Grado Prestige Series SR225 Headphones
THE VALUE: I purchased the new Grado PS SR225 headphones on Ebay to use primarily with portable audio devices (I wanted audiophile sound quality at a good price), after trying the PS SR125’s and PS SR325i’s. At $160 (MSRP $195) these headphones are a great value. They have received rave reviews from many professional reviewers. As all the Grados, these headphones are also efficient, so most portable audio devices can drive them to reasonable volume levels with good sound quality, although their sound benefits greatly, from the use of a good amp.
The features and performance of the SR225’s are the same as those of the SR125’s, but the SR225’s have 50% greater air flow that is achieved through the improved rear metal screen and more closely matched drivers. The result of these improvements is a bigger, tighter, more extended, more dynamic bass; less bright highs; and an enlarged soundstage achieved from closer driver tolerances, while the improved rear screen also frees the SR225’s from harmonic colorations. Since the SR125’s and SR225’s are identical except for these improvements, you may consider all the rave reviews of the SR125’s applicable to the SR225’s, as well – the SR225’s are everything the SR125’s are, and a lot more.
THE SOUND: The sound of the SR225’s is very similar to the Grado SR125’s, and SR325i’s, as well as the RS-2’s, and even the RS-1’s, which all provide just about the best sound reproduction you can buy, for under $800+. In fact, some reviewers have described the SR 225’s as a “poor man’s RS-1.” The SR225’s provide exceptional resolution and detail across the entire audio spectrum, virtually unmatched by other headphones, except the Grado’s mentioned. The SR125’s have a lighter, and brighter sound, while the SR325i’s have a slightly more accentuated upper-bass, lower mid-range. The SR325i’s may sound a slight bit “heavy” in the lower frequencies, and the SR125’s and SR325i’s, both may sound a bit bright in the higher frequencies. Both are exceptional, with the SR125’s providing a slightly more detailed and accurate resolution, than the SR325i’s.
In comparison, the SR225’s provide a sound which is a combination of these two other Grados, revealing every nuance of the recording and audio source. The SR225’s have a more extended and fuller bass than the SR125’s, more like the SR325i’s, but without the upper bass, lower mids emphasis of the SR325i’s; and they have the extended highs of the SR125’s and SR325i’s, but with a bit more warmth, and a bit less bright. Their sound is virtually identical to the RS-1’s, with just slightly less bass extension, slightly less delicate highs, and slightly smaller soundstage – but only very slightly – perhaps 5% less. The difference by no means justifies the $500 price difference of the RS-1’s.
The SR225's provide the same precision resolution, clarity and detail of the all the Grados, which provide that "you are there, live" sound. The sound is full, warm, dynamic, open and airy with an excellent image. The bass is deep, tight, and clear with impact, and without the muddy boom, typical of lesser headphones. The mids are clear, well-defined, warm, and full. The highs are clear, crisp, well defined, and extended. With these headphones, you can hear all the nuances of the musical performance: the "rosin rasp of the bow" on the bass, or cello; and the fine texture and squeak of the fingers on the guitar or bass strings; the slap of the hand on the bass and the vibration of the strings; or the mellow aged timbre of the brass of the sax, or trumpet; the breath of the vocalist, and more - it is truly amazing, and virtually unequaled at anywhere near the price. As with the SR125’s, and SR325i’s, the overall sound tends to be a bit more analytical, than laid-back, warm and mellow - as I said, "it's detailed," giving you the impression, other's have correctly described, that you're "sitting right on stage" with the musicians. The image, or soundstage, is big and wide, but a bit smaller than the RS-1’s, or Senn HD600’s.
As the reviewer said – they are truly are a “poor man’s RS-1” - you will never miss the extra 5% of the RS-1’s.
Post edited by moderator
These observations were made using an upgraded Music Hall MMF CD-25 1+ CD player, and Musical Fidelity X-CAN v3 headphone amp; and the Grado RA-1 amp; as well as a Sony Walkman portable CD player, and Shellbrook Audio Lab Maxi Moy portable amp - after the headphones were “burnt in” with about 40 hrs of use.
Strengths:
Great value and an absolutely great sound quality, which exceeds all others for less than $500.
Weaknesses:
Some won't like the "classic" look, or won't consider them compact enough for jogging, or walking - those persons will probably prefer the Shure EC2 ear buds (which won't have the same bass emphasis, or the same open, airy sound). None of the Grado’s are as comfortable as the Sennheisers – but their sound makes up for it, although the SR225’s are more comfortable and lighter than the heavier SR325i’s, or RS-1’s.
Similar Products Used:
Bose Tri-Port Headphones (just for fun), Sennheiser HD600's+Cardas cable, Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's, Grado PS SR125’s, Grado PS SR325i’s, Grado RS-1’s, and various cheap Sony & Magnavox headphones and ear buds.
