Grado SR80x Headphone (Wired, Dynamic Open-Back)

Hear Your Music Unlocked: Fast, Lively, and Addictively Detailed

If you crave music that feels immediate—vocals right there, cymbals shimmering with air, bass lines that are tight and tuneful—the Grado SR80x delivers that goosebump-inducing, toe-tapping energy. This is the classic open-back, on‑ear experience refined: a wide, natural soundstage, lightning-quick dynamics, and a midrange that pulls you into the performance. The SR80 lineage is where Grado’s headphone story began, and the latest “x” generation keeps the soul while adding comfort and technical polish.

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Why Audiophiles Choose This Product

• Lively, revealing sound: Expect sparkling treble, articulate mids, and nimble, controlled bass—a clean, forward presentation that makes details pop and keeps rhythm lines snappy. Reviewers consistently praise the SR80x for clarity, punch, and musical engagement.
• X-Series driver engineering: Fourth‑generation 44 mm drivers use a stronger magnetic circuit plus a lower‑mass voice coil and reworked diaphragm to improve efficiency and reduce distortion—helping the SR80x sound more open and precise. Drivers are matched to within 0.1 dB for stable stereo imaging.
• Comfortably lightweight: The updated, padded headband and classic foam “S‑cushion” pads make long sessions easy. The on‑ear fit stays light while the open-back cups keep music feeling spacious and unboxed.
• Everyday friendly, no amp required: With a nominal 38 Ω impedance and high efficiency, the SR80x plays happily from laptops, USB‑C/Lightning dongles, and portable DACs. Just plug into 3.5 mm; a 6.35 mm adapter is included for home gear.
• Heritage you can hear: Hand‑assembled in Brooklyn and descended from the original SR80 (1991), the SR80x carries decades of Grado tuning know‑how in a clean, durable polycarbonate build.

Note: As an open-back design, the SR80x intentionally trades isolation for a more natural, spacious presentation. It leaks sound and lets in ambient noise—best enjoyed in quiet spaces.

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What’s Included

• Grado SR80x headphones: Prestige X Series, dynamic open-back, on‑ear.
• Primary cable: Fixed 4‑conductor, super‑annealed copper cable in a durable braided outer jacket; 3.5 mm stereo plug. Approx. 1.7 m (68 in) length.
• Adapter: 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm (1/4 in) screw‑on adapter for home amps and receivers.
• Documentation: Grado warranty and quick-start/info sheet.

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Product Type	Wired	3.5 mm TRS (unbalanced); 6.35 mm adapter included.
Transducer	44 mm dynamic	4th‑gen X‑Series driver; improved magnet/coil/diaphragm.
Acoustic Design	Open-back, on‑ear	Wide, natural staging; not noise‑isolating.
Impedance	38 Ω (nominal)	Easy to drive from portable sources.
Sensitivity (SPL @1 mW)	98 dB	High efficiency; plays well without a dedicated amp.
Frequency Response	20–20,000 Hz	Full audible band coverage.
Driver Matching	0.1 dB	Helps lock in stereo imaging.
Cable	4‑conductor OCC copper, braided	Fixed cable for maximum signal integrity and durability.
Pads	S‑cushions	Classic Grado on‑ear foam for speed and openness.
Cable Length	~1.7 m (68 in)	Desktop‑friendly reach.
Connector	3.5 mm plug + 6.35 mm adapter	Broad device compatibility.
Weight	~240 g	Typical retail listings report ~240 g; perceived very light on head.

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Professional Recognition

• What Hi‑Fi? applauds the SR80x for punchy, musical delivery with class‑leading insight, while noting the inevitable sound leakage inherent to open‑back design.
• TechRadar calls SR80x “fantastic‑sounding” and highlights the light, comfortable wear—naming it one of the best affordable on‑ear wired headphones.
• Headfonia’s coverage of the new Prestige X series underscores the SR80x’s updated driver tech and spec improvements over prior generations.
• Heritage: Grado has hand‑built headphones in Brooklyn since 1953; the SR80 model line dates back to 1991 and continues as part of the Prestige X Series introduced in 2021.

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The Bottom Line

The Grado SR80x is the rare headphone that turns everyday listening into “just one more track.” Its open, upfront tuning, fast transient response, and effortless driveability make it a perfect entry into true hi‑fi headphones—and a compelling upgrade for seasoned listeners who value immediacy and musical involvement over bells and whistles. If you have a quiet space and want a timeless, hand‑built design that focuses every dollar on sound, the SR80x should be at the top of your list.

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Buying Notes for Headphone Shoppers

• Connectivity: Wired only (3.5 mm), open‑back on‑ear. No ANC/mic. Use a USB‑C/Lightning audio adapter if your device lacks a headphone jack.
• Sound signature: Energetic and revealing with crisp treble and forward mids; bass is tight rather than boosted—ideal for rock, acoustic, jazz, and any music where timing and texture matter.
• Comfort: Lightweight with padded headband and breathable foam pads for extended sessions; as with any on‑ear, a brief fit adjustment break can help during very long listens.

If you want the classic Grado sparkle and speed in a modernized, comfortable package, the SR80x is the new benchmark in its class.