SR-80 vs SR-60

[dhp]

Just got the SR-80s after selling my SR-60s... 60s with comfies and quarter mod, 80s with bowls.

After listening for a little time, I think already it sounds better, probably because of the bowl pads. I probably need to let these burn in, as they just arrived, but I couldn't help myself

There's slightly more soundstage and I don't think it sounds as harsh as the SR-60s, although I could very well be mistaken. I'm running this unamped until I finish my amp. So those are my impressions after the first 15 minutes of listening

 

[appar111]

Wow, I thought the SR80's sounded way harsh and shrill (especially w/ the bowl pads) compared to the SR60's. But with your gear, maybe it sounds different than my experience.

Try Todd's flat pads if you want to really make the SR80's rock!

 

[dhp]

Yeah, I've barely listened to them, and it's been a week since I've listened to music after selling the SR-60s

, so I may be off, plus I'm not listening to the most harsh music (Pink Floyd)

 

[claymon]

As a newb, i'd really like to hear your opinions between the two after you break in the 80's. I am in the market for some lower-end Grado's, and can't decide which to spring for.

 

[dhp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by claymon As a newb, i'd really like to hear your opinions between the two after you break in the 80's. I am in the market for some lower-end Grado's, and can't decide which to spring for.

Well, I would recommend you buy them used. I sold my SR-60s to someone I know for 60 dollars, then found a deal on these SR-80s for 55 dollars shipped!!

In my opinion, the bowl pads already make a huge difference, although you may want to consider the MS-1 over the SR-80 for more musicality. The MS-1s appear to be in high demand, so you may also get a better deal on the 80s in the FS/FT forum.

 

[claymon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieInAFire Well, I would recommend you buy them used. I sold my SR-60s to someone I know for 60 dollars, then found a deal on these SR-80s for 55 dollars shipped!! In my opinion, the bowl pads already make a huge difference, although you may want to consider the MS-1 over the SR-80 for more musicality. The MS-1s appear to be in high demand, so you may also get a better deal on the 80s in the FS/FT forum.

haha, so you're already over the 80's and onto the ms-1s now?

 

[dhp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by claymon haha, so you're already over the 80's and onto the ms-1s now?

No, haven't gotten them. Just reiterating what a great number of Head-fiers have said. Fortunately, I find the Grado sound perfect for me, so there's no need for the Alessandros.

I also find the bowls more comfortable...

 

[claymon]

well, headphonereview rated even the 60's higher than the ms-1s, so i can't imagine passing up the 80's for them.

 

[Rickio]

I just got some grado 60's and I have read a few places that the grado 89;s have deeper bass and better seperation. I think these 60's are great but I guess just hearing how others dig the 80's over the 60's is getting to me.

Are they really that much better? Or would a jump a but higher up the grado line make more sense?

 

[jerwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by claymon well, headphonereview rated even the 60's higher than the ms-1s, so i can't imagine passing up the 80's for them.

looks in headphonereview. sees that one reviewer has rated the ms1, and that same reviewer has not rated the SR80 or sr60. laughs...

 

[claymon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerwin looks in headphonereview. sees that one reviewer has rated the ms1, and that same reviewer has not rated the SR80 or sr60. laughs...

laughs at?

i did the side by side comparison feature, and noticed the grados received better reviews. No the system is not perfect, but still proves to be informative.

 

[jerwin]

The alesandros aren't designed to be a bargain. They're designed/tweaked to have "a slightly more analytical sound", making them more suitable for music production. Although the extra "features" (UHPLC voice coil, de-stressed diaphragm) sound suspiciously similar to the SR-125, a more expensive model, it won't sound exactly like a SR-125.

In the thread "An Interview with John Grado", the interviewer writes

Quote:

For those that do want something a bit different, there is still the Alessandro line. George is a friend of John’s, who happens to live very close by and who decided he wanted to add a little bit to his already popular amplifier line. He asked John if he could whip up some custom made phones that he would be able to sell direct. John agreed, and although the various models resemble the current run of phones (MS1 looks like an SR60, the MS2 looks like the 325 and the MS Pro looks like an RS1) the drivers are different and perhaps there are other differences. John was very tight lipped about them. So, what exactly are the differences? It’s a trade secret folks. That’s that.

Ah, here's a thread in which the Grado SR-60 is compared to the Alessandro MS-1

Quote:

Originally Posted by sionghchan MS1: Quite a different sound. It is definitely more neutral and compared to the SR60, sounds more distant. Listening to the two CDs above, it sounds as if you are part of the audience as in Rows 3 and 4 and not right up front in Row 1. Also, the bass sounds tighter and more accurate. Not much colouration. You don't hear anything more than what was recorded. Really, not so fun, but after you get used to this, you can tell that yes, the bass is really there and it does go lower than the SR60, but it is not very loud or apparent. Essentially, Alessandro neutralised the Grado sound to be a little more analytical. My take is that get SR60 if you want really engaging sound and truly enjoy the music but don't care too much about analysing the music. MS1 is more of an acquired taste (of course, after you have heard the SR60) but once you have acquired it, when you go back to SR60, you will find as if something is missing, a little details, a little more accuracy. Don't get me wrong, BOTH cans are OUTSTANDING and you can't go wrong with either. I would suggest that you get a pair of SR60 first to see if you are into the Grado sound. If you are, then spend more, get either the MS1 or SR125 and above (possibly go up to MS2i or SR325i).

Much more helpful than just a number, eh?

 

[claymon]

yes, very helpful. thanks.

i guess a little searching on this forum far outweighs any other simple review system.