On-ear open-back · 32 Ω · Budget tier

Grado SR60

The Grado that started a thousand recommendations — bright, forward, and fun for not much money.

Frequency responseRaw · L/R averaged
-12-60+6+1220501002005001k2k5k10k20k
Rig: Head Acoustics HMS II.3Normalized 0 dB @ 1 kHz
TypeOn-ear open-back
Impedance32 Ωeasy to drive
Sensitivity~99 dB / V
Needs an amp?Noruns off anything
SignatureBright, forward, lively

Our take

The SR60 is the entry Grado: forward, bright, and lively, with the house energy that makes rock and acoustic snap. It’s not neutral and isolates nothing, but for the money it’s a joy. Treble EQ tames the peaks if they get hot.

Measured by Jamey Warren on a Head Acoustics HMS II.3 artificial head — raw response, left/right averaged, normalized to 0 dB at 1 kHz. From the Sonic Temple Archive(2008–2014, one unit per model). Honest limits: seating variance runs ±0.4 dB in the mids to ±3.9 dB above 12 kHz, and open headphones read bass-light on this fixture — don’t read fine treble detail as settled. How we measure →

Common questions

Straight answers — the same ones our measurements support.

Does the Grado SR60 need an amp?

No — 32 Ω and sensitive, it runs loud off anything.

SR60 vs SR80?

The 80 is a small step up in refinement; both share the same forward, bright voice.

If you like the SR60

Close on the graph, or a deliberate step in one direction.

Sonic Temple

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