The only time I really listen to portable audio is if I have to walk into work or walking to the pub and my iPod Shuffle and Senn ear buds work just fine (and are small enough to hidden in a pocket while at the bar). But been a bit of a Grado fan I thought I'd try the iGrados and they arrived today.

First impression – The neckband plastic looks and feels cheap. There are mold lines and rough edges where the neckband meet the driver housings and where the iGrado badge is on the back. But the mesh over the driver housing is real metal, unlike most full size Grados, which is nice.

I have to say they are very tight around the ears and they clamp my glasses to the side of my face, which is causing them to pinch my nose! They do feel secure though – a bit too secure really. I've been wearing them for about 40 minutes and I'm going to have to take them off, they are really starting to irritate me (I say 40 minutes but I have had to take them on and off a few times just for some relief).

Anyway – how do the sound? Rather good I have to say. I've just listened to one of my favourite albums (Tanya Donelly – Beautysleep) (deafualt Apple MP4 format & conversion) through my iPod Classic and CMOY. There is a nice weight to the base, but some of the passages sound a bit muddled and flat – but I guess that could be the recording format. There is nice detail and it's easy to pick out backing instruments and vocals; the guitar on “Darkside” sends shivers down my spine before the drums crash in with real vigour and then almost instantly Tanya works her magic and the highs of the double, overlaid, vocals are quite well reproduced and it's easy to pick them out - but if you stop trying to pick them out, they seamlessly re-enter the sound stage. Talking of which the sound stage seems a bit narrow – it's not the worst (again that could just be this recording – more listening is required).

Nice sound for the price (I paid £30 from Play.com in the UK) but the (lack of) comfort factor could see me falling out with these 'phones sooner than later. I guess only time will tell. Watch this space as they say.

Yep, had the same issues a you - good sound, poor fit & finish. Annoyingly, that plastic doesn't stretch with time so you're pretty much SOL as far as fit goes. You'll get used to it a little bit over time. I was able to do 2-hour stretches in them by the time I sold them.

Maybe you need to try their IEM models.

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Tempted I have to say, but I've some Shure IEM's and I don't like them, so I've kind of been put off the IEM road - I find that they make my ear canal sore and I'm not won over by the sound of the Shures anyway so its a kind of loss loss situation with them and they cost be a fair old whack as well
I get on better with buds.

Glad you posted this since I have eyeglasses as well and was tempted to get these over the Portapros.

I don't really know what I'm saying, but you should be able to sand the rough edges down..
Well, my MS1s arrived today, so no need for the iGrado now.

@ Jesda

They press the glasses arms inwards and they really dig into the side of your face. My Armani glasses have tall and flat arms, and the bridge over the nose is either drawn backwards, causing it to pinch, or lifted upwards off your nose completely. Not a good look of feel.

Use a heat gun and bend the headband a bit. Done.

And cut a hole in those terrible stock pads. It might let a little treble through.