Grado GT220 review: excellent sound

It is not uncommon to connect to a WIRED zoom and find two or three pairs of Grado over-ear headphones watching you. We called them ” the best headphones in the world, “after all. Not only is the sound quality top notch, but they’re also beautiful and have a rich history. Grado Labs is a family-owned business that has been making all of its headphones by hand in the same Brooklyn factory since 1953.

I was excited to test her first pair of wireless buds, but a little nervous too. We’ve tested a lot of wireless headphones, and in general, I would say you mostly choose these types of headphones for their convenience rather than their sound quality. They are small and easy to lose, and the Bluetooth connection can be choppy. There is a reason why our first choice is only about $ 100.

I shouldn’t have worried. The Grado GT220s are expensive – and for the price, they might not have many of the features I’ve grown to love on many wireless heads. But they sound wonderful, look good, and feel more secure than any bud I’ve tried that doesn’t have an optional fin or fender included. If you love great sound and have generally been disappointed with the wireless headphones you’ve tried, these will likely work for you.

Eye of the beholder

The first thing you will notice about the GT220 is the case. It is a little bigger and longer than the AirPods Pro or Samsung Galaxy Buds Live case, but it’s a nice smooth matte black that makes small, overly shiny cases look garish. Inside, the buds look pretty standard. They’re also matte black, flat, and have no visible buttons – just a shiny Grado logo that lights up when you open the case.

Fitting the headphones is a chore. I have small, shallow ears so I usually have to spend a lot of time experimenting with different sizes and materials of eartips to find one that will feel secure in the hollow of my ear and seal properly against my duct. auditory. And, of course, the adjustment can affect the sound quality.

With the Grado GT220, the smallest earpiece tip fits perfectly. It lay lower in my ear and sealed perfectly against my ear canal when I gave it one last gentle twist. The buds might not have active noise canceling properties, but passive noise cancellation works pretty well when the fit is this good. A pair of foam earplugs also does not require advanced software. The noise cancellation worked well enough that a repairman would surprise me while I was working (masked) at my desk.

I also complained about needing a full manual and a day to memorize all the different ways you have to hold and press buttons to operate wireless headphones, like typing in Morse code to communicate. with the manufacturer. “Oh, it’s simple!” the instructions always say. “Hold and triple tap for transparency, double tap for volume, hold to take the call!” I recite them to myself as I walk around, accompanied by a constant litany of “No! Ack! Damn, sorry I hung up!”