 ""IPOD perfect" headphone..." | 2008-10-08 |
| - Reviewed By akula57 |
| Like rock? Punchy sound? Sufficient volume? A cheap price? Enjoyable, high quality sound? br /br /So you bought an IPOD. Or your IPOD buds are worn out. You want something better but don't want to break the bank. Phones that don't cost as much (or more!) than your IPOD. Phones made in the USA. Indeed, Brooklyn! br /br /When you buy an IPOD the first thing to do is to get better headphones than those that come with the unit. This isn't as hard as it should be to do. br /br /Still picking out a headphone is subjective and personal. You can buy Bose headphones (any) and get ripped off. You can be smarter and get relatively fancy Shure SE210s but they run $149 or so. Moreover, compressed music often contains artifacts and IEMs (canals) will pick them up. That is, bass, or even vocals, can sound really bad on compressed music. (Say, 80s rock or new pop.) The same is true of top notch IEMs such as the SE530s. (If you use Apple Lossless to upload and a line-out for your IPOD, and a headphone amp) these might create a pretty good sound. Of course, the IPOD is no longer very portable and you have just have dropped at least $600 (excluding the cost of the IPOD). And comfort, or lack thereof, may be an issue.br /br /OK, portability isn't an issue. You're going to listen at home. Sennheiser (and 20 other companies) make some pretty good headphones in the $300 range --- maybe the 650s if you're lucky. These are full sized. But you really need that headphone amp now or you won't hear anything out of your IPOD at all --- at least nothing good. You need a headphone amp to drive most expensive cans. And you might need a more powerful amp (read more expensive and larger; perhaps even one that needs to be plugged in) than that required for IEMs. But you insist on the best and can't see your big rig when sitting on your couch in the dark. Fine. br /br /just remember you can get 90% of the same sound quality from the $69 Grados. Without a headphone amp. Without a line-out. The Grados might not be as accurate but they just might be punchier and more fun to listen too. They're also smaller. br /br /OK, nothing is perfect. Comfort and looks are not strong points. But the Sennheisers don't look so good on you either. You get tired of the Grados or want to trade up (it's a contagious illness --- you're a H.I.S. --- Headphone Idiot Savant --- actually that's a good thing to be). Or you turn out to be an audiophile (rip up those credit cards!). Worst case, you're out $69. And you now know music from an IPOD can sound good and be fun to listen to. Unlike those who only use the Apple buds or have "invested" in Bose rip-offs (sound canceling or not). br /br /Seriously, it's a very nice step up from the Apple buds and, if you want something even better after a while, there's a giant cottage industry of IPOD/headphone companies ready to charge you 500% of what the Grado's cost and sound 10% better. br /br /Have fun! Buy American! br /br /br / |
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| "Hooked" | 2008-10-03 |
| - Reviewed By amanate |
| The finest set of headphones I will ever have... great price point. They hold their value so well that it is almost impossible to find anything cheaper on eB.y. Used ones often sell for more than you can get them for retail!br /br /I've made at least four converts (mom, brother, two buddies, and counting).... the headphones are non-fatiguing for me and I have worn them for 10+ hours at a stretch (you're right, I shouldn't be sitting at the computer for that long). I used to forget they were on and would nearly trip over myself getting up and walking away from the desk. There were times I started to hunt around my desk looking for them, not realizing I already had them on. I'm not a dummy, they're just that good ;) |
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| "Whoa!" | 2008-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: A229J2SLJU36YE |
I have a pair of Sennheiser PX100 for portable use, a pair of Sony MDR-7506 for studio monitoring, and just got a pair of these for home listening.
Wow. I'm noticing things that I didn't notice with either of the others that I use.
I first listened to these with an iPod, which I thought resulted in some harsh mids, but I got used to it, and then I hooked it up to my PC which sounded way better.
All the hype is for real. Unless you're a hardcore audiophile, these will surprise you over and over again as you go through your music library. |
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 "Mine broke already :o(" | 2008-09-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2PPQY39R3QPH3 |
I've had mine for almost a year now and have been really happy with the sound. Unfortunately, they broke today. The plastic pivot pin used to connect the phones with the body snapped in half.
I only use these at my desk so they haven't seen any hard use at all. |
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| "unbeatable value, outstanding clarity" | 2008-08-30 |
| - Reviewed By elgilicious |
I'm a casual music listener. I don't know the difference between "midrange" and "nominal impedance" (and I don't WANT to know). If you want well-made headphones that sound forceful and crisp, then pick these up.
