Audiophile on a budget? Grado X Review

[@DMS3TV]

For those asking about my comments on staging. Grado staging is unique in the sense that it's very "enveloping" and "diffused" sounding. Not what I would describe as wide or narrow, but instead just the opposite of "point source".

[@lowrider007007]

I have the Grado SR225e, I always think that Grado's sound like your on the stage in the middle of the band, as opposed to being in front of the stage, it is very enveloping and fun, but doesn't feel particularly accurate, it actually reminds of the old EAX sound processing on old creative labs sound cards!

[@evilClive21]

One thing I'd like to point out is this generalization of "male and female" vocals. Listen to vulfpeck- Love is a beautiful thing with Monica Martin for instance. Maybe use words like soprano alto and tenor vocals to accurately describe the singers vocal range and how headphones respond to these types of singers. I mean sorry for being this pedantic about this but consider the another example of young male choir singers singing pretty much soprano. It's just a suggestion to improve the accuracy and understanding of headphone review language

[@SuLu_B]

@@evilClive21 pedantic but also true. I would appreciate the extra clarification when I'm trying to imagine how things sound in my mind

[@CJNooberson]

Thanks!

[@wes008pwns]

I used to lend my friends the SR60's and their minds were blown. Though the sound may have technical problems, they are so fun to listen to that they can open many people up to high-end sound.

[@jbrian53]

I bought my SR60 headphones 19 years ago for 73 dollars after tax from brick and mortar hi-fi store when I was in graduate school. That was a lot to pay at the time. They stay on my desk and get used almost daily at low to moderate volume for music while working at the computer. Several years ago I broke one of the horseshoe shaped brackets that hold the headphone cup and Grado quickly sent me a replacement bracket at no charge. I've replaced the earpads twice (soon to be three times). A USA company, assembled in the USA, and still available for 100 dollars. What's not to like? By the way, the difference between the 60 and the 80 when I bought mine was greater bass response. Apparently that's not the case now. No clue other than perhaps stricter quality control. Personally, I've never found the bass response to be a problem in the 60, even at low/moderate levels.

[@fuffy442]

I'm a retired symphony musician and I have a pair of the SR325e headphones. I made 4 small EQ adjustments, and they went from bright to lively. I find the "staging" is very reminiscent of sitting onstage. Love them.

[@allansh828]

@fuffy442 Woud you share your EQ profile?

[@fuffy442]

@@allansh828 Hey. I just saw this. Sorry this took so long! Here it is: 40hz, low shelf, gain 8.5, Q 16//2000hz, peak, gain -3.5, Q 12//4000hz, peak, gain -2.5, Q 16//10,000hz, peak, gain 10, Q 12

[@benjaminvroman5553]

On a whim I decided to grab a pair of the 80X, and honestly, owning and having tried much nicer headphones, I like them! They’re fun, and as you said, the imaging is curious and kind of unusual in a cool way. My only gripe with them is that I like taking them out with me (because they’re much more affordable and I feel comfortable doing so), but I get worried taking them out in the rain or even when it’s just too humid. To me, they feel super delicate, though in reality they do seem to be able to take a couple hits no problem. Also, tip: the trick to getting the cable untwisted is to grab the plastic part where the cable splits and twisting/pulling lightly there, letting the two cups spin back to their regular places.

[@theyreMineralsMarie]

I've owned every Grado up to the SR325 and I've learned that you can't listen to them at high or even medium-high volume levels. At bedroom listening levels they sound fantastic. Anything beyond that causes the high frequencies to squish together and become the dominant sound. Grado's are not good all-around headphones, but they are very good at what they are designed to do.

[@g.fortin3228]

what would you say about using them for late night tv viewing so i dont upset the neighbors ? I'm thinking it would be a good choice and some low-mid level music mostly classic and progressive rock.

