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Anyone Using High Quality Headphones ?

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Characterizing all Grados as "uncomfortable" does them a disservice. The SR60-80s are "open-air" type headphones and very comfortable for long periods. I have both SR60 and SR80. I also have fully enclosed headphones Audio Technica ATH-M50, which sound great but get warm pretty quickly. Open-air phones are generally cool but allow the outside noises to get inside. Closed back headphones sound great but usually get warm. Headphones are pretty cheap! Get both types!
The SR60 are fantastic for the money and as long as you keep your volume reasonable for the office, you could be fine.
 
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TexasBuck said:
1) Grado's are pretty well known for being uncomfortable. I had the SR 325is and any use beyond an hour was painful. The 325's are heavier than the 60/80's so perhaps, the problem wouldn't be as extreme.
2) Check out the "Head-Fi" forum for some ideas on mod's. I used "G cush" pad's to make mine over ear and more comfortable, but it changes the sound signature. (Not necessarily for the better) Here's an extensive thread on Grado mods. http://www.head-fi.org/t/119314/post-your-grado-mods
3) Grado's are "open" headphones so there will be a lot of sound "run-off" that your co-workers will likely hear. You should look into a "closed" head phone or perhaps ear buds for the office. Grado's probably aren't your best choice, given your situation. Try searching "Best closed headphone under $100" (or whatever your price point is) on Head-fi.org. You'll get a lot of ideas. (Probably too many ideas) For ear buds/in ear monitors, here's a great thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/mul...s-compared-vsonic-vc1000-added-09-03-13-p-760
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thanks for the info, nice guess on my price range.
 
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Taosman said:
Characterizing all Grados as "uncomfortable" does them a disservice. The SR60-80s are "open-air" type headphones and very comfortable for long periods. I have both SR60 and SR80. I also have fully enclosed headphones Audio Technica ATH-M50, which sound great but get warm pretty quickly. Open-air phones are generally cool but allow the outside noises to get inside. Closed back headphones sound great but usually get warm. Headphones are pretty cheap! Get both types!
The SR60 are fantastic for the money and as long as you keep your volume reasonable for the office, you could be fine.
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Money is an object here unfortunately so where ever i order from needs to have a good return policy.

Is there any real difference between the SR60 & 80s other than the $20 price difference.

Anyone own or have listend to Shure SRH440 or SRH240s?
 
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AuTX Buckeye said:
Money is an object here unfortunately so where ever i order from needs to have a good return policy.

Is there any real difference between the SR60 & 80s other than the $20 price difference.

Anyone own or have listend to Shure SRH440 or SRH240s?
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Doing some quick research, I've seen several people say the 60 & 80's are very close. If you go with Grado, I'd choose the 60's.

I've never heard Shure but the SRH440's are a closed headphones and won't leak sound the way the Grado's will. The Shure's would be better in an office environment and certainly more comfortable. They also seem to get pretty good reviews. Shure doesn't have the cult following that Grado does. Grado is a polarizing headphone. It's very "bright" (emphasis on treble). It comes off as harsh to some but very detailed to others. Most Grado lovers find it great for rock music, especially classic rock and metal. It doesn't have the bass for electronic music or the sound-stage for classical. The Shure's would most likely be more versatile.
 
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TexasBuck said:
Doing some quick research, I've seen several people say the 60 & 80's are very close. If you go with Grado, I'd choose the 60's.

I've never heard Shure but the SRH440's are a closed headphones and won't leak sound the way the Grado's will. The Shure's would be better in an office environment and certainly more comfortable. They also seem to get pretty good reviews. Shure doesn't have the cult following that Grado does. Grado is a polarizing headphone. It's very "bright" (emphasis on treble). It comes off as harsh to some but very detailed to others. Most Grado lovers find it great for rock music, especially classic rock and metal. It doesn't have the bass for electronic music or the sound-stage for classical. The Shure's would most likely be more versatile.
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Interesting... something to consider... thanks for the feedback!
 
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Taosman said:
I also have fully enclosed headphones Audio Technica ATH-M50, which sound great but get warm pretty quickly.
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ATH-M50's were very popular a couple years ago. I owned the ATH-M50's for a while and sold them. They have a V sound signature. (Big bass, recessed mids and emphasized treble) I found the bass to over-power the mids too much for my tastes. (Particularly during complex passages of music) A lot of people love the big bass though. I think they list for about $160 but can be had on Ebay for $115 or so.
 
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Thanks for the feedback, while I'm a wanna be audiophile I can appreciate the difference in a good set of headphones... I own a pair of Shure e4c and really like them but I get interrupted a ton so taking them in a out is a pain. I'm leaning towards the Grado Sr80i mainly because I can get them on Amazon and return them easily if i don't like them. I'll use them for a week and see how i feel.

