Grado Labs releases $49 iGrado headphones

We can't say we blame the company for trying to get some while the getting's good, and Grado certainly isn't the first high-end headphone producer to cater to the iMarket. Still, it is a tad strange to see the lux brand out of character as they are here. Their normal offerings range from $69 to over $1,000, but their new iGrado "streetstyle" headphones wrap around the rear of your head, presumably to appeal to trendy youngsters, but even at $49 still manage to use the same drivers as the well-respected SR60. The design is most likely tailored for portable use, but it's impossible to ignore the undeniable "Grado look" that somehow managed to stay in tact. Described as "the high-end sound in the low-end market," the iGrado should be available in September, and if you can appreciate the style, looks to be a solid offering for the money.

[Jeff @ Jul 21st 2006 7:37AM]

Well, I think these are probably intended to compete with the likes of the Koss Portapro, which is the king of the "walkman style" headphone and has been for probably 15 years. There really hasn't even been any competition in the high-end (or at least high-ish end) portable player headphone, other than in the earbud segment.

The design of these is a little odd but if they have the same drivers as the SR60's, they're definitely worth a tryout.

[Jeff @ Jul 21st 2006 7:40AM]

btw, when I say "high end", understand I am talking in relative terms. I'm not comparing the Koss Portapros to the Grado GS-1000's...

[pableu @ Jul 21st 2006 8:02AM]

Oh. Your. God.

They are also in direct competition with the Koss PortaPro in terms of ugliness.

Still, Jeff is right: The Koss PortaPro has never had any real competition. This could be it.. let's wait, and let's hope they look better in real than they do in the picture.

[teknomusik @ Jul 21st 2006 8:25AM]

Looks like Grado needs a new product designer...

[Gordy @ Jul 21st 2006 9:16AM]

While not "street style", the Sennheiser PX 100s are the best sub $75 phones I've heard. I'll check these out, since I hate that band going across the top of my head.

[Nathan @ Jul 21st 2006 9:28AM]

These may be ugly, but the portapros are downright Fugly. Can't wait to hear the Grados!

[Magus @ Jul 21st 2006 10:16AM]

Just think now not only do you get to pay 1$ per song of a degraded quality but you can also pay 50$ to hear just how craptacular your purchase was and get a better idea of just how much you got ripped off.

[Steve @ Sep 19th 2006 3:57PM]

you are allowed to rip music from cds to your ipod at whatever bit rate you want, not everybody buys all their songs off of itunes.

[Dave @ Jul 21st 2006 10:19AM]

Yup, they do have SR60 drivers.

Yup, they sound good. I got to hear a prototype a few weeks ago. They're well worth the $50 price.

[cmonkey @ Jul 21st 2006 10:34AM]

Those may be the ugliest headphones I've ever seen. I have a pair of SR60s and love the retro look (and the amazing sound quality for the price). Anyway, I don't see this getting very far with the iPod crowd, who generally value style over sound quality.

[Eugene @ Jul 21st 2006 10:52AM]

I don't think they're ugly. I'd rather call them "retrofuturistic". Some people may think it's the same thing, but still, even if they don't look as good as my Sennheiser PX 200 white (with white iPod nano), I hope they sound just as good or better.

[kuoirad @ Jul 21st 2006 1:38PM]

Well, Grado previously also had the SR-40's for the "walkman-like" type headphone.

But if they're eliminating those in favor of this, plus putting SR-60 drivers in them...wow.

And yes, I

[kuoirad @ Jul 21st 2006 1:42PM]

Dangit, let's try this again.

Well, Grado previously also had the SR-40's for the "walkman-like" type headphone.

But if they're eliminating those in favor of this, plus putting SR-60 drivers in them...wow.

And yes, I love my SR-60's. Well worth the $60-70 one can find them for.

