Shure Aonic 5 Review. If you want a select pair of headphones in your collection that delivers across the board on sound, looks, and uniqueness - then grab these asap. The SR80es are much like the SR80is, which we reviewed years ago. I started my audio journey back in 96' and haven't looked back. For an open back Grado headphone, the bass is pretty incredible. The first thing you will notice is the deep bass, due in part to the driver being so close to your ear because of the slim foam covering. In my opinion, switching back and forth between the mod and stock version is the wisest course of action. However, the remaster changes very little in raw quality overall, but adds far less physical strike impact, as most old recordings tend to. The good news is that it worked, and it worked quite well. However, if you are a Grado house sound fan, you’ll be right at home with this new White model. Meaning, when the track is bad, it sounds unpleasant. Believe it or not, I am spoiled by the Grado GW100 and that has been my primary since my review of it. Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best sounding headphones to buy for most people in each price range. We think the retro style on these cans is a good thing — they don’t conform to the same treatment tha… It is very old school and hasn’t changed since the original SR-60. That gap between the poor recording presentation and the very good recording experience on the White headphone is absolutely titanic. So if you are looking for a unique pair of Grados that deliver depth and clarity Hi-Res audio, you better stop reading and head over to the site and claim your pair because who knows how long these things will stick around. So it is good the G-cush offers that space between to move a bit of extra air around. The headphones themselves are relatively light and comfortable considering the bare bones design, so you don't notice any padding absence. My niece had this problem, but she is only 6 and I don’t apply that to adults for the most part. We're going to let you in on a secret: the headphone amplifiers built into most A/V receivers deliver only so-so sound quality. The headphone really doesn’t exaggerate anything and will sound harsh when the song is harsh and it will also sound very soft and serene when the track is recorded that way. The Hemp headphone is no exception and takes a plant fiber typically used for paper, fabric, and even food to construct the earcups of their open-back headphone. The user manual does note that this number can vary depending on listening volume and genre of music being played. Grado Labs Review - The Hemp Limited Edition Headphone. I cite this directly because when your ear is closer to the driver, substance on the top end is lost. The last one was the HD800 and I don’t really use it much these days. And for good reason. They offered a more blaring, hefty and thick tonal substance factor and I truly miss it. Your email address will not be published. The top end of the headphone is in need of a bit of foam dampening over the driver plates and under the earpads. Vocals are rendered in a classic Grado-style, a very dynamic driver sound type that I think only the PS500 (original, not the E version, and maybe the PS1000) offered from Grado. For example, pushing the G-cush closer to your ear produces less substance and bass impact loss. That's about it, along with an insert with a picture of the family and brand bio, along with a 1/4 adapter that fits over the 3.5 mm plug, giving you options for plugging into headphone amps or your iPad or Hi-Res audio player. The White’s treble is on the bright side, but it can’t be tamed with very slight EQ nods here and there if you need them. Grado has developed something special with this composite of Hemp and Maple; the materials balance each other out and create a rich, full sound that will please most music fans - even non-audiophiles will notice the immediate fullness of these cans. If you are going to listen to streaming music, a small DAC like this worth every penny. Do these headphones hold up to the high standards placed by their predecessors? I don’t want my ear to touch a plastic plate if I am very young or little, and my ears are smaller than the G-cush bowl circumference. The problem? My first upgrade from the SR80 was a Grado SR325. But, I am spoiled by the GW100’s excellent portable and tiny cable that only sports on one side of the earcup. However, their treble also takes a bit of a dip, so sibilants sound dull. This mod changes nothing in the way of tonality or accuracy, at least not in my opinion. The stunning metal earcups and leather headband are a sight to behold but its when you get to head these headphones with rock, acoustic, classical and jazz music that they really begin to shine. And if you want some extra flavor, you can get it very easily with some EQ, or the very swap-friendly pad mod. The mix of the Hemp and Maple fibers brings out a nice balance of sound, even better than expected. Like most Grado headphones, the GS3000e doesn’t come with a ton of accessories. The Hemp + Seth McFarlane’s Jazz albums sound so damned good, that I have sat there for a few hours listening to all three of his last albums in a row…just astounded by the musicality factor and fun … 3.5. The Beatles have some remasters out there and the original version of the same album is just too hostile for me. To this day, the PS500 is my favorite mid-tier open back. In a few words, full, warm, and detailed. This time around, I will be detailing Grado’s newest open back: The White Headphone. Grado has built headphones from a wide range of materials, including whiskey barrels, and even a motorcycle. Born in Brooklyn in 1953 and still making their headphones and cartridges there, this family run business (3 generations) is dedicated to the craft of phenomenal sound. iMac - This is always a good