Grado Build Quality?

[uosux]

I've just started on the audiophile road by ordering some Grado SR-80's. My question is, how is the build quality? I've read conflicting reviews, some saying sturdy, others flimsy. Thanks.

 

[Duncan]

hi uosux... Welcome to Head-Fi

To be honest, i'm sat on the fence here... I had a pair of SR125s where I think the person who glues them together must've either had the day off / was high / was planning on leaving, because they just fell apart... a bit of an embarrasment...

Other than that, I have had / see the whole of the line up (minus the SR225... NEVER seen that), and they've all been in pretty top notch shape...

The only thing that worries me is the Y connector on the cable... there is probably nothing wrong, but from the several Grados that I have had / seen, they appear to crimp that a little too much, squashing the sheath... probably no big deal though...

Other than that, i'd say top notch

 

[(yo_alexandru]

welcome uosux!

I think the grado build quality is like this decent <-> greate

 

[Demolition]

I think Duncan hit the nail right on the head. Grado build quality seems to waver between good and bad depending on various factors (stock market fluctuations? moon phases? Grado employee alcohol consumption rate?). I've had a several Grados pass through my hands and tested others at stores, and noticed the same variability in quality that Duncan mentioned. I suppose that this could be viewed as a good thing, if you like things that look hand-made.

But, on the whole, the build quality (or shoddiness of same) doesn't seem to affect sound quality. They've sounded just as good (or bad, if you dislike Grados), regardless of how they looked.

D.

 

[uosux]

Thanks for the replies. What sort of shodiness are we talking about here? Also, how do they stand up to abuse? Would it be risky to throw them into your backpack or something like that?

 

[Demolition]

Quote:

Originally posted by uosux Thanks for the replies. What sort of shodiness are we talking about here? Also, how do they stand up to abuse? Would it be risky to throw them into your backpack or something like that?

Basically, the kind of thing that Duncan mentioned (the falling apart, plus squashed cable sheaths). Also, looking at Grados at a local dealer, I noticed that the build quality within the same model range (particularly at the lower end) seems to vary. Little things like the fit of the driver housings onto the metal posts, the cheap feel of the cables as they sort of float in and out of the driver housings, the aforementioned squashed cable sheath, etc.

Maybe that's not such an odd thing in the headphone world, though. Jodiuh just bought new (maybe) headphones that look used. If those Beyers are actually new, then it might not just be Grado that suffers from the "built on Friday" syndrome.

As for abuse, Grados appear to be pretty tough. As long as you don't really yank on the cables or let the drivers rotate all the way around, then you'll be okay. Basically, if you treat them nice, then they'll treat you nice.

D.

 

[zoot2boot]

my issues with grado build quality;

they smell really funny when you first get them... think its the weird old rubbery plastic they use for the cords. i was embarrassed to wear them at first because of the strong odour

the wires are glued into the cups which dosn't prevent them being pushed further into the cup than they should- could maybe damage the driver if you were unfortunate?

and they arn't really solid enough to store in a bag with anything else.

i think most of the isses with build quality for the lower end grados at least is the overall feel of the headphones, its kinda quaint 1970s american repulsiveness.. like you wouldn't be supprised if they were made out of bakelite(sp?) proto plastic.

 

[Randy_M]

I own SR60's, SR80's and now my beautiful SR325's and I have not a single complaint over the build quality. I noticed no aroma from the wires.

Just please keep in mind that the 80's MUST be broken in before they sound their best. I was pretty disappointed when I first got them home, but after a week they were absolutely wonderful. Before I got the 80's I thought burn-in was a bunch of hooey, but I learned my lesson.

 

[lextek]

I,ve owned a few pair of Grados. My vintage SR-60s were the best made of the bunch. The cabling felt thicher, more rubbery. The new 225s I have have hot glue sticking out from the "buttons" and the cabling is more like plastic. Also the vinyl headband on the new feels chepaer than the old. But they sound fine. Functional fine. Appearance so so.

 

[Permonic]

I have to agree with Duncan and Demolition. Grado's build quality differs from piece by piece. It has more to do with output quality control. This is underestimated in Grado Labs I guess.

From my experiences:

SR-80's - the top of left chamber hit gimbals little bit. I had to use a sandpaper to rub it down.

MS-2's - the left chamber again: this time the chamber was fasten into gimbals on the contrary!!! In the case this was on the contrary, you couldn't wear them. The gimbals are fasten to the metal rod under certain angle. It was easy to fix it for me, since I have been testing a new design of earpads, however imagine a technically non-skilled people facing this situation.

I wonder whether there is an output control or shipping inspection in Grado Labs. On the other side this is a beauty of hand-made products (I guess Grados are semi hand-made). They would never be the same and usually have some imperfections. I am a design freak, it doesn't bother me to fix it.

Uosux, for the backpack transport I would recommend you to put them into any strong bag first.

Anyway it's a sound we care the most.

As a Grado sound fan, I easily overcome these small imperfections.

 

[daggerlee]

My SR60s are on their way back to Grado Lab right now. The cable gave out after sveral months of use, the left earpiece will not work depending on the position of the plug. *shrug*

I had the cable sheathing problem too. I've heard that Grado goes all out in repairing their headphones, so here's hoping for the best..

 

[Grelkman]

The build quality is not impressive. But I've bought SR-60s and SR-255s and I'm happy with both. I have the 60s for at least five years. Plus Grado service is top notch.

 

[Zanth]

I have owned 6 Grado phones and all have been well built. 3 of which are tanks (all HP-1000 series of course) and are likely the best made headphones of all time. I doubt a ground zero nuclear blast could do much to these babies except melt the leather and foam

As for my SR60's and SR200's - VERY well built. Beagle has my SR200's now and I don't think he has any complaints. My wife uses the SR60's which have been in my possession for nearly 7 years and no problems... not a single one.

Lastly my RS-1's. I have one of the first batch and they are still going strong. Not a single problem again....

So I guess I am really lucky? though I have owned or own phones from across their line....so I don't know...I believe the folks who have had problems, but I wonder what was going on at Grado at the time.

 

[reeseboisse]

I abuse my SR60s to no end, and they've held up fine. I use them as my portable phones, sos they end up in my backpack, and lying around elsewhere fairly often, and the only problem I have had is the little peice of plastic on the "antennae" falls off, hence making the earcup come off if you extend it too far. That ony happens when people with huge heads use them though.

 

[jude]

Neil (our forum engineer and my brother) abuses gear more than just about anyone I've ever met. He is the human version of the Samsonite gorilla. Long story short, his SR-80 has been going strong for years (if I'm not mistaken, his SR-80 is well into its third year). Grado gear is built well.