[@blackinkonpaper]

@@g.fortin3228 These would work just fine for that, though overkill for TV, since cheaper headphones would work fine (like Koss or low end Sennheiser type). Rock fans mostly are fans of Grado, so recommended. The other commenter points out that they don't do well with high volume level, but I own the older Grado SR80e and they are good at high enough volume to rock out. I've never thought they sound bad at any volume I listen at. They are not meant for use in noisy environments or in public, since they leak sound and they allow sound in, so get more portable and isolating headphones for outside the house. [edited]

[@g.fortin3228]

@@blackinkonpaper Thanks... background: been using my wonderful (to me) Sennheiser HD590's and they are just too warm for summer. So went to my cheap spare pair (Sennheiser folding PX100) and those are too muddy for everyday use, I don't enjoy them so tired of these now. I did order a pair of sr80x' , price point was in the range I was looking to spend.. they will be here very soon and think i'll enjoy them. Actually looking forward to trying them on some music too ! I mainly use headphones late-night in the house so as not to shake the floor with speakers, and of course at work, not really on the go otherwise. Thx

[@774duke]

This is an interesting point as I usually listen with quite low volume. Probably have to get the Sr60x sooner or later as its not a huge investment Edit: I think the dank pods guy raved about grados with TV use

[@g.fortin3228]

@@774duke tried the SR80x's with a headphone amp, they rock pretty nice even at strong mid volume levels because of the added power/headroom of the amp. Quite happy with them. I did change the ear pads.

[@GadZookz]

Great review, Thanks! I had no plans to buy these but after learning more about ‘em, I absolutely have no plans to buy than.

[@leonarddukessr775]

Ok, what did You learn

[@GadZookz]

@@leonarddukessr775 Extra reasons not to buy them.

[@chethammer]

The one thing missing from all the clinical talk in the reviews I"ve watched and read on Grado headphones is how unbelievably enjoyable they are to listen to for long periods. Music has LIFE put through a Grado. I may want to punch their customer service people every time I have to deal with them, but I keep buying their headphones. The SR125X is worth every penny extra in the bump up in price from the 80x.

[@waxphotography]

Been buying multiple Grados SR80s for nearly a decade now. I only use them with Sennheiser Pads for the H414 (the yellow ones), totally transforms them in my opinion. Love these things to death.

[@davidschweizer505]

AFAIK the difference between 60X and 80X is that the 80's have better matched drivers than the 60's. Otherwise they are exactly the same. If I remember correctly the build/internals change from the 225 onwards

[@chengo51]

Exactly..... and your remark goes up to the SR 225X. I have the 125 and it is a great headphone BUT you have to change a few things, the cable first because it is just vacuum cleaner cable, just horrible and stiff. Then change the earcups as explain in the video. Now you are ok but the gimbals are plastic, be very very careful or they break at the rodblock....or change it for aluminium. So all changes made, including the last one, you add another 150$. Is it worth ? Oh yes it is, I could compare it with earphones costing more than ten times the price and they are not shy at all, absolutely enjoyable !

[@gariepyf]

@@chengo51 Do you have a replacement cable to recommend? Something with the "Y" connector?

[@bertgroeneveld57]

I've tried many headphones over the years, but after having bought my first Grado's about 10 years ago, I am sold ! Started out with the 60, then the 80 and right now I'm having the SR225x. Listening a lot to progressive rock and I just love the sound.

[@TonyMacina]

Lovely review, I’ve always wanted a Grado to add a bit of sparkle to acoustic or classical stuff, the SR60X will be on my list.

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

Two things: 1) He keeps saying unique staging, unique staging. Did I miss where explained what that staging was other than the 3 blobs analogy? 2) I see the graphs but I never see the legend for those graphs telling which color line represents what. Is there someplace I need to go to find it? Thanks for an overview of build and sound traits other than an undefined "unique staging" that never got explained and graphs that mean nothing without a legend. Not meaning this in a harsh way at all or knock you in anyway, I'd just like to know...

