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Grado SR125i Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£170Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Grado SR125i Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Grado SR125i
4.8/10

Overall score

Score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

80%

4.8

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 99% of headphones
6.2

Value for money

Value for money
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

70%

4.8

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

â–¼Worse than 94%
4.8

Technical score

Technical score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

52%

4.8

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.4

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.1

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 96%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Where to buy
    N/A~ £170
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Grado SR125i

Technical score
Technical score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

52%

4.8

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.4

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.1

Calls & Controls

4.8
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Grado SR125i has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components:

70%

4.8

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

6.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Grado
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
150 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 150 g, lighter than 69.4% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
2.5
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 2.5, lower clamp force than 88.3% of headphones and equal to 3.7% of headphones.
Show more

Grado SR125i vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 31.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (150 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    150 g vs 218 g
  • 1.8 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (2.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    2.5 vs 4.3
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • 1 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.2 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.2 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 31.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (150 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    150 g vs 218 g
  • 1.8 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (2.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    2.5 vs 4.3
  • 1 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.2 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.2 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 16.4% worse value for money
    Grado SR125i has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.25 vs 7.3).
    6.25 vs 7.27
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 16.4% worse value for money
    Grado SR125i has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.25 vs 7.3).
    6.25 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Grado SR125i is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 88.9% more expensive
    Grado SR125i is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£170 vs £90).
    £170 vs £90
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 7 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2009 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    2009 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

H
head-fi.org
05/05/2010
Summary of the review
Grado SR125i Headphones - Head-Fi
tasystems.wordpress.com
31/03/2012
Personal review · Open-back headphone
Verdict
The Grado SR125i is a clear step up from the SR80i, with detailed, layered sound, though the ear pads press in after a few hours.
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
29/10/2017
Measurement review · Open-back headphone
Verdict
The Grado SR125i is a very open, detailed headphone with good mids, but thin bass, a sharp treble and poor comfort make it an acquired taste.
H
harmonycentral.com
04/04/2011
Summary of the review
This week's HC Expert Review - Grado SR125i headphones
L
lencoheaven.net
31/05/2019
Summary of the review
Upgraded Grado SR125i headphones - Lenco Heaven If you'd like, I can: Search for professional forum threads or user-owner logs for more long-term dura...
A
avguide.ch
12/06/2010
Summary of the review
Test of eight really good headphones
(Translated)Show original
lesnumeriques.com
07/02/2013
Lab test · Open-back hi-fi
Verdict
The Grado SR125i has precise, well-balanced sound with a wide stage, but its bare headband and heavy cable make long listening sessions tiring.
threshold-lovers.com
11/03/2012
Personal review · Open-back headphone
Verdict
The Grado SR125i offers excellent sound for the money, but it blocks no outside noise, feels plasticky, and is tiring for long listening.
F
forum.lesnumeriques.com
07/02/2013
Summary of the review
Comprehensive Review: Grado SR125i Headphones
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Grado SR125i

  • Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval for the price
  • Open and wide soundstage that provides a realistic soundscape
  • Lively, punchy, and dynamic energy, especially suited for rock and acoustic music
  • Transparent and neutral midrange that makes vocals sound natural and intimate
  • Lightweight and functional retro-style design
  • High value-for-money, often outperforming more expensive competitors in detail
  • High sensitivity allows them to be driven easily by portable devices without an amp

What customers don't like about Grado SR125i

  • Open-back design leaks significant sound and provides zero noise isolation
  • Stock foam earpads (L-Cush) can feel scratchy or uncomfortable during long sessions
  • Treble can be overly bright or sharp (sibilant) on certain recordings
  • The non-detachable cable is notoriously thick, stiff, and cumbersome
  • Sub-bass response is limited, with a noticeable roll-off below 50Hz
  • Build quality feels somewhat plasticky and utilitarian compared to high-end models
  • Native 1/4 inch (6.3mm) plug often requires a separate adapter for standard 3.5mm jacks

Verdict

The Grado SR125i is a high-performance, open-air dynamic supra-aural headphone featuring 40mm drivers matched to within 0.1dB, ultra-high purity long-crystal copper (UHPLC) voice coils, and a non-resonant air chamber. It offers a frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz, a 32-ohm impedance suitable for portable devices, and a sensitivity of 98dB. Key characteristics include an 8-conductor connecting cable and 'de-stressed' diaphragms designed to minimize transient distortions and enhance soundstage depth. Main pros are its exceptional midrange clarity, detailed treble, and airy, energetic presentation ideal for rock and acoustic genres. Conversely, notable cons include a lack of sub-bass impact, potential treble fatigue on sharp tracks, and an on-ear design that some users find uncomfortable or stiff during long listening sessions.

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