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REVIEWS
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Grado SR225i Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£200Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Grado SR225i 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 SR225i
5.1/10

Overall score

Score
5.1/ 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 96% of models
Score components

80%

5.1

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 96% of headphones
6.4

Value for money

Value for money
6.4/ 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 93% of models
Score components

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

â–¼Worse than 93%
5.1

Technical score

Technical score
5.1/ 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 91% of models
Score components

52%

5.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.0

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 91%
?

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

  • grado-sr225i
grado-sr225i
Where to buy
    N/A~ £200
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 SR225i

Technical score
Technical score
5.1/ 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 91% of models
Score components:

52%

5.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.0

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

Calls & Controls

5.1
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 SR225i 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
6.4/ 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 93% of models
Score components:

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

6.4
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
?
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
170 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 170 g, lighter than 64.1% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
3.1
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 3.1, lower clamp force than 76.7% of headphones and equal to 2.7% of headphones.
Show more

Grado SR225i vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 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 %
  • 22% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (170 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    170 g vs 218 g
  • 1.2 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (3.1 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    3.1 vs 4.3
  • 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.
  • 0.45 dB tighter channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a lower channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (0.1 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    0.05 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 22% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (170 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    170 g vs 218 g
  • 1.2 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (3.1 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    3.1 vs 4.3
  • 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.
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 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 %
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.45 dB tighter channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a lower channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (0.1 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    0.05 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 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.
  • 13.7% worse value for money
    Grado SR225i has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.39 vs 7.3).
    6.39 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Grado SR225i is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 13.7% worse value for money
    Grado SR225i has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.39 vs 7.3).
    6.39 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Grado SR225i is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 2.22x more expensive
    Grado SR225i is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£200 vs £90).
    £200 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.
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 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.
  • 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.
    January 2009
    2009 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

8.0
Headphone PH
≈ estimated
11/08/2014
Hands-on review · pad mod and sound tests
Verdict
Grado SR225i is good value for the price, especially for rock and live music, though its treble can be bright.
8.0
dell1032
≈ estimated
30/05/2013
Hands-on review · long-term use and DAC pairing
Verdict
Grado SR225i has detailed, clear sound that improves after burn-in, though its treble runs bright.
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

cnet.com
20/10/2010
Hands-on review · Audiophile headphones
Verdict
The Grado SR225i has lively, detailed sound and flat-fee repairs, but it needs an extra adapter and isn't the most comfortable.
H
headphone.ph
09/08/2014
Summary of the review
Grado SR225i Headphone Review - Headphone.ph
S
stereophile.com
01/03/2012
Summary of the review
Kojaku's Killer Grado SR225i - Stereophile.com
A
avguide.ch
12/01/2012
Summary of the review
Review of Eight Truly Great Headphones: Grado SR225i
(Translated)Show original
F
forum.tomshw.it
27/03/2012
Summary of the review
Personal review of the Grado SR225i
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Grado SR225i

  • Highly dynamic and detailed sound quality with excellent clarity
  • Spacious, three-dimensional soundstage due to open-back design
  • Easy to drive even with portable devices like iPods without an external amp
  • Unique, retro aesthetic that many enthusiasts appreciate
  • Lightweight construction making them easy to wear for shorter sessions
  • Strong and reliable factory service and support from Grado

What customers don't like about Grado SR225i

  • Generally considered uncomfortable for long periods due to stiff foam earpads
  • Open-back design results in high sound leakage and zero noise isolation
  • Heavy and thick non-detachable cable can be cumbersome for portable use
  • Lacks deep sub-bass response, which may disappoint fans of hip-hop or electronic music
  • Build materials (plastic and vinyl) can look and feel 'cheap' to some users
  • Requires a separate 3.5mm adapter for most modern portable devices as it features a 6.3mm plug

Verdict

The Grado SR225i is a high-performance, open-back on-ear headphone featuring dynamic drivers matched to within 0.05 dB, a frequency response of 20Hz – 22kHz, 32-ohm impedance, and a sensitivity of 98 dB/mW. Main characteristics include a 50% increase in rear air flow via an improved metal screen and the use of Grado's larger 'bowl' cushions to create a spacious, transparent soundstage with highly detailed midrange and crisp treble dynamics. Its primary pros are its stellar clarity for critical listening and its efficient design that allows it to be driven easily by portable devices. However, cons include a lack of sub-bass extension, an uncomfortable foam earpad design that can cause ear fatigue during long sessions, and the inconvenience of a heavy 6.3mm plug that requires an external adapter for most standard 3.5mm jacks.

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