[@terrencebucker]

It's hard to describe, unfortunately, but there's definitely something unique and exciting about the Grado experience. "Staging" is probably the best way to describe it, but the experience is not quite like other open backs, so it's not just about the width or size of the headstage/soundstage-there's something else going on. For the graphs, the green line he uses is his chosen target-the frequency response that represents a subjectively "neutral" sound, though not necessarily the best sound. (That line isn't flat because of the weird things our ears do to sound when we wear headphones-you want some increase in the 1-8 khz region or else they will sound recessed at those frequencies. Also, there are many opinions about what the best target line should be.) The blue line is the measurement of the headphone overlaid with that line, and the red line above is the "compensated" graph, or the deviation of the headphone response from the target. A flat red line would indicate perfect adherence to the target, which again wouldn't mean that the tuning is best, just neutral according to DMS's idea of neutral.

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

@@terrencebucker Got it thanks taking the time to type out such a detailed answer.

[@rossheard9446]

I love the Grado's...love em. It's not because they're the best it's because their sound profile (IMO) is so unique. I have no problem listening to my Sundara's then putting on the Grado 60x.....it's like taking a ride in two very different cars but you enjoy the ride in both. If you are buying just one pair of headphones, I'd say no. But if you are adding to your collection because you love sound & music than absolutely yes.

[@mthomps56]

I haven't tried the x series but I've had sr80e's for a long time. I have pretty sensitive hearing and tend to notice small differences in eq more than most people. I remember thinking they were insanely bright when I first got them, but weather its burn in period or just getting used to the sound, I absolutely love the grado sound and have bought many pairs as gifts for friends and family The bass is fast and punchy. I mean FAST. If you want your head to rattle look elsewhere but for accuracy this is about as good as it gets when you factor in diminishing returns. The mid range is neutral and, to me, sounds amazing. The highs...best way I can describe it is they sparkle. Overdriven guitars never sounded so good on anything else I've heard. No they aren't acoustically flat in any way, but they are FUN to listen to. You can hear the rasp in a saxaphone like you're on stage with the band. THATS the soundstage. It sounds like you're in the middle of the band. It's just a very unique hi-fi experience that no other headphone delivers. On top of that, they are so sensitive a potato could drive them to loud volumes. For me they are a win!

[@thelasthunter3123]

The SR60x is so much of an entry headphone, while also being a very unique one that always stands out to me and one I always go back to. They're super fun to use and yeah of course I prefer my HD600's as they are better in every way minus weight, but I always find myself grabbing these. It's almost like The Room of headphones, except these don't actually suck like The Room does. Honestly these are just headphones I recommend to everyone, odds are you'll still enjoy these no matter who you are.

[@ericfshook]

My old skool guess on the difference between 80 and 60 was boiled down to matched driver tendencies. Much like Grado's phono carts, where the top ~10% of one model get a different color designation to the rest of the batch.

[@Appppy]

Man I have the hd650, the background music you have used for this video is so good, like the sound quality.

[@CptMark]

Good review. Nice work. They were my entry point in the hobby. I had HD515 before, but this is the first time I heard a really open headphone. It had that wow effect. Now if only I could fix that cable...

[@westsenkovec]

It's a great value when you consider that you can throw away the headphones and use the cable to replace the broken one on your expensive power tools 👍

[@dalegribble7125]

These are the most infamous & loved headphones in America

[@mikeythanos]

Grado needs to do detachable cables. It's 2022 no headphones should have attached cables anymore.

[@euphoreonz]

Even a nice light cable would be fine, really have no idea why the x series even has these huge bulky heavy cables!

[@RayanAbedin]

Great review! Are you planning to review the Element III? 👀

[@jorismak]

I have a 125-something. And i noticed that 'properly' driven , there actually is a good amount of bass (good as in neutral, not basshead). Im used to a somewhat neutral sound and I don't have the tendency to eq the bass up. Depending on the audio interface it's plugged in.

[@KevinEnjoyer]

My woes with Grado is the new cable and the very nature of the open backed headphones they are. I tossed them onto my bed, and then realized that dust and particles from my bed were now inside the driver housing and making all sort of rattling noises. Secondly, the cable. It's nice, but the connection between it and the speaker unit is intimidatingly fragile. It started loosening inside and died after a few days on the left earcup. Happily, I got a replacement, but it also has a problem; the left cable is attached with quite a tilt. The cable winds up pointed at my throat instead of straight down. Otherwise, they're really good.

