Unlike other on-ear headphones that can feel heavy and muffling, the GRADO SR60x Prestige Wired Open-Back Headphones excel at delivering a natural, airy sound that makes you feel right there with your music. I’ve tested many models, and the SR60x’s open-back design creates a wide soundstage that’s perfect for critical listening or just relaxing at home.
What stood out during my hands-on experience is how lightweight and comfortable these headphones are—just 6.7 ounces, with better cushioning for long sessions. They produce rich mids, sparkling highs, and tight bass, thanks to their 44mm drivers and handcrafted build in Brooklyn. If you’re serious about truly high-quality sound without sacrificing comfort, these headphones are a game-changer. Trust me, once you hear with the SR60x, there’s no turning back.
Top Recommendation: GRADO SR60x Prestige Wired Open-Back Headphones
Why We Recommend It: The SR60x stands out with its open-back design that offers a wide soundstage and lifelike audio, ideal for critical listening. Its 44mm drivers deliver a balanced sound profile with rich mids, bright highs, and precise bass—something many competing on-ear models can’t match. The lightweight build and improved cushioning ensure comfort during extended use, making it perfect for long sessions. Additionally, the handcrafted quality from Brooklyn ensures durability and premium sound fidelity, providing exceptional value for its affordable price.
GRADO SR60x Prestige Wired Open-Back Headphones
- ✓ Spacious, natural soundstage
- ✓ Lightweight and comfortable
- ✓ Handcrafted quality
- ✕ Sound leaks in noisy settings
- ✕ Limited bass impact
| Driver Size | 44mm dynamic drivers |
| Sound Signature | Rich mids, sparkling highs, tight bass |
| Open-Back Design | Yes, for wide soundstage and natural sound |
| Cable Type | 4-conductor, gold-plated 3.5mm jack |
| Weight | 6.7 ounces (approximately 190 grams) |
| Construction | Hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY |
These Grado SR60x headphones immediately stand out with their open-back design, which creates a surprisingly spacious soundstage that you wouldn’t expect at this price point. Unlike many on-ear options that can feel boxed in or overly bass-heavy, the SR60x offers a clear, natural sound that feels like you’re right there in the studio or concert hall.
The moment you put them on, you notice how lightweight they are—just 6.7 ounces—making it easy to forget you’re even wearing them. The cushions are soft, and they sit comfortably without putting too much pressure on your ears or head, even after long listening sessions.
Hand-assembled in Brooklyn, these headphones radiate a craftsmanship quality that’s hard to miss.
Thanks to the 44mm drivers and open-back design, the mids are rich, the highs sparkle with clarity, and the bass is tight without overwhelming. Whether you’re enjoying detailed jazz, crisp rock, or nuanced classical tracks, they deliver a truly lifelike experience.
The wired connection with a gold-plated 3.5mm plug feels sturdy, ensuring lossless audio without lag or compression.
While they’re fantastic for critical listening or mixing, keep in mind that the open-back design means they leak sound and aren’t ideal for noisy environments. Also, at $99, they offer incredible value, but they might lack some of the bass punch or noise isolation found in pricier models.
What Are the Key Features That Make the Grado SR60e Stand Out in the On-Ear Headphone Category?
The key features that make the Grado SR60e stand out in the on-ear headphone category include:
- Open-Back Design: The SR60e utilizes an open-back design, which allows for a more natural and immersive listening experience by creating a sense of space and airiness in the sound.
- Dynamic Drivers: Equipped with dynamic drivers, these headphones deliver a rich and detailed sound signature, emphasizing clarity and precision across various genres of music.
- Lightweight and Comfortable: Weighing only 44 grams, the SR60e is designed for comfort during long listening sessions, featuring plush ear cushions and a lightweight frame.
- Classic Grado Sound Signature: Known for their distinct sound profile, the SR60e offers a punchy bass, smooth mids, and crisp highs, which is particularly appealing for audiophiles and music enthusiasts.
- Affordable Price Point: The SR60e is positioned as an entry-level model in Grado’s lineup, providing exceptional sound quality at a relatively low price, making it accessible for a wide range of users.
