[Bobsama]

So yeah. I've been thinking about my next perspective purchase. So far i own Koss PortaPros, Sennheiser HD-555s, and knock-off (but better than iBuds) Sony MDR-V900HDs. My primary music is rock & roll..

AC/DC
Aerosmith
Guns N' Roses
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
U2
Van Halen
The Who

And I also listen to some metal...

Iron Maiden
Blue Oyster Cult
Metallica

So, between the Grado SR-60 and SR-80, what exactly is the difference? I'd like comfortable cans, and obviously I can't afford $1000 for GS1000i or $1700 PS1000. What I heard before is that SR-60 = SR-80 = SR-125 < SR-225. So what's really the "best" choice? I'd like good SQ, but I'd also like decent comfort. $70 v. $80-95.

 

[Jewmeister]

Alessandro High-End Products Music Series-1

 

[BigTony]

Grado aren't built for comfort!

 

[Mercuttio]

Both the SR80 and SR60 use the "comfy" pad now, which many prefer to the bowl pad with a quarter sized hole cut in the center.

Specifically though, they use the same drivers and the SR80's drivers are matched better. This means a better image in your head, if you can perceive the difference. It's also entirely possible that you might get an SR60 that will be just as well matched though, accidentally.

 

[iriverdude]

They're not that bad, compared to rubbing a cheese grater over your ears, for example. They may not be as comfy as Sennheisers but don't think much of build quality or how they suit my music style.

 

[Mercuttio]

I think personally that the "comfy" is quite comfortable, and that the bowls are the true ear graters. YMMV though.

 

[Bobsama]

So what are the advantages of using an Alessandro instead of a Grado? I know there are differences, but I don't think that $30 for an upgraded SR-60 would be "good". Anyways--are there differences between SR60 and SR80 pads, or is it just driver matching?

 

[Mercuttio]

My understanding is that the MS1 is actually closer to a tweaked version of the SR125. And no, the 60 and 80 are near identical otherwise.

 

[Bonthouse]

Better matched drivers and a better cable. At least, that's what I recall.

 

[Hoss]

the SR80 sounded better than the SR60 when I compared them side by side in a store. I thought the SR80 sounded better than the SR125 too. I have portapro's too and I thought the extra $ for the SR80 were worth it over the SR60 and portapro. I do like the portapros. I use with a cowon d2 on flac and ogg vorbis files at the highest sample rate

 

[a1m80t]

With a typical CD player and receiver at local audio store, the sr80 was noticeable better than the sr60. It wasn't huge, but it was there. I could justifiy a 20 dollar differences but not much more than that. In another view, the differences of a low quality mp3 vs good quality mp3/flac is a bigger.

sr80 and the sr125 were really close together and not wroth the price jump. I would have a hard time passing an ABX test

 

[sadhanaputra]

FWIW, the Grado website lists this:

SR60i (compared to the old SR60):
- Upgraded driver design
- Enlarged and improved the mass distribution in the plastic housing
- Improved control of the upper and lower range of the freq spectrum

SR80i (Compared to SR60i):
- Utilizes a 4 conductor connecting cable
- Diaphragms are put through a special de-stressing process in order to enhance inner detail and more open stage
- Improved bass resonance, enhances overall detail

Technically, SR80i would have a better cable and better drivers.
The previous models (SR60 vs. SR80) supposedly had the same drivers, differing only in the pads and cables. The new models have the same pads (i.e. comfies), though. But you'll eventually switch to 414 pads anyway, so...

My personal recommendation: get the SR80's.
After (and if) you realize how good the SR60's sound you'd kick yourself for not opting for the SR80's, with so little difference in price.