[Michael @ Jul 21st 2006 2:15PM]

I also love my SR60's and have had them for a couple of years. But I have to admit that once I got my iPod (this past March) I use the Apple earbuds almost exclusively with it. And my Grado's stay at my desk for use with my computer. The Grado's are just too big for for walking around with. Plus I don't like that other people can hear what I'm listening to since I have a tendancy to repeat songs over and over again till I wear them out.

But I'm sure these things sound great and maybe they've even managed to make them a good deal smaller then the SR60's. I kind of doubt that if they use the same drivers though. I'm also not a fan of the behind the head strap and I kind of like earbuds for their size even if sound quality is sacrificed.

I'm glad to see they are at least trying though.

[sub-culture @ Jul 21st 2006 2:45PM]

I personally love the way Grados look, but, as others have pointed out, you sacrifice some privacy for the great sound. These ones look kinda weird to me, and they might be trying too hard to mix the Grado "look" with something more iPod-like. I rec Grados to anyone I know who's in the market for some cans (I've got the SR80s) and no one is ever disappointed.

[Jordan @ Jul 21st 2006 2:45PM]

cmonkey - I guess that I would reluctantly call myself part of the iPod crowd. I currently use SR60s, and have had them far before any of my 4 iPods.

I will own these, because they will hopefully sound just as good as my SR60s without messing up my hair.. :)

I love my iPod, my SR60s, my hair and lossless encoding. There are plenty of people in the iPod crowd that are similiar.

[Mike @ Jul 21st 2006 5:36PM]

I love my iPod, my SR60s, my hair. In that order.

Don't care so much about the lossless.

[tekdroid @ Jul 22nd 2006 12:01AM]

While not "street style", the Sennheiser PX 100s are the best sub $75 phones I've heard. I'll check these out, since I hate that band going across the top of my head.

Posted at 9:16AM on Jul 21st 2006 by Gordy [ ! ]
--------------
Sennheiser PMX100 is the neckband model of the PX100, and about as those Grados, IMO ;)

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/500501

Good if you wanna play chess on your phones tho, I hear.

[Louis Delmar @ Sep 8th 2006 6:55AM]

I have been using the Grado SR-60's than the Grado 325 graduated to the RS-1's for iPod use in the street. Felted a little funny because of the size of the Grado's switched to the Sennheiser PS-100's and the Koss PortaPro. Love them both. So I am very excited about investing in this new portable Grado. I just love the Grado sound especially when using an iPod that has been beefed up by a high-end mini-amp!!!

[Louis Delmar @ Sep 16th 2006 6:36AM]

Does anyone know the size of the new iGrado portable headphones in relation to the ears?. Are they similar in size to the Koss PortaPro or the Sennheiser PX-100???

[Louis Delmar @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:01PM]

Just recieved the iGrado yesterday and I am very pleased with the overall sound stage!!!. To me it sounds better than the Koss PortaPro and the Sennhiser PX-100's I have been using with my iPod. Right out of the box!!!

[Twistdshade @ May 3rd 2007 4:26AM]

Very nice headphones, they look awsome with my ipod 80gb black, even tho its always in my pocket :P still look good! the band hides under my hair... yeah im a dude.. got some sorta long hair :P looks awsome, sounds awsome, way better than the headphones you get with the ipod, the base is really awsome, its got some great kick to it, some people say to cut a hole the size of a quarter in the foam that covers the ears. anyways i havent taken them off since i got them outa the package about 10 hours ago :) reliving all of my music with these awsome cans umm... www.grado.com for more info on em guys, also www.headphone.com for a pair of em for only $45 bucks, use the code "IGRADO"
49.99 - 5.00 + 10.00(s&h) = $54.95
ordered them on saturday at like 11 pm, got em monday morning :)

[Spyvie @ Jun 28th 2007 11:37PM]

What does the little extention on the front do? is there a driver in there?
Looks uncomfortable

[Jeremy @ Oct 28th 2007 6:25PM]

I have the iGrados and the only real complaints i have is the behind the head band prevents you from laying down or leaning back in a chair with these. Also the cord is rather short so if your wanting to use the iGrado for anything other than with mobile media from your pocket you may need an extension.