Grado iGrado Headphones

Since the 1980’s, people everywhere have been using personal music players of one kind or another. The demand for comfortable headphones is higher than ever before but we don’t want to exchange comfort for audio quality either. Most standard over-the-head style headphones are tolerable but not exactly comfortable. The search continues for the perfect marriage of comfort and clarity. Today we will take a close look at the Grado iGrado Headphones. Have we found it here?

Design

By incorporating the same drivers used in the SR60 headphones, the iGrado is aiming to be "the high end choice in the low end market." The compact headphones are not worn over-the-head but rather behind it. Each earpiece is connected to a support that loops gently over the ear and around the back of the neck for a surprisingly secure fit. Each earpiece is covered with foam for comfort.

The iGrado headphones are available in either black or white color.

Features and Specifications

• Vented diaphragm
• UHPLC copper voice coil wire
• UHPLC copper connecting cord
• Behind the neck headband
• Transducer type: dynamic
• Operating principle: open air
• Frequency response: 20-20k
• SPL 1mV: 100
• Normal impedance: 32ohms
• Driver matched db: .1
• Weight: 3oz
• Cord Length: 40”

Usage

The most important aspect of a set of headphones is the quality of audio. The iGrado compact headphones are very impressive for sound reproduction. The bass response is decent and the mid range output is excellent. The high end is very good as well and without that tinny sound that some small headphones produce. Overall the sound that comes out of these phones are nothing short of impressive and on par with some professional studio headphones I have used before from Koss and Sony costing much more than these.

After using the iGrado headphones for a few days I find that they are good enough at reproducing accurate sound to use for studio mixing if you want to save a little on studio expenses. I used them to remix a recording of my band and the end mix sounded the same on the headphones through the PC as it did on my home stereo from CD. They handle loud volume fairly well but as with all headphones there is a limit where they will start to distort. With that said, they handle loud enough volume to satisfy the head banger in anyone without distortion.

Music Listening

I ran a short diverse list of music to see what the headphones sounded like for each type of music. Here is the list:

• AC/DC “Back in Black”
• Blind Melon: “No Rain”
• Pink Floyd: “Us and Them”
• Shades: “Fly”
• Grateful Dead: “Dancing in the Streets”
• Bob Marley and the Wailers: “I Shot the Sheriff”
• Tim McGraw: “Red Ragtop”
• Richard Strauss: Theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey”

I was impressed with all of the music but I have to say that the Richard Strauss theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey about blew my mind at full volume. My ears rumbled with the kettle drums and soared with the brass; a most magnificent piece to use for testing headphones. I might add that these headphones have an interesting open back design or “vented diaphragm” that really lets the bass thump without developing that annoying spitting sound that one usually gets from small headphones.

In Use		Vented Diaphragm View

Comfort

I wore the headphones for about 45 minutes at a time without any discomfort. The ear loops may be a concern for those who wear glasses; I just took mine off and sat back to listen to music. These are quite possibly the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn aside from large padded studio headphones costing $200-300. These are excellent for MP3 players and the big bonus is that you can wear a hat or headband without the headphones getting in the way.

Grado iGrado Headphones

These are excellent headphones for active people and their MP3 players. The ear loops prevent the headphones from falling off while jogging or running making these a great buy for anyone who listens to their MP3 players while exercising. The only thing I have that resembles a complaint is; I would like to have a little more cord length. Forty inches is ok, but 60 inches or longer would be better.

Pros: Great design for active users, comfortable, excellent sound reproduction.

Cons: Could use a little bit longer cord.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

www.gradolabs.com