Grado SR60i Headphones

When my 3rd set of Bose noise-canceling ear buds broke, I decided to look into a different type of headphone. The first site I stumbled upon was CNET, and for a couple of hours I poured over their headphone reviews. I eventually decided on the Grado SR60i because of their low price and the high regard that everyone held for them. I drove to the nearest audio store knowing which pair I was going to purchase, however I also tried a couple other Grado models that were on display (mostly the 80 and 225). In all honesty, aside from the sound difference over-ear headphones provide, I couldn't really tell a difference from the ear buds I had been using for years and years. Despite my initial reaction, I still bought the 60's, and headed home.

My first listen with my new 60's was even more of a let down as I realized just how much the sound leaked. With my girlfriend across the room, I couldn't turn the volume up beyond 2 or 3 levels on my Macbook Pro. I was dismayed; not only was the sound not mind blowing, but I had to be in a room alone to be able to listen to the phones at a reasonable volume. Instead of giving up on the Grados however, I again ignored my initial reaction and kept the phones. 

Let me fast forward to June 21. I was sitting on my couch after work, zoning out on the internet, with my Grados on and my itunes blaring away. By this time, the 60's were more comfortable, but I had still yet to fall in love with the sound they produced. Then, all of a sudden,it happened: The song Hold My Finger by Sikth came on, and I had to stop reading whatever I was skimming on the internets because of what was going on in my ears. As the guitars switched back and forth between the left and right side and the bass noodled in the background and the cymbals crashed, I realized that I could hear it all, and not only could I hear everything but it was clear and warm and bright and a million other descriptions.

I have no idea if this sudden epiphany of sound was the result of burning the phones in, or of my ears getting used to the open-on-ear design, or what, but whatever the case, I definitely love these headphones now. People on this site and others love to use hyperbole to describe certain headphones, and I think I am getting a little bit closer to speaking hyperbolically about these 60s.

Despite the leaking sound, these headphones are the s*** (in a good way). Oh, and I also found out that they are easily modded...as if I needed another reason to like them!

Also, on a side and closing note, Sikth is an incredible band and really showcases the ability of these headphones, check em out if you have any affinity for rock that dabbles in metal and weirdness.

I got these from a local shop for SGD120, about USD99.

Rewritten the whole review.

First impressions: These headphones are meh. A little overrated, doesn't carry bass very well.

Current impressions: Great headphones for dynamic rock with lots of guitar, drums and forward vocals.

I have modded my Grado SR60i a little. I had the plastic grill and button removed, a painstaking task, but well worth the time and effort. I have quarter-modded the comfies that the stock SR60 comes with and I have also removed the white cloth that covers the driver protectors.

Also poked 2 holes on each cup to increase the bass.

Some pics to illustrate my point

Q-mod with cloth removed.

By cutting the bit of foam off the comfies and removing the bit

of white cloth that covers the driver protector, I've made the drivers

slightly more prone to dirt, dust and hair

but

since there's less material between the driver and your ears, music

sounds a little cleaner and brighter overall.

Grill and button removed. Grado ring missing on the right.

Anything that covers the opening is an obstruction to the airflow.

If you cup your hands over the chamber opening, music sounds

a little trapped and muffled.

So I removed the grill and button. There's not a huge difference in

sound but every little change can make you go from liking your

Grados to loving them.

End result: Less obstruction - clearer sound.

Two holes poked.

SR60s aren't really known for being bassy. They can produce

that little thump, but they're far from being bass monsters.

I've always thought that poking holes in there would cause 

an increase in bass quantity which would screw up the other

frequencies but I decided to poke one on each side just for

the lulz.

While it did tame the other frequencies a little (imo), it didn't

make the overall sound too muddy. The SR60 still sounds

a little harsh on some songs but poking the holes gave music

a little more body.

All this is very subjective, what works for me might not work for

you, vice versa. Out of curiosity, I poked another hole in each of 

the cups, so that's 2 holes each.

At first I thought the music sounded a little muddy and congested,

but nope. I feel that 2 holes is the sweet spot for me. But to be fair,

my FiiO E7 separated the musical instruments better than my onboard

sound card.

Without the E7, music sounded a little bloated and congested. 

For those with a poor onboard sound, then an amp/dac like the E7

will really make the SR60s shine.

Comfort

Comfort is still an issue. Clamping force out of the box is straight up

overpowered. I couldn't wear the SR60 for more than an hour straight.

A couple of guys suggested that I stretch out the headband since the

metal is quite ductile. That helped. The comfies pads are made of 

some low quality material that's quite uncomfortable.

It looks good alright, but I prefer the Senn HD414 pads for comfort.

Right now I can wear the SR60 on my head for 2 - 3 hours at a time.

They still hurt a little, but nothing too unbearable.

Burn-in

I'm not a true believer of burn-in. 

Comfort improved over time but I haven't had the Grados long enough to see if the headphones suddenly turn magical. Bought this roughly a month ago.

All in all

Great for alt. rock and indie stuff.

They're worth the price. Definitely.

Some song recommendations

The Killers - This River is Wild (Sam's Town)

The Killers - All These Things That I've Done (Hot Fuss)

Blue October - Into the Ocean