test of a low impedance headphone, not much driving it and either a high-quality MP3 or streaming source. Wince factor is significantly improved. Oddly, this White headphone, despite being very accurate in tonality, is hyper enjoyable on older albums that are very well recorded or remastered. Grado SR325i, RS2i, and RS1i: Since my first SR80, I've since owned multiple Grado headphones. I am thankful the responsiveness to EQ alteration on the top end is solid and user-friendly with my sources. It is priced at $795. The White model takes the GW100’s raw quality factor and ups it to more than audible levels. This headphone is a solid mid-range performer. Th… If you own older Burson amplifiers, you’ll love this pairing. Grado Labs’ first wireless headphones sound great, and are light and comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time. The purity factor is off the chart good for this price for a dynamic headphone. The Grado SR225e Headphones reproduce sounds that … Not much else to be said here, the presentation is very standard. This experience is even better with the White model. This model has very high matchability and might be one of the highest-scoring in that particular area from Grado that I’ve ever heard. I am unable to listen to some older recordings that are not remastered and require a very warm rig for my subjective usage to compensate. Slide here to add your score on the gear. We saw them for $750 on eBay already in Japan, so it's starting to happen. It reminds me a lot of the HD800 and side by side, they feel very similar in how the bass is portrayed, as well as the raw quality factor. The first thing you’ll notice about these headphones is their design, and for good reason — they’re extremely unique. The White model has one of the most open Grado sounds and one of the biggest stages I’ve heard, thanks to the G-cush pads. Grado remains one of audiophiles' go-to brands, and the company's wireless open-back headphones target a niche audience. This fullness immediately brings you into the music with the open-back design letting the sound breathe, creating the perfect soundstage. The aim of the headphone, as per what Grado has told me, was to aim for a reference tier, clinical appeal overall. It slams fairly hard, and you’re going to find yourself bobbing your head with these. The Grado SR80e are on-ear headphones, the new version of the SR80i released back in 2010. Or, at least some type of included protective liquid solution to keep the headphones looking fresh for years to come. It offers a more focused bass and tamed treble experience, dimming the brightness factor just a bit without the need for EQ. This is significantly better than the old school quarter and tape mod that many Grado users installed on their headphones. It’s amazingly comfortable. Bassy tracks, reference classical, jazz, fusion, house electronica, dubstep. The second reason is the subtle and refinements in the sound and design which have made them more able to cope with the demands of a fundamental genre shift in music over the past decade. The low-end of the headphone is less than moderate in physical quantity fact and has a tendency to sound harsh, as all clinical headphones do, when the song in play is, in turn, also harshly presented. For this new model, Grado, a Brooklyn-based brand, didn't make any changes to the headphones' exterior design. The low end is very pure and with a very simple dampener, can be focused to enjoyable bassy levels and it happens to respond well to EQ on the top and bottom ends. Grado is on a roll with modernizing and adapting their tech to new standards. It comes with a choice of silicon eartips and a ‘twist-to-lock’ movement designed to ensure a secure fit. It has some bite to it and when the Jazz track is exceptionally well recorded, the experience is extremely yummy from a vocalist standpoint. The dynamic range of physical dynamic flare is vividly appealing on this model. The leather headband is thin without any padding; the earcups are covered with a slim foam, the cable is thick and wired into the earcups. I was astounded at the overall sound, and I’ve had eight Grados. Delivered freshly after my recent Grado GW100 headphone review, The much “whiter” model arrived at my door, sporting a, well…very white appeal. The soundstage experience is lent via the dynamically large design of the G-cush pads. The headphones are a mix of 90% hemp and 10% Maple that create an almost marble-like pattern. The Grado White Headphone is a limited edition open back headphone with an all-white platter outer enclosure and a new compact ventilation system. Rolling-in at $420 USD they’re available from Grado’s online store and other global stockists. The GS3000e used in this review sports a standard 1/4” stereo plug – but this headphone can also be purchased with a 4-pin XLR termination. Grado Labs grabbed headlines with its cheekily priced $420 Hemp Headphones. They might be a bit steep for some with an MSRP of $420, but they will only get more expensive as they become scarce. We tested the headphones with a variety of music and sources to get a better understanding of performance; see below. Although, my Sunflower Mod helps them adhere to the drive plate, composed of the Sennheiser 414 replacements + G-cush keeping them in place. Unlike many of those unusual items, hemp proved a real challenge to work with. Very much so. I am a bit addicted to how the presentation is portrayed in a physical sense, it is something I find enjoyable due to the excellent comfort factor, lightweight design and the lack of any problematic physical setup in terms of staging appeal. Included Accessories: Headphones, Warranty, Grado story-sheet, 6.5mm Golden Adapter. The Audio Technica ATH-M50xs are a solid alternative. In this review we’re focusing on one of these lower-priced options, the Grado Prestige Series SR60e. Grado