For reference i listen to anything but right now my playlist has Nin, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, BRMC, Black Keys, Mumford and sons, Ray lamontain, some soundtracks, Grace Potter, Punch Brothers... I'm all over the map
 
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AuTX Buckeye said:
Thanks for the feedback, while I'm a wanna be audiophile I can appreciate the difference in a good set of headphones... I own a pair of Shure e4c and really like them but I get interrupted a ton so taking them in a out is a pain. I'm leaning towards the Grado Sr80i mainly because I can get them on Amazon and return them easily if i don't like them. I'll use them for a week and see how i feel.

For reference i listen to anything but right now my playlist has Nin, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, BRMC, Black Keys, Mumford and sons, Ray lamontain, some soundtracks, Grace Potter, Punch Brothers... I'm all over the map
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Everyone hears things a little differently and headphones fit everyone a little differently. Therefore, you never know what's right for you, until you try it. As you say, you can always return them and try something else. You don't have much to lose with the 30 day return policy from Amazon. I went through several headphones before I figured out what was right for me.
 
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The only thing
AuTX Buckeye said:
Thanks for the feedback, while I'm a wanna be audiophile I can appreciate the difference in a good set of headphones... I own a pair of Shure e4c and really like them but I get interrupted a ton so taking them in a out is a pain. I'm leaning towards the Grado Sr80i mainly because I can get them on Amazon and return them easily if i don't like them. I'll use them for a week and see how i feel.

For reference i listen to anything but right now my playlist has Nin, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, BRMC, Black Keys, Mumford and sons, Ray lamontain, some soundtracks, Grace Potter, Punch Brothers... I'm all over the map
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SR80 vs the SR60.. the SR60 is easier to "drive" with an iPod. If that's a concern you may be better served with the SR60.
I don't hear a huge difference between the two. SR80 has bit better bass. The SR80 sounds better driven by a headphone amp. I use a Schiit Magni. $100
http://www.headphone.com/search-results.php?q=grado+sr60
 
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Taosman said:
The only thing


SR80 vs the SR60.. the SR60 is easier to "drive" with an iPod. If that's a concern you may be better served with the SR60.
I don't hear a huge difference between the two. SR80 has bit better bass. The SR80 sounds better driven by a headphone amp. I use a Schiit Magni. $100
http://www.headphone.com/search-results.php?q=grado sr60
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This will be straight off my laptop/speakers not really planning on using it with my ipod as i have the e4c's for those. Main reason I went for the sr80 because amazon had those in stock and I'm a prime member. So I'm going for ease of return

They will be here on Monday :-)
 
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I have the SR80is @ my office and love them. Bought mine through Crutchfield because of the 60-day return policy (though I've had them for about a year-and-a-half now).

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_786SR80I/Grado-SR80i.html

Positive of the open-back design is that you can hear someone (or the phone ring) if they address you. Negative is that if you crank them, people in cube-land can hear your music 50-feet away.

Since I'm in an office overlooking cube-land, I dropped a big purchase when I ordered. Got the Grados, the Audioengine N22 amp, and a pair of Infinity Primus P153s. The Burr-Brown headphone plug on the N22 makes a big difference versus the headphone out on a PC tower. If you have no use for external speakers you might also consider a USB DAC with headphone out to pair with Grados. Night and day difference.

As for fit/comfort on the Grados, I've got no complaints. I wear a 7-5/8 fitted cap and have no problems with pinching or headaches. Have worn the Grados for up to 9 hours straight some days too.
 
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Dryden said:
I have the SR80is @ my office and love them. Bought mine through Crutchfield because of the 60-day return policy (though I've had them for about a year-and-a-half now).

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_786SR80I/Grado-SR80i.html

Positive of the open-back design is that you can hear someone (or the phone ring) if they address you. Negative is that if you crank them, people in cube-land can hear your music 50-feet away.

Since I'm in an office overlooking cube-land, I dropped a big purchase when I ordered. Got the Grados, the Audioengine N22 amp, and a pair of Infinity Primus P153s. The Burr-Brown headphone plug on the N22 makes a big difference versus the headphone out on a PC tower. If you have no use for external speakers you might also consider a USB DAC with headphone out to pair with Grados. Night and day difference.

As for fit/comfort on the Grados, I've got no complaints. I wear a 7-5/8 fitted cap and have no problems with pinching or headaches. Have worn the Grados for up to 9 hours straight some days too.
Click to expand...

Thanks, i went with Amazon due to my prime membership and the fast shipping. As far as going all out, I'm going to be on honest, i don't know that my ears are sensitive enough to detect the difference, if I can find a DAC on the cheap(~$50) I might try.

Thanks again for the feedback
 
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2 songs in... happy so far... The Black Keys - Little Black Submarine & Lonely Boy ... might need to tweak my setup.. during the quiet portions I could still hear my friends pandora (of course he has his shit jacked all the way up). Need to adjust to the lack of bass "thump"
 
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