Grado Labs?

[dalewakelin]

So i watched a review by Logan on Tek Syndicate of the Grado SR325is, these are way too expensive for me so i was thinking of getting SR60s is there any massive difference, obviously the SR325is will be better quality because they are more expensive but am i likely to notice? I listen to metal mostly and i have never had a decent pair of headphones. The SR60s are in my budget, i love the look of them and im hoping they sound good. So im wandering if to save for SR80is or SR60is or just get SR60s. I don't know the differences and haven't really paid any attention to the headphone world until now.

 

[jamesriley94]

Grados tend to be more for portable use (or at least non-amped use).

If you're wanting headphones for use at home with your PC, I wouldn't suggest getting Grados to be honest. They are great headphones, don't get me wrong, just you can do better for those purposes really.

What's the total budget? Would you be prepared to get a soundcard or external amp?

 

[dalewakelin]

My budget is about £50, i am thinking of selling my speakers and just going headphones so that could give an extra £50 so £100 in total. I would be fine with a soundcard and amp. Thanks.

 

[alxcsb]

Get the SR60s, no need for nonsense like amps or soundcards, if you have something like a Realtek ALC889 codec on your mobo (any mobo made in the last 5 years has one of those, at least) is more than enough to drive those cans. Enjoy. For more info, read this http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733.html definitive proof that there is no noticeable difference between a 2000 dollar amp and a 2 dollar codec integrated on a motherboard.

 

[iBeInspire]

Grado's in general are unforgiving as hell, you won't really want to run them from a rubbish source. If you have the intent of later upgrading to a DAC or a soundcard then go ahead, but as James said there are better options...

 

[bendabanga]

I think the SR80i's are a better choice as they are often voted best headphones under £150 (past 3 years). Usually you can get a pair for around £100 from what I hear it's worth the step up, after all you're probably planning to keep them a few years, you might as well make the stretch. A recent review found there was little difference between audio qaulity from a £2000 DAC,a Xonar STX (I own one) and a onboard HD sound chip. The main difference comes from the source, use FLAC it's worth the larger size.

Besides the smaller headphones like the SR80i's are easy to drive in terms of impedance compared to higher end Senns so a sound card/DAC isn't required, unless you need the physical I/O that a sound card/DAC has.

 

[Drakkonen]

From my experience, Grados tend to sound very good for rock, and fairly good for most other things except EDM. For metal it might be worth looking at something a little more balanced as I found with the sr60s the low mids became a little overpowering, though I don't know if that is a problem with the Sr60i. The main problem with Grado however, is that they are god awful at ergonomics and their headphones are VERY uncomfortable (imo) especially if you wear glasses.

 

[PEXON]

Having used SR60is, I can wholeheartedly recommend them. They are not designed for portable use, many audiophiles use them for rock music because of their sound signature, they really are top notch for rock and metal music, they are a little treble heavy

EDIT: do not get the non 'i' versions, as they are a much older driver, the new versions have a much improved driver. All SR series headphones use the same driver (as far as I am aware) up to the 125 model.

 

[dalewakelin]

I think ill get the SR60s then, ill probably mod them if they arn't comfortable.