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Image © GradoGrado SR80
At a glance
- Brand
- Grado
- Type
- On-Ear
- Fit
- open
- Connection
- Wired
- Noise cancelling
- No
- Released
- 1991
Score breakdowngood overall
Sound7.6
Value6.0
The HearWiki takeAI-condensed
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.
What works
- Strong midrange and vocal clarity
- Good bass presence for open-back design
- Lightweight and classic Grado styling
- Wired connection with simple button controls
What doesn't
- No noise isolation due to open-back design
- Treble can sound peaky on certain tracks
- Clampy fit may cause discomfort over time
- Non-detachable cable limits customization
Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.
Specifications
| Driver | 44 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 38 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
Audio
| Driver | 44 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 38 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
Features
| Active noise cancelling | No |
|---|---|
| Controls | buttons |
Design
| Detachable cable | No |
|---|---|
| USB-C | No |
Where to buy
Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.
What the reviews said
4 source(s) feeding this product's score.
What YouTube reviewers say
Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.
The consensus
Positiveacross 2 videosReviewers agree the Grado SR80 delivers transparent, accurate, and well-balanced sound that is exceptional for the price, especially for audio editing and critical listening, and it can be driven easily by any device.
Reviewers liked
- Transparent, accurate, well-balanced sound
- Easy to drive on any device
- Great value under $100
Reviewers flagged
- Open-back design leaks sound
- Flimsy plastic build and cheap feel
- Thin cord prone to tangling
- Uncomfortable earpads
9:53AMAZING SOUND: Grado SR80 "Audiophile" Headphone Review
The reviewer has owned the Grado SR80 for about a decade and considers them his favorite headphones, praising their transparent, well-balanced sound and ability to be driven by any device. He notes they are not versatile, have a flimsy build, open-back design, and a thin cord, but concludes they are unbeatable for under $100.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
5:08The Best Headphones For Editing Youtube Videos! - Grado SR80
The reviewer, a video creator, found the Grado SR80 headphones transformative for audio editing, praising their flat, accurate sound that revealed details in music and made EQ adjustments in his own videos much easier. Despite their cheap look and feel, he considers them a great value at around £40-100, though he notes they are open-backed and not suitable for recording or public use, and he advises against the wireless version.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.
What owners say
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