I finally got my Grado SR80's back from the return. These things sound absolutely gorgeous. There's a tinge of sibilance, but nothing that can't be solved by a sock. Articulate lows and highs, and bone-shuddering detail. Admittedly low comfort, but the socks and replacement earpads can easily resolve this. I can't spout enough about these. These are affordable, too - $95. It may sound pricey, but you won't regret it.

I paid the thrift shops a long-due visit. I ended up with Devo's Freedom Of Choice, Cat Stevens' Tea For The Tillerman, Association's Greatest Hits, Burt Bacharach's Reach Out, and this half-broken xylophone-like mini-piano sort of gadget. We'll see if I can fix it.