Grado Sr325is Headphone Review

This review will be for the Grado prestige Sr325is. Grado are amongst the oldest family owned companies in the headphones industry, and they are one of most talked about when it comes to high end audio reproduction in the audiophile communities. Many of their hand build product have won awards in most of the prestiges audio events in the world.

Manufacture’s  Specifications:

• Type:On Ear (Supraural) open back
• Drivers size: 45 mm
• Drivers Type: Dynamic
• Frequency Response: 18-24,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 98dB @ 1Khz 1mW
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Microphone sensitivity: NA
• Maximum Input: NA
• Weight:
• Connector: 6.3 mm jack.
• MSRP: 380$

Design

The Sr325is are the top of the range in Grado’s prestige line of headphones, they are open back on-ear pair type of headphones.

Out of the box

It’s always a surprise the first time you have a Grado headphones delivered, if your not familiar with them. You feel a bit shocked when you first see the box, since these are a hand made product and giving Grado’s focus on audio quality and not on commercial aspect, not much attention was paid into packaging.

Almost all of Grado headphones come packed in a very simple light carton box, with compressible foam to protect the headphones inside, I guess the packaging isn’t what’s important because at the end what matters is the headphones.

In the box You’ll only get the Sr325is connected to their high quality cable.

The ear cups are made of a special aluminum alloy designed to prevent any kind or resonance or sound coloring in order to produce the most balance accurate sound, Grado always focuses on the audio quality and this is why they still till date hand assemble almost almost of their headphone models in United States.

Style

Sr325is have a very Classic vintage look, it’s obvious that they are hand assembled which in my opinion a rare feature to find in headphones with this price range. It come in one color option only, a beautiful elegant shiny silver aluminum alloy, and the black natural leather headband.Build quality

A lot of care and attention to the details was spent in assembling the Sr325is, ear cups and very rigid and strong, the headband is made of metal covered with natural leather. But the connection between the headband and the headphone are their week spot. I personally like the looks of them but from a professional point of view I think Grado should develop this into a better more durable connection.

With that said you can always get a replacement headband or ear cushions incase they are wearied off or damaged, since they’re sold separately.

Comfort

Sr325is are the not the most comfortable of headphones, the ear cups’ cushions feel a little bit hard at the beginning, but they soften with use. So no worry if you didn’t feel very comfortable when you first try them because they will become more and more comfortable with time.

The weight of the Sr325is is leaning a bit to the heavier side due the metal ear cups and the heavy thick audio cable, but since they are designed for home listening this shouldn’t be an issue.

Supplied accessories

• No accessories provided.

Sound

What Grado lacks in accessories and fancy packaging they make up in sound quality.

This is where the Sr325is shine, sound quality has always been Grado’s passion through out all their lines of headphones and the Sr325is are a great example for that, they are an award wining pair of headphones and have been one the best selling headphones amongst audiophile since they’ve been released.

I love the quality and sound character of these headphones the airiness and clarity they give are impressive, their response is unbelievably fast, as if they’re waiting to attack on every note.

Due to the low impedance the Sr325is they relatively easy to drive and they will sound great with almost any portable media player or a smart phone in the market, sure if you want them to shine and amaze you should try to pair them with a good headphone amp and I can guarantee you will be dazzled by the sound that comes out of them.

Due to the open back design you get to hear the ambient noise and sound leakage is high, so I wouldn’t recommend using them in your work space because your co-workers will be hearing some of your music as well.

Every thing I’ve listened to sounded great with the Sr325is, I have enjoyed all kinds of music and movie soundtracks on them.

Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon album was a sweet treat to my ears.

Flamenco Passion by Gino D’ Auri can demonstrate how fast and accurate the response of these cans are.

Bass: The bass is tight and precise, it is very well presented, and at the same time the bass response in pretty fast. It lacks little more punch when used directly with and iPhone or and iPod but once you add to the equation an amp even a small affordable one like the Fiio E6  this all changes.

Mid-range: Vocal and Mids are sweet sounding and brought forward, it sound very natural. You can easily hear the singers while taking their breath if your music track are of a good quality.

Treble: High notes really shines on the Sr325is, they are crystal clear, treble is sparkly, some times you feel it’s a little bit dominant over the Mids and Lows.

Soundstage and instrument separation: Due to the open back of Grado’s the soundstage is really wide and spacious, they give you the feeling that you are listening to high end speakers in you living room, or even sitting in a concert hall next to the brass band.

The sound character of the Sr325is are more bright than deep, and they do an amazing job when it comes to instrument separation.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great detailed high clarity sound
• Spacious and wide sound stage
• Good value for money
• Hand made in the United States
• Very easy to drive with any portable media player

Cons

• No accessories provided
• Build quality not very durable
• Sound leakage is high due to the open back design

Conclusion

To cut the short and after using the SR325is for a long time,and I can assure that with these headphones you’ll be getting a high end musical performance in the comfort of your living room with a great value for your money.

Grado Sr325is Headphone Video Review