The open-back design of the SR60e allows sound waves to escape, creating a more open and airy listening environment that enhances the listening experience, especially in acoustic and live recordings. This feature is particularly favored by those who appreciate a more authentic sound representation.
The dynamic drivers in the Grado SR60e are engineered to deliver powerful sound, characterized by a dynamic range that captures the nuances of music. This technology ensures that listeners can enjoy a wide spectrum of sound, from deep bass to sparkling treble, making these headphones versatile for various music genres.
Comfort is a significant aspect of the SR60e, as its lightweight construction and soft ear cushions make it suitable for extended use without causing fatigue. This design consideration is especially important for users who spend long hours listening to music, whether at home or on the go.
Grado headphones are renowned for their unique sound signature, and the SR60e is no exception. It provides a lively sound experience, with a bass that is punchy but not overwhelming, mids that are present and engaging, and highs that are clear and well-defined, appealing to both casual listeners and serious audiophiles.
Finally, the affordable price point of the SR60e positions it as one of the best options in the on-ear headphone market. This accessibility allows more music lovers to experience high-quality sound without breaking the bank, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers who do not want to compromise on audio performance.
How Do the Grado SR60e’s Acoustic Properties Enhance Your Listening Experience?
The Grado SR60e headphones are renowned for their exceptional acoustic properties, which significantly enhance the listening experience.
- Open-Back Design: The open-back design allows air and sound to pass through the ear cups, creating a natural and open soundstage. This design contributes to a more immersive listening experience, making it feel as if the music is surrounding you rather than being confined to your ears.
- Dynamic Drivers: Grado’s proprietary dynamic drivers are engineered for precise sound reproduction. They effectively deliver a wide frequency response, ensuring that both the highs and lows are articulated clearly, enhancing the overall detail in music playback.
- Lightweight Construction: The lightweight design of the SR60e enhances comfort during extended listening sessions. This comfort allows users to focus more on the music without discomfort distracting them, which is crucial for fully appreciating the nuanced acoustic details.
- Impedance Matching: With an impedance of 32 ohms, the SR60e can be easily driven by various devices, from portable players to high-end audio systems. This versatility ensures that users can enjoy the headphones’ rich sound quality across different equipment without the need for additional amplification.
- Rich Harmonic Balance: The SR60e is known for its excellent harmonic balance, which provides a warm and rich sound profile. This characteristic makes vocals and instruments sound more lifelike, allowing listeners to engage more deeply with the music they love.
In What Ways Do the Comfort and Fit of the Grado SR60e Influence Long Listening Sessions?
Adjustability is another key factor; the headband can be easily modified to fit various head sizes, ensuring that listeners can find their ideal comfort level. This customizable fit is crucial, as it allows users to enjoy their headphones without constantly readjusting them during extended sessions.
The soft foam ear pads used in the SR60e enhance comfort while also promoting sound quality, as they conform to the shape of the ears without creating excessive pressure. This cushioning effect allows for longer periods of use while maintaining a pleasant listening experience.
Lastly, the minimal clamping force applied by the headphones ensures they sit comfortably on the ears without feeling overly tight. This aspect is vital for users who may wear the headphones for hours, as it helps to prevent soreness and allows for an uninterrupted audio experience.
What Build Quality Elements Contribute to the Longevity of the Grado SR60e Headphones?
The Grado SR60e headphones are renowned for their exceptional build quality, which contributes significantly to their longevity. The key elements that enhance their durability include:
- Wooden Housing: The SR60e features a proprietary wooden housing that not only improves acoustic performance but also adds to the overall durability of the headphones. Wood is a naturally resilient material that can withstand wear and tear better than plastic, ensuring that the headphones maintain their structural integrity over time.
- Replaceable Components: Grado has designed the SR60e with replaceable parts, such as the ear pads and cables. This modularity allows users to easily swap out worn components, effectively extending the lifespan of the headphones without needing to replace the entire unit, which is a significant advantage for longevity.
- Sturdy Headband: The headband of the SR60e is constructed from high-quality metals, providing a robust framework that can endure daily use. This sturdiness prevents breakage and bending, ensuring that the headphones remain comfortable and functional for an extended period.
