I've repeatedly bought these headphones, despite also owning Stax Lambda electrostatics and more expensive Sennheiser and AKG phones. And, in an even more interesting accolade, when I've bought Stax, Sennheiser and AKG headphones it was when I was a partner in Western Audio of Palo Alto, a dealer in all of those brands, so I paid wholesale or accomodation, not retail. I've never been a Grado dealer, so I've purchased the Grado SR60's at retail every time. This particular pair came from the Metropolitan Opera Shop in NYC, purchased after I left my older pair on a plane. I don't know the secrets to Grado's art, but I can attest to several things with a lifetime of listening skills. These Grado headphones are not "harsh" as some other inexperienced listeners here have claimed. They are warm and smooth, very seductive with all kinds of music, you simply find the music begins to carry you away. If you've never treated yourself to anything but earbuds, these are a revolution compared to the Beats by Dr Dre. Less expensive, but a whole new kind of musical experience. Whether you listen to rap, rock or hillbilly folk music, you won't find anything you can wear as long, listen as carefully to, and get away with throwing into your backpack again and again for years. Grado sells replacement pads and other parts, the only thing I've ever replaced is the pads.