• Vented diaphragm
• Non Resonant air chamber
• Standard copper voice coil wire
• Standard copper connecting cord
• Mini plug with 1/4" adaptor

The SR80 utilizes a 4 conductor connecting cable and larger ear cushions, the result of which gives a more open stage. The SR80 provides an improved bass resonance, which enhances the overall detail. John Grado says he strove for the best sounding phones for the money, and with the glowing reviews the SR80's have received, who can argue.PRODUCT FEATURES:Vented diaphragm;Non-resonant air chamber;Standard copper voice coil wire;Standard copper connecting cord;Mini plug with 1/4" adaptor.

Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best Entry-Level Grados for the Money
Comment: Brooklyn-based Grado Labs makes some of the best headphones in the world - but their top cans fetch a top price. The flagship Grado GS-1000 - sporting mahogany air chambers and with ultra-high purity long-crystal copper (UHPLC) wire in the voice coils and connecting cable - will cost you a cool grand. Few people pay such freight without knowing something about Grado and without having developed a deep appreciation for their sound.

If you're looking for an affordable Grado, this is it. I started out on the SR80, and that's where I fell in love with Grado cans. I could have paid less ($49 for iGrados and $69 for the SR60) but for a few dollars more, it was worth it to start closer to the top. All Grados have a "house sound" based on open-air chambers that release built-up resonance so what you hear is coming from the driver, not the rear chamber. It's essentially the headphone version of an infinite baffle and the result is amazing clarity.

Because they have slightly larger, more open, chambers - and because they feature the standard L-Cush pads, the SR80s sound better than their cheaper counterparts. They don't have the fancy wiring or the expensive air chambers of the upper-end Grados, which makes them vastly more affordable. You're not getting filet mignon but you're definitely getting steak for the price of hamburger. And because they're designed for the iPod market, the SR80s sport a shorter (more practical) chord, along with a iPod-ready connector. This is audiophile sound for the common man.

The only downside to the SR60 is the habit it will start. For the unsuspecting, this will be the beginning of a Grado addiction that may rob your wallet again and again. Let the buyer beware.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A view from an audiophile/headphone newbie.
Comment: Well, as the title says, I'm new into the headphone category. Previously my best audio experiences have been with my 4 year old creative 7.1 speaker set for my computer, and it is indeed an amazing system for audio newbies. Games sound perfect, music even better, specially with the correct eq settings and DSP effects plugins like volume logic (deceased). I listen mainly to MP3's, from 128kbps to 320kbps bitrate quality. My knowledge and experience doesn't go much farther than that. Hopefully this review will cater to the rest of the newbs out there.

Recently I found the need to buy a pair of headphones, as people in my workspace couldn't stand my high volume listening. Since I like to research a lot, I went to some online boards & checked out some reviews. The name Grado kept jumping at me. People only said good things about them, so I I checked out their website. I liked the homemade feeling I got there. I also found the "retro" design very appealing for my tastes (and also looks good on my work setup). I was having difficulties in choosing between the SR60 & SR80, but finally settled with S80 since I like hearing bass intensive music aswell (like electronic, hip/hop, etc). My main music taste is metal though. Anyways, I ordered them from here, When I finally got them about two week ago (i waited more than normal because I live in South America, and had to wait for an uncle who lives in the States to bring them).

Impressions:

1st of all, the SR80's are big, but not heavy. Still, not suitable for street walking (unless you want attention!).

2nd: They look beautiful, the retro styling is just amazing, the whole device is nicely black, with silver lettering. The head band is made from leather, which I personnally think is much better than competing brands plastic versions. The "body" (ear parts) are made of some sort of plastic, but it seems nice & durable. Still, only time will tell. OVerall, a nice and simple looking pair of headphones.

3rd: They are very comfortable, despite their size.

4th: Audio quality, is just amazing. And I'm not even using an amp. I already begin to listen to details that my 7.1 system just muffled out with the extra volume & bass. The bass is nicely done, as with certain bass-intensive genres, make my whole body rumble with sound pleasure :) It feels amazing. Every music genre I have tested so far, from the brutal death metal of "Asesino", to the eclectic electronica of "Crystal Castles", sounds great - clear & pristine. Even if it's 128 kbps! Another thing that amazes me is that no matter how much I raise the volume, no distortion is present. This is great, but maybe dangerous because you'll be wanting constantly to raise it just a little bit more - you'll be getting into damaging levels soon than you think. The documents Grado provided in the box specifaclly warn you of this danger. Be careful. These have also been the first two weeks I have felt a small "bite" in my ears... maybe it's normal since I'm not used to using headphones for long periods of time, but once again, be careful.
I have also tested these with some of my games (I play mainly FPS, RTS, and recently WOW). The Grado website doesn't note that it is a 3D Surround enabled, or even mentions the word "Games" for the matter, but in my initial observation, it sounded well - if something exploded behind me, it would sound that way. The quality was superb as always. Take notice that game sound quality may have more to do with your sound card then with the SR80's, (I currently have a SB Audigy 2 ZS card) but the games definitley sound good with it.

Almost Con - people think your headphones have antennas! These "antennas" are nothing but the sizing mechanism (which can be kind of awkward to use at first). This shouldn't be considered a con, since I don't mind it personally, but if your sensitive about how people may look at you wearing these, then take notice.

To sum it up, I look forward of years of enjoying these monsters of audio... I hope you do the same!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Sound is great, uncomfortable on my ears
Comment: These sound amazing compared to my Sennheiser HD-280 Pros; I've never heard better headphones. They feel very awkward and stiff on my ears, however.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: grado sr80
Comment: Few years before i had sr60 and they amazed me, very confy and gread sound. So i got the sr80 and they are just as same as sr60. Sound is great only when you turn it the volume they start to lose the quality and make weird noize. So keep it low and enjoy the music!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: lacking durability
Comment: I've had a pair of SR80's for just under 2 years now and they've fallen apart. First I had a wire break inside of the tubing, causing a loss of sound in one side. Now the ear pads are deteriorating, leaving foam bits all over my face. They were great well they lasted. Best sound quality I've ever gotten from headphones, but now I have to find something more durable. I can't afford to spend $100 on a pair of headphones that don't last 2 years, nor can I afford to have them repaired for $50+ every year and a half. The warranty on these is 1 year.

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