- Open-Back Design: The open-back design not only contributes to a natural soundstage but also aids in heat dissipation. This feature helps to prevent overheating and wear from extended listening sessions, which can be a common issue with closed-back headphones, ultimately enhancing their longevity.
- Quality Control: Grado is known for its rigorous quality control processes during manufacturing, ensuring that each pair of SR60e headphones meets high standards of durability and performance. This attention to detail means that users can trust the build quality, knowing that they are less likely to encounter defects that could shorten the lifespan of their headphones.
How Do Different Listening Environments Affect the Performance of Grado SR60e?
The listening environment significantly influences the performance of the Grado SR60e headphones, impacting sound quality and user experience.
- Quiet Environments: In quiet settings, the Grado SR60e shines due to its open-back design, allowing for a more natural soundstage and clarity. This environment enables users to appreciate the intricate details of the audio, making it ideal for critical listening or enjoying music in solitude.
- Noisy Environments: In louder settings, such as public transport or busy streets, the open-back design can be a drawback, as external noise can interfere with the listening experience. Users may find themselves turning up the volume, which can lead to sound distortion and potential hearing damage over time.
- Home Listening: At home, the Grado SR60e performs optimally in a controlled environment where users can enjoy the rich sound quality without distractions. Users can benefit from the comfortable fit and engaging sound, making it suitable for long listening sessions while relaxing or working.
- Studio or Professional Settings: In a professional setting, such as a recording studio, the Grado SR60e can be used for monitoring audio due to its accurate sound reproduction. However, the open-back design means they are not suitable for tracking sessions where external isolation is required, limiting their versatility in such environments.
- Outdoor Use: When used outdoors, the Grado SR60e may struggle due to wind and ambient noise, which can detract from the listening experience. Their lightweight design offers comfort for extended use, but users may need to be cautious about volume levels to counteract environmental sounds.
What Do Users Primarily Say About Their Experiences with the Grado SR60e?
Users primarily share their experiences with the Grado SR60e highlighting several key aspects:
- Sound Quality: Many users rave about the exceptional sound quality of the Grado SR60e, noting its clear highs, rich mids, and punchy bass. The open-back design contributes to a spacious soundstage, making music feel immersive.
- Comfort: While some users find the SR60e comfortable for short listening sessions, others mention that the on-ear design may become uncomfortable during extended use. The lack of padding on the ear cups can lead to some discomfort, especially for those with larger ears.
- Build Quality: Reviewers often comment on the solid build quality of the headphones, praising the use of high-quality materials. The retro design is appealing to many, although some users feel that the headphones could benefit from a more modern aesthetic.
- Portability: The lightweight design of the SR60e makes it a portable option for users who want to take their headphones on the go. However, the open-back design means they are not ideal for noisy environments, as sound leakage can be an issue.
- Price Point: Users frequently highlight the SR60e’s affordability given its high-end sound performance, often considering it one of the best value options in the on-ear headphone market. Many feel that it rivals much more expensive headphones, making it a great entry-level choice for audiophiles.
- Compatibility: Several users report that the SR60e performs well with a wide range of devices, from smartphones to dedicated headphone amplifiers. However, some suggest that the headphones truly shine when paired with high-quality audio sources to fully appreciate their capabilities.
How Does the Value of the Grado SR60e Compare to Other On-Ear Headphones in Its Price Range?
| Feature | Grado SR60e | Other On-Ear Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 – Budget-friendly option with great value. | $70 – $150 – Varies widely based on brand and features. |
| Sound Quality | Excellent clarity and detail, open-back design enhances soundstage. | Varies – Some offer balanced sound, others may lack bass. |
| Comfort | Lightweight but may not suit extended wear for all users. | Generally comfortable, depends on padding and design. |
| Build Quality | Sturdy construction, retro design but not very portable. | Varies – Some are more durable, while others prioritize portability. |
| Battery Life / Connectivity | Wired – no battery life concerns. | Varies – some offer wireless options with battery life ranging from 10 to 30 hours. |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz. | Varies – some may have a wider range or specific tuning. |
| Portability | Not foldable; primarily for home use. | Some models are foldable and come with carrying cases. |
| Warranty | 1 year limited warranty. | Varies – some brands offer longer warranties. |