Test GRADO SR60i SR80i SR125i

Without removing the suspense I will quickly summarize this test as follows: GRADO the SR60i is an excellent helmet.
I'll try to be brief, this helmet is generally acclaimed across the Atlantic and was until now difficult to find in France. Obviously the problem is set to import. I've tested this jewel along the SR80 and SR125 in the store Lyonnais deemed the fi "Musikit" but also specializes in headsets since you can listen in this store about twenty different helmets, especially the top range not only mlais.
Test conditions:
Marantz PM11-S2 receiver with CD player Exposure
CD Jazz and pop group Lyonnais Facto.
Listen with an instant comparative yamaha rh-5mA and Audio technica ATH ME50.

-First, and seeking long I have not myself been able to demonstrate significant differences between 60, 80 and 125, if not a deeper bass and treble but better mastered objectively 3 sounded like. So overall the 60 is in terms of budget makes sense (€ 110 in store).
-Compared to the helmet and excellent monitor yamaha Rh5ma, the GRADO SR60i draws largely out of the game The yamaha seems to be on a par in terms of medium and low frequencies but obviously the acute is not fully controlled when compared to grado . The grado has very good clean bass, midrange and example the snare is magical and is consistent with acute low, not too wide so as not to ruin the whole. Also I find the bass, the medium does not pollute absolutely acute, while the Yamaha when the bass are just a mask appears on the acute / medium. Strangely the Grado 80 and 125 are assigned to this problem, and then I can only assume that the bandwidth is the perfect SR60i.
Quality-of grado foams appear to have been changed recently, suddenly the comfort is excellent and i added to the SR60 seems meant a sounding board review
-The sound of the headphones can be summarized in a dry and warm but with precise sound clarity is capable of reproducing complex passages: awesome!
In semi-open headphones / open, the top and comparing it with the audi technica ATH ME50 which is closed, he did not blush, GRADO SR60 is really good.

Back at home, and I expected, the GRADO's not as good. So on my EMU 0404, which I remind you has excellent converters and a headphone amp class A, the GRADO shows much less difference with the Yamaha, and it is to his credit. Let me explain, this headset does not deliver all its glory with a source and a headphone amplifier of the highest order (not necessarily expensive, simple DIY with the right components will be fine). So if you have a poor ipod and want to use it, I remain skeptical.

In conclusion, this helmet is my ultimate musicality present, with low, medium, sharp perfect, the ability to reproduce the complex without any masking effect, finally with a response curve not necessarily "monitor" but musical. Mind him sticking a headphone amp and a neat source FLAC or CD read well. You understand the picture that I became owner and I do not sell it ... the best promotion that I can make it.

PS = I think back to closed headphones BEYERDYNAMIC DT770 which I have not mentioned here but left me some great memories for those who love the headphones closed and they sound a little "tin can" agree to.
PS2 = you will find another test and especially interesting comments on a possible mod SR60i with HD414 foams (not tested) and the evocation of the clone alessandro MS1 ...

5 Comments

• 
  HILUTZ 2 May 2010 at 18 h 53 min

  for this magnificent helmet and range GRADO toutela, imported and tested in-store: Paris on Boulevard Beaumarchais, laplace to the Vosges, mison beyond high fidelity demémoire, harley davidson side .. in comparison to a drive Cowon D2 (FLAC please!) tested on the herbie Hanckok, or the keith jarrett Ahmad Jamal in comparison with my koss PORTAPRO
  it's monstrous ... there are three helmets ranging from 400 to 1500 ... the bomb roros these helmets but it takes a tiptop player (cowon in the part! the way!) and not make them fly! because they are "seers" a wooden model and the other plated "Lebanese gold kind that succeeded ... this is not discrete then we forget for the ride, we'll save that for home
  the kos to go out and hear the bus bearing down on you (semi-open headphones!) and grado to the house to cover the noise of the vacuum with Renee Olstead or Abbey Lincoln .... germaine because ... because what? races? j'men fight ... I have a Grado!)

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• 
  stone 14 December 2011 at 15 h 45 min

  Hello

  You seem to love this helmet .. for me it is a helmet disappointing, although less well than a Sennheiser 560 I for 15 years ...

  this is better than koss basic but stop it is a helmet at the edge of the fi ...

  Stone

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• 
  Stone December 14, 2011 to 15 h 46 min

  I forgot to mention the comfort, a real tool of torture like greenhouse gases that warm the ears ...

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  • 
    abds69 December 15, 2011 at 8 h 45 min

    For me no need to type in a 125 when a 60 is very well his office. Regarding comfort, just slightly tweak the hoop to make it unobtrusive on the ears. The comfort is not the same as a DT880 is on.
    Your Sennheiser has a good reputation, but apparently he also has a tendency as not having LOW. So the brave new world does not exist.
    Regarding my opinion on the Grado, I agree 100% after 1 year of my article, it is a helmet very very musical, although higher in pop music to what is done to competition. Against if you prefer closed headphones is another universe ...

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• 
  Jack3.5mm January 11, 2012 at 17 h 01 min

  Thank you for the test, I myself am a fan of the brand Grado headphones! For information, I have also published a test of Grado SR125 (the top model): http://www.jack35mm.fr/archives/test-grado-sr125i-la-haute-fidelite-made-in-brooklyn/

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