[ocostich]

I tried the Grado SR80i at the store, but had to remove the case on my phone to get the 3.5mm plug far enough into the phone to actually make the connection. I have a Google Nexus 5 and I tried the SR80i with three different cases and none of them worked (nor did the salesman's iPhone with the case on). The connector on the headphones has a plug too short to go in deep enough and a plastic shoulder above it that prevents the plug going in far enough. The other brands I tested don't have this problem, having a longer plug or a skinnier design overall. There seems to be two solutions 1) Find some kind of 3.5mm pigtail cable that would work or 2) Buy something else.
 
While I would prefer solution 1, I'm open to suggestions for 2.

 

[Mad Max]

If you really like the headphone, go for #1.

 

[ocostich]

  If you really like the headphone, go for #1.

 
I'd love to but I cannot find such a pigtail extension cable. Monoprice has a cable with the 3.5mm male/female connectors but the shortest one is 6 feet long.

 

[elbdogs]

Not sure if this helps but I connect my Grado SR80i to a Fiio e6 then the e6 (thin plug) to my phone/tablet.

 

[Claritas]

SR80i can be plugged into my N5 case. Diztronic Matte Back Black Flexible TPU Case ($9.89 at Amazon).

 

[Mad Max]

   
I'd love to but I cannot find such a pigtail extension cable. Monoprice has a cable with the 3.5mm male/female connectors but the shortest one is 6 feet long.

 
One of these ought to work:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6Inch-Headphone-Extension-Cord-Cable-Stereo-3-5mm-1-8-for-Apple-iPhone-iPod-/390628990839
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Inches-3-5mm-Male-to-Female-Stereo-Mono-Audio-Extension-Cable-Headphone-6-/201036137184
 
Lastly, you could try having someone reterminate the headphone cable with this plug for you instead: http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=1322

 

[ocostich]

   
One of these ought to work:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6Inch-Headphone-Extension-Cord-Cable-Stereo-3-5mm-1-8-for-Apple-iPhone-iPod-/390628990839
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Inches-3-5mm-Male-to-Female-Stereo-Mono-Audio-Extension-Cable-Headphone-6-/201036137184
 
Lastly, you could try having someone reterminate the headphone cable with this plug for you instead: http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=1322

 
I have seen those extensions on eBay but they would appear to have the same issue as the Grado plug - not long and not narrow.
 
As for reterminating, I don't know anyone to do that. If I did I would put in a 3.5mm female jack close to the headphone so I could use any cable (and the Monoprice mobile 3.5mm cables fit in the phone through the case).

 

[Claritas]

You already have the third choice of buying the case that works.

 

[ocostich]

You already have the third choice of buying the case that works.

 Yes I could throw away a $40 case and spend $10 on a new one, bringing the price of acquiring a $100 headphone to $150. Not exactly what I had in mind,

 

[Claritas]

   Yes I could throw away a $40 case and spend $10 on a new one, bringing the price of acquiring a $100 headphone to $150. Not exactly what I had in mind,

 
Hey, sorry for trying to help. 

 
Edit: I had the same problem (among others) with the case Google sells, so I sold it and bought the one I recommended based on this http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/12/16/best-nexus-5-cases/.
 
Google makes super phones, but it doesn't know how to make a good case; my N4 case had problems too, and I had to replace it.