Got detail?

*Updated for greater accuracy

Before further commenting on the Grado SR-80, I must first say that I have owned numerous headphones in the past few years. Most, however, only acted as a catalyst to my appreciation for exceptional sound. They merely hinted of what can be though. That being so, these headphone not only acted as a catalyst but also have served me quite nicely for a long period of time.

The review is spit into sections:

Appearance
Some may find the design of these headphones lacking, particularly when put side by side with similarly priced Sennheiser or Sony models. I, however, have grown to appreciate the Grado design. Somehow they are pleasing to look at. Nevertheless, appearance is rendered differently by every person, so looking at the picture should give you a good idea. I think appearance is highly overrated these days anyhow, so take it with a grain of salt. Rating - N/A

Comfort
When first used the Grado SR-80's are somewhat constricting. Thankfully bending the headband just enough should alleviate most of the pressure. Furthermore, the Grado SR-80's come with the infamous bowl pads. From my own experiences I hate the pads, as they are abrasive. Some people, on the other hand, like them. If your planning on buying these headphones I'd suggest you get some Radioshack pads for backup (+/- $5). I found the Radioshack pads more comfortable. Ultimately the comfort of the phones is based widely on the size of ones head. My head is small, and yes, they are somewhat uncomfortable for prolonged period of usage. Nothing I can't stand though. Rating - 7.0 / 10

*Pads in greater depth:
Bowl Pads: Good sound stage, but thin sound overall. Grainy and lacking in the lower region (bass).

Radioshack: Boomy bass but detail is obscured. Highs are tamed a bit.

**Keep in mind there are many other pads which are actually better. If you want to look into those, try searching for "senn pads (they are yellow)" or the Grado flat pads. Try as many as you can because each changes the sound of the Grado's noticeably.

Durability
While I found the Grado's adequately built, the material is cheap plastic for the most part. The headband is made of some type of fake leatherish material. Don't expect anything premium, because your won't find it here. If you care about them enough that you don't let them lie around freely on the floor, then I think they should last years upon years. Also keep in mind that if something where to go wrong you can send them back to the factory for free repair which is usually quick. Rating 7.5/10

Sound
Finally, SOUND! Yes, this is where the Grado's take the throne in terms of what you get for the money. If these are your first decent pair of cans expect detail you haven't heard before in songs, especially from high quality recordings paired with a decent-good sound system. The detail is highly accentuated by the highs, which are loud but realistic. The mids are also great, but don't match the highs in terms of depth. As a result the can's are usually considered "bright", being somewhat piercing to the ears. For those who love rich treble, however, this shouldn't be much of a problem. Additionally, the lows also stand out, and are a noticeable improvement over the SR-60's. Having a good source or an amp will marginally improve the performance of the Grado's.The Grado's are great with almost all portable players as they have low impedance (easy to drive). Personally I have found them great paired with my ipod. Overall I think almost everyone will find the sound exceptional, even with poor recordings. Please don't take my word for it, go try (or buy) them yourself. You only have your crappy stock headphones to lose. Rating 9.5/10

If your looking into a new pair of GOOD headphones, then I wouldn't suggest looking further than the Grado SR-80's. They provide exceptional sound, good comfort and durability for a mere $75-100. I would advise that if you have more to spend go for the Grado SR-225, which are altogether in a higher class. Beforehand, though, I would recommend getting a sample of the Grado sound to make a initial judgment. This sample should most definitely be the Grado SR-80's.