Mid-Range Headphone Roundup Comments

Very tempted by the Grados' but should I hang on for the high range roundup choices choices.

Any idea TR the likely price range of the High range phones as if too high i'll get the Grados now.

Nice review, thanks. I have been using a pair of Grado SR60's for a good 5 years now for my home HiFi listening and they are amazing.

If I had any criticism of them it's that because the ear pieces can rotate freely there's a tendency for the cables to get twisted where they join the 'Y' piece. The other thing is that replacement foam pads are hugely expensive for what they are. Despite this, I'd buy these phones again if they ever broke, plus I've recommended them to many friends who are now happy Grado users.

the grado plastics have really changed their designs - before the cups were flat, but now they are more like the grado sr325i's mushroom shapes. can't wait for the high end round up (and maybe the ultra high end series)

Good reviews but you've not included the greatest headphones of all time in the test! The Sony Sony MDR-V6 which are still selling for around the £50 mark online, if no one knows what I'm talking about just type Sony MDR-V6 into google and you'll see all the legendary stories about them, and yes they really do sound that good I own 4 pairs!

I recently bought a pair of Grado SR325is from the States (£160 instead of £280!) after reading a TR review of them some time ago and as per the review, they are fantastic. My only problem with them is that after many hours (3+) of use they become a bit uncomfortable (I probably need larger foam pads for my big ears). Being open in design though, I haven't tried using them on the train.

For that I use a pair of Etymotic ER4Ps which I've had for a few years and are the most comfortable earphones I've ever used, thanks to the shirt clip and no wrapping of cables over your ears. The sound takes a bit of getting used to though (seem more like monitors) and bass very much depends on how well they are inserted into your ears and springiness of the foam tips. I would like to have tried the Shure E500PTHs but they were quite a lot more expensive and I don't really get along with the cable over ears setup.

The Grados SR60 are good, but screamingly bright, as you say they get tiring after an hour. Superficially impressive which is why reviews rate them, but horrible in the long term. I've owned many Sennheisers which are much more listenable on a day to day basis and as you say, more accurate.

I have a pair of HD485s and the whole sound stage is fantastic. I've thrown lots at it and they cope really well. The bass end is well controlled and deep. They're a bit large but they are so comfortable that you forget you're wearing them.

@ Andy H: be a rebel - just take your grado's out and see who'd really complain. i found i didn't get as many sideways glances as i normally do. in fact, some guy asked to have a listen to my grado sr325i's. i think he's bought a pair and ditched the ipod buds.

Great stuff chaps, looking forward to the high end round ups.

I'm still using a Philips SBC HP195.

Before you shoot the stuffing out of my body, understand that students like me don't really have a high budget, and IEM's suit my purpose more. I only use them when my ears get sore of IEM's.

Gonna upgrade to a decent pair on cans once I start raking in the cash.

I am surprised the Grado cans being reviewed were not the SR60i? Haven't the SR60s been replaced by the SR60i since late 2008? They have an "i"mproved driver design among other things. I personally own the SR80i and they are extremely comfy, and I'm told the 60i uses the same pads.

Otherwise, great reviews.