Grado Labs Headphones • Shoreline Music

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Grado Labs headphones are without question the most highly regarded headphones in the audiophile world. I was turned on to them years ago by an old employee of mine, and have been eager to introduce them to Shoreline's customers for quite some time. Over the years we have fielded hundreds of requests for good headphones and headphone preamps, and after the retirement of Raven Labs and their excellent PHA-1 headphone preamp, Grado Labs was the obvious choice to fill those shoes. Grado also fits in well with Shoreline's long tradition of offering for sale the gear I use myself.

The panoply of awards for these headphones is too sizable to list here, but here are a few: "Product of the Year" (SR60 and RS1) and "Budget Component of the Year" (SR125) from Stereophile magazine. "Hi-Fi Grand Prix" from Audio-Video magazine (SR80 and SR325). "Golden Note" from the Academy for the Advancement of High End Audio (SR80). "Critic's Choice" from Sound and Video magazine (SR125). Top headphone on Stereophile magazine's "Recommended Components" list (RS1). The fact that headphones this good cost as little as they do is simply astonishing. If you've been looking for headphones for your recording studio, or just to listen to movies on your laptop, I recommend Grados without reservation. You will hear your music as you've never heard it before.

[For what it's worth, Grado Labs also makes some of the world's best styli (for those of you who still own and use turntables and vinyl records). We don't stock the Grado styli, but please contact us if you'd like to order one.]

Prestige Series Headphones:

SR60i - As with the rest of Grado's lineup, these feature a dynamic, vented-diaphragm design with a large air chamber. This design produces smooth highs and a stunning, resonant low-end response. Terminates in a 1/8" miniplug. Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz. (picture)

SR80i - Of the lower-priced Grados, I think this headphone offers the best bang for the buck. The design of the SR80i is virtually identical to the SR60i, but it features a more substantial connecting cable and better earpieces, and you'll notice improved response across the audible spectrum. This has become our best-selling Grado headphone, for obvious reasons: It is impossible to find a non-Grado headphone for under $200 that comes close to these $99 wonders. This is made obvious the first time you put them on and listen to any Brandenberg Concerto or any of Michael Hedges' harp guitar pieces (his arrangement of the Prelude to Cello Suite #1 is particularly satisfying through Grados). If you've been looking for an inexpensive way to actually enjoy all that music on your iPod, it's hard to imagine a better headphone than this. Terminates in a 1/8" miniplug. Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz. (picture)

SR125i - The Grado SR125i is the first big leap in build quality in the Prestige Series. The internal wiring is ultra-high-purity wire for maximum clarity and transparency, and the diaphragm in this headphone is de-stressed to improve tonal detail and open up response across the spectrum. Please note that the SR125i and all higher phones in the lineup terminate in a standard 1/4" headphone jack, so if you want to plug into a smaller device like an iPod or a laptop, you'll need to get Grado's 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz. (picture)

SR225i - This next model up in the line features a custom rear screen for improved airflow as well as drivers that are more closely matched than in the SR125i. Frequency response: 20Hz-22kHz. (picture)

SR325is - This headphone is the top of the line among Grado's Prestige models. With dramatically more open tone than the lower models, this headphone is virtually impossible to beat. This is also the first model that features the same ultra-high-purity wire in the connecting cable as in the headphones. Grado says that the tonal profile of this headphone is very similar to the Reference Series models, and I'm inclined to agreed with them. As such, I think this headphone gives you the best performance for the money of the entire Grado Labs lineup. Frequency response: 18Hz-24kHz. (picture)

Reference Series Headphones:

RS1i - The Grado Labs RS1i is one of the best headphones I've ever used. Period. Of course, at nearly $700, it's certainly not the kind of headphone you'll plug into your iPod and take for a jog. But if you're looking for spectacular headphone performance, with fantastic imaging, unbelievable bass response, clear but non-fatiguing highs, and accurate mids, then the RS1i is for you. It features handcrafted earpieces made from specially cured wood and the same high-purity connecting cable as the SR325is. Frequency response: 12Hz-30kHz. (picture)

RS2i - The RS2i is frankly a great way to save a bit of money on one of the world's best headphones. With a smaller air chamber than the RS1i, you lose a bit of the resonant lows that make the RS1i famous, but you also save $200 on a headphone that is in every other way just like its bigger brother. Frequency response: 14Hz-28kHz. (picture)

