I'm not sure where to post this info, but this seems like a good enough place. I e-mailed Grado and asked where I could demo some headphones, and they promptly responded with a list of places in So Cal. I thought this might be helpful for anyone looking. I didn't include the phone numbers or addresses...you can probably find them in the Yahoo yellow pages.

Ahead Stereo, Los Angeles
Ambrosia Audio, Bel Aire
Ametron, Hollywood
Audio Basics, Wrightwood
Audio Concepts #2, Long Beach
Audio Den/Scan Audio, Van Nuys
Audio Ecstasy, SLO
Audio Video City, Santa Monica
Audio Video Excell, San Diego
Audio Video Today, Westminster
Audiomax, San Juan Capistrano
Brooks Berdan, Monrovia
C H Automation, West Los Angeles
David Rutledge Audio, Rancho Mirage
Definition Audio Video, Redondo Beach
Digital Ear, Tustin
DLE Design, Apple Valley
DXC, Santa Monica
Evolution Audio Video, Agoura Hills
Hi Q Audio Video Systems, Thousand Oaks
Jeff Lynn Stereo, Santa Maria
L A Audio, Los Angeles
L.A. Music Services, Torrance
Lasertek, Rosemead
Marconi Radio, Glendale
Mission Audio, Santa Barbara
Mountain Music, Tehachapi
Music.com (the), Los Angeles
Optimal Enchantment, Santa Monica
Pacific Coast Audio, Corona Del Mar
PKM Audio, Chino Hills
Planet Minidisc/Fulfillco, Richmond
Pnp, Pasadena
Precision Audio, Moorpark
Reference Audio, Gardena
Shelley's Stereo, Woodland Hills
Shelley's Stereo - House, Calabasas
Solutions, Los Angeles
Sound Company, San Diego
Sound Factor, Van Nuys
Sound Factor 1, Encino
Sound Factor 2, Pasadena
Sound Factor 3, Santa Monica
Stereo Design, San Diego
Stereo Unlimited, San Diego
Stereotech, San Diego
Sunchild Audio, Los Angeles
System Design Group, Redondo Beach
Theatre Design, W. Los Angeles
U C I Computer Store, Irvine
Video Mart 2000, San Bernardino
Virgin Megastore, Ontario
Wilshire Home Entertainment, Thousand Oaks
Wilson Home Theater Systems, Sherman Oaks

Thanks man

Wow, thanks for posting this! I live in San Diego and I had no idea there were that many places that had Grado stuff! The only one on the list I knew about was Stereo Design (and after looking at their site I assumed they mostly dealt in stereo equipment only so I never checked them out).

I will definitely be checking these places out sometime soon! Thanks again

I think augustwest mentioned this a while ago, but the DXCStore out in Santa Monica has a pretty good selection of headphones, save for Sennheisers which they aren't an authorized retailer for. Check the site out for everything they have.

I went there a couple of weeks ago to try out the top-tier Grado phones. A Music Hall CD25.2 attached to a Creek amp and a Grado RA-1 are there. They will let you bring in your own CDs or bring your iPod down and try out anything there.

Thanks for the info PortaProKid. I'm going to try to find a pair of iGrados this weekend and try to demo some 325i headphones for my next purchase (it's tax refund time!).

One store that isn't on the list is the Virgin Megastore at Ontario Mills Mall, but they only carry SR-60s, SR-80s, and SR-125s.

Regarding the list...I highly recommend calling first to see if they have them in stock/allow you to demo.

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They are listing a lot of Sennheisers now.

I went to Upscale Audio's website, they didn't have anything about headphones on there aside from headphone amps. I'm going to call them next time I go out that way, see if it would be worth my time to stop by. I really would like to hear some grados before I buy some sr225's.

Pnp audio in Pasadena has the Grado line up to the SR-225. Nothing higher though. I'm going to update my list.

Very useful list. I'll have to visit the dealer in Irvine next time I go back to visit my parents. Thanks!

Just in case anyone is interested, Mission Audio in Santa Barbara has pretty much the full Grado line: SR60/80/125/225/325i, RS2 and (IIRC) RS1. They also have Grado amps and a few Senns.

This thread came up via a Google search for "Grado headphones Santa Monica". I tried every WLA/SM item mentioned at top (as of 9/16/08) and only carry Grado:

1.) DXC
11140 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 - (310) 202-0525
DXC STORE
They moved from Santa Monica to Culver City. They have the entire Grado line. (And like 70+ other high-end headphones to try). I had a great experience there. Solid people. What a great purpose-built store.

2.) Sound Factor
(310) 264-5457, (800-371-1547)
Sound Factor; Surround Receivers, Surround processors, home theater speakers, DVD Players, , CD Players, Speakers, electronics, Amplifiers, stereo amplifier, B&W, Home Theater Systems, Denon, Home audio, NAD, Lexicon
No longer in Santa Monica, but the store in the Valley has the entire Grado line. They guy over the phone could have not given better customer service/information. Very knowledgeable chap.

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The one in Rosemead has everything up to the SR-325i's.

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Stereo Design doesn't have much Grado gear in stock for you to play with. At least when I stuck my head in I was looking for RS1/RS2s to check out and they didn't carry them in stock. I suppose that they could order them for you.

Stereo Unlimited caries some headphone stuff, too, including some amps. If you are looking for a particular headphone model you should call to see if they have them in stock - I don't remember seeing ANY cans there.

Good luck!

Sound Company on SD didnt' had Grado headphones at the moment, they said they had them backorder and will arrive in some weeks. They had a couple of Senns on display for you to listen (the HD595 and HD555).

gravedig but just giving some OC people the heads up

i just bought a pair of 225's at audio video today in westminster and they price matched turntablelab.com prices so i got a pair for about $200.