Difference between Grado sr125i's and Grado sr225i's

Sr124i's are more harsh sounding.

They are the least liked of the Grado line.

Sr225i on the other hand are liked the same as Sr325i's are. 

If you're short on money, just get the Sr80i's. They will deliver all the sound you need rather then to cut your wallet in half.

The SR80i and SR225i are the most-liked of the lower-end Grados, with the SR125i having a very controversial sound signature. If it's between the 125 and 225, get the 225. As mentioned above, the SR80i is also great if you're low on cash.

go with the 225i's; they're great phones.

There was an interesting thread on this about a week ago

The OP went with the 80i's, and when he got them he was so blown away by the Grado sound

that he immediately bought the 225i's...which he liked even more.

The 225i's are significantly better than the 80i's in every respect,

and the 125's are really not worth discussing.

With that said, the 80i's sound really good, are a tremendous value, and

you can sell them used in the blink of an eye.

Huge isn't the correct word in my opinion, but since you already like the Grado sound these will please your ears that much more.

I'd have to say the change from the SR60is to the SR325is was huge to me, lol. 

Still want to try the SR225is.

I take the in-between here. I own an SR80i and an SR325is, and I've sampled the SR60i, SR125i, SR225i, PS500, and PS1000. From the SR60i to the SR325i is quite a large difference (if not in sheer detail, then in presentation), but going to the SR225i it's a bit less noticeable. It's still a difference for sure, with each of Grado's headphone having its unique flair within the Grado house sound, but some find that they like the SR80i better than the technically-superior SR325is, and that could be the same for you with the SR60i and SR225i.

All these posts and nobody has described the SR-125 signature? Has anyone actually heard it? What is the difference in it's signature from the SR-80 and SR-225i?

I had the SR-80 for years and never liked it much, even after modding. I skipped giving Grado another chance forever, but eventually tried the SR-225i and loved it. I was addicted to it's sound and made the mistake of getting the SR-325is and selling off the 225i way earlier.

The 225i has less bass than the SR-325i, but seems to have more forward mids and less treble. I guess it makes sense. 325is seems a bit more clear, but perhaps the treble has me fooled.

My guess is that the 125i has more treble than the 225i? It seems nobody can agree on this and often they say it's the other way around!

This is slightly off-topic but what about the Alessandro MS1's? I think I've heard people say they're equivalent to the SR-125i's but better?

I had the SR125i for a long time before I sold mine to upgrade to the RS1i. To my ears, they sound quite good. Still that Grado house sound, with the in-your-face experience. Bass was excellent, although wasn't deep enough, the mids are very clear and forward, but the treble was just alright. I listened to the SR60i an SR80i a while before that so I don't really remember all the details, but from what I recall, the SR125i has the same driver as the SR225i, just different constructions (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). Anyway, I liked the SR125i the first time I tried it. I think I liked it more than the SR80i, which was why I bought it.

I haven't listened to the SR225i, but I didn't think the SR325i was a big upgrade, so I went straight to the RS1i.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

All these posts and nobody has described the SR-125 signature? Has anyone actually heard it? What is the difference in it's signature from the SR-80 and SR-225i?

 

I had the SR-80 for years and never liked it much, even after modding. I skipped giving Grado another chance forever, but eventually tried the SR-225i and loved it. I was addicted to it's sound and made the mistake of getting the SR-325is and selling off the 225i way earlier.

 

The 225i has less bass than the SR-325i, but seems to have more forward mids and less treble. I guess it makes sense. 325is seems a bit more clear, but perhaps the treble has me fooled.

 

My guess is that the 125i has more treble than the 225i? It seems nobody can agree on this and often they say it's the other way around!

Quote:

Originally Posted by the337 

This is slightly off-topic but what about the Alessandro MS1's? I think I've heard people say they're equivalent to the SR-125i's but better?

The MS1 is based on the 80, but is usually compared to the 125 and/or 225.

I have the MS1 and 325, but have not heard any of the others.  The Alessandro tunes down the Grado brightness a bit.  I prefer that, but am glad that I have both styles available.  Listening to a 225 might change my mind, but at the moment I'm glad I went with the 325 over the 225.  No one seems to dispute that the 325 has more/better bass, greater clarity and superior build quality over the 225.  Those that prefer the 225 usually state that the 325 is too bright--and of course they can pick up the 225 for less money.

Was I only allowed to pick a single can with the greater Grado family that is within my budget, I'd probably opt for Alessandro MS2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrum42 

Huge definitely isn't the word. I upgraded to a pair of 225s from my 80s and quickly sold the 225s. The differences were audible but hardly of a higher class. I couldn't decide which sound signature I preferred - they were just different to my ears. For the difference in money I really wouldn't recommend moving higher than the 80s up the plastic Grados.

What source material were you using?  MP3's, FLAC's, CD's?

Were you using an amp?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

The MS1 is based on the 80, but is usually compared to the 125 and/or 225.

 

I have the MS1 and 325, but have not heard any of the others.  The Alessandro tunes down the Grado brightness a bit.  I prefer that, but am glad that I have both styles available.  Listening to a 225 might change my mind, but at the moment I'm glad I went with the 325 over the 225.  No one seems to dispute that the 325 has more/better bass, greater clarity and superior build quality over the 225.  Those that prefer the 225 usually state that the 325 is too bright--and of course they can pick up the 225 for less money.

 

Was I only allowed to pick a single can with the greater Grado family that is within my budget, I'd probably opt for Alessandro MS2.

 

I'm one of those.

Found the 325is too harsh in the upper registers rather than too bright per se

I really do like the 225i's more.  But, as always, YMMV.