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Member Reviews: Grado SR80i Headphones

Prog Rock Man

Classics

Posted
By Prog Rock Man

Pros: Dynamic attacking sound, detail, soundstage

Cons: Some find the pads uncomfortable, the cable.

The Grado SR80 is a classic headphone. It has a classic style, like a old radio ham. It has been around virtually unchanged for donkeys years. It is a superb entry to audiophile headphone listening.   Often overshadowed by the baby of the range, the SR60, which has won numerous awards. The SR80s can be had for only £20. When I auditioned for my first headphones, the first to go were the SR60s. The SR80s had more dynamics, detail, everything really. I preferred them to some similarly priced Sennheisers, which did not retrieve the same detail.   They are know as the rock headphones because of their dynamics and attack. Attack is the speed that a note is started. So if a track goes...
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RudeWolf

Great value for a listener who knows what he likes.

Posted
By RudeWolf

Pros: Mighty attack, juicy mids, unsibbilant highs. No need for amping.

Cons: Could get uncomfortable, listening to loud recordings is punished by harshness.

As someone already had stated- the Grado SR80i gets left in the shadow of its less costly sibling- the SR60i. For me the choice was quite easy- I had a hundred bucks to burn for my first serious headphone, so SR80i was the best thing that I got in my sights. I had heard that the SR60i is a great performer and the SR80i should be all that plus more- the choice was easy.   First thing that I liked about them even before listening was the cable- it was nice and thick about the same diameter as a normal AC cable. When I looked at the grills it was apparent that if needed the resoldering should be a breeze. The 1/4 to 1/8 adapter is the most solid I've ever seen- when plugged on it...
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unchain

Damn you, Grado.

Posted
By unchain

Pros: Sounds amazing, cost is nothing, quality is wonderful, value is ridiculous.

Cons: Somewhat uncomfortable for very long listening sessions, leaks noise like a sieve (not really a con, just something to be aware of).

This were my first "real" headphones and now I'm building a Mosfet Mini Max tube amplifier and DAC, buying parts, modding my headphones, etc. All in three short months. These will turn you into an audiophile. The clarity from these are just wonderful. Rich, full mids, wonderful treble response (perhaps too wonderful...at times they can be very bright and tinny, but usually not) and a good low end too. This is, of course, pre-modification. With the drivers vented, new grills, new headband, custom wood cups, G Cushions and the driver cloth removed, these headphone dominate. That's probably one of the coolest things about them, the amount of known mods! These are so much fun to play...
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johnp9723

Amazing headphones

Posted
By johnp9723

Pros: Great sound, price

Cons: none so far

I have been reading about these headphones online for a few days now so I wanted to go take a listen to them unfortunately the closest Grado dealer was an hour away so I took a drive. I tried out the 80i and then the 225i through my own iPhone with apple lossless files and I could hear a teenie tiny difference with the 225i being a little more crisp and spacial but I am talking a very little bit but I don't think its double the price different or better. They both sound awesome. Then I had the guy throw a cd into a 1000 dollar Rotel CD player playing through a 2000 Rotel integrated amp and the difference between the 225i and the 80i was even less than being played with my iPhone they...
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chickpea

Definitely recommended

Posted
By chickpea

Pros: Moderate Cost, excellent sound/price ratio, retro styling, decent build quality

Cons: A little uncomfortable for more than 2 hours listening sessions

First "audiophile" approved heaphones I purchased.  They have introduced me to subtleties in my music I never new existed.  I am now listening to a lot more music than before. From my fiio e7 they are perfectly powered and give just a fantastically rich, detailed sound. For anyone who is wondering what all this audiophile nonsense is about, buy these and get back to me if it really is all nonsense afterall.  I'm sure your opinion will have changed.     I like the retro look, some may not.  Not completely comfortable for long sessions, but not totally uncomfortable either.   They have a much more open soundstage than my Head Direct RE ZEROs. ...
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asn nerd

