In 2008, Grado updated their entire line up and adding the “i” lettering to every model. The popular entry level model SR60 became SR60i, and the high end RS1 and GS1000 became RS1i and GS1000i. The SR325i model, having already the “i” designation, is updated to the SR325is. Many people who were on the market to purchase Grados were curious on what changes come with the “i” models. Browsing the internet forums, I couldn’t find a definitive answer, so I set out a review to find out.
I pitched the original SR60 to the SR60i to see which comes up on top. Both headphones that we reviewed had around 200 hours on them, so the differences in sound that we report is not due to the factor of burn-in. I didn’t see the need of amplifiers as well as lossless files, so I connected the SR60s straight to the Ipod, and files were 128Kbps to 320Kbps. The Ipods used were Touch 2nd Gen and Nano 2nd Gen.
Since Grado was famous for Rock music, I played Muse, Coldplay, as well as some songs from Juno’s Soundtrack. I also played some bass heavy sounds from Black Eyed Peas to listen to the Bass performance.
As you can see from the pictures, the old and the newer model has quite a different look. The old model is definitely more retro looking, while the new model is a little more modern, while still looking like a Grado. The new model has a bigger diameter housing too, at 6.3 cm compared to the old model at 5.5 cm. The new model’s housing is 3.2 cm thick while the old one is 2.4 cm thick. Doing some quick calculations, the new housing is roughly 70% bigger than the old one! You can also see from the picture how the new one has a tapered housing, while the old one doesn’t. Both models come with the same standard SR60 pad.
Other than the different housing, the driver is different as well. A macro shot to the driver units will reveal this. Everything else is the same on the new one from the headband to the cable. On the higher end models, the “i” version actually has thicker cables than the non-i. Previously Grado used 2 cables for each channel, one for signal and another for ground. The higher end “i” models actually uses 4 cables for each channel: two for signal and two for ground.
Overall I didn’t notice any change in fit in the new one. The SR60 pad has always been the most uncomfortable of all Grado pads, and on the new one it is still just as uncomfortable. The feel of the SR60 remains cheap and plasticky, always reminding you to upgrade to higher-end models whenever you have the cash.
For $60, the sound of the SR60 is award-winning. You are hearing Hi-Fi level sound that would need hundreds of dollars to achieve through speakers. The original SR60 was a lot of fun too, it is very musical and plays a lot of genres of music well for its price range. True, it doesn’t have enough bass for some genres, and the soundstage is a little small for classical, but its detail, transparency, openness, and musicality is almost unmatched by anything else for $60. Most people are hooked to the Grado sound the moment they put on the SR60.
After longer exposure of the SR60, and after testing other cans, people started to point out the weaknesses in the SR60. For example, the superbly detailed treble can sound too sharp and harsh. For short term excitement it’s very good, but in the long term, people gets tired from hearing the overly sharp treble. The problem becomes worse in some recordings where the treble is boosted on the mixing desk. Another problem with the SR60 is what many complain as a thin sound and a lack of Bass. True, the SR60 has bass and it can make quite an impactful bass, if present in the recording. However, overall the sound does seem thin and lacking body, because the SR60’s frequency response is heavily tilted to the high frequencies. And finally, people always complain about the congested soundstage of the SR60.
So, though the SR60 gives you a lot of musical enjoyment, it does have its flaws, and people are always asking more.
The first moment that I put on the SR60i, I notice that the sound is still very much the signature SR60 sound with its forward mids. However, I also realize that it has grown quite a significant amount of bass. This is a good thing. The once thin SR60 now is a lot more neutral and doesn’t sound thin anymore. The improvement in the low frequencies also gives the SR60i a more full-bodied sound than the predecessor. While the SR60 was great for Rock tracks with vocals mostly in the high frequencies, it didn’t do well in playing heavier vocals in Jazz and Audiophile recordings. The new SR60i, however, does much better for playing Jazz and Audiophile vocals, and stuff like Pavarotti now has more weight and a more authoritative voice through the SR60i. Very nice.
The bass, although less precise than the original SR60, makes the SR60i a lot more musical. And I would trade off the precision in the Bass anytime of the week, compared to the thinner but more precise SR60 bass. I don’t consider myself a basshead, but the original SR60 does need a little boost, and the SR60i is just a more balanced and more satisfying headphone overall.
It seems that Grado has really listened to their consumer, and improved on everything that needs to be improved on the SR60. If people used to complain about the harsh treble on the SR60, on the SR60i the treble is more refined and less harsh to the ears, while still offering the same detailed sound. Very nice, Grado!
The bass is improved, the treble is improved, and lastly the soundstage is improved as well. The improvement is quite small, however, and overall the SR60i’s soundstage is still small compared to other full-size cans. The soundstage improvement should be taken as a bonus in addition to the other improvements, and not a factor for deciding a purchase.
Overall the SR60i is a much better phone, and though I still prefer the original SR60’s styling, sound-wise the SR60i is definitely superior. The biggest decision making factor for me is the boost in the low frequencies. You have a better balanced, more full bodied sound SR60 in the “i” version. Although the original SR60’s bass is more precise, the overall sound is much more better in the “i” version.
So, does this improvements open other genres to be played on the SR60? Sadly, no. Its main strength is still in Rock and Pop music. It is quite decent for Jazz, and some R&B, though there are other options. For serious instrumental and classical music, however, the SR60i still lacks the technical capability. But again, most Grados, even the RS1, is not designed for those.
GOOD: Overall, the SR60i is much better than the SR60. Fuller body, more present bass, more balanced sound. Smoother and less piercing highs while offering the same detail. Slightly improved soundstage.
NO GOOD: Compared to the SR60? Almost none. But its bass does seem to be slightly less controlled.
System for auditioning:
Headphones: Grado SR60, SR60i
Source: Ipod Touch 2nd Gen, Ipod Nano 2nd Gen.
Thanks to Dayak and Annoep for making this review possible.
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Hi Mike,
how do you found about the capability of SR60i to handle complex passage compared to SR60? Let’s say on the 4th movement of Beethoven 9th Symphony… on which SR60 sounded congested
Well, both the SR60 and the SR60i is still not the cans for classical music, as I said in the review: “For serious instrumental and classical music, however, the SR60i still lacks the technical capability. ”
Anyway what cans under $100 have the technical capability to handle Beethoven’s 9th?
“Anyway what cans under $100 have the technical capability to handle Beethoven’s 9th?”
not cans… but Crossroad Mylar One X3 beats SR60 (not i) on the midrange detail and complex passage handling…
for the cans… maybe a used HD25-1 can fall down below $100, and I’m sure it can handle Beethoven’s 9th better than SR60…
well i know that you will probably laugh
, but through my hd555, Beethoven’s 9th sounds good enough to my ears. i have avoided till now the whole high end thing, though i am not sure i will resist an upgrade for long.
i agree about the grado sr60i being a more bassy headphone’ with the things i had heard about the lack of bass on sr60 i expected things to be different, but i thoroughly enjoy my bassier albums through the sr60i’s
nice site by the way, i keep an eye on your posts