Grado SR325e: A detail lovers headphone

cnet.co/UC1f9X
While it's not for bass hounds, the $295 SR325e delivers very open, detailed sound that makes it exciting to listen to.

[@zaneta5508]

These are my daily driver headphones, I use them both for work and entertainment. Sadly the stock build is quite uncomfortable given their weight, so I modded mine with nyczaj audio earpads and their aluminum gimbals and rodblocks combined with their memory foam padded wide headband. These mods are a bit pricey, but honestly transform them into the super comfortable and versatile beasts that I can use for hours without any fatigue.

[@cbluezcastlegar]

I am professional bass player. There is plenty of rich detailed bass..this is not a headphone for idiots.

[@a.i.dimmer4616]

this is abt quality bass not quantity

[@eleven9286]

Agreed. Took me a bit, but I get great bass from a little eq, lowering the output on the pc and raising my output from the DAC/amp. Love these phones.

[@savvysearch]

I don't agree that they're ugly at all. It has a 60s look to them that goes well with the popularity of current mid century modernist obsession. They haven't changed the design in over 4 decades. I can imagine them being stylish in the 60s, becoming outdated in Sony-era 80s and chrome obsessed 90s. And today finally coming back in fashion for the Brooklyn hipster crowd.

[@greenbow7888]

I'd prefer the SR325e aluminium sprayed black with silver lettering and the non-padded headband from the lower models. Also Grado come under too much fire in my opinion about lack in bass. Unfortunately some people equate lots of boom as a quality audio component. I prefer the natural reproduction across the Grado range. I like hearing the bass guitar string vibration, and it's unique attacking audio nature.....Yes rock fans Grado do match up with any type of music. I was listening to Hawkwind - In Search of Space, as my last rock listening. Plus they handle the tech synth sounds like kick drums in modern electronica. I mean you focus on it. Modern tech music comes across incredible on Grado. No other word for it. With all music though, the acoustic image is an experience alone. Not saying other phones don't do as good. Just saying Grado rock!

[@enriquemaidana8662]

+Green Bow I had tried so much headphones but the only one that was able to reproduce the full vibration of a bass guitar as heard on real life was the Grado SR325is. They are really great and I don't know exactly why some people hate them so much.

[@zacharymaxwell7314]

please review more grado headphones.

[@dawgsledr]

these are the best head[hones in their price range. their tonal balance is great. Almost makes you think you are listening to top notch speakers. They are track dependent and you may have to adjust the volume sometimes as they occasionally hit s bright spike. They are not easy listening cans(aka Senn 650) but they make music sound like music. I have HIHMAN's, ath-r70x, m50x,Westone w30,w40, Senn 598,ie80, Beyer dt900, Bose qc35 had Senn hd650's and heard the RS1E's and I enjoy my music MOST on these Grado's. All other headphones take a back seat in my collection(maddening) to the 325e's when I want that natural sound a bit loud but tell me a concert that isn't. Absolute must haves.

[@zerofivetwelve]

people love grado for rock and metal while i do love em for jazz and classical. especially saxo tenor, violin and cello. they are amazing for this kind. metal/rock, to my ears a little bit to complex for grado phones which resulted too much sibilant for my taste (ymmv thou). the 325e is one of my fav amongs grado. the other one is my ps1000e. these two are my fav grado. :)

[@daviewavie112]

Should try these with the little dot 1+ hybrid tube amp. Tames the highs a bit and adds more warmth

[@jmartin67]

People that complain that these don't provide enough bass response should stick to buying their headphones where they get their Red Bull and kill two birds with one stone.

[@keith12311]

Good one bro, ya made me laugh

[@thecandyman9308]

but Dre is a geenyuss **burps**

[@schlooonginator1227]

what these do extremely well is for rock and metal that have mediocre recordings. Morbid Angel Covenant isn't the greatest recording but these make everything really clear and detailed as well as Iron Maiden's Piece of Mind, just awesome guitar. I also have the Focal Ellex and these sound better on these albums. That is saying something as the Elex is considered great for its price. It cannot be emphasized enough just how articulate these are, they are like the headphone version of balanced armitures, this is how fast and detailed they are. It is truly amazing. I don't know what they do with the drivers but its untouchable by any other manufacturer.

[@MMID303]

Can't wait to get mine. And I think they look cool. Perfect with my 70s stereo system.

[@nariwashere8549]

I was thinking of getting this or the new X Edition, but i bought the Beyerdynamic Aventho Wired.

[@donb6897]

Bass lovers. Otherwise known as people who don't care about music so much as whether or not their skull is being vibrated by the noise.

[@XGamin1]

I agree that headphones that specialize in detail and top-end enhancement are better (as it is my preference), but you shouldn't judge people like that. Those people are probably invigorated by the sound of bass and the fact that it makes their music more exciting. They might also argue that reference headphones are flat and boring and don't really add to much while detailed headphones like these lack the bass that they wish for. Heck, I have Grado's myself, but that is a low-key stereotype on people's opinions in which you don't agree with.

[@beepover]

Great sound. Playing as part of the band. Demo it and would have bought it years ago. have tons of headphones including grado sr60 + 80, hd600, hd650 and many more. But the comfort of the Grado's are horrendous. Also non-removable cord and non-replaceable headband. If the headband is stretched and you want to resell you cannot.

[@lSeKToRl]

Can you review astro a50

[@MrItMusic]

Will the rs1's be getting a review?

