Grado SR80 vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 79. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset - Great overall at around $130.

On-Ear

Grado SR80

68Good

$180

Full review data

On-Ear

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

79Great

$130

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Grado SR80
JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

HearWiki score

Sound

7.6

7.4

Noise cancelling

6.5

Battery

9.2

Calls

8.0

Value

6.0

8.0

Price (USD)

$180

$130

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset (2024) against Grado SR80 (1991). The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds USB-C.

SR801991
Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset202433 yr newer

What differsSR80Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

ANC type: None; Hybrid
USB-C: No; Yes

Specifications

SR80Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $180; $130
HearWiki score: 68; 79
Released: 1991; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 44 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 44 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 38 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW; 94 dB/mW
Bluetooth: -; 5.3
Codecs: -; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: -; Yes
Latency: -; 50 ms
Wireless range: -; 9 m
Battery life: -; 90 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 60 h
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 6 h
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: -; hybrid
Transparency mode: -; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: -; 128 g
Case weight: -; 80 g
Water resistance: -; none
Detachable cable: No; No
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: -; leather
Connector: -; USB-C
Microphones: -; 5
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; -38 dBV
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; 2-mic ENC

Specification comparison of Grado SR80 vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
Spec	Grado SR80	JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$180	$130
HearWiki score	68 / 100 Good	79 / 100 Great
Released	1991	2024
Audio
Driver	44 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	44 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	38 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	98 dB/mW	94 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	-	Yes
Latency	-	50 ms
Wireless range	-	9 m
Battery
Battery life	-	90 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	60 h
Quick charge	-	10 min → 6 h
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	-	hybrid
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	-	128 g
Case weight	-	80 g
Water resistance	-	none
Detachable cable	No	No
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	-	leather
Connector	-	USB-C
Calls
Microphones	-	5
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	-38 dBV
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	2-mic ENC

What reviewers said

Grado SR80

The Grado SR80 is an open-back, wired on-ear headphone with a warm, engaging sound that puts vocals front and center while still delivering solid bass for an open design. Its retro styling and lightweight build appeal to purists, but the lack of isolation, somewhat clunky fit, and occasionally harsh treble mean it's best suited for quiet listening sessions rather than on-the-go use. Overall, it offers a classic audiophile tuning at a reasonable price, though its technical limitations keep it from being a versatile all-rounder.

Pro:Strong midrange and vocal clarity
Pro:Good bass presence for open-back design
Pro:Lightweight and classic Grado styling

Con:No noise isolation due to open-back design
Con:Treble can sound peaky on certain tracks
Con:Clampy fit may cause discomfort over time

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset is a lightweight, versatile option designed for office and remote work, featuring hybrid active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and multipoint connectivity. It offers impressive battery endurance, clear call quality with multiple microphones, and a simple button-based control scheme, all wrapped in a comfortable, portable design.

Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC enabled
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long work sessions
Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces moderate ambient noise

Con:Occasional Bluetooth connectivity quirks reported
Con:No water resistance rating
Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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