C[omp]ute

From: "andrew cooke" <andrew@...>

Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 10:35:08 -0400 (CLT)

Arrived in Tucson yesterday and collected my Amazon pckages, including a
pair of Grado SR60s.  I'm listening to them as I type this (Bragg +
Wilco's Mermaid Av, ripped onto my laptop from a portable CD reader).

They're good, but cheap.  Obviously there's no way for me to separate the
subjective and objective, but they sound just like you'd expect good,
cheap headphones to sound like - there's not much bass, but the mids and
highs are very clear, but a little bit "sparkly".  Harmonic and acoustic
guitar sounds perfect.

Switching to Ice T's OG, the lack of bass should be more important - and
it is, but even so these sound pretty good.  The bass is there - it's
tight and tuneful - but it's lower in the mix than you'd expect.  The
emphasis on mid range brings out the vocals.  Which is OK with Ice T.

Constructionwise, they also look to be made to a price.  The cable seems
to be inside a rubber tube - it looks like "thick expensive cable" until
it goes into a moulding, where it squashes flat!  And the headband is as
cheap looking as "vinyl covered steel" sounds.  BUT, having said that,
they're more comfortable than I expected having heard other comments - I
have an old pair of Beyers that sit on the ears, and they are much worse;
these are pretty gentle (and I have a big head!).  And they have the
old-fashioned cool look nailed.

So: happy.  These are a good pair of budget phones.  Great for travelling
(pads rotate flat for easy packing).  But they don't get into the "paying
more for nothing" territory.

Andrew