20 years or so of loving music.
Seriously. The difference is transformative.
I'm hearing things in songs I've never heard
before!!! It's shocking! Everything from Bjork
to Emperor to Wagner to Coltrane, Dale
Watson, Lustmord, Iron Maiden, you name it,
you'll be *astounded* by how these "cans"
make your music sound. It's better than
"like being there". It's like it's IN your
HEAD! Fantastic!!!

As for comfort, I guess I'm a pinhead cause
the headphones are a li'l bit big for me.
It's a common problem. I need something
like a "child's" size I guess. The ear pads
are nice-- even after several hours of wear
they feel just fine. A lot of my former ear
fatigue had to do with bass amplification
constantly pulsing pressure into my
ear, and these don't do that.

Whatever reviewer said the bass isn't
good... I don't understand that at ALL.
The bass here is mindblowing. *Truly*.

Be mindful though, you CAN hear what's
going on around you, so if you're looking
for a noise-cancelling headphone, these
aren't it. If, however, you just want
the best sound you can get for less
than 300 bucks, I think you just found
your headphone. I plan to WEAR
MINE OUT!!!!! :)

If you love music and design, here you go. The best. I tried every pair of headphones out there, 99 cents to 200 bucks. These put them all to shame. It's like the first time you ride in a genuine Mercedes. Is the road even there?

Just the 360-rotating earpieces (prevents tangling, lets you set them down flat when not in use) show that some actual thought went into these. I love the way they look, too.

Most headphones produce highs associated with dentistry, mids that make you feel like you're living in an aluminum garbage can, or my personal peeve - nitro-powered, smeary bass as the new Spanish Fly or something. Sennheisers try to make an end run by altering the sound completely, creating a simulated 'space' that doesn't fool me in the least.

Grado headphones simulate nothing: they faithfully reproduce. You can turn these way, way up or leave them way, way down, and you'll still get perfect clarity. They don't clip, they don't hiss. I was convinced by putting on the dvd of Morvern Callar and checking out a party scene that runs the gamut of sound... gold. The Sonys of comparable price should be pulled from stores as a public service.

Note added July 16: These headphones are so great. The sound is so natural that I'm constantly fooled into thinking that I accidentally left my speakers running. Awesome.

These are for listening and enjoyment, not for blocking out the ugly people on the subway. I keep some cheapie Yamahas for other purposes, but I'm starting to prefer these to actual loudspeakers. If those cheesy silhouettes from the iPod ads put these on, they'd sit their butts down in reverence. Yes!

I recommend the add-on earpads for better comfort.