Grado SR325is Review | 93 Data compared

The Grado SR325is headphones, handcrafted in Brooklyn, New York, deliver a high-quality audio experience praised for its exceptional clarity and musical interpretation across most genres. On the positive side, reviewers highlight a very good, engaging sound profile that truly stands out in terms of detail and mid-range performance. A distinct advantage of their open-back architecture is that it allows listeners to enjoy their music at lower volumes while seamlessly maintaining situational awareness and participating in surrounding conversations without feeling isolated. However, the headphones also present notable drawbacks regarding physical design and technical performance. On the technical side, forum measurements reveal a prominent audio distortion profile, which reaches a maximum of 3.5% up to 50 Hz, stays at 2.75% at 100 Hz, and does not fall below 0.5% until after passing the 300 Hz threshold. Additionally, the headphones suffer from a significant volume drop-off in the lower bass registers. From a practical standpoint, the stock cable is described as massive and unwieldy, necessitating a separate adapter for portable or mobile audio sources. Finally, the open-back structure leaks considerable noise outward, meaning...

The review compares three entry-level Grado open-back headphones—the SR80, SR225, and SR325—which share a signature warm, clear, and vintage aesthetic but differ heavily in build material and sound character. The Grado SR80 provides the best value for money but is the least detailed and can sound bloated in the mid-range unless its flat earpads are swapped for bowl pads. The Grado SR225 stands out as the most balanced, neutral, and spacious model, offering a wider soundstage and quicker, cleaner bass response that excels with acoustic genres like jazz and folk. However, it is noted as the least emotionally engaging of the trio. The flagship of this bunch, the Grado SR325, swaps the plastic earcups of its siblings for aluminum, features a genuine leather headband, and delivers an immersive, energetic sound with massive mid-range punch ideal for rock and pop music. On the downside, the added weight of the aluminum housing makes the SR325 the most physically uncomfortable model to wear for long periods. Ultimately, the reviewer favors the SR325 for its addictive, hard-hitting energy, despite acknowledging that the SR225 is...

This French review highlights the Grado SR325 Hi-Fi headphonesGo as the flagship representative of the brand's New York-crafted "Prestige" series, earning prestigious accolades including the Diapason d'Or, What Hi-Fi?, Hi-Fi Choice, and Stuff Technology awards. The reviewer praises the headphones for their high-precision manufacturing and flawless build quality out of the box. Once properly conditioned, they serve as a benchmark standard in high-fidelity personal audio. In terms of performance, the primary pros of the Grado SR325 are its exceptionally lifelike, forward midrange presentation and highly detailed vocals. Additionally, the soundstage delivers a full, well-articulated bass response. The distinct con noted by the reviewer is that these headphones require a lengthy break-in period of around 40 hours of playback before they can unlock and achieve this optimal, award-winning sound signature.