My Headphones Blog

[southall-1998]

Whenever I fancy having that particular headphone thrill listening. I usually plug in my trusty old SR80's.

My SR80's as you can see pictured below, are well over 10 years old now. I purchased them second hand way back in Spring of 2011. I've always used them on/off through the years.

These SR80's of mines still continues to astonish me! Please bare in mind no mods have been made. No interest!

Their level of separation, transparency and detail really digs deep into the music. They are ultra fast sounding headphones with a sharp focused midrange.

I'm guessing a loudspeaker equivalent, in similar sound quality wise are the Linn Kans. As both do speed and transparency in spades!! Anyway, enough with comparing headphones to speakers!

The Grado headphone sound aren't for everyone, which I can understand. Especially people coming from the HD600/650 background.

S.


http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/TDL-STUDIO/P1020461.jpg (http://s602.photobucket.com/user/TDL-STUDIO/media/P1020461.jpg.html)

[jandl100]

Yep, I love my Grado 'phones too - I have SR125i and SR325i in different locations.
And as you say, they take no prisoners and aren't for the faint of heart. Fabulous high rez transparent sound.

You really should try them with upmarket ear pads intended for the high end models, though, Shane. They take them up another step or 3, making the sound much more spacious, open and involving, and are also hugely more comfortable as they completely surround your ears and don't press on them at all.
http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/grado-replacement-ear-pads-for-gs1000i-ps1000?gclid=CIjOw4zBncQCFeHLtAodTkkAww
Expensive but well worth it, imo.
You can sometimes get the same design for half the price, but I can't find a linkie at the moment.

EDIT: here's a US source for cheaper ones http://goodcans.com/HeadphoneStore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=65

[southall-1998]

Thanks, Jerry.

S.

[pjdowns]

Totally agree with you Shane.

As you know I recently bought the SR325 headphones from you and am already loving their qualities and have been a Grado's fan since I bought my first pair of SR125 headphones from John Grado's himself at the Ramada Hotel in Heathrow whilst at the Hifi News Show when they first became available in the UK... Oh and bought a pair of PS500's at a show last year.

Bizarrely I have tried the ear pads Jerry describes but personally found the openness a bit too much as they lose some of the bass response and therefore the magic. But as they say it's personal choice.

P.

[southall-1998]

One tweak I wouldn't mind having. Is mahogany cups on my SR80's. They will make them sound a bit warmer and richer.

S.

[jandl100]

Bizarrely I have tried the ear pads Jerry describes but personally found the openness a bit too much as they lose some of the bass response and therefore the magic. But as they say it's personal choice.

P.

Hmm, yes, fair comment. You do have to trade a touch of bass oomph for the added openness (and comfort) - I suspect it's because there's more distance to the ear with the larger cups. Personally I think it makes the budget models close the gap to a surprising degree with the upmarket model numbers in the 'thousands'.

One of the great Hifi Show experiences for me was having a listen to a pair of GS1000 - my jaw literally dropped! :wowzer: ... I think the fancy earcups give that sort of quality to the models in the hundreds. But yes, compromises are required to a degree which may or may not be acceptable.

[southall-1998]

The GS1000/e sure looks the business!

S.

[southall-1998]

Showed up on my doorstep this afternoon...

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/TDL-STUDIO/IMG_20150326_184515_zpsjlm0yd30.jpg (http://s602.photobucket.com/user/TDL-STUDIO/media/IMG_20150326_184515_zpsjlm0yd30.jpg.html)

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/TDL-STUDIO/IMG_20150326_184445_zpsfmznhgxy.jpg (http://s602.photobucket.com/user/TDL-STUDIO/media/IMG_20150326_184445_zpsfmznhgxy.jpg.html)

Yes, these are the humble Grado SR60i. Very popular budget Grado headphone.

They boogie just like any other Grado that I've come across!

S.

[struth]

I like the looks of thos grados. proper jobs!

[southall-1998]

They are sure feeding that Brooklyn attitude to my ears :)

S.

[Anthony K]

I heard the PS500 with the Larger cups ala GS1000 and they sound great but there is something about the GS that are super yummy on all music types bar classical

[pjdowns]

I heard the PS500 with the Larger cups ala GS1000 and they sound great but there is something about the GS that are super yummy on all music types bar classical

Totally agree, the GS along with RS series work extremely well with classical but I personally don't like them as much as either the PS500 or PS1000 for overall listening, especially considering I have such an eclectic taste in music :)

[VesaLato]

Hi Shane, have you tried audio technica headphones? I'm using ATH-A900X now and I like them much. Not so airy sounding than 325is I had before but very good othetwise.

[southall-1998]

Hi Shane, have you tried audio technica headphones? I'm using ATH-A900X now and I like them much. Not so airy sounding than 325is I had before but very good othetwise.

No Vesa. Plus, I've sold my headphone amp.

S.

[webby]

I have the SR80's and they're great but I replaced the earpads with, iirc, Sennheiser hd440 type earpads. This made them much more comfortable for me without changing the sound afaic.

[southall-1998]

Is the GS1000 more suited to beat/techno kind of music?

S.