I also own a pair of the sr60us headphone , which be just a step below in quality and price , so I be already a fan of Grado before I buy these . I want to try other type of headphone that might offer some measure of sound isolation -lrb- the Grados famously have a `` open '' design , so in term of isolation , listen to they be akin to have a boombox tape to you head -rrb- . to this end , I try various in-ear headphone and some closed over-ear one . long story short , nothing in the -lrb- $ 200 range come even close to sound as fun as my sr60i . the only logical place to go be higher on the Grado spectrum , and so I try the sr80i . since I be not a audiophile , I 'll try to do my best to describe they sound in mostly imprecise term . First of all , both the sr60us and the sr80us be literally revelatory - they show up new detail in familiar recording that the speaker and earbud I be use before I find the Grados be too stodgy to handle . they render all part of the frequency spectrum with aplomb . the deep subbass on Shackleton 's fabric 55 recording sound incredibly tight and controlled . Electric guitar , which reside mostly in the midrange , sound particularly embody , with a fully realize attack , something I sorely miss in more expensive headphone like the monster turbine . the cymbal on Miles Davis ' ` bitch brew ' be smooth , not harsh . most importantly , these headphone be just fun to listen to . they bring everything , even album I have grow tired of , alive . and they do this consistently , perhaps because Grado 's emphasis seem to be on musicality and not just by-the-numbers fidelity . there be two definite minus , both of which be flip side to the same design decision that give rise to they amazing sound , namely the fact that they be open -lrb- the earpiece chamber have large grilled vent -rrb- . forget about listen to these on plane , since they do not block any outside sound . also , they basically broadcast what you be listen to , and hence be unsuitable for office or library . many have complain that they be uncomfortable - my girlfriend find that the earpad hurt she ear after a hour of listen - but I find they eminently comfortable and can wear they indefinitely without problem , so that may be a matter of individual head shape or ear size . be the sr80us worth the $ 20 premium over the sr60us ? they look identical in all respects and appear to have the same specification and outward construction , so it come down to the sound . my sr80us be tighter , more controlled and at the same time , deeper , when it come to bass reproduction in comparison to my sr60us . Make no mistake , the sr60us be no slouch and never allow the bass to boom and overwhelm other part of the spectrum , but it just feel slightly looser and more elastic . the difference be subtle , but definite , and over long period of listen , I believe the sr80us will justify the extra expense . lastly , I should reiterate one negative that many people have mention . if you be not one of those people who tend to buy expensive audio equipment , get a pair of these might , by open you up to a world of gorgeous sound , lead to a rather expensive hobby .