Customer Reviews

Grado iGrado Headphones

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I owned the GR60 model, which is a great headset for the stereo, but too clunky for a portable like the ipod -- the cord is too long, and the headset too unwieldy for street walking. I was hoping that they would come out with a model with the ipod in mind, and they have. Got it in the mail this past weekend, and have been using it ever since. What a great buy! I have read mixed reviews of this product -- not enough bass, too much high end -- but I have always had to adjust my ipod equalization settings to whatever headphone I am using -- in this case, the r&b selection works fine for all kinds of music. Everything sounds clean, and most importantly, I no longer get listening fatigue. The band is not adjustable, but it is a comfortable fit and I don't feel like my head is being crushed. I have also read some complaints about no noise cancelling feature, but that never bothered me -- to me that is a feature more appropriate for home use than walking in the streets, where one has to be aware of traffic. It sound better than any other headset I have heard for the ipod. Recommended!

I recently bought another set, and found some improvements. One, the wire is a copper color as opposed to the original black, and is firmer then before. Secondly, the ear pads ar emuch more comfortable. The sound is excellent, with clear highs and solid bass; clean, not exaggerated. Still my favorite walking headphones! (I use this with an ipod shuffle and ipod touch)

I've tried Etymonic, Bose, and Shure earbuds, as well as folding or behind the neck style headphones from Sennheiser, Sony, and probably a few others that I'm forgetting right now. The iGrado is by far the best sounding and most comfortable "portable" headphones that I've used, regardless of price (some of the ones in the list above cost over $100).

For working out, I find that earbuds need to be adjusted fairly often, which is really annoying. And from the studies I have read, "open" headphones like the iGrado are better for your hearing than buds if you are going to be wearing them for a while.

I own a pair of Grado SR-225 as my main pair of "at work" headphones and the iGrado comes close to their sound.

The only things I'd change would be to make them foldable and to use a different cord ---it is the same thin ribber that most other manufacturers use and tangles really easily. Another pair I tried had a cord that was more like a woven "cord" or string, and that is far superior. I also think that from a style standpoint, a Grado product deserves a better cord than this. This is a nit though.

Overall, these are well worth the money and IMHO are the best sounding and most comfortable portable headphones/earbuds that you will find.

I'm a dedicated Grado user. For indoors, I use the Grado 226 and 60 headphones. But, until recently, I didn't know Grado made any outdoor mp3 type headphones. As soon as I found out, I ordered a pair.

Wow. The best I've heard. Previously, I used Sennheiser and Koss headphones, which I liked well enough, given the usual limitation of portable headphones. These Grados were instantly and unmistakenly better the moment I plugged them into my mp3 player. The bass was the most noticeable difference. As I listened other aspects of the music that I had never noticed starting coming out. With use over the last two months, my appreciation has only increased.

However, fit was originally a problem, maybe even a big problem. If the sound wasn't so good, I would've returned them because of the fit. They are not adjustable at all. Not the band, not the earcups, nothing. The plastic band is substantial, so reshaping is difficult. I even considered getting out my heat gun to reshape it.

Then, for no apparent reason, they started fitting after a couple of months. I should've known this as the other Grado's, while not having as great a problem initially, also did not fit so well at first. But, over time they sorta conformed to your head with use. These Grado iHeadpones also did so, albeit more slowly. At first they hurt my ears. Granted I used them with sunglasses that have a rather thick bow. Then they just sorta stopped hurting and it wasn't just that my ears got numb, but they just started fitting.

Also, given the size of the headphones, it takes a bit of power to drive them. I'm using an iRiver T60. They sound good, but I have to turn the volume up to about 75% of max. I could see an even less powerful unit having some problems driving these headphones. I've yet to use them with my HeadRoom amp, but I'm guessing they will sound even better.

So, just stick with them, they will payoff.

To begin with, let's establish context: these will be used most commonly for listening to MP3s. Given the nature of this format, music can only sound so good. No cans on the planet can make MP3s sound as good as the original source.

In terms of sound reproduction, the iGrados are respectable enough. The sound is what you generally would expect from a Grado product and can be improved further with minor modifications. Bass is fine, mids are good and the highs are certainly there too.

Unfortunately, context is everything and in the case of listening to scaled down iTunes, using Grados might be a bit like using a monster truck to go over speed bumps. The iGrados, however, are no monster truck.