I listen mainly to hip-hop music, so bass is important to me. These are the most expensive headphones that I've ever owned, but I have used the Sennheiser PX100s as well. These deliver superior bass to the PX100s, and even though they are open-air design, I never have to press the earcups closer to my head to hear my music better. In fact, I find myself having to turn the volume DOWN on my SR60s because it delivers such rich sound. Again, I am not a sound expert; if you want to know about "ohms" and "tweeters," then look elsewhere. I am just a hip-hop fan who wants his music to sound good. These will not let you down.
The SR60s are also very well made. A common problem I had with headphones, even the PX100s, was the flimsy cable unraveling and, eventually, only delivering sound in one ear. Another issue I had to deal with was the cable getting tangled. The SR60s have very thick cables that I can't imagine ever getting tangled or worn out. Every set of headphones I had met its untimely fate in the garbage can because of bad construction, but these look like they can survive for years.
My one gripe is that the cable is very long, so it's hard to use these on the go. I had to bundle some of the cable with rubber bands so it wouldn't hit my knees. If you then tuck this bundle into your pocket, you'll be just fine. Buy these, and they'll be the last pair of headphones you'll need. |
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 "Good Punchy Bass But a Bit Breaky" | 2008-07-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A7829CRHD25WU |
The Grado SR60 is a great headphone for its price. You get exactly what you're paying for: A decent budget set of cans. They have lovely bass response and bright highs, though the mid range can be a bit muddled with some sound sources. To get the most out of these cans you really need a decent headphone amp, since some devices (iPods, CD players) will have trouble driving the large voice cones.
Some discerning audiophiles may dislike the rolloff of high frequencies and I've heard mention that the sound of these cans is a bit forward and bright, which can be fatiguing during extended listening, but I've never noticed this myself.
These cans are a great budget alternative to more expensive headphones with similar sound flavor such as the Ultrasone PROline 550. While they are not so great in build quality you'd be hard pressed to find a better casual listening headphone for modern music at this price point.
Two tips about comfort with these cans:
1. You can get a set of replacement pads from Grado that are made of a different type of material that is more comfortable to some people.
2. You can greatly increase the comfort of these cans by bending the headband out to adjust its fit to your head.
Pros:
* Good, solid bass response is excellent for modern compositions (pop, hip-hop, house, drum & bass).
* Great for extended listening once adjusted.
* 360 degree cup rotation for one-ear listening.
* A decent budget headphone for bass heads.
* This is a great walking headphone, as the adjustable headband stays snug on the ears and the smooth fat cable doesn't tangle easily.
Cons:
* The metal headband can be a bit harsh on the head/hair.
* I've had two pairs of these and I've found that the cables' solder points come loose inside the ear cups after they've been used for a while resulting in crackling noise when you move, then eventually the sound drops out altogether.
* The stock ear pads tend to fade and break down after a while, leaving the hard plastic cups to press right against your ears (ouch).
* The metal posts that hold the cups bend easily out of shape and are difficult to bend back straight.
* The caps on the metal posts tend to fall off and get lost leaving harsh metal points to get caught on things and poke your hands. |
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| "OLutstandind value and quality" | 2008-07-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3S8XLUDOLT4QC |
| I've had the Grado SR60's for two months. They have outstanding sound for less that $75. I was looking for and open ear set of hi quality headphone that didn't cost $300. I listen to my iPod at work 8 hours a day with these on and they can easily be worn for 4 hours striaght, The quality of workmanship and sound is top notch. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a great hi quality open-ear set any time. |
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| "WONDERFUL SOUND, GREAT VALUE!" | 2008-06-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2WCATC9YMEJ8C |
| The best end result of my Koss PRO-AAA'S breaking (after 20 years!) was my purchase of these headphones. They're the least expensive Grado model, but I love their sound. (Plus - if anything should wear out - Grado's repair service has been excellent.) |
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| "Grado SR60 Rocks" | 2008-05-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3OAGYBJPFHUMZ |
| I really enjoy the Grado SR60 headphones. I don't find much sound leakage as others have noted, possibly because I don't listen at higher volumes. They are quite comfortable to wear and the sound and tone is amazing, as well as a nice bass reproduction. My only downloads (slight ones) are that the thickness of the cord makes it hard to keep my MP3 player in place on my desk, and the potential "dork factor" of wearing the headphones as I walk outside keeps me from using them other than indoors. |
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| "Great Sound" | 2008-05-24 |
| - Reviewed By donchrisjolly |
| Excellent sound, I'm hearing lyrics and details in my mp3 files I didn't know were there. My mp3s sound wonderful. The sound is very smooth, balanced and clear. Way way better sound than the $25 headphones I had been using - no comparison. I find them comfortable and definately worth the price. These are fantastic for relaxing and enjoying the music but they are too big and heavy to go jogging or biking. |
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