Grado GS3000x

Effortlessly detailed and fluid sound ; Impressively articulate midrange ; Sonic agility

Open-back design makes these very leaky ; Some rivals deliver more in the way of bass punch and power ; Lacks the luxurious feel expected at this price

Grado’s range-topping GS3000x are wonderfully musical and entertaining but aren’t particularly luxurious

Exquisitely detailed, naturalistic sound quality ; Will make the best of any source of music ; Uncompromising looks

Uncompromising looks ; About the leakiest open-backed headphones we’ve ever heard ; Cable is uncooperative

They’re not cheap, they could easily be considered a bit daft-looking, and they leak sound in the most anti-social manner. And yet these Grado GS3000x Statement are among the most straightforwardly satisfying ways to listen to music around.

Explicitly and endlessly musical, convincing sound ; Comfortable over long listens ; Unique aesthetic

Unique aesthetic ; Not inexpensive ; Leak sound very readily

You’ll make your own mind up about the looks. Only you can know if they’re affordable for you or not. But once those hurdles are cleared, there’s no obvious downside to the GS1000x Statement - they are very accomplished headphones indeed.