Detailed review of Grado SR80x open-back headphones featuring new fourth-generation drivers. Surprising versatility, unique sound signature, and excellent value for diverse listening applications.

Grado SR80x Headphones Review: Fourth-Generation Drivers Deliver Surprising Versatility

The Grado SR80x headphones represent the latest evolution in Grado’s iconic 80 series, incorporating the company’s new fourth-generation driver technology promised to deliver lighter weight and more dynamic performance. These open-back headphones surprise with their versatility, offering applications that extend well beyond traditional expectations.

Fourth-Generation Driver Technology

Grado’s new fourth-generation drivers form the heart of the SR80x’s improved performance. These drivers promise enhanced dynamics and reduced weight compared to previous generations, contributing to both comfort and acoustic performance improvements.

The engineering advances incorporated into these drivers become apparent during extended listening, where the improved efficiency and reduced distortion benefit both critical listening and casual enjoyment. The lighter construction also contributes to improved comfort during long sessions.

Build Quality and Design Heritage

The SR80x maintains Grado’s distinctive aesthetic while incorporating subtle improvements in construction quality. The iconic bowl-shaped drivers and minimalist headband design remain largely unchanged, preserving the visual identity that Grado enthusiasts appreciate.

Build quality reflects Grado’s traditional approach, prioritizing acoustic performance over luxurious materials. The predominantly plastic construction keeps weight reasonable while providing adequate durability for home use, though these headphones clearly prioritize performance over premium feel.

The open-back design provides the signature Grado sound characteristics while offering minimal isolation from external noise. This design choice makes the SR80x unsuitable for use in shared spaces or noisy environments but contributes significantly to the expansive soundstage presentation.

Frequency Response Analysis

Low-Frequency Performance

Analysis reveals the expected underemphasis in low bass frequencies below 80 Hz, characteristic of open-back designs and particularly pronounced in the SR80x. This limitation is common among open-back headphones and shouldn’t surprise potential buyers familiar with the design trade-offs.

However, the mid-bass and upper bass regions maintain better extension and control, providing sufficient foundation for most music genres while avoiding the bloated character that can muddy midrange clarity.

Midrange and Presence Characteristics

The SR80x demonstrates a notable emphasis in the 2kHz to 10kHz range, creating the distinctive Grado sound signature that emphasizes presence and detail. This tuning choice brings vocals and lead instruments forward in the mix, creating an engaging and immediate listening experience.

This presence boost contributes to the headphones’ excellent performance with rock, folk, and vocal-centric music, where the forward midrange presentation enhances emotional connection with the performance.

Above 10kHz, the response returns to more neutral territory, avoiding excessive brightness while maintaining adequate air and extension for natural timbre reproduction.

Versatility and Unexpected Applications

Musical Genre Performance

The SR80x proves surprisingly versatile across different musical genres, despite its distinctive frequency response characteristics. Rock and alternative music benefit tremendously from the forward midrange and controlled bass response, delivering engaging and dynamic presentations.

Vocal music particularly shines through the SR80x, with singers presented with remarkable intimacy and emotional impact. The presence emphasis brings subtle vocal details forward while maintaining natural timbre.

Classical music reproduction, while not the SR80x’s strongest suit due to limited bass extension, still proves enjoyable for chamber music and smaller ensemble works where the midrange focus benefits string and wind instrument reproduction.

Critical Listening Applications

Despite the colored frequency response, the SR80x offers legitimate critical listening capabilities in specific applications. The consistent character and high resolution make them valuable for evaluating midrange balance and vocal clarity in recordings.

Mix translation through the SR80x can reveal how recordings will sound on consumer systems with similar frequency response characteristics, making them useful for understanding commercial appeal.

Gaming and Multimedia

The forward midrange and good dynamics make the SR80x surprisingly effective for gaming applications where dialog clarity and positional audio cues are important. The open-back design provides natural soundstage presentation that benefits spatial awareness in games.

Movie and video content reproduction proves engaging, particularly for dialog-heavy content where the presence emphasis improves speech intelligibility.

Comfort and Long-Term Wearability

The lightweight construction and improved driver technology contribute to excellent comfort during extended listening sessions. The minimal clamping force and well-distributed weight prevent fatigue even during multi-hour sessions.

Ear pad comfort proves adequate for most users, though the on-ear design may not suit everyone. The pads provide sufficient cushioning while maintaining the acoustic seal necessary for proper bass response.

Comparative Analysis

Against other open-back headphones in similar price ranges, the SR80x offers a distinctive alternative to more neutral designs. Users seeking colored but engaging sound reproduction will find the Grado house sound appealing, while those preferring accuracy may prefer alternatives.

Compared to previous Grado models, the SR80x represents meaningful evolution rather than revolution. The fourth-generation drivers provide subtle but noticeable improvements in dynamics and clarity while maintaining the essential Grado character.

Value Proposition and Market Position

The SR80x delivers excellent value for users seeking the distinctive Grado sound signature. The combination of improved drivers, solid construction, and engaging sound reproduction justifies the investment for appropriate applications.

Market positioning as an entry point into Grado’s range proves appropriate, offering newcomers a taste of the company’s house sound without requiring significant financial commitment.

Limitations and Considerations

Potential buyers should carefully consider the SR80x’s distinctive frequency response, which may not suit all musical preferences or applications requiring neutral reproduction. The limited bass extension also makes these headphones unsuitable for bass-heavy genres.

The open-back design requires appropriate listening environments free from external noise and where sound leakage won’t disturb others.

Final Assessment

The Grado SR80x succeeds in delivering an engaging and distinctive listening experience that surprises with its versatility. While not neutral by traditional standards, these headphones offer musical enjoyment and emotional connection that transcends pure accuracy.

Fourth-generation driver technology provides meaningful improvements over previous iterations while maintaining the essential Grado character that has attracted loyal followers for decades.

For users seeking colored but engaging sound reproduction, particularly for rock, folk, and vocal music, the SR80x represents excellent value. The headphones particularly excel in applications where midrange clarity and vocal presence take priority over absolute accuracy.

The SR80x earns a recommendation for music enthusiasts seeking distinctive sound character, casual listeners who prioritize engagement over accuracy, and anyone curious about the legendary Grado sound signature. While not universal in appeal, these headphones deliver exactly what Grado promises: a unique and enjoyable listening experience that prioritizes musical engagement.