About Grado: I agree with rharv that you do not want headphones to "make music sound better". I want flat response. The headphones I use are Allesandro Ones, a modified version of a Grado that looks like and is priced the same as the 80i in your link. They are open air, very comfortable, and there is no coloring of the sound at all. I cannot speak for the regular Grado line, though.

About headphone style: The two Grado models are open air. The Audio Technica is a closed headphone. Two different purposes. If you are monitoring for long periods, the open air phones are great. If you are tracking in the studio, you must have a closed headphone to prevent bleed.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.