Best Deal in Headphones: Grado SR60 or Grado SR80? (audiophile opinions most welcome)

[DWF]

Hello,

I am planning to purchase either of the above listed headphones. My current budget is $100 for headphones and will not spend more than that (not until later on when I get more serious about sound.....and can afford it ).

I don't have high quality audio components...just normal stuff that's out there (ie Panasonic CD player, still using SoundBlaster AWE64, mp3 player, etc). In short, I don't have audiophile components but would love to hear some excellent sound. I've read so many reviews stating that the Grado SR60's are the best deal in headphones. However, many say that they are lacking a little in bass and that the SR80's solve that problem.

In any case, I will be stepping from a pair of $20 Labtec LT250's (9 years old) and will expect a shocking experience when I buy either of the two Grado headsets I did consider the Sennheiser 497's, but after reading about the Grados, I'm only going to choose among those two particular models. I'd just like to hear from some of the owners of these headphones (sr60 and sr80). In addition, I would like to know how much "better" the sr80's are compared to the sr60's.

And finally, if someone could recommend a site to purchase them, other than from Headphone.com (I think it's also known as Headroom.com), that would be great.

Thanks for all the help!

DWF

P.S.: I also hear that the new Grado earpads will open up the sound on the SR60's quite considerably. Comments?

 

[DigDug]

the best deal in headphones is the koss portapros. for $30 bucks, they are rated almost as good as the grados. Some say, as good.

 

[omega99]

i wanna know too

 

[nord1899]

I tried listening to both and I found I liked the sound of the SR-80's more. Enough that the price difference didn't matter.

 

[Zugzwang152]

mdr-v6!!!! (only cause i have them)

 

[erikiksaz]

If you have 100 to spend, i'd opt for the 80s. I've only owned the 60s, but from all the reviews that i've read, the 80s have more bass. Not that the 60s were lacking or anything, i still thought them to be awesome

 

[T2T III]

Well, since there are about 4 opinions that are not even talking about the Grado headphones, allow me to get the thread back on track.

If you can, try both of them out. For me, the SR-60s were more comfortable and the SR-80s didn't sound that much better. The discomfort in my situation was the donut pads on the SR-80s. I like the flatter, softer ear pads on the SR-60s. As far as bass goes, I have to bump it slightly when using my SR-60s. This isn't hard to do because I have a bass boost switch on my Sony MP3 player and I just bump it one notch. On my Sony "ES" receiver, I have created a custom EQ setting for headphone listening and I'm able to introduce plenty of bass. Again, you might want to try both of them out and see which feels and sounds better for you.

 

[everman]

Depends on what environment you'll be listening in, type of music and if you prefer open or closed, on the ear or over the ear, or in the ear.

 

[N8Magic]

SR-80, hands down.

<------------- SR-125 owner, currently suffering from Up-Grado-itis

 

[BeeVo]

What do you mostly listen too? Look into the Sennheiser Hd-280's($80 from Amazon and Newegg). They are easier to drive which is what you are going to need because of your sources. The Grado Sr-80's might be a little harder to drive than the Sr-60's. I would only recommend the the Sony V6's if you have a headphone amp. I have trouble driving them with my Live and Mp3 cd player.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: BeeVo
What do you mostly listen too? Look into the Sennheiser Hd-280's($80 from Amazon and Newegg). They are easier to drive which is what you are going to need because of your sources. The Grado Sr-80's might be a little harder to drive than the Sr-60's. I would only recommend the the Sony V6's if you have a headphone amp. I have trouble driving them with my Live and Mp3 cd player.

Sony V6, Hard to drive..? What do you mean by drive? I do fine w/ them on my Live value and my Sony MD player.

 

[Muadib]

The SR-80 model has much better bass than the 60's, making the 80's well worth the extra 20 bucks. You can get them here, for $81 shipped. You might have to stop by the place with the overweight billfold though.

 

[BeeVo]

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: BeeVo
What do you mostly listen too? Look into the Sennheiser Hd-280's($80 from Amazon and Newegg). They are easier to drive which is what you are going to need because of your sources. The Grado Sr-80's might be a little harder to drive than the Sr-60's. I would only recommend the the Sony V6's if you have a headphone amp. I have trouble driving them with my Live and Mp3 cd player.