[@kyron42]

I had a Alessandro MS1 which was basically a Grado. The midrange was so horrible the only thing you could use it for was for games. After a few years it broke which wasn't surprising because the build quality was so bad.

[@gwine9087]

I've had a pair of SR60s for over 25 years.

[@CJNooberson]

Is there a way to describe the "unique stage" of these headphones? Why/how is the staging unique?

[@g.fortin3228]

So many pads by the company you speak of Geekria.. can't seem to find "G" 's though. Can you provide a link please ??

[@pavelperina7629]

I have SR80e with ... i had to find in gmail ... onyx manta headband for 7 years exactly. Dan Green in other comment described what I dont like about them quite well. They sound fantastic, but you have to pick music carefully. Anything like a heavy metal or rock with hi hats and electric guitars is painful to listen cause instead of muffled sound of other headphones, these have dominating chaos at higher frequencies where everything blends together. And besides drivers and heavy cable they feel like they are build for 3$. But for simple songs, sound is fantastic and i somehow even don't miss a bass, ears can likely adapt. In my opinion more expensive Grados are not worth it if they sound similar, because for me, their selling point is clarity for money. With replaced headband I can't even call them uncomfortable.

[@174rank]

This may be a silly question, but did you run these in before making this review? I have pair of SR 80x, and when I listened in the store, I found the treble unpleasantly bright and they were a bit thin in the bass. I took Grado’s support reply on faith and bought them, and over a couple weeks, the sound changed drastically for the better….The peaky treble smoothed out nicely and the rest of the frequency range filled in. I’m an organist and I have quite a bit of pipe organ stuff in my collection, and the bass on my (now somewhat broken in) SR 80x ‘phones is nice and solid, even down into the 32’ organ stops that go down below 20hz. Older model Grados that I have had sounded much better out of the box, but the x series ones seem to change drastically over the first couple weeks.

[@jameswyllie9608]

I have the 80 the 125 and the 225 all first gen wit g pads

[@readeellard7290]

Great review

[@cinnamonoa]

🗣I love looking like a cold war Leopard 1 crew member!

[@PaulPlay]

Great review as always! What about the GW100 v2?

[@youjohn__]

Still getting used to seeing dms here.

[@augustriandyrizkymaris2894]

do you guys have a plan to review the koss kph 40 or it's already reviewed but end up too miserable to upload?

[@maze400]

The two cans I have are the Sennheiser HD650 and the Grado 125. Why do the Grado 125 not get the love they deserve?

[@mimimmo]

I have both, 80x has a thicker cable but mine is from 2021, the newer one mount a thinner cable like the 60x

[@allansh828]

I bought SR-80X. They sound so bright. Would you make an EQ profile?

[@colinmartin9797]

My wife hates the 80's. I utterly adore them. Neither of us are hardcore critical listeners. It's funny how polarizing they are. But man, when they jive for you, they just do sound so intimate and special and dazzling. For me, it reminds me of small band rehearsals in a tiny practice room, you sitting in front of the group and just feeling the vibe as much as the sound.

[@Murphmonster69]

I have these, I like the stock pads too.

[@rilleygreenwood9272]

If anything, I use the 60x only for traveling. Nothing more. While it's not the best, it's better sounding then my airpods.

[@jeffreymakuch2493]

You mention 'unique stage' at least 3 times, but never explain it at all - the only thing you say about soundstage is they can be 3-blob. It must be important if you mention it multiple times, what is the unique staging?

[@ToothlessSnakeable]

I was wondering myself

[@Shaw4444]

Same

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

I asked the same question, that and without a legend what do the different color lines represent as there's no legend that tells us.

