For the last few years, i’ve been using a pair of SR-80e’s. The previous generation. I was always very happy with the sound, but the left can came loose and always falls out now. Plus, there’s now some kind of weird vibrating sound coming from the other can (which kinda fixes itself if i push on it).
Anyway, i decided what the heck, and got me a SR-60x. First impression was that it is REALLY bright. I swapped back and forth with my old 80e, and it’s a noticeable difference. I just like the sound of the 80e better.
Does anyone else find the 60x’s too bright? Are all the X models more bright? Do they just need a few hours to “burn in” the sound? For reference, i listen to mostly classic rock, jazz, jazz vocals, 70’s funky stuff…Beatles, Steely Dan, Talking Heads, Tears for Fears, Miles Davis, Ellington, Basie are among my favs. And classical from time to time. I’m not much of a bass-head, and i rarely listen to anything really bass heavy like rap/hip-hop, pop divas, etc. The closest i usually get to dance is New Order or something.
Honestly, if it was a fair price, i’d like to just send my old 80e’s to Grado to be fixed, but i feel like they would charge me more than i paid for them, but willing to wait to see if the 60x’s get better with use. Thoughts or recommendations? Thanks.
It could be that the old pads on the SR80 are somehow making the treble less harsh than the new pads on the SR60. Have you tried swapping pads between the two?
Ttttttthhhhhhhhhhhatttttssssss Grado
I recently bought the 80x (already have the 80e and 325e and gw100x). I can’t vouch for the 60x but comparing the 2 80s, I feel the x is not quite as bright as the e. Sometimes on the e (depending on the track) I found that they could be a little shrill at times, less so on the x. In my opinion the x is definitely an improved sound, I am very impressed with them.
Wow, really? Well, you’re the second person here to say something similar. May i ask what types of music you listen to?
I think i am going to have to get a pair of the 80x’s, and then just do comparisons with my old 80x, and the new 60x. With the holidays, i have until the end of January to return things to Amazon. So, i’ll let the 60x “burn-in” first. I’m not convinced it’s real science, but i’ll keep them running around the clock for a few days to give the theory a fair chance when i do a comparison in about a week. I really appreciate your feedback.
I generally listen to early 70s Prog and rock. Groups like Yes, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Wishbone Ash, Ten Years After, Rush, Rory Gallagher, Camel, Clapton, Hendrix. Stuff like that. I also listen to opera, preferably Italian, but also some German. Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, etc.
From a Grado fan and someone who has actually listened to the SR60x and SR80x side by side, it’s the model. Go for the SR80x.