Grado Prestige Series SR80 Stereo Headphone | List Price: $95.00
Discount Price: $95.00
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Brand: Grado
Features: - Tranducer type - Dynamic
- Operating Principle - Open air
- Frequency Response - 20Hz-20KHz
- SPL - 1mV 98
- Normal Impedance - 32 ohms
Stupendous! Indoubtedly! [Posted on 2008-04-24]
These are simply the most spectacular headphones I have ever owned.
My last pair were Shure SE110s. That was the finest pair of canals I have ever owned, and I was terribly depressed when I opened my backpack to discover they had been stolen. The sound quality had so far surpassed every <$50 pair of 'phones I had ever owned I didn't think I could find another set for under a hundred bucks.
Anyway, the Shures taught me that canals fatigue my ears, so I wanted a pair of cans. These came highly recommended from every audiophile site and forum I could google, so I picked them up.
Ordered from JR and a week later (I'm deployed right now) I had my new cans. The first thing I was struck by was how cheaply they appear to be made. I love the way they look--i think those circumaural cans that think they need to look "slick" or "futuristic" to attract customers are just stupid. It seems like they're apologizing for being too damn big. These make no apologies...and the look good in their classic, retro sort of way. Oh, and they're not really that big.
Anyway, back to the cheap feeling. It only comes across in the plastic and painting. I'm used to ABS being used for plastic these days, which has a sturdier look and feel to it than the plastic used here. That said, I've dropped them around a few times and it hasn't hurt them at all, so apparently they're sturdier than they look.
As soon as I put them on, all doubts about their quality were immediately absolved, and i immediately understood why the plastic felt a little cheap. They're extraordinarily light. I was a bit apprehensive because so many people said they were uncomfortable, but these are quite likely the most comfortable cans I have ever worn. I've worn them for an entire shift (12 hours, minus 30-minute breaks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) without fatigue or my ears starting to sweat. It's honestly like they're not even there.
And the sound. Oh, the sound. The first song that came up on my random playlist was AFI-Girls not grey...and it was like my ears had an orgasm. And eargasm, if you will. Davey Havok was singing to me, and me alone, right in my ear.
I listen to everything from Tchaikovsky to Children of Bodom, and I haven't heard a single thing that sounded...off. These phones are right on the mark with any genre--and it's all from a laptop with winamp (eq off). I hear parts of songs I didn't even know existed, and on songs that I thought I was intimately familiar with (Beach Boys-Little Deuce Coupe being a great example) I hear so much separation and detail that they sound like entirely new songs.
They never seem to sparkle--even on pitchy techno songs where this seems to be a problem--and even on the most intricate and trashing metal songs they don't get muddy--which is a big issue for me, and one reason I rarely listen to metal on anything that only has one speaker. There probably won't be enough bass on default EQ settings for most bass lovers, but you can crank it up and the Grados will handle it like the champs they are. I find that the default EQ in winamp actually gives a different flavor to hip-hop with these guys...it seems more mellow and cool on the songs that it applies to, and more punchy on the songs where that's appropriate. It's never overwhelming, which i guess can seem kind of underwhelming to some people. I have no doubt that Luda uses something very like these when he cuts an album.
So, overall: the best headphones I've ever owned. Worth every penny I paid, and even outperform the Shures to my ears--no small accomplishment: i give the Shures extra points for having such tiny drivers.
Buy'em.
Perfect sound, unconfortable fit [Posted on 2008-05-20]
I have thoroughly enjoyed the sound of these headphones. Every type of music and source I supply these phones with gives me satisfying results. I have connected them to my ipod, amplifier, Creative Xfi card, etc with mp3 and CD-quality audio alike. The seperation of each instrument, vocal, and sound definitely surpasses the $150 Bose triport system I have owned for the past 5 years. Unfortunately, I cannot find myself able to wear the Grados for more than 30 minutes or so. The foam padding is itchy after extended wear and never feels quite right. I'm hoping with time they will break in. I have a friend who is a very serious audiophile that agrees these are the best sounding and least comfortable headphones for under $200. Since I rarely listen to music for more than 1/2 hour straight anyway, this is definitely the best choice for my money.
Amazing Sound, Comfortable Fit [Posted on 2008-06-01]
When I pulled my new Grado SR-80s out of the box, and listened to them for the first time, they blew me away. I have now had them for a few days, and every time I listen to a new song in my itunes I hear it in a way that I never have before. I have not found them uncomfortable at all, and in fact, as I have broken them in, they have become more form fitting to my head.
Eargasm [Posted on 2008-06-09]
Most authentic and true sonic reproduction of any headphones under one-hundred dollars, bar none.
The listener who relishes details, depth, and even sound throughout all ranges, and who understands the concepts of subharmonics and harmonics in acoustical matters will appreciate these fine headphones.
They sound astonishing right out of the box, and as they break in, they sound even better.
Grado headphones are made with great care, and are of the highest quality. I strongly suggest them to any serious listener. You may find yourself using them more than the speakers of your stereo system, or the surround-sound speakers of your DVD/media center.
Yes, they are just that good.
Grado Prestige Series SR80 Stereo Headphone [Posted on 2008-07-02]
I've had these for over a year now, maybe two years. A couple months ago I started having problems with the left speaker going in and out. It got worse and worse and eventually was totally gone. I found that one of the two wires, the blue one, for the left side had broken under it's rubber insulation. I managed to fix it with a pocket knife, wire strippers and some electrical tape. I had to hack up the Y splitter thing and it looks like crap but they work again and sound as good as ever... So in conclusion, these headphones sound great but they're a little flimsy. They could be built better. They are comfortable though, they don't leave my head and ears sore like a lot of headphones.
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