Grado Labs SR80i

Posted
By asn nerd

Pros: Great entry level audiophile- quality headphone, cool looks (imo),

Cons: Comfort after using for long periods of time (2hrs+)! Price outside of the US, HEAPS of sound leakage (both in and out)

After using my Sony MDR-XB40EX for a year, I was looking for a pair of high quality on ear headphones for my computer and home use which would be fairly portable as well. However, after testing headphones for a long time and settling on the SR80i's, that last criteria went out of the window. THESE HEADPHONES LEAK COLLOSAL AMOUNTS OF SOUND AND IS DEVOID OF ANY SOUND ISOLATION!   However,  to the lucky owner of these headphones, these cans sound AWESOME (especially in rock and metal)! After breaking the in, I can say without a doubt, that these headphones are better than my Sennheiser CX300ii (although it isn't exactly fair to compare an in ear with an on ear). Although the...
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keanex

Great Entry Level Sound

Posted
By keanex

Pros: Really musical headphones

Cons: Comfort, fatiguing, congested

I owned these a long time ago so this brief review is written from memory.   The Grado SR80i may be the best rock headphone for the price. The in your face presentation of the sound, the sharp mids and highs and tight bass really brings the listener into the music. The problem is they may be too in your face. They feel as if sound is being injected into your ears while the mids and highs that were once fun are now very bright and causing fatigue. Comfort was an issue for me as well, I had a hard time wearing these for 2+ hours.   I said they were possibly the best rock headphone for the price, but outside of rock music I found these lacking very much. These are rather...
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BotByte

Greastest headphones a cheap man can buy

Posted
By BotByte

Pros: Amazing Audio, great cord, basic design

Cons: Swiveling headphones, headband, earpads, the cable connections

Buying these, changed the way I listen to music   I HATE THESE HEADPHONES, THEY TURNED ME INTO A AUDIOPHILE they taught me that there is more to music, then what I was listening to   Before, on my Senn HD 201s, I could hear the music These, make me listen to the music   I hear sounds and tones that before, I didn't know existed in the music the sound stage is wide and amazing   Cover one side of the open phones and the music cuffs out. because of their design, they leak sound I don't care about leaking   The headphones swivel, not a big deal, but they can twist the cord. The left and right headphone cords are squishy, with padding...
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Zuqi

Worth Every Penny

Posted
By Zuqi

Pros: Engaging, open and clear sound

Cons: Looks cheap, bright and fatiging

Actually I bought this headphones just for it's box. I own the one and only HF1 prototype and they come without one.   Anyways, they‘re of great value,for the price you'll get clear sound and tons of details when paired wit bowls (although not in good quality compared to more pricey models). They are outstanding rock headphones, especially in it's price range.   But like most Grados, they are quite bright and can be fatiguing.
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jeffphus

Other reviewers have convinced me my SR80i is defective. Sent them to Grado. They agreed and replaced the drivers.

Posted
By jeffphus

Pros: It's a Grado

Cons: Way too much energy at the high midrange and treble. After repair, perhaps just a little aggressive in the highs.

Based in the reviews I read here I purchased the SR80i last July 2012. I thought they were way to bright, or as someone else said "ice picks" in the ears. I thought perhaps I needed an amp - and over the course of several months used Fiio E6, Fiio E17, and JDS O2. No improvement! I continued to listen with a Senn Px100 (original latest versions) and most enjoyably the VModa M80. Through all these experiences my confidence in my listening opinion grew. So, based on all the fine reviewers and reader comments on this wonderful website, I am going to send the to Grado for evaluation and repair. I'm convinced they are defective. I thought of selling them here or on Amazon - but since I...
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Where to Buy It

EarphoneSolutionsGrado SR80i Headphones at EarphoneSolutions$99.00See It »
Amazon.comGrado Prestige Series SR80i Stereo Headphone at Amazon.com$99.00See It »
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