Grados SR80 or the Sennheiser PX 100?

[dman77]

I am trying to decide between the Grados SR80 or the Sennheiser PX 100. I'm assuming the Grados will sound better than the PX100 because of it costs more. But how much better will it sound? How will the Grados sound with the D2? Also, I kind of like the Sennheiser PX 100 more just because their smaller and I don't want to deal with bulky headphones. But I don't want to be depriving myself of the best sound possible for over the ear phones. What should I do?

[morgan]

they are both great headphones, but they are both open air too meaning sound will leak in and out. are you planning on using these for portable use as in outside, commuting etc.?

also your probably going to get a lot more answers over at head-fi.org

[Punnisher]

I say both, but definitely get the PX100's no matter what.

I have SR60s and PX100s, and both have plenty of bass. I really don't know why people say that the SR60s aren't warm, because they really are, especially when amped.

Anyhow, you can't go wrong with the PX100s, and anyone who has a D2 should really have them. They don't leak as much sound as my Grados, so they're ok to use in a quiet public place. So much warmth from small, compact phones.

They seem pretty robust.

The price is hilariously low for how great they sound.:jamming:

[Saleen S7 TT]

How about the AKG Acoustics K 301 Xtra?
http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/akg-acoustics-k-301/4505-7877_7-30734356.html?tag=prod.txt.10

Compared to the Sennheiser PX100?

[janz]

If you like classical music or jazz, Sennheiser is a great choice

But if you like rock, pop, or trance, Grado is match for that...

[Jimbo3b]

I have both the PX-100s and the SR-80s. They both sound really good with the D2, with no amp necessary.

Sound wise, the Grados are crystal clear across the spectrum, plenty of bass but it's not overemphasized. The Senns boom a little more on bass, perhaps sound a little warmer. I can't give you a preference; I like them both.

The difference is that the Grados have a thick 6-foot long cable, so I use them in the office or at home, but not in a portable situation. The Senns have a thin, shorter cord which is just right for putting the D2 on your belt or in your trouser pocket. I wrap half the cord up around the D2 and put the unit in my shirt pocket.

You can't go wrong with either set, but the Senns are a little more portable.

[PedasoDeMierda]

i got the sr60's. I bet the SR80's are probably better but i really love how the 60's sound with the D2. The cord is long and thick, but for some reason i think that's cool. and i dont care if people can hear my music, fuck em. Ill carry this shit anywhere. that's me though. They leak sound pretty ridiculously, but they sound good at low volume too. I was thinking about getting another pair for portable use, but when i got my d2 and plugged in the grado's i said "fuck that i don't need anything else this is PERFECT"

[morgan]

i agree the sound of the Grados with the D2 is amazing but how do you possibly listen to them anywhere but a silent room. i'm personally not too worried if other people can hear my music, but the frustration of other people's noises ruining my aural experience is the only thing that has stopped me from buying these cans.
how do you listen comfortably to them in these situations, which beg for isolation?

[Punnisher]

Well, you don't. If it's too noisy in an area, I use IEMs. Grados let 80% of outside sound in, and its even worse when listening to quiet classical, or piano pieces.

To Pedaso- I'm glad you like them, they are my favorite so far.

[goatherder]

I think Grados actually amplify outside sound because of their funnelling effect. Completely useless for portable use IMO, unless you only walk around an anechoic chamber.

The PX's are little better - all too often I've heard people in trains blaring music from the 100's to counteract the outside noise.

I honestly dunno why the Grados have such a great rep as portables. My guess is that most 'reviewers' of these phones extrapolate their testing at home and never discover properly closed good headphones, thinking that the Grados are the last word in sound quality. There are plenty of idiots who say the RS-1 is a great ultimate portable, but if you can't hear them properly on the move they're crap - period.

I would suggest the Sennheiser PX200 (a (usable isolation, but not hugely isolated and sounds a bit noncommital) or the AKG K416 (better fit but bassier... too much so for me) at the low end, and the AKG K81DJ and the Sennheiser HD25-1 at the mid/higher-end. That, or in-ear-monitors / in-earphones like the Sennheiser CX series or the Shures.

[just.another.blue]

i have some grados, as long as you don't use them outdoors (trains) thier BRILLIANT

[4ki]

Hur. If the Equation RP21s weren't so big, they'd be the perfect choice (closed cans with great bass response, affordable too).

Other good choices for sealed cans:

-RPHTX7 modded w/foam pads (my choice, but only when modded!)

-AKG K81DJ (better bass, on-the-ear design, pretty compact)

-Audio Technica AD

-PX200 as-suggested, but keep in mind that if you have sensitive ears, the sound will distort just a bit. Personally I found them to be rather good.

I don't think you have to aim high for portable cans, since as stated earlier, on-the-move listening shouldn't require top-dollar for decent listening. If you're serious about isolation, even closed phones won't provide the best cancellation as IEMs do, though I'll just assume that you don't want anything in your ears, and leave it at that.

[darku]

go with Grados, i have SR60 and PX100, both are good, but SR60 are MUCH better, cristal clear sound, very musical, forwar sound, punchy bass, excelent reproduction for all tipes of music, matches superb with any Cowon players, no need for an amp.
Grados have just one downside, outdoors you cannot use them, but if you want to look like a freak (like me) you can use them outside (like i do) :D
SR80 are better cans IMO, next mounth i upgrading to SR325i :D, will se how it matches with D2