Grado Prestige Series SR80i Stereo Headphone

Product Description

Built on the same features as the SR60, but utilizes a 4 conductor connecting cable and larger ear cushions, the result of which gives a more open stage. The SR80 provides an improved bass resonance, which enhances the overall detail. John Grado says he strove for the best sounding phones for the money, and with the glowing reviews the SR80's have received, who can argue.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 9.7 x 1.6 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000G3LCQC
• Item model number: SR 80
  

Price : $99.00

Technical Details

• Adjustable, soft vinyl headband
• Superb sound quality
• Large ear cushions for comfortable listening
• Mini stereo plug with 1/4-inch adapter

Customer Reviews

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.

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.