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[@SuperReview]

I still have a soft spot for Grados, even if I don't listen to them anymore. Grado SR80 was my first open-back headphone, and it was a revelation vs. everything I'd owned before that. The SR80 was my only headphone for ~8 years and served me well, which is why I'm hesitant to throw them under the bus after I realized the Koss KSC75 sounds better for $15 :P

[@housepianist]

I've been a Grado fan since 1993. I've owned the SR60, SR125, SR325i, and my current Grado Hemp. It certainly is a niche product and I don't think people buy them for absolute tonal accuracy or crystal clear resolution. What they do have, especially the Reference series, is a unique balance of warmth and "dynamicism", as I like to call it.

[@SurakiHUN]

I have a 325X and yes, the niche product is a perfect description. It is a fashion statment and a usable headphone too. Like an anti-Beats hp or resto-mod car. I really appreciate the outdated design and comfort with the different but enjoyable sound.

[@obeliskt1024]

I still remember 8 years ago when I demo'd an sr80e from a local audio shop, the guy there played some live violin orchestra and for me it was love at first hear.

[@landrews7280]

The Grado Sr225X and SR325X are fantastic headphones, especially for classical and jazz. Yes, undoubtedly there are some improvements that Grado might make, but I am a very happy Grado headphone user for 20+ years.

[@Diremagic]

Hearing you talk about the upper mids and treble sounds so delicious. It looks like i need to try these things out, i love bright headphones.

[@cjc363636]

22 years ago I got my 125s. Plugged into a Best Buy A/V receiver they sounded spectacular in the day. I got an extension cord so I could sit farther away. Eventually they faded into the dustbin, replaced with AKGs and iPods, etc. But the thrill of open back I'll never forget.

[@ekolite8224]

I simply called Grado after dealing with comfort issues. They told me to put some dish liquid soap on the parts of the pads that touch your ears, let them settle for a few minutes. Fully rinse and let air dry. I can wear them pretty much all day now.

[@flaviovizeu_]

There's a kind of lost secret about how to use and make them much more comfortable. It used to come on the instructions of older Grados, but it has been removed.

[@foldspacenavigator6011]

Polarizing for many aside, they most certainly have secured a loyal following and especially among audiophiles and high end listeners who are not necessarily headphone arena centric. Regardless of measurements and my leaning towards a different sound signature for most cans, still dig my 11 year old Soviet styled 325’s and that energized signature sound for certain applications or music. Would love to see them provide different pad options.

[@MrJabinho]

Just Great review! Sentimental aspect is important for some.

[@isaacapeltz]

I'm a huge Grado fan, my 325x are my main driver. The sound is unbelievably good, and the soundstage+Imaging are very good. It's DEFINITELY niche though. Wouldn't recommend to everyone, but if you try it and love it you might just be part of the Grado fandom.

[@MrAhuraMazda]

Grados are awesome in the sense they present sound so differently from any other headphones. Theyre very in your face, while having wide open soundstage. Theyre so good for rock music. And the 2 year old X Drivers really made Grado a MORE all arounder compared to the sizzling previous drivers; but theyre still not perfect. But they are perfect for doing something very different but very good. They also hold up incredibly well and the comfort becomes much much better. They require some loving

[@not_enough_space]

I haven't had my Grados for twenty years or so. They were the SR-125 or SR-225, my first good pair of headphones. It was the first time I had a sense of soundstage, impact and detail. But it was also like putting your tongue on the contacts of a 9v battery. There was a kind of energy that was sometimes unwelcome.

[@The117th]

A word on how tight they are on your head, the headband is metal and you can or might be meant to bend it to the shape of your head after bending the shape out to be wider on mine the amount of clamping pressure is nil they just sit on my ears and are incredibly comfortable despite the pads (I am using SR60Xs)

[@isnerdy]

I was given a 2nd-hand pair of the original Grado SR-60 back in 1998, and to address the longevity concerns, they were still going strong when I accidentally left them in a hotel 9 years later. At one point, there was an issue with the y-split (they use a different design now), but I was able to repair that myself just fine. To me, swapping for the doughnut-shaped pads was absolutely critical. I think it’s good to remember that at the time these first came out, people were using them with things like cassette walkmans, and so the voicing resulted in something that was perceived as more neutral than it would be with modern sources. Unfortunately for these guys, the Sennheiser HD-600 came out shortly afterwards and changed everything

[@petercook7502]

Im fully in agreement with you regarding Grado's

[@stevefromlondon4949]

I got the 325x a few months ago and, although I liked the way they sounded, I was on the verge of returning them and sticking with my Sundaras, as I found the F pads so uncomfortable after about 30 minutes listening. I also tried the official G pads, which were a great improvement but introduced a bit of sibilance. I decided to give them one last try before returning, and picked up the Geekria G pad equivalents, and these were gamechangers for me. I love how they sound with these pads. They're not quite as deep as the official G's, so I found that they eliminated the sibilance whilst improving the bass and retaining a wider sound stage, and I find them so comfortable I can wear them for hours. Other ear/head shapes may not agree! Very much a personal preference and, of course, the cable is still a pain in the arse.

[@Michneko]

I love the way Grados look, though I found ksc75 surpassed SR60e in every way.

[@twoften]

I'm listening to really old Grados right now, just to be contrary. I can see my HD600s from where I'm sitting, but I'm listening to these. And I'm enjoying it Andrew. Ya hear?