-
"The ultimate 'metal' experience" on by charl114
Pros: Perfect sound
Cons: What cons ??
Summary: Well I've been using the Grado 325i's for about a year now and can't imagine wanting to be without them. They're hooked up to a Musical Fidelity X-CAN v3 headphone amp. running off a Terratec Aureon USB soundcard from my laptop. This gets daily use and I never have the problems of 'Headphone fatigue' that I used to get with other phones - and believe me, through the years I have had plenty - from the cheapest Sennheisers to high-end electrostatics.
The 325i/X-CAN combination combines purity, smoothness, great detail and terrific bass response. Before I went for the 325i's I also auditioned the Grado RS-2 (roughly twice as expensive), but the lovely wooden RS-2's didn't seem to be as convincing; to me, the massive metal surround of the 325i provies a perfectly stable and solid support for the drive units - which is reflected in the astonishing neutrality and detail of the sound. And the sound is what it is all about.
Yes you can also use the 325i's with a pocket MP3 player - but they are a bit wasted on them, I have a pair of much cheaper Grado SR-80's which LOVE MP3 players and sound just great even on more compressed files. But for a truly sublime listening experience it is worth shelling out for the 325i, and you do not have to look any further than these. -
"great sound" on by gaholland
Pros: amzingly natural high, mid, low range
Cons: cost, and could be a bit more comfortable
Summary: The SR325i had the most natural sound of any of the cans I tried. They were great whe listening to jazz, rock, blues, or classical. I look for excuse to listen to music with these every chance I get. While they sound best with a home system they are easily driven with an portable players like an iPod. The sound even from iPods with files using high resolution sampling is great and noticeably better than with the lower end cans. All the Grado cans were good, but each level has a slight improvement upt to the 325i. I did not appreciate significant improvement between the sr 325i and next level rs2 which I found more muted.
I enjoyed the natural "on stage" Grado sound more than the Sennheisser or AKG.
Compared with Grado sr 80, 125, 225, rs2. Sennheiser 555, 595,650, AKG k 601 and k701. The Sennheissers and AKG's were a little more comfortable but I enjoyed the sound from the Grados much more. They are easily comfortable enough to listen to over hours of music. -
"The best cans with the most details and clarity" on by caiyunming
Pros: Details and range
Cons: If your source sucks (bad CD, LPs, etc), you feel more pain
Summary: If you are into cans, GRADO is something you just have to try. Other brands may look fancy, but once you've listened to GRADO, you know what I am talking about. I've been using SR125 for 3 years, just got this 325 last night. It's definitely one solid step up.
-
"Incredible Detail - A Treasure with Real Pleasure" on by angeloloki
Pros: Awesome Sound Quality
Durable Construction
A Good ValueCons: Grado Sound Not For Everyone
Not Fashionable
Not Particularly PortableSummary: I recently picked up this set because I love the sound and fit of my Grado SR125s so much, I wanted to upgrade to the top of Grado's Prestige line and recently bit the proverbial bullet. For me, $300 is a lot of money to spend for nearly anything, but I truly believe that this set of headphones was an excellent investment.
If you are reading this review, you probably already are aware that speakers and headphones are an often overlooked aspect of a sound system. Many people I know spend small fortunes on every other component of their sound systems, and leave a disproportionately meager amount of money for the devices that actually produce the sound! (Sorry Dad, Brothers, Sister, Best Bud... you know it is the truth). On that note (pardon the pun), I believe that high quality headphones present are even more "valuable" than a comparable speaker systems. I do not have to run and hide wires around the room, or worry about finding and maintaining perfect placement to get the best sound from my headphones. For that matter, I am not anchored to the key chair in a particular a room for an optimal listening session when I use my headphones. I do not have to turn down the volume to accommodate my honey when she is sleeping, or the grumpy neighbors who apparently despise music. Indeed, I did not have to empty my bank accounts to procure these headphones - which would have been the case if I purchased a set of speakers with comparable sound quality. Suffice it to say, I truly believe that headphones present a great value proposition in general, and the Grado SR-325s in particular.
These headphones are a bit bigger and heavier than the SR-125s, but not uncomfortable. They work well with my eyeglasses, but I suspected they would because the 125s already provided me with a nice fit. While you need a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter to connect either of these headphones to a portable music player, it works. I think it really shines, however, if you use a headphone amplifier between the player and your headphones. My PA2v2 not only boosts the volume a lot, but enriches the music with a nice warmth. I have eclectic musical tastes, and find the Grado's especially well suited to classical, jazz, blues, folk, rock, reggae - but can only wonder about other types of music.
I hear even more balance and detail with the 325s than the 125s, but the sound is otherwise very much the same. The bass is clear and tight - but not overly pronounced, which may be a "con" for some listeners who prefer thumping bass. The mid tones are excellent. Vocals are crystal clear. The highs are tight, but not painfully bright. I know that there are already tons of reviews eloquently describing the technical excellence of the frequency response, harmonic distortion, dynamic range and sizable sound stage that IS the classic "Grado Sound," so I recommend you check them out to see whether it suits you. I know that it is a great fit for me.
Which headphone is a better value proposition - the 325s or the 125s? Well, it depends on your budget. I believe that every set of "cans" in the Grado Prestige line up presents the best quality sound per dollar of ANY headphones in my relatively small collection (I also use Koss, Shure, Panasonic, Sony....).
Is the extra cost for the 325s over the 125s worth it? I think so...better balance and detail is worth it.
Is it having both sets? No. The sound from both is excellent, but they are too closely matched to justify holding onto both in my opinion. I plan to "gift" my 125s to a needy relative and keep the 325s.
BOTTOM LINE
If you are new to the world of high quality headphones, consider a set of Grado's. -
"spectacularly clear and detailed sound" on by hzacks
Pros: terrific sound, clear and detailed
Cons: heavier than the other Grados
Summary: The 325s offer much clearer and detailed sound than any of its competitors. It may sound a little harsh out of the box but, after 100 hours or so of burn in, you will hear the 325s at their best. The comfort problem is overblown on all of the Grado SRs. They rub the ears and seem uncomfortable for a couple of weeks. After that, they can be worn for extended periods and seem very comfortable. The lower SRs, like the SR80, weigh less and are even more confortable.
Updated
It's hard to describe the freshness of the Grado sound. You need to try them for yourself
Grado Prestige SR 325 user reviews (headphones)
Results 1-5 of 5
Results 1-5 of 5
Where to Buy
Pricing not available
%20-%20Headphones/Headsets%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones-headsets/grado-sr325/4852-6468_7-30618202.html&x_breadcrumb=6449:7855:6468&x_arw_bkts=MAD:high_wireless_switcher){kind=small}