Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The sr-80e's are my first introduction to Grado, and I experienced them coming from a wide range of different brands (sony, beyerdynamic, sennheiser, AKG). These simply sound fantastic... containing an energy, clarity, and responsiveness that I find missing in headphones far, far more expensive. I can't speak enough towards how great they sound, its just special. All this being said it is important to understand what you're signing up for before purchasing: - This is a completely open headphone, meaning that everyone in your vicinity will be able to hear your music. Conversely, ambient sounds will affect your experience, and it can be frustrating to enjoy them if you are for example on a bus. As a result, they are not truly convenient portable headphones. But the trade-off in audio is way worth it: this design gives them a natural, effortless sound that few high end headphones can produce. - The build quality seems decent although the swiveling heads may lead to issues with the cord getting tangled. We'll see. - Most people are acclimated to high-bass music and equipment, so don't buy these expecting to thump rap. I find that these produce a fantastic lower end. Unlike 75% of popular cans (Dr. Dres for example), which sloppily unfurl lower ends to compensate for a lack of detail and refinement across the spectrum, the sr80e's sound beautifully precise and balanced across frequencies. I personally find the bass satisfying when listening to hip-hop and house music, but this comes down to personal preference. Can't recommend them enough. I will look forward to gifting them to friends and family.