[@terrencebucker]

You've got to hear it to understand, unfortunately. It is indeed unique, and so not easily compared or described. How would you describe the taste of a strawberry to someone who never had strawberries? Also, the 3 blob thing isn't staging (the experience of width and depth to the sound), it's imaging (the sense of where in the soundstage things are coming from).

[@jeffreymakuch2493]

@@terrencebucker Imaging and soundstage always go together, but thanks for being pedantic. And despite whatever silly flowery wording one wants to use, it is literally DMS' job to do so. Obviously a lot of other people noticed this was mentioned but never described as well.

[@Mark-hb2zy]

Used to have the sr 325 like 20 years ago, back then the detail was like nothing I'd ever heard, but Jesus some songs you just couldn't use them with. From memory Coldplay - the scientist comes to mind (it might be a different songs, but it was one of their early tracks), you could hear Chris Martin's foot on the piano pedal, but it was so loud and distracting that it ruined the song.

[@chargedx1]

The k361 he suggests are some of the most boring headphones. I love this hobby, but what's the point of a headphone having a "good" graft if it's boring like the k361. I will take a Grado any day.

[@BigBeanus6214]

To past owners of Sr60 or Sr60e’s. Does this new generation sound similar or same to past iterations? I’m curious if they have the same guts with a new build or if it’s slightly tweaked

[@donvittoriosierra]

Lpads and the new flat pads would be cool to measure on these

[@eeyorebill04]

I'm interested in your thoughts on the SR125x and SR225x

[@stevienix7905]

Grado told me that the difference between the 60 and 80 is that the drivers are ‘objectively’ matched in the 80’s. I could not hear the difference.

[@thugX52]

Grado SR80x is my first open back headphones. My friend recommended it to me after I asked him for recommendations about open back headphones that isn't too expensive and I like it. Playing video games with these beats anything from my usual gaming headsets, the imaging is really good. Good thing too that my music library is also more of the rock genre because the bass really isn't as boofy. There's bass but it just lingers in the background(as it should, or rather as I prefer). Unfortunately I find it uncomfortable as heck. I keep on straightening the headband because a lot of people suggested doing it if the fit isn't right but even with the headband almost being straight it still hurts my ears because of how the headphones push my ear into my glasses. Maybe it's the problem with on-ear headphones? Regardless I like it, just wish there was a way to change it into an over-ear so that I can wear it longer.

[@kildogery]

Yeah, you have to push the legs of your glasses up a bit so they're almost sitting on the cups. That's what I do at least.

[@thugX52]

@@kildogery Yeah I tried doing this but do you also get the feeling that your view is a bit different after adjusting it back to normal? Kept getting dizzy once it comes back to normal so I had to stop doing it. Now I just get a cloth or tissue or something to shield my ear. Not as elegant but makes wearing the headphones tolerable for me.

[@kildogery]

@@thugX52 the G Pads help, otherwise yeah, not spec friendly, depending on your prescription, I suppose.

[@jumbocrunchh]

Grado lover here and the GH Series is by far the best out of the bunch

[@wrusst]

Looking for a large step up from the Kph30i grados

[@dnbmania]

Have you considered the kph40?

[@wrusst]

@@dnbmania yes I own those , Currently own or had the the ksc75 , kph30 ,kph40 and k371

[@dnbmania]

@@wrussthow do you like the sound of the kph40? I own the Kph30 but I'm curious to hear what the new ones are like

[@wrusst]

@@dnbmania I like it it's more, it's more comfortable than the 30 and sounds a bit cleaner on detail. It's quite similar to a ksc75 when you put it on the same kph40 band so I suspect putting a ksc75 on a cheap band be similar. The band does seem to bring the 75 bass up . For me I rate it 40, ksc on 40 band, 30 the ksc on clips

[@dnbmania]

@@wrusst hmm you might just have persuaded me to give it a go then!

[@joshcarpenter400]

Do 8 like grado yes. However for 100 the he 400se is better.

[@ryanhostudio]

bass light, super bright, on ear headphone im pretty sure shp9500 a better headphone lol

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

and the 9600 is even better as it improves on the 9500...

