New headphones or a headphone amp?

[Deathwish238]

I have a pair of Grado SR-80s that I absolutely love...had them for about 5 years now.

I'm wanting to get more from my headphone setup...my budget is around $300. I'm thinking two things...either get the Grado SR-325i or a headphone amp for my SR-80s.

I'm leaning towards a the SR-325is...I imagine a headphone amp can only take the SR-80s so far while the SR-325is will improve my sound much further.

I'm powering mainly off of my laptop using an Audigy 2 ZS Notebook and occasionally off of an iAudio X5. I listen to a lot of metal if that matters

What would you do? Get a headphone amp for the SR-80s or get the SR-325is?

 

[mazersteven]

My vote goes to the SR-325i.

 

[Deathwish238]

38 views and 1 reply?

 

[fmw]

I would stay with what you have. The SR80 model is actually the sweet spot of the line and are truly amazing for the price. I have a pair myself. Sound improvements (as opposed to sound differences) above that model are either imaginary or so subtle as to be meaningless, in my experience. Instead, take your woman out for a night on the town.

 

[furrycute]

Have you considered trying something from a different company? Like Sennheiser and Sony?

 

[Deathwish238]

I would stay with what you have. The SR80 model is actually the sweet spot of the line and are truly amazing for the price. I have a pair myself. Sound improvements (as opposed to sound differences) above that model are either imaginary or so subtle as to be meaningless, in my experience. Instead, take your woman out for a night on the town.

Really? You don't think anything above the SR-80 is worth it? I know there will be diminishing returns...but quite frankly I don't think the SR-80s can handle the volume I listen to music at

Have you considered trying something from a different company? Like Sennheiser and Sony?

Yeah...but not too much. I've just started looking into other brands. Anything you recommend? I'm looking at Sennheiser and AKG atm