First, the sound leakage is astonishing. Those who happen to be on the same bus or train as you will have the joy of hearing essentially what you hear, minus the bass. It really is that bad. Second, if they don't stare at you while wondering how long it will be before you go completely deaf, they'll wonder why you are wearing such a ridiculous looking pair of headphones. Catch your reflection in a shop window with these on and you'll know what I mean. Third, one would expect Grado to adhere to certain standards with regards to materials, construction and design. When examining the iGrados, one wonders if they even wanted to make these or if they farmed out the project to China. The wires are thinner than those on the factory iPod ear buds and the finish looks to be of the cheapest plastic. In addition, they cannot be adjusted. These are a one-size-fits-some design and many people have complained about ear fatigue. My set didn't even come with a manual touting the product's virtues.

You don't get the impression Grado Labs are particularly proud of this product. Even the Grado website goes out of its way in referring to these as "entry-level" headphones, almost begrudgingly offering them to the market. The branding is even limited to the back of the neckband; no Grado branding on the side of the "cans".

That said, I will keep them but limit them to use at home on my computer and will most likely rewire them once the warranty expires. Would I recommend them? I would say that if you don't mind massive sound leakage, economical construction and quirky design, these are at least as good as most similar products designed for MP3 listening (which doesn't say much). But I would stress that you should not expect your music to come alive. It may sound marginally better, but it won't be a transcendent experience - not by a long shot.

Judged against Grado's standards, I give them 1 star. Judged against similar products in this segment, I give them 3.5.

I purchased these hastily through amazon. waited. opened the box and plegged them into my old trust 20gig iPod Photo, and was simply blown away, gone now are the days of sore ears and the high volume clicking of the original iPod phones and the wanker influenced gel-cushioned in ear buds by Sony and others that are just plain too expensive for little dainty and frail ear buds. These on the other hand are a sheer joy to listen too and durable too! They've been tossed around with my 60lb+ school books and come out slightly misshapen but easily bendable back to their original comfort. If you like the behind the head "street" style headphone design then these are the best pair you could ever own. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I received this product promptly, and use it to listen to my i-River MP3 player. They sound fantastic. I listen to all types of music and am very pleased with the performance of these headphones. I feel they are quite comfortable to wear up to several hours.
My only complaint is that the wires are flimsy and I don't expect them to last very long. So far no problems, after 2 months use.

Update: I have used these headphones on and off for 11 months now and no issues with the wires. They still sound awesome! I give them a 5 star now.

The sound is fantastic, and just isn't available in any other headphones with this form factor that I've tried.
Others have covered the sound well.

However, they were too tight, and hurt my ears after a while. However I corrected this fairly easily with the following steps:

* Turn on a faucet and run it to get the hottest water you can.
* Stretch the headphones out a bit. Not so far that you break them, but put some tension on them.
* Holding them horizontally, slowly run the length of the headband under the hot water while holding it stretched.
* While still holding it stretched, switch the water to cold. (You might need a third hand)
* Do the same thing to cool the headband down while still stretched.

Important: Be careful not to get the ear cups wet. The sound quality will not be improved by contact with water.

Dry them off, and they should be looser now. They may regain some of their tightness over time. If so, just do this again. It only takes a minute or two.

Have listened to tons of headphones and these are superior is sound quality. Only qualms are the not so comfortable design, flimsy wire, and loud sound for people sitting next to you on the bus.

My only concern is sound quality, everything else is secondary. And when it comes to clarity these are the best.

If you are not a fan of earbuds, yet would like comfortable great sounding headphones, then you should consider the iGrado headphones.

The sit behind your head and take a little getting used to, but are comfortable for extended use while training.


There is a smoothness and depth of sound that is surprising given the low price. Yes, there is good bass response too.

My preferences in music are classical, jazz & blues, so I don't know how they sound with modern music, but for classical, jazz 'n blues they are much more than satisfactory.

These are the best lightweight, over the ear MP3/iPod phones I've tried. The bass and overall balance are excellent. If you've ever enjoyed Grado's larger home system phone's, you wont be let down by these. They're comfortable and the neck band is unobtrusive. They may not be ideal for heavy exercise in warm weather, but can be used in the gym without slipping.