GRADO sr60 WOW

[Permanent Waves]

I have the SR-80's would a headphone amp be a good investment? (they sound great without it just wondering if I am getting the most out of my headphones) If so what would you guys recommend? Also for the future reference is the price jump up to the SR-125 or 325 worth it?

I think an amp would help, I'm a believer in headphone amps.

I have an Cambridge Audio azur 640a v2 integrated amp which is supposed to have a "good" headphone out. I used it for awhile with headphones (Senn 595 and then Grado 225i) and thought it sounded good, or at least "good enough". Well it SUCKS compared to ANY headphone amp I've tried (3 now, none incredibly expensive). And so do my 2 bpc recievers and 4 vintage receivers. They just can't compare, headphones sound so small and congested with no detail or articulation via an headphone out in comparison to dedicated headphone amps. In any criteria of SQ you can think of, any headphone I've run with a headphone amp is better to vastly better compared to any receiver/integrated amp I've had.

However, this is my take and some claim to hear little to no difference between dedicated headphone amps and their receiver/integrated amp's headphone out. I'm not one of them.

Lots of amps to look at, depends on your price range.

I've never had any Grado's besides my 225i's, but I've read over and over again that they are better than the lower versions. I almost got a 325i but I didn't want to spend that much and I heard it wasn't that much better, as not worth the $100 extra over the 225i's. In the lower end Grado lineup it seems the 225i's are the "sweet spot" for price/SQ ratio. But I'm just going off other user's opinions, again, I've never heard any other Grado besides my 225i's.

Welcome to Ak btw. :thmbsp:

 

[asmd]

if i had a penny the number of times i had the "WOW" factor described to me after recommending the SR60s.. HaH!!
well, i wouldnt be rich, but i would have a healthy coffee jar of pennies to say the least.

they do sound quite nice with that forward slightly peaky lower treble grado sound. its a fun pair of phones indeed. you could not do worse for 60 bucks. for the longer listening session, i do prefer my denon d2000s. though.

 

[markshan]

Do any loudspeakers sound as good as GRADO sr60?

Yes, LaScalas (I love LaScalas, used them for years in my college A/V dept) and some other $3000 each speakers sound as good or better, but the average SR60 user (myself included) can't even dream of getting those (I have passed on a few relatively cheap vintage pairs because I don't have the room).

I love my SR60s, they have been my favorite component for 15 years now. In that time I've gone through many pairs of speakers never finding a pair that comes close, until this year. I am now the proud owner of a first run pair of KLH Model Sixes. I paid a hefty $30 for them. They are a bit warmer than the Grados in the midrange, and lack the deep bass, but they are the first speaker I've owned that is just as detailed and revealing.

If you like the "Grado sound" I recommend you keep your eyes open for a pair of these. I hope that is helpful.

 

[Charles]

For what it's worth.

My main rig is Dared VP-20's, Winged C's, clear top au7's, LPS ax7's, Van Asltine Pat 5, Hornshoppes, Fostex FT 17's, with a PE Titanic 10" sub.

When listening to SR 60's through a Little Dot 1+ w Sylvania JAN 6ak5's, they sound pretty much the same. When I swap the 60's for a set of 225's, the music is more immediate than the Dared HS rig.

Makes my main rig sound kind of dull.

If you're a Piker, such as myself, I'd give the 225's a look. They are noticeably better than the 60's.

For what it's worth,

Chas

 

[HyperDuel]

Wait until you get the woodies (RS-2/RS-1).

 

[Rob-F]

I've been reading up on Grado SR60 and SR80, and Sennheiser HD280 and HD380. I'm leaning toward a pair of SR 80's, but I keep finding reviews on the web that complain about a lack of comfort with the various Grado models. People say the foam is abrasive and hurts their ears, and that the pressure against their ears is too great, and hurts for that reason as well. Few criticize their sound, though.

However, I don't recall anyone in this thread mentioning these things. I wonder how those who are posting here feel about this. Would you say that Grado phones are comfortable enough, or that the sound outweighs the discomfort, or what?

 

[beekeo]

I have to push towards two hours before the tops/outer edges of my ears start to hurt. But all it takes is to pause before the 3rd album to rub my ears, get another cup of coffee etc and I'm good to go for another hour or more.

Everyone's ears and skulls are different sizes so your experience may vary.

 

[RogerB]

I have Grado sr 80's (and Senn 580's) that I use with a Little Dot mkIII tube amp. Anyone who has doubts about the difference using a headphone amp only needs to hear it for themselves once to be a convert!

As for the comfort of the Grado's, they all have metal headbands and the trick is to bend the headband to the perfect size to fit your head so that the headphone is resting gently on the ears. I find my Grado's extremely comfortable! I will never be without a Grado headphone.....they are just that special!!