Prestige SR325e. Grado Labs has used Hemp to create a beautiful looking and sounding headphone that delivers full rich sound. Afterward, you slightly lift the stock pads off the yellows (or in this case, the GW100 black flats) and create a bowl effect. You “can” swap them for the GW100’s flat pads, but they are not quite a match for fit, the pads are just a little too big to wrap snuggly over the cup housings. The Grado Hemp edition delivered excellent results but did perform better with higher quality files vs. streaming. The White model has a luster and sheen to the upper midrange that I find dastardly appealing. It is an attempt to seize some nostalgia over the past and reference (in a literal sonic sense of the word) the sound variant of the ’60s and to adapt that sound into a headphone’s tonality. Grado GS3000e Review. Anyone involved in the headphone hobby knows about Grado.The Brooklyn-based company has been designing and manufacturing headphones in NY for a very long time, and their SE60/80 open back headphones are the gateway into personal audio for many. I’ve never heard such a quality studio headphone not feature over the ear cups, but Grado never lets up in the sound department. It’s also pretty darn simple — there’s a simple leather band that runs over your head, and the headphones extend to different sizes through a basic metal rod. Let’s see how it fairs against the competition. Sound quality is excellent for Bluetooth headphones, though, and the option for wired listening is much appreciated. Disclaimer: The Grado White headphones were sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. The vocal experience is sublime, more than moderately forward and well into what I consider engaging. The Grado White model handles the older tracks just like they are presented, as well as the new remasters. They leak sound and provide almost no isolation, so if you want something to wear on the train, look elsewhere. The Bad Some people may be … Self Proclaimed Musicality Guru, Photographer, Audiophile and part time Ninja. The soundstage is huge. Astell&Kern AkJr HD Audio Player - The Grado's performed at optimal levels with this player using big files from WAV to AIFF to FLAC; the music was full, rich, and incredibly vibrant. The old school shape of the Grado box remains the same, although this one is appropriated in color scheme with the headphone it contains on the inside. The GT220 is Grado’s first true wireless earbud, with single 8mm drivers tuned for its miniature polycarbonate housings. My personal favourite out of the Grado headphone lineup. The result is some dampening, which focuses the bass into the bowl of the G-cush and resulting in a more pronounced, deeper bass response. 05/11/2020: Moved HiFiMan Sundara to Notable Mentions, made 1More Triple Driver 'In-Ear Alternative' to 'Best Closed-Back Audiophile Headphones'. My ultimate goal in this life is to experience as many Hifi rigs as possible...because I am an audio addict. As mentioned, the Grado headband is quite simple to modify to best achieve a comfortable fit on your head. Going right down the line, the SR-60/80/125/225/325 and RS series all shared the same moderately thick appeal and that became Grado’s house sound. It took a lot of testing for me to discover the actual depths of clarity the White model actually offers, simply because it been some time since I’ve had a reference headphone of this quality in my home. The one thing that stands out is that the earcups use a slim bare bones foam that puts the speaker closer to the ear to max out the sound. These are unusual headphones in that they’re on-ear but have open backs. Delivered freshly after my recent Grado GW100 headphone review, The much “whiter” model arrived at my door, sporting a, well…very white appeal. The White model can achieve that same level of density, but only with some dampening. This White model is in the realm of forward for me and I enjoy it a lot. Style: Open-backed | Cable length: 1.7m | Wireless: … You don’t want that. I think Grado did a fantastic job of tuning the drivers to match older style recordings. Grado SR225e Prestige Series Headphones. It’s worth having a set of them that will stretch a little with the mod, and also having a spare that is untouched for reference listening. I guess). Originally, the Sunflower Mod was composed of the yellow Sennheiser 414 flats installed first on the PS500. They were black sheep among Grado models, in my opinion. The Grado Hemp Headphones are good for neutral sound. By that, I mean stage right, to left, to center, depth and separation are all coherent and not fighting for attention, lacking anywhere or noticeably larger or smaller than any other part of the system. Foam inserts protect the headphone and you also receive a standard ¼ adapter. Tonal heft and density factor are lacking here. The treble is a bit bright but can be tamed in older recordings, but has a huge stretch in terms of what accurate headphones should be in the first place. However, as an objective reviewer, those who love clinical tonality should be very happy with this. The latest earphones we've tested are the Grado GT220, which impressed with their detailed sound – and there's a new entry at our top spot of the best wireless earbuds, the NuraLoop headphones. Grado likely always will be the go-to for this type of thing, if you want a smaller headphone. The design is beautiful and features a logo badge (Grado Hemp) right in the earcup center, which is not usually featured on their wood heaphones. The PS500 original and the PS1000 were different. A lean white box with a pair of headphones laid flat inside a foam insert - the usual no-frills, and that's fine. Clinical and accuracy chasers will enjoy this model. Nonetheless, after (ahem) some judicious EQ, I not only like it, it’s my favorite Grado. 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