Sony V6, Hard to drive..? What do you mean by drive? I do fine w/ them on my Live value and my Sony MD player.

With my Live to get them to reasonable listening levels I have to have the volume almost all the way up. With the volume all the way up I get distortion.

 

[DWF]

Hi everyone,

thanks for your responses Ah yes, I forgot to mention the type of music I commonly listen to; I listen to all types (except for country), mostly rock (rarely heavy), pop, instrumental, vocal, and some r&b. I want my music to be clear and not muddled with bass. Bass is good--I like bass, but I don't want anything overemphasized like most of the models you'd find in a consumer electronics store like Best Buy.

The common opinion I hear is that the SR80's are only slightly better in the bass department. The price difference with the SR60's is around $20 I think. Also, the SR80's may be harder to drive, as some of you have already said. It's too bad I can't find a store that has them; I'd love to try both of them out. I'm leaning toward the SR60's but I am certainly concerned about the bass issue that many personal reviews have brought up. But this pair of headphones has seemingly gained "legendary" status from the amount of coverage it has received. Headphone.com rates it as their favorite entry level audiophile set.

If only I could experience how "weak" the bass is said to be. Many say it is not weak at all but "accurate".

 

[cliftonite]

I have the HD-535 from Sennheiser and I couldnt have been happier The sound is very good and somehow I end up using them more than my Klipsch 2.1s.

 

[LikeLinus]

I've got the SR80's. I listen to them both side by side and i just liked the added bass and warmth that comes from that bass that the s80's provided over the s60's.

What you might want to do (what i did) was call all the local HiFi shops in your area. Someone even like Tweeters might have them to listen to. But try to listen to them side by side and make your decision that way.

I went with the SR80's though, it was a great purchase!

 

[GoodToGo]

I have HD 570's to hear music at home and HD 280's for work. THe HD 280's have UNREAL sound and are just flat out amazing. The HD 570's are also very good but sometimes too much bass can be a little hard for them to handle. And also both of them are very comfortable unlike some other things that I have heard of the grado. Good luck

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

check out senn hd280s if you need closed phones

 

[DWF]

Tweeter, huh? Ok, i'll check to see if they have the Grados available. Thanks for the suggestion, LikeLinus. Thanks everyone for the input as well.

DWF

 

[tweakmm]

I've actualy heard that the SR-60s are going to sound better on an underpowered source than the SR-80s. I you have any way of getting the cans good power you should get the SR-80s.

 

[yellowperil]

For $100 the best headphones are Sony MDR-7506. These are what recording studios use and they are one of the most accurate sounding cans for the price.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: BeeVo

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: BeeVo
What do you mostly listen too? Look into the Sennheiser Hd-280's($80 from Amazon and Newegg). They are easier to drive which is what you are going to need because of your sources. The Grado Sr-80's might be a little harder to drive than the Sr-60's. I would only recommend the the Sony V6's if you have a headphone amp. I have trouble driving them with my Live and Mp3 cd player.

Sony V6, Hard to drive..? What do you mean by drive? I do fine w/ them on my Live value and my Sony MD player.

With my Live to get them to reasonable listening levels I have to have the volume almost all the way up. With the volume all the way up I get distortion.

Strange, it's fine for my system. The volume for windows is at the first notch (from bottom) for master and wave. It's at 70% in Winamp, with the mp3 changed to 'normal volume' of 89dba (mp3gain).

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
For $100 the best headphones are Sony MDR-7506. These are what recording studios use and they are one of the most accurate sounding cans for the price.

Indeed, it sounds like they are excellent headphones for less than $100.

<$90 online

 

[Howard]

Does anybody know any stores in Toronto that stock the MDR-7506?

 

[DWF]

I've actualy heard that the SR-60s are going to sound better on an underpowered source than the SR-80s. I you have any way of getting the cans good power you should get the SR-80s.

tweakmm, yeah I'm wondering about that too. If the SR80's indeed require more power, then I'll have no choice but to get the 60's.


DWF