[@willy1957]

What with bass heavy prog rock like Primus, Magma,early Yes ?

[@riothero313]

They are fine for that and the majority of Grado fans are rock lovers. They aren't lacking bass at all they just aren't for bass heads. Most people have been trained on shit headphones and look for tons of bass and nothing else. These are well balanced and with today's shoppers well balanced seems like "to little bass". Somewhere down the line from marketing people got brain washed into thinking that terms for bass like "ultra, mega, super, etc" meant a good headphone.

[@willy1957]

***** I agree, I have the Grado GR10 in ear, and some people said it lacks bass, but they are very neutral, so with a good modern prog recording like say the latest from Steven Wilson,(The raven...) you have all the bass there is intented to be, if not enough, you can easily use the bass boost on your iPhone and the change the tips for Comply´s. So I guess it is the same with the 325 e, if there is bass you will hear it. it is actually because I like the GR10 so much that I am now intresting in getting a "big" Grado, just haven´t decided which one.

[@riothero313]

willy vlyminck Exactly, the "e" series have even more bass then the "i" series and people still complain. I wish people would get away from artificially enhanced bass profiles and back to what the audio engineer intended.

[@greenbow7888]

Mmm you can imagine someone in an electronics shop, turning up the vol and bass on a demo stereo. Then standing back, thinking wow that's quality kit based on how much power you can get out of it. I want to hear what is actually playing down there rather than a gap filling rumble.

[@riothero313]

Green Bow Well good news, the Grado's play down low. They just don't inflate bass like all the rest of the garbage closed back company to get sales of kids playing video games.

[@RareMade]

Are these good for music makers/singers?

[@MrItMusic]

I like them for that. Not while recording due to the open backs, but a great brand for reference

[@Susvara]

I don't believe they're comfortable enough for that, not to mention they aren't really a all rounder for music in general, they excel in rock and metal however.

[@greenbow7888]

The PS500e and PS1000e are professional headphones. However the SR325e should not be overlooked.

[@RareMade]

So which are best for my needs? any other brand is good too

[@MrItMusic]

friður , don't overspend on your first nice pair. I'd recommend getting something with a closed back design, not the Grado's. A closed back will not let the sound you hear from your headphones leak out and get picked up by the microphone as easily. Look into entry level Sure and Sony headphones at a music instrument shop, the people there will know what you need from there

[@mlagathomason2555]

What's the bleeding like?

[@DarkWhiteCrow]

I love them, they absolutely destroyed my HD 598

[@shawnmayr3388]

Those are power hungry to sound good. Grados are not. Even with a good amp, the grado is going to be more fun...

[@Grolmusl]

I have one.Like a true love.Pretty look dont means pretty hearth...

[@zgillet]

Considering I'm listening to this on 325e's and the bass is overpowering... I'd have to disagree.

[@anthonyballinger7144]

Cables came folded. The kinks in the cable remain despite massaging for over a month... pretty disappointing and a complete put off for me used to premium best in class products... I have the sr80's same problems with the cables but a far superior, transparent open and immediate headphone... buy it and don't believe the sales hype of more expensive offerings

[@madgebishop5409]

i agree, had mine for 2 years and the kink is still in the cable!

[@AttackWithStyle]

Half a wrap of electrical tape around each cushion and these are truly the greatest cans on the planet.

[@eleven9286]

Ian Cahill Hey man. Im new to this stuff. Could you explain to me what it means to do a half wrap of tape on the cushions?

[@AttackWithStyle]

Dante Baartman No problem my friend......... Black electrical tape , wrap around the bottom half of the circumference of the cushion. The top half do not put any tape on. Hope that reads a bit easier for you my friend. Happy Grado Listening

[@eleven9286]

Ian Cahill Cool. Just around the bottom half on the outside of the cushion?

[@AttackWithStyle]

Dante Baartman Yes sir . Also don't wrap it to tight or you will bend the cushion out of shape. Wrap it nice and firm and press down to stick it on correctly.

[@stevenholt5484]

@@AttackWithStyle Thank you, Ian. I just bought a pair of 225's and am going to do this.

[@andresgallego5727]

How the Grado 325e pair with the Schiit Vali?

[@vunkie]

Beats beats both bozos

[@andresgallego5727]

OC Dreamer Gr8 b8 m8

[@huhuhu543]

is bose qc 35 i or ii better or this grado 325 model?

[@TheJuandelaCruz09]

Completely different headphones. Bose is ANC and just loud. Grado is when you really want to hear the music instrument . Great soundstage.

[@dalethorn2]

Bose gets its "hi-fi sound" from electronic EQ, whereas Grado sound is pure analog.

[@MGBYST]

Go get some 400 dollar beats then

[@jbell16101]

Beats suck

[@MGBYST]

That's the joke

[@MaheshWalatara]

I like this Jew.

[@johnparks6936]

You're not cool. And put a shirt on.

[@metalgrey02]

Would never pay so much for such an ugly pair of headphones...

[@Chinolyn]

***** Yes, but only speaking about expensive earphones

[@ThisisBrownfield]

How can you say that ? There are so beautiful !

[@thatmanonapedal]

Dear, got 325e in my Macbook Air or Iphone 6s trough Dragonfly Black DAC, and so happy :) I'm 31 but I feel like a kid

It looks better that the beats man!

[@praszu]

Do you buy headphones to listen to them, or to sit and just look at them for a few hours each day?

[@pumeks8977]

detailed? buahahaha