THE VALUE: I purchased the new Grado PS SR225 headphones on Ebay to use primarily with portable audio devices (I wanted audiophile sound quality at a good price), after trying the PS SR125’s and PS SR325i’s. At $160 (MSRP $195) these headphones are a great value. They have received rave reviews from many professional reviewers. As all the Grados, these headphones are also efficient, so most portable audio devices can drive them to reasonable volume levels with good sound quality, although their sound benefits greatly, from the use of a good amp.
The features and performance of the SR225’s are the same as those of the SR125’s, but the SR225’s have 50% greater air flow that is achieved through the improved rear metal screen and more closely matched drivers. The result of these improvements is a bigger, tighter, more extended, more dynamic bass; less bright highs; and an enlarged soundstage achieved from closer driver tolerances, while the improved rear screen also frees the SR225’s from harmonic colorations. Since the SR125’s and SR225’s are identical except for these improvements, you may consider all the rave reviews of the SR125’s applicable to the SR225’s, as well – the SR225’s are everything the SR125’s are, and a lot more.
THE SOUND: The sound of the SR225’s is very similar to the Grado SR125’s, and SR325i’s, as well as the RS-2’s, and even the RS-1’s, which all provide just about the best sound reproduction you can buy, for under $800+. In fact, some reviewers have described the SR 225’s as a “poor man’s RS-1.” The SR225’s provide exceptional resolution and detail across the entire audio spectrum, virtually unmatched by other headphones, except the Grado’s mentioned. The SR125’s have a lighter, and brighter sound, while the SR325i’s have a slightly more accentuated upper-bass, lower mid-range. The SR325i’s may sound a slight bit “heavy” in the lower frequencies, and the SR125’s and SR325i’s, both may sound a bit bright in the higher frequencies. Both are exceptional, with the SR125’s providing a slightly more detailed and accurate resolution, than the SR325i’s.
In comparison, the SR225’s provide a sound which is a combination of these two other Grados, revealing every nuance of the recording and audio source. The SR225’s have a more extended and fuller bass than the SR125’s, more like the SR325i’s, but without the upper bass, lower mids emphasis of the SR325i’s; and they have the extended highs of the SR125’s and SR325i’s, but with a bit more warmth, and a bit less bright. Their sound is virtually identical to the RS-1’s, with just slightly less bass extension, slightly less delicate highs, and slightly smaller soundstage – but only very slightly – perhaps 5% less. The difference by no means justifies the $500 price difference of the RS-1’s.
The SR225's provide the same precision resolution, clarity and detail of the all the Grados, which provide that "you are there, live" sound. The sound is full, warm, dynamic, open and airy with an excellent image. The bass is deep, tight, and clear with impact, and without the muddy boom, typical of lesser headphones. The mids are clear, well-defined, warm, and full. The highs are clear, crisp, well defined, and extended. With these headphones, you can hear all the nuances of the musical performance: the "rosin rasp of the bow" on the bass, or cello; and the fine texture and squeak of the fingers on the guitar or bass strings; the slap of the hand on the bass and the vibration of the strings; or the mellow aged timbre of the brass of the sax, or trumpet; the breath of the vocalist, and more - it is truly amazing, and virtually unequaled at anywhere near the price. As with the SR125’s, and SR325i’s, the overall sound tends to be a bit more analytical, than laid-back, warm and mellow - as I said, "it's detailed," giving you the impression, other's have correctly described, that you're "sitting right on stage" with the musicians. The image, or soundstage, is big and wide, but a bit smaller than the RS-1’s, or Senn HD600’s.
As the reviewer said – they are truly are a “poor man’s RS-1” - you will never miss the extra 5% of the RS-1’s.
Post edited by moderator
These observations were made using an upgraded Music Hall MMF CD-25 1+ CD player, and Musical Fidelity X-CAN v3 headphone amp; and the Grado RA-1 amp; as well as a Sony Walkman portable CD player, and Shellbrook Audio Lab Maxi Moy portable amp - after the headphones were “burnt in” with about 40 hrs of use.
Strengths:
Great value and an absolutely great sound quality, which exceeds all others for less than $500.
Weaknesses:
Some won't like the "classic" look, or won't consider them compact enough for jogging, or walking - those persons will probably prefer the Shure EC2 ear buds (which won't have the same bass emphasis, or the same open, airy sound). None of the Grado’s are as comfortable as the Sennheisers – but their sound makes up for it, although the SR225’s are more comfortable and lighter than the heavier SR325i’s, or RS-1’s.
Similar Products Used:
Bose Tri-Port Headphones (just for fun), Sennheiser HD600's+Cardas cable, Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's, Grado PS SR125’s, Grado PS SR325i’s, Grado RS-1’s, and various cheap Sony & Magnavox headphones and ear buds.
