excaliburn's Full Review: Grado SR325 Professional Headphones
I own two other Grado headphones, the SR60s and the SR125s. Based on my experience with those two models, and the general acclaim that the SR325is have received as the flagship of the Grado Prestige series, I found a good deal on-line and purchased a pair.
I normally use my headphones with a Little Dot II++ tube headphone amplifier. Signal input is provided from one of several sources. CDs are played back using a Sony CD player coupled with an Audio Alchemy DAC. Compressed audio files are played using a Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro USB unit feeding a Super Pro DAC via optical link (to eliminate power supply noise from the computer). Other headphones I listen to regularly include the Sennheiser 595s and the Sony MDR-SA3000s (reviewed elsewhere on this site.)
I find that the Grado 325is fall short of my expectations in a few areas.
First, they are much less comfortable than their own kin, the SR60s and the SR125s. The SR60s use a flat foam cushion on each earpiece and the cushions are quite soft and light. The cushions on the SR325is are toroidal, with a slight inward taper toward the centers. The resulting edges place pressure on your ears. The foam also seems to be much stiffer than the foam on the SR60s, most likely in an effort to maintain the unusual shape. The foam also creates significant "friction noise" if they move on your ear. If you shift them backwards, you are are treated to a scraping noise as they move over your outer ear. I find this more irritating than even the common "cord noise" on other headphones.
Second, the earpieces are heavier because they are partially constructed of "non-resonant" metal. They feel heavy on your head. While many users point out the "cheap" construction of the SR60s and SR125is, they are at least fairly lightweight on your head.
Third, the SR325is, while quite capable sonically, have a lack of transparency that many users refer to as the "Grado veil". The music does not have a sense of immediacy and presence. The difference between the SR325is and my MDR-SA3000s is striking...as if you opened a stage curtain to reveal the performers while playing.
This is not to say that the SR325is are not excellent headphones. They have great dynamic range and work very well with popular music, techno rock, and even jazz. Bass is deep and powerful. Plus, they are a good match for portable players, since they require much less power than many comparable headphones. They can be found for less than $270 on-line and are a bargain at the price.
Overall, though, I value my Sony MDR-SA3000s more highly than the Grados and they cost over $100 less.
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