GRADO – Wired stereo headset with dynamic driver, open back design - SR325x

On a whim I decided to try out these Grado SR325x headphones. I knew that I could return them within 30 days. I'd seen some people say very good things about them and other saying rather bad things about them.My suggestion to you, if you are wondering about these headphones, is try them out. They are very easy to drive and will work very well with nearly all DAC/amps. You can just plug them into the headphone output on a mobile phone, but they will sound a lot better with a dedicated DAC/amp. However you won't need a very expensive one.So I tried them out and I'm very glad I did. These are really fabulous headphones. They capture the energy of the music so well, they bring out all the fun and enjoyment in the music better than any headphone or speaker setup I've heard. Hi Fi people talk about "pace, rhythm and timing", PRAT, well, these are really superb in this area.The Grado SR325x headphones also bring out great beauty in the music. Instruments and voices sound really beautiful to listen to.I don't think these headphones are 100% accurate, but they are so very enjoyable to listen to.They do score very well with all that normal Hi Fi stuff, the stereo image is very good indeed, the bass is very full and defined, although it does not go really deep.I think that the only negatives with them really are that the treble is at time too lively. They are a bit golden sounding in the treble, but I don't mind either of these things very much because the strengths are so great.If you haven't tried these, please do! You won't regret it.

I have many headphones, including a few other Grados (SR125i, wireless, GH2 Limited edition Heritage series). My view is that these new x driver prestige series headphones have reached close to audio perfection (at the price point). Gone is the strident treble and thin rear end. Now we have a more rounded (and dare I say it alsmost warm) sound with the most gorgeous transparency and seperation that allows you to see through the music. It works with a range of music genres from Mozart to Daft Punk. My wood GH 2's at about 600 quid are good, but with these new drivers I have to say I prefer the SR325x's! One slight criticism is that they do start to put pressure on the side of my head and after about an hour starts to hurt a little. I wiggle them around a bit and carry on!

I absolutely love the sound signature of these headphones, they are clear, accurate with great timing and a bass that's clear and crisp but not excessive. My only gripe is the braided cable is overly stiff so when using them in a DAP I worry about it stressing the 3.5 connector on my Astell & Kern. However , I also feel the bmcable is built to last so it's a positive and a negative.The ear pads are also not the best with regards to comfort, however, not a deal breaker.

I first heard about Grado headphones in the mid nineties when What HIFI would sing their praises.I am a fan a large floor standing speakers and the deep bass they generate. But these Grados 925x pleasently surprised me as their performance, musicality and their ability to handle dense and complex music.They are a robust and well put together construction with a thick, fabric covered cable and the only weakness being foam pads, that are easily changeable.These are not cheap headphones, but they are good value for the Quality of sound reproduction and do represent good value.I really enjoy listening to the 925x, and can recommend them to anyone who adores quality HIFI.

I've bought a lot of headphones in my time - not exceptionally expensive ones - but I did buy Apple's AirPods Max a month or two ago. Things got a bit more complicated (for me) when Apple Music added 'lossless' files partnered with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res to Apple Music recently. A bit of research made it clear that bluetooth headphones (yes, even the £500+ AirPods Max) couldn't take advantage of lossless music files, only wired headphones can do that. Apple do make a £35 cable available to be turn the AirPods Max into wired phones, however. More of that a bit later.I then read that to take advantage of lossless competently I needed something called a 'DAC' - a digital to analogue converter. I chose the ifi Zen Dac - not the most expensive - but has good reviews. I used the Zen Dac with the variety of phones I had 'in stock', but didn't feel I was getting the most of the quality that was available.I then happened across a review of Grado headphones, which I hadn't heard of before. Grados are 'open backed' i.e. you can hear the sounds around you and someone else in the room can hear what is emanating from the Grados when you are playing music. I bought a pair of Grado 125e's and liked them - a bright, detailed sound giving exceptional instrument separation.I then read about the updated Grado X range and in pursuit of excellent sound, have just bought a pair of the 325X's. I think my headphone 'journey' has finally come to an end. Unsurprisingly, the further you go up the Grado range, so the quality improves. The 325Xs, for me, are excellent. The separation of instruments, the apparent width of the 'soundstage', the bright but accurate sound is really great. I've played lots of lossless music now comparing the 'wired' AirPods Max with the Grado 325Xs - and the Grados win 'hands down' in my view. I still like the AirPods Max - they are great in the Apple ecosystem - but for 'audiophile' music listening - I'll use the Grado 325Xs with the ifi Zen Dac. I'm finally satisfied!