Grado SR80i Headphone Review
The Grado SR80i one of the best audiophile for home use headphones, they recently won the WHAT HI-fi sound and vision 2013 headphones’ award for The Best Home On-ears up to £150.
Manufacture’s Specifications:
- Type: On Ear (Supraural) open back
- Drivers size: 45 mm
- Drivers Type:Dynamic (vented diaphragm)
- Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 98dB @ 1Khz 1mW
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Microphone sensitivity:NA
- Maximum Input: NA
- Weight: NA
- Connector:3.5 mm
- MSRP: 130£g
Design:
Grado’s SR80i are an open back on-ear full size headphones, designed mainly for home use.
Out of the box
Like almost every Grado headphone packaging, it is a very basic cardboard box with a compressible foam for protecting the headphones while shipping, Grado don’t bother a lot about packaging and cosmetics because what matters at the end is the sound and build quality of the headphones, it’s ultimately the main reason why most people buy headphones.
In the box you’ll get the headphones with a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.
The cables for them screams of quality you have on wire connected to each cup. If it’s your first time seeing Grado’s, the black mesh at the back of each cup will definitely catch your attention, they have a very distinguished look.
Style
SR80i have a Classic retro design, and like their bigger brother the SR325is which I reviewed earlier, they are hand assembled in the United States, which I consider to be a rare feature to find in headphones with this price range. It comes only in black color and a black natural leather headband.
Build quality
These are not the strongest amongst headphones when it comes to build quality and rigidness, but they are good enough to last for a long time if used in a normal way without any excessive abuse, plus what’s good about Grado is; you can always get a replacement headband or ear cushions incase they are worn off.
Comfort
The SR80i are extremely light, you can hardly feel their weight while using them. The cushion are soft and comfortable, they allow your ears to breath so they won’t get warm, there’s not much padding on the leather headband, but since the headphones are very light you didn’t feel that it needed that.
Supplied accessories:
- 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
Sound
This is what matters with all Grado’s, the sound clarity on the SR80i is superb, honestly I never expected headphones at this price range to sound that good, every instrument is clear and all are playing in harmony.
The open back design gives the SR80i an edge over most headphone within the category, you get the feeling of distance and the airy feeling while listening, but at the same time they leak a considerable amount of sound so unless you don’t mind sharing you music with who ever is sitting next to you I recommend using them for home listening, they will be your little private music room at home.
The SR80i as most Grado’s I’ve tried are incredibly easy to drive, they will sound great directly from your MP3 player or iPhone, they do need an amp to make them sound good, but for sure a headphone amp is always a good plus.
I tried all types of music on them and every thing was great even movies and games were a joy.
On Dire straits’ The Man’ too Strong guitar notes, vocal, and piano sounds marvelous.
Nelly’s country Grammar the deep base will have you shaking and dancing the whole song.
Adele’s Cold Shoulder and My Same tracks, high notes of the triangle sound keeps amusing you through out the entire track while enjoying the vocals and bass, you can still hear them in the background.
I watched the entire Man Of Steel Movie and enjoyed every little bit of it, from sound effects to action seen with very nice LFE (low frequency effects)
I even did some video gaming with them even though I don’t think they are intended to be used as gaming headsets, played a bit of GT5 and Call of Duty you get the feeling that you’re in the battle field with bullets rushing from all directions.
Bass: The bass is punchy and strong, pretty fast and well balanced, but at the same time is not overpowering on other frequency. For some bass heads who like Dj music and hip hop, you might need to boost up the bass a bit with you players/Amp’s EQ
Mid-range: Mids and vocals are warm and balanced and very well presented, if you’re into classic jazz and vocal music you’ll be having a great time listening.
Treble: Highs have always been Grado’s signature, they are famous for producing crystal clear and crisp treble. The SR80i might sound a little bright for some listeners who prefers deep and warm sound, but this can be easily changed by toggling with your media player’s EQ and tune up the bass slightly.
Soundstage and instrument separation: The SR80i have a really wide and spacious soundstage, while having them on, you totally forget you’re listening to headphones and get the feeling that the you are surrounded with music as if sound is coming form your HIFI system in the room, mainly the reason behind this sound character is the open back design, it gives the perception of distance and reliefs the ears from the sound pressure that closed back headphones cause, thats why you feel that the sound coming from all around you and not from the ear cups.
As for instrument separation Grado-labs have always done a great job in that and the SR80i are no different, I was enjoying every single note and instrument and at the same time all tunes are playing together in great balance and harmony.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Very well balanced and detailed sound
- Comfortable for long listening
- Extremely light weight
- Amazing value for money
Cons
- No supplied accessories
- A lot of sound leakage
Conclusion
At the this price tag I’m quite sure that the SR80i are by far one the best on-ear home use headphones in the world, they are where sound quality and great value for money meet.
If you are on a tight budget and planing to upgrade your music experience I dont think you should give it another thought, just go a ahead and enjoy your time.
Grado Sr80i Headphone Video Review
