REVIEW
Grado SR325x
Grado headphones need no introduction. In an already opinionated community, they rarely leave anyone indifferent. As a matter of fact, one of Head-Fi’s oldest post, dated June 25, 2001, starts with ‘I miss the Grado sound’.
If you ever heard a pair of Grado, this will be a familiar feeling — it certainly is to me having started this hobby with a pair of SR80e.
The object — The SR325x are Grado’s Prestige series top of the line headphones. Each pair of headphones are hand assembled in Brooklyn and have that artisanal finish I grew to appreciate over time.
Compared to my SR80e, SR325e and RS2e, this particular pair of SR325x is probably the best pair of Grado I held in terms of fit and finish, all the while exhibiting many of the brand’s trademarks I enjoy.
The new, non-detachable, super annealed copper 8-conductor cable is stiffer than the pervious generation’s yet doesn’t kink.
Fit & Comfort — Grado has four sets of pads in their line-up: S, F, L and G. The last ones are the only over ear pads, all the rest are on ear. Worthy of note is that Grado headphones are tuned for the pads they come with. Change the pads and you’ll change the headphones’ intended sound signature.
The SR325x come stock with the F pads which have been genuinely surprising. They are very comfortable which is saying something as I traditionally struggle with on-ear headphones. Having now had the experience with all Grado pads, to my ears, the most comfortable pads are the G, F and S pads, in this order. The only pads with which I genuinely have an issue are the L pads.
In terms of weight, while the SR325x are heftier than my previous RS2e, this translates into a secure fit which I personally appreciate.
Pads used: stock (F) pads
Sound — Paired with the below mentioned sources, the SR325x deliver in spades.
They have a nice low-end which punches when required but otherwise remains in place without muddying the mid-range nor impacting the brand’s signature sound.
The detailed and textured mid-range is alive and well, albeit a touch warmer than usual, while the highs remain well controlled with no sibilance.
Overall, the SR352x offer a textured, mature and natural sound which made we wonder about my other, more expensive, headphones.
Comparisons — Speaking of which, at half the price, how do the SR325x fair compared to the Sennheiser HD660S2?
To make it simple, the HD660S2 are technically better as well as scale better but the SR325x make for a slightly more natural listen. Worthy of note, the Sennheiser require proper amplification to be driven adequately.
In terms of comfort, the SR325x aren’t as ‘clampy’ as the Sennheiser and, in spite of the genuine over ear nature of the HD660S2, the Grado are almost as comfortable.
Last but not least, very subjectively, the SR325x seem to convey a bit more soul than the Sennheiser.
The Massdrop x Focal Elex also offer an interesting comparison despite being twice the price of the SR325x.
On complex arrangements, the Elex have a slight edge as they benefit from a bigger soundstage and better instrument separation.
This edge turns into a disadvantage on acoustic and instrumental tracks where the Focal start to sound slightly artificial in comparison to the Grado which, once more, sound more natural.
Files used: CD-quality FLAC bought from Qobuz & Tidal HiFi streaming | Sources used: Schiit Jotunheim MultiBit, Uncapped Sony NW-WM1AM2 and Cayin RU7
Conclusion — The Grado SR325x represent a stunning value. They offer a mature and natural sound which plays well with any genres and recordings. They also are easy to drive.
To my ears, they best my previous Grados and other headphones twice as expensive.
So, if the aforementioned speaks to you — try or get ’em.
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