Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

The SR80 are good ear warmers for winter
If you are the listener who needs to explode his ears with volume, dont get them . Their output is not that strong (which is a good thing for your ears)
Very great,deep bass.
Great value...

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

The Grado SR80i's are easily the best reasonably priced headphones I have owned. For years I have used the Sony MDR-V6, which have a nice sound but are weak on bass. The Grados are nice with clear highs (I must have the highs), decent midrange and good clean bass (I hate boomy bass). What I've read about the open design being the most accurate seems to be true, especially with these. I have read other reviews about the on-ear comfort of the SR80i's. I tend to agree that they pinch a little if you wear them for extended periods of time, but the auditory advantages outweigh this minor problem. Overall, I'm glad I purchased these Grados.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

This is a great and affordable headphone from Grado.
Great sound !!! My earphones seems to be such a piece of junk in comparison.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I bought these headphones to use with my iPod and my computer's sound card. Even without an amp they sound excellent. Just the right amount of bass and clarity. I can wear them for long periods of time and my ears wont fatigue. My tastes in music are quite varied and all genres that I've listened to with these headphones sounded great, from new age to techno to metal. Unfortunately the construction of these cans feels extremely cheap and flimsy. After only a few weeks of using my pair the right channel developed a rattling sound known as the dreaded 'grattle' to Grado headphone owners. As per Grado policy I shipped the headphones to them explaining what was wrong. Its been several weeks and I have yet to receive a replacement or even a notice from Grado on the status of my headphones. I looked up Grado Labs online and the first thing that caught my attention was their shoddy website. The pictures of their headquarters aren't much better either, they appear to operate out of a dirty bomb shelter. Grado, please move into something better and spend a bit more on quality control. I love the sound of your headphones but I can't support a company that uses such flimsy materials. Also, I understand that [...] you prefer to keep your business in the family. But hiring someone to redesign your headphones wouldn't hurt, they look and feel like you guys pieced them together from Vietnam surplus junk.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I bought the product to use with my laptop. I like the fit and sound quality is good.
Unfortunately, one of the earpieces has come off of the headset and I am unable to reattach.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I use these all day at work (I'm sitting in a cublicle adjacent to a busy hallway) to minimize the background noise and distractions. I'm using them with a Sansa Clip+ 8gb mp3 player.

These are not the loudest headphones I've ever owned, but they certainly have the best sound. They're crisp, clear, with a great "presence" and a pleasure to wear for long periods of time. In fact, the sound is so good, I'm less inclined to turn them up really loud - if anything, I'd likely damage my hearing.

Although I'm sure other users appreciate the thick, high quality cable - I would like something a little less bulky (looks like the cable is of a thickness and length to accomodate someone plugging them into a stereo receiver a few feet away). The cable is overkill since the mp3 player is in my shirt pocket.

My only wish (enhancement) would be a volume control on one of the earphones or in the cable. This has more to do with the lousy volume control on the mp3 player, and I've found I do like having a volume control on the headphones.

Great purchase; I'm convinced they'll last a long time - high quality construction.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I had read som reviews before the purchase so i was prepared both to the pros and cons of the Grado 80i´s. They really leak, but at the same time they are extremly good sounding and priceworthy. The sound quality is really outstanding even if you use it with yours iPhone or a MP3-player. But if you want the best out of the headphones you should connect them to your reciever.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

these sound great !
I gave my sr60's to my nephew, and replaced them with these.... they are both great I can't hear a difference
and they have a fine sound loud and low

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

Use the Grado SR80i for monitoring audio signal during video camera recordings; as monitor headphones for producing 30 minute radion program and for monitoring Podcast productions

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

These headphones sound great, let in ambient noise because of their open design (great for not getting hit by taxis), and present a spread out sonic landscape. Nice bass response and a beautiful midrange. Best money I have ever spent on headphones.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I use these headphones for listening to music at home, primarily with my ipod. I am not an audiophile, just a music lover.
These headphones have fantastic sound quality, with very crisp and precise definition through the mid and high tones. Bass is present but not overpowering.
The headphones are very lightweight, with a headband that is simple, functional and comfortable. The earpads will make your ears warm after a while, but a short break enough to get back to comfort.
My only complaint about the product is that the cord is fairly long (not a bad thing) and not coiled at all, so if I have my ipod in my pocket and am wearing the headphones, the cord hangs down to my knees and can get caught on things (and I'm 6' 2" tall). Also, the cord goes to both earpieces instead of just the left. This is a result of the super-simple and replaceable headband.
As is always an issue with open-air headphones, they leak a lot of sound, so even at moderate volume, people in a quiet room will be able to hear what you are listening to. Fine for home use or in a private office, but not a good choice for libraries or quiet work environments.
Overall, they are well made and produce excellent sound quality. I haven't yet tried them with a headphone amp, which I've heard will make their sound even better.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

This is my second pair of Grado Headphones, and I must say that I am impressed. I am currently using these SR80's with a Sansa Clip MP3 Player and the sound is fantastic. Open soundstage and dynamic music reproduction and separation are only a few of the virtues these headphones offer. I have owned headphones at 3x this price, and I must say that these come pretty close to matching their sound quality. Even though they sound great, I can't help thinking how they resemble a Tiger Tank commander's phones. Retro look, big on sound. [...]

