Has anyone usde Grado SR80i headphones?

[paden501]

I know that this isn't a head-fi board, but I figured you all might have an opinion on this one.

My wife's frantically searching for a x-mas gift for me, and a good pair of headphones came to mind.  Our budget is <$150 or so, although she offered to stretch a little if I wanted a 'good' Bose pair  (oh she of so little knowledge).

Anyway I'm leaning toward the Grado SR80i.  It's about $100 on amazon and a million other places, and from the head-fi boards it looks like it's getting pretty good reviews.

Has anyone here heard these or can anyone offer an opinion on any other cans in this price range?

Thanks,

[Falcon]

The Grado cans I have heard are all excellent, But as with speakers, what I like you may not. Try to get them somewhere that you may return them if you don't like them.
 I have a pair of pretty rare Sony MDR-XD 400 cans that I love,  others may not. I think I got them at Stereo shop in Greensburg, for $85.00 they let you open them up and try them.

[OCCD]

The stereo Shop in Greensburg. Ask for Dave McClelland. Good guy.

[icravcarver]

I recently purchased a pair of Grado i60's to replace my broken Sennheiser HD420's.  I like the sound, and supposedly the only difference is only a certain percentage of 60's get graded to become 80's (rumor has it).  Not as light and comfortable as my Sennheisers, but that is just because I was used to having almost nothing on my head (I would always forget I had the damn things on they were so comfortable).  I like the Grado's.  I tried a pair of Sennheiser 515's at the same shop as the Grado's, and I felt the Grado's were more comfortable vs the 515's.  Sounded very similar, I really couldn't tell the difference between the two, so I chose the Grado's, at roughly a $20 savings. 

Again, it is all subjective.  It depends on taste and comfort.  Definitely worth seeking out someplace that would let you audition them before buying, if at all possible.

Neil