The Most Memorable Headphones I’ve Ever Owned (And Why I Let Them Go)
This is my late , Grado SR80e Review – I’d read the hype.
I’d seen the reviews.
I’d heard people call them one of the best bang-for-buck headphones out there.
So when a pair of Grado SR80e popped up on eBay, I had to see what all the fuss was about.
And honestly?
When they arrived, I was perplexed.
The build felt… basic. Almost toy-like.
I remember thinking, “This is it? This is what everyone’s raving about?”
I was skeptical—right up until I put them on.
The Moment They Came Alive
From the very first track, I was hooked.
I spent the entire night bouncing through my library, rediscovering songs I thought I knew inside out. It felt like I’d hit audio refresh on my entire collection.
I won’t try to describe the technical details—there are plenty of deep-dive reviews for that.
But what I will say is this:
The Grado sound is genuinely different.
It’s unmistakable.
And when you let friends or family try them, they’ll finally “get” what great sound feels like.
Climbing the Grado Ladder
I was so impressed, I later moved up to the Grado 325e—and yes, they were fantastic too. But at nearly three times the price, the difference felt more like diminishing returns unless you’ve got super-human hearing.
Honestly, if you want the core Grado experience, stick with the SR80e or the newer SR80x. They carry the heart of the sound signature that makes Grado famous.
The One Thing That Let Them Down
Sadly, I let mine go.
Not because of the sound—they’re some of the most exciting headphones I’ve ever owned.
But because of the comfort.
Or lack of it.
For short bursts, they’re fine. But for longer listening sessions, I found them tight, scratchy, and hot on the ears.
Do a quick search and you’ll find countless mod guides to make them more comfortable—but should you really have to? At any price point?
It felt like a missed opportunity on an otherwise brilliant pair of headphones.
Should You Try Them?
Absolutely.
Grab a pair—especially if you can find them second-hand at a good price—and don’t look back.
That blast of excitement they deliver might just reignite your love for your music library.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll find them comfortable enough to keep forever. If you fancy discovering some new music to try out on them , check out the Weekly Vibe
As for me?
I still catch myself browsing eBay every now and then, wondering if I should give them another shot.
If your curious about modding them here are some threads to get you started..
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