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

They sound great though are a bit uncomfortable. The foam ear pads sit on the ear, loading the cartilage. After about an hr or so I need a 10 min break, after which I'm anxious to put them back on.

Wish there was an over the ear pad replacement.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I use these headphones for when I want to listen to rock or any kind of music that emphasizes the mid range. I find the bass tight, yet lacking, so these aren't the greatest for classical, rap, or for watching movies. These cans sound a little bright at first, but after they break in they tend to loosen up and the highs just roll off nicely; however, being Grados, they will be more fatiguing than other headphones such as Sennheisers.

For the price, the Grado SR-80i is one of the best. If you want a more laid back sound, then the Sennheiser HD555 might be better, as they are the only open aired headphones in this price range that will compete with the Grado SR-80i.

Their open air design allows them to sound so good. To my knowledge, they are only a step up in the bass than the SR-60 or SR-60i. So if you want to save more money, then just buy the SR-60i, but if you want a little more out of your money, then just pick up a pair of the SR-80i. For audiophiles such as myself, the SR-80i are worth the extra cost.

They are a still a farcry from the Alessandro headphones or the Grado SR-325 and up, but they are a great pair of headphones as an introduction in the Grado line.

In terms of portability, these aren't the best headphones because of their open air design. It will leak sounds, and other around you will be able to hear it. Also, you will be able to hear almost everything around you. If you want closed headphones in this price range, just get Sony MDR V6 or Audio Technica M50. The Grados are very portable and durable, so if you are okay with the open air design, then I guess the SR-80i could be a great portable pair. That being said, the cord is also long and thick, so walking around with these headphones may be a little cumbersome. For me, I only listen to them at my desk at home, so I cannot really comment too much on portability.

I would also recommend an amplifier for these headphones since the headphones are so revealing, but an amp would just make them that much better. An amp is definitely not required as these can easily drive portable like an ipod, iphone, or a zune.

The comfort of these is not great, but it is not bad either. They don't have over the ear style velour pads that you can almost sleep in like those found in the Sennheiser HD5XX to HD800 range. They head band can feel a little stiff, but after wearing these, the hand band will loosen up. Grado recommends to bend the head band at the tips to make them more comfortable, but it could actually ruin their fit and cause them to fall off of your head.

The Grado line has different ear pads, and these SR-80i come with the "comfies" which are a lot more comfortable than the SR-80i's brother the SR-80;however, the old pads do offer better midrange. You can always get the SR-80i and order the old pads. If you want the most comfort, you can fit a pair of Beyerdynamic 414 ear pads onto these headphones, but there is a significant amount of clarity loss.

Overall, these are excellent quality headphones that sound great for most kinds of music, especially rock and metal. There are not better headphones for the price to rock out to some Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin. For someone who hasn't ever used quality headphones, I recommend them. For those who have heard quality headphones, but want to try a good pair for rock, then I recommend these; however, if you like more laid back music such as jazz, classical, or music that uses deep and punchy bass, then I would not recommend these headphones.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I have Melos SHA-1 headphone amp and these headphones do pretty well with it. Nice bass for headphones.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

Most often I use Grado 80i headphones with a small Sony CD player. Never the less Pyle amplifier gives them the edge. The sound is better then some other headphones I have. The comfort is not the best so I graded it only 4 *, though it could be 4.5 *.
Specially for solo and chamber music they are great. II tested them with Maurizio Pollini CD. playing Chopin, and they give exact rendering.
The cable is configured as Y and it twists, the ear cushions are somewhat rough, so I am planning to cover them with a silk.
The sound is somewhat feeling as closed, but this is true for most on the ear headphones.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I bought these headphones for listening to Blu-ray audio and CDs in a quiet room environment (apartment complex). They are an open air design, so they don't isolate the sound track from external sounds. The open air style is a plus when I watch a video with my partner, since I can easily hear comments she may make. The headphones have foam cushions which rest against the ears. The sound quality is excellent; better than some Sony headphones I've used in the past. The headband has little padding, so it can press annoyingly against the top of your head after awhile. The headphones are very light, however, so I've been able to shift them up to lessen pressure on my head, relying upon the friction of the foam cushions against my ears to hold them in place. That technique works well for me.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I know that there are better headphones out there. I know that there are less expensive headphones out there as well. But the Grado SR80i hits the sweet spot: clear headed sound and great price/quality make this a winner for greatest value to me.

I use this set at my computer to listen to music. They replace an older pair of iGrado phones which sounded fine but were uncomfortable for longer listening periods. The sound of the SR80i is, in my opinion more spatial and better staged than the iGrado.

If there is any complaint it is that the cord is heavier and more cumbersome than I would like. With problems like this I'll stay quiet.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

You can't beat these headphones for the price! When compared to the SONY 7506 (which are also an excellent headphone), the Grado sounds more natural with no colorization at all. This headphone produces very well-rounded, warm sounds with plenty of bass, mid-range and highs. When compared with the JBL LSR4326P Speakers, these headphones sound as close studio monitor sound as any I have heard. Based upon my experience with these headphones, I would highly recommend them to anyone in the market for high-quality sound.

Comments about Grado SR80i Dynamic Open-Air Stereo Headphones:

I use the headphones with my computer in my office at home. The headphones are of excellent quality and performance and represented a fabulous value for the cost.