[@euphoreonz]

lol, dreamer. 325x are amazing, shp9500 is grainy af, but good for a few things. If you listen to anything with guitars grado are hard to beat.

[@MrPanda771]

Rs1x and rs2x?

[@samlee2562]

Grado are basically for people who listen to live rock and metal and have slightly damaged hearing 🤘🥴

[@mastaboog749]

I picked up the 80e brand new last month on Crutchfield as a get rid of sale and I really only saved like 35 bucks on the x but I totally don't regret it. I already did a woodies mod to it and now they look like the Alessandro series. Going to upgrade to a brown leather band down the road and actual grado drivers for their better headphones

[@kyron42]

DMS, I'd like to see you review the Koss KPH40. Perhaps Zeos has a spare one he can send you.

[@chefsteve8381]

Yes at $40 it could empty his bank account should he buy one ...

[@kyron42]

@@chefsteve8381 for $40 he could make himself a big pot of spag bog (or is it spag bol ) that would last him a couple of weeks.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

How do these compare with the previous "e" versions?

[@TechTipIL]

The Philips SHP9500 are open back and cost less. How do you compare them?

[@dnbmania]

I think he mentioned it somewhere in this video. Those Philips ones are more reference and have slightly less character

[@user-xg6zz8qs3q]

I don't enjoy the SHP9500 at all. I even prefer the Grados. But I would rather recommend any open back Sennheiser headphones from the 500 series. At least you're getting good highs and mids, the Grados and SHP 9500 lack in that regard.

[@ReneHoffmann194]

Got a Refurbished HD 560s via the Sennheiser Shop für 100€. This should be at least one level better than this thing.

[@rene837]

As soon as I hear Grado my ears start hurting xD

[@DMS3TV]

or ringing 😂

[@xentiment6581]

Sparkly bruh

[@completestrangeronline7284]

When you get to be my age, you will appreciate a more peaky treble, my man

[@allansh828]

Does Grado make closed back for portable use?

[@mclarenf1lm374]

afaik, grado only make open backs

[@davidschweizer505]

They make some earbuds I think. They also do the GW100, which is a open back bluetooth grado. Really tempted to get one of those

[@oneeyeop-en6720]

akg k702, beyerdynamic dt 800 are better at their price points here in Germany.

[@dhruvmeena96]

headphone show production went 100x after DMS lmao

[@-aexc-]

yeah but the quality of what they say has gone down

[@GlitzPixie]

@@-aexc- a lot shallower

[@autisticscreeches5688]

what's name of the intro song?

[@davidschweizer505]

DMS is the reason I subbed here

[@davidschweizer505]

But don't worry, the other content is also decent!

[@souropashibondhon7044]

Is it worth getting hd559 in today's market?

[@daf676]

absolutely not

[@souropashibondhon7044]

@@daf676 Which is the best cheap open-back to back? Preferably from senheiser?

[@daf676]

@@souropashibondhon7044 you don't expect much from cheap senheiser open back, i don't even know what ur budget is lmao but as you said "cheap" i just instantly recommend you shp9600 nothing beats that budget to performance ratio on 9600 you literally can get those just for 70-80 dollars

[@mini-337]

is it just me or is the audio out of sync

[@frankcross2297]

Grado headphones are horribly uncomfortable, not innovative, and I've had one pair of RS-1i that arrived with splintered wood and completely unfinished. Caveat Emptor! Their measurements are bad, distortion high, and lack of creative earpad design scream laziness. Grado might have been interested in the 70's. The measurements of almost all of their models are so close to each other one cannot justify going for a more expensive pair based on sound improvement.

[@newmedia2335]

Hundred dollars is not inexpensive. I don’t care how good the driver is. Price has to be proportional to value. I don’t know how companies get away with this.

[@CallmeQeoe]

Get your money up not your funny up ya dig 🤣

[@tweedpenguin712]

DMS only likes bass heavy headphones.

[@davidthom7127]

You can't tell the difference. So, what's the point of you ? Byeeee