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April 22, 2007
Grado SR-60
The SR-60's are the low-end offering from Grado Labs (known, I though for turntable cartridges -- I always use Sumiko), and I bought them second-hand to replace a pair of Sony over-the-ear headphones I have had for the last three and a half years (they were originally bought to play Liv music in utero. Upon initial inspection I thought they might a be a little flimsy -- they're ultra light and the headband is made of plastic.
I loaded up my stereo (still the carver/proton mix of hardware) and inserted a new CD I had been listening to in the car -- Blonde Redheads's 23. The initial sound I heard was an incredible let-down -- tinny, shallow, no imaging. And then I looked at my pre-amp and realized LIv has been twiddling knobs again. With everything reset, I started the CD again, and immediately noticed a world of difference between the Sony's and the Grado -- soft, quiet details emerged from the mix -- a much more open sound, where the Sony's sound closed and claustrophobic. I'd love to be able to side-by-side test the SR-80's or 125's, but these will probably be with me for the next three and a half years.
I realize now that the weight is actually a plus -- they're less noticeable when you're wearing them, and as you progress in a listening session, they pretty much disappear. Also, where the Sony's make you ears sweat (they do -- the seal is so tight) the Grado's just rest nicely without sealing on your head.
No on finding them: I bought these on Ebay -- haven't been able to find them available in retail for the last six months -- not sure if they are being phased out. There are usually at least a pair or two on Ebay every week.
Posted by tdotjay at April 22, 2007 7:34 AM
