14 DAY TRIAL // One simply couldn't find a better example to stand behind the notorious “never say ever” phrase: today's proof is the announcement made by one of the world's most acclaimed headphone manufacturers – Grado, stating the release of its first-ever in-ear headset, codenamed the GR8. Tension builds up on the headphone market: Shure, another elite name in headphones, has taken its first steps in the world of full-size headsets, while Grado is testing its capabilities in the opposite way. For the mass of consumers, these shifts cannot mean but pure joy: the fiercer the battle between premier headphone manufacturers, the better the products and the prices will be. Now, let's take a quick look at the new Grados.
Unlike other in-ear headphones, the Grado GR8 do not come with a flamboyant and striking look: we'd say that they look rather too common and with no sparkle at all. We're not sure about the way Grado has chosen the target for this headset; on the one hand, these headphones look pretty much like any other similar gadget out there – if a person does not already know the brand, he/she will most likely go for another set, less expensive and with better looks.
On the other hand, the connoisseur might be a tad disappointed when it comes to looks: the Grado GR8 have absolutely nothing to brawl on and this could mean trouble. If we were to compare the new Grado with other headphones like V-Moda, Etymotics, Sennheiser and the likes, these new ear-gadgets would surely be in the red zone.
Technically speaking, the Grado GR8 are a proud new member of the family: they come with a 120 Ohm impedance, a massive 118db sensitivity and a neat, full-range frequency response (20-20,000 HZ). The single moving armature design ensures a lively and dynamic sound reproduction, while the rubber sleeves and in-canal design will provide users with an excellent isolation from the outside noise and will let them enjoy their preferred tracks with full force and without having to crank the volume up.
These headphones come with three rubber ear tips made from a Grado proprietary mix of two silicone compounds and sport four ear wax-proof clothes and two ear wax-proof cloth rings. The price is also “GR8:” these headphones are said to be available for around $300 a pair, a price well worth for any Grado product.
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