My first pair of 80i's I destroyed by accident, but they were definitley not ice picks. So I purchased the 325is and Iv'e been listening to them for about 6 months now, (awesome headphone) but there was just something about the 80i that was stuck in the back of my head, so I purchased another pair a little over a week ago, and purchased Vibrolabs (classic) wooden cups along with (L) cushions for them, and I can't seem to take them off my head.
I hope everything works out and you did get a defected pair, so you can hear how awesome they are when you get them back.
Good luck!

it might be the actual sound sig
maybe the music you listen to doesnt match the headphone eg. r&b, electronic...etc

So, you used a low end amp, an amp that doesn't give much improvement over most laptops (The E17 is all about the DAC), and an amp that would be an INCREDIBLY bad pairing for the SR-80i. If anything, the O2 will further the SR-80i's tonality, not tame it.

I listened to SR80 straight from an iPhone and it sounds amazing for the price. I was so shocked.
But the sound is very unique unlike anything I listen before, a buttery smooth high end, a mild bass
that is very pleasing to the ears.

Thanks to all for the responses.
Takato14: Very surprised about your characterization of the O2 as anything other than flat as that as been the predominant opinion expressed on this website. But I defer to your opinion as you obviously have had much more experience than I.
Fuzzyash: I listen to a broad range of music from Mahler to Paramore to Marsalis to Muse to Jack Johnson, etc. What I demand of a listening set up is its ability to render all this music pleasant and listenable. I love detail, but not at the expense of musicality. I do not find my possibly defective SR80i musical at all; the tonality is all wrong.
The PX100s could use more bottom end, and perhaps more lower midrange.
The M80s provide the most pleasant listening experience for me, but more midrange energy might be welcome.
I am thinking of trying the Senn HD598.
This is one expensive hobby.

Grados are reknown for that aggressive treble that is amazing with rock. Your Grado isn't defective. It is what it is, some people like it and some don't.. You are in the latter category, and no amp or dac is going to change that. If you prefer darker sound signature, you should try some Sennheisers.