Statement Series Headphones

GS-1000i - While the PS-1000s below are Grado's top of the line, I've had far more time to enjoy and evaluate the GS1000i, and I can say without hesitation that this is the best set of headphones I've ever used. Check out my description above for the RS1i. All of that is true of the GS1000i, but with a smoothness and balance that are just remarkable. If you find yourself with a spare $1000, and you want a jaw-dropping listening experience, it's worth giving these a close look. (picture)

Professional Series Headphones

PS-1000 - For the ultimate in headphone audio, there really is nothing to compare to the PS-1000. I'm not going to lie: $1700 is a lot to drop on a set of headphones. But given that a decent set of speakers can easily cost several thousand dollars, these phones are not such a difficult decision for the audiophile listener. The PS-1000 hearkens back to the old Grado PS1s, and are regarded by most who have had a chance to listen to them as the finest headphones Grado has ever produced. (picture)

Other Headphones:

iGrado - The iGrado was the natural next step for Grado Labs. While their killer tone of their main line of headphones is indisputable, they are not exactly designed to be worn on the go. The iGrado gives you the same great tone you'd expect from an SR60i (or at least close to it), in a much smaller, lighter, more portable and wearable package.. Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz. (picture)

iGi - Grado's entry-level in-ear phone is astonishingly good for the price. This should come as no surprise, given Grado's commitment to great tone in all their phones. I think this is the best-sounding in-ear for under $100. While I haven't put the iGi through any onstage/monitoring tests, it will undoubtedly be a huge improvement over your stock iPod earbuds. (picture)

GR8 - For the ultimate in in-ear tone, it's pretty hard to beat the Grado GR8. It boasts the sort of imaging and balanced, musical tone that you'd expect in higher-quality headphone, but with the GR8 you get this tone with the isolation and portability of an in-ear. (picture)

Headphone Preamps:

RA1 - The Grado RA1 is a headphone preamp whose simple, clean appearance belies its powerful interior. Specifically tuned for use with Grado headphones, the RA1 has a simple left and right input on the back, and a place to plug in your phones. Plug this into any line-level audio source, and listen to your headphones—and your music—come alive. Available in battery-powered and AC-powered versions (two 9-volt batteries drive 40-50 hours of listening). (picture)

Please note: We cannot ship Grado Labs headphones outside the US.

Grado Labs Headphones	Description	Price*
iGrado	Great Grado tone in a lightweight, mobile package	$49.00
SR60i	Affordable, award-winning headphones	$79.00
SR80i	Similar to SR60i but with better response	$99.00
SR125i	Similar to SR80i but with improved features	$150.00
SR225i	Similar to SR125i with improved drivers. Includes free 1/4" adapter cable and free Express shipping.	$195.00
SR325is	Top Prestige Series phones, with better frequency response and new design. Includes free 1/4" adapter cable and free Express shipping.	$295.00
RS2i	Similar to RS1 with slightly smaller resonating chamber, as well as lower price. Includes free Grado 1/8" adapter cable, free Grado extension cable, and free Express shipping.	$495.00
RS1i	Grado's top of the line Reference phone. Includes free Grado 1/8" adapter cable, free Grado extension cable, and free Express shipping.	$695.00
GS1000i	The best headphone I've ever used. Includes free Grado 1/8" adapter cable, free Grado extension cable, and free Express shipping.	$995.00
PS-1000	Grado's flagship model. Includes free Grado 1/8" adapter cable, free Grado extension cable, and free Express shipping.	$1695.00
Grado Labs Earphones	Description	Price*
iGI	Grado tone in an affordable in-ear	$89.00
GR8	Grado's top in-ear phone	$299.00
Grado Labs Accessories	Description	Price*
Mini Adaptor	Stereo adaptor connects 1/4" Plug (so, SR125i on up) to minijack on an iPod or laptop	$14.95
Extension Cable	Grado's 15' extension cable boasts zero signal degradation	$39.95
Grado Labs Headphone Preamps	Description	Price*
RA1	Designed to enhace Grado listening	$350.00
RA1-AC	Same as RA1 but with AC power	$425.00

*All Grado Labs headphone prices include free shipping anywhere in the US. CO residents add 2.9% sales tax. Please see our Shipping page for additional shipping information.