[judas391]

I've read every thread comparing either, and they are vague enough to leave me undecided on both. Every person who has said they prefer either has never really noted what music they listen to, or their preferences in cans. One guy recommends 325, and then a few threads later, he recommends MS2 or vice versa.

I'm not much of a detail junkie, but lack of or muddiness is something that I don't enjoy. I see bass as a separate instrument, with varying tones, not just a monotonous boom in ranging volumes. (To me, distinction of bass guitar and hearing every note is essential) I'd prefer an impactful/passionate set of cans to a more neutral sound (to be debated) I love nothing better than a channeling of the energy of a vocalist, as if I were mere feet away.

On to my musical preference..
My music is not ripped in lossless, but I intend on doing it anyways.. right now my library is in 256kbps
As per my "progressive/ambient/rock" thread, I love every single recommendation
I'm a fan of the distorted guitar in grunge, namely my favourite bands of Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and the Screaming Trees
Recently picked up Eric Clapton's Unplugged album, I do wish I could hear more detail in the acoustic guitars
Music with awesome bass tracks - Red Hot Chili Peppers / Tool off the top of my head
Some of the classics - Boston, Styx, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, etc.
Atmospheric rock!

On a side note, I just sold my SR80s.. I feel a sense of emptiness that has never accompanied a previous sale.

I'm open to any suggestions/comments. I was craving a bit more detail in the highs for the SR80, and I know that there are DACs/amps to include in a rig.. (not looking for something huge, maybe a bit transportable [reasonable?]) If anyone cares to elaborate more on what these would do and what I should look for, I'd be extremely grateful. Specifics please!

 

[BrookR1]

Maybe a pair of SR-225s? Lots of info about them.

 

[ecclesand]

I have owned the SR225 and SR325i. I love the SR225 and can't stand the SR325i. When I first got the SR325i, I really liked them, but the harsh treble and comfort became an issue over time. They were definitely detailed, but the harshness actually hurt my ears some of the time. I haven't heard the MS2i, but have read that it has the detail of the 325i without the harshness. If I were to go back to Grado, I think I would stick with what I know (SR225) or go with the Alessandro's.

 

[judas391]

I've heard that the 225 has a very small difference in SQ from the SR80, I'd rather not pay twice as much for a minimalist upgrade. Has anyone owned the 80/225? I'd be more inclined to pay $300 for something that has a distinct difference (correct me if I'm wrong about)
Thanks for replies!

 

[Televator]

the MS2i is still a fun phone, but if you liked the presentation of the SR80 I guess the SR-325i would be a more logic choice... I always compare my
MS2i >< SR60 as:
- more neutral >< more pure fun
- more detailed bass >< more (muddied) impact
- more suited to a variety of genres >< more strict rock (in all its aspects though)

perhaps someone who has (owned) both MS2i and SR325i and understands your taste in music will give a better insight still

PS: BrookR1, why suggest a grado you haven't got while you have (had) 7 other grados (including the SR325i and MS1)? No critique meant at all, just wondering whether there was a specific reasoning behind that that could be of interest to the OP (e.g. why wouldn't you suggest the 325i?)...

 

[BrookR1]

I haven't heard the 325i and MS2i side by side, so I can't compare the two...so I'm of no help there. I didn't want to recommend the 325i blindly without a fair comparison to the MS2i, since that's the info he's looking for. I have heard the 225 and 80 and have compared them side by side. I also know what the 80 and 325i sound like (obviously) side by side.

My reasoning may be a bit whacked out, but:

If all he's looking for is a little greater detail, then the 225s will give that to him while still keeping the punch he likes.

Out of two ampless DAPs, a friend and I briefly compared the 225 and 325i and we found the sound sigs very similar...too similar (rock and jpop). Before I purchased my 325is, I KNEW I was in love with the Grado sound signature after owning my SR-80s for several months. Here, it seems a little weird that he gave up on them so soon. He may be a closet Beyer guy (which is perfectly fine). When people describe the MS2is and 325is and compare them with lower Grados, they often describe them as "more of the same"...which I agree with completely.

So, my reasoning for recommending the 225s is that he'll spend only $200 and then decide if he really loves the Grado sound, in which case he'll move up to the woodies. Or, he'll decide that Grados aren't for him and then move on to another brand.

 

[F107plus5]

Yup, I bit my tongue and didn't comment on the MS2i for the same reason, no experience with the two of them side by side, all I can comment on is MS-1 and MS2i.

 

[NiceCans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by judas391 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've heard that the 225 has a very small difference in SQ from the SR80, I'd rather not pay twice as much for a minimalist upgrade. Has anyone owned the 80/225? I'd be more inclined to pay $300 for something that has a distinct difference (correct me if I'm wrong about) Thanks for replies!

I found the difference between SR225 and SR325i to be a much larger step up than I found between the SR80 and SR225. Dunno if or how that will help.

I did find the SR325i to be much more "clear and open" sounding by comparison thus going back to the SR225 by comparison sounded a bit "veiled" or muffled and more congested.
The SR325i also had much deeper, clearer, and more tonal bass which when going back to SR225 I felt now sounded like it lacked tonality in the bass notes.
I had not felt these "deficiencies" about SR225 until after hearing the SR325i however.

Unfortunately I can offer no input regarding your initial query about SR325i compared to MS2 as I never got to hear the MS2. I was looking for the same info as you but wound up buying the SR325i simply because I was able to find a used one for a good price before a used MS2 became availble (they seem even more scarce used)

 

[headphonejunkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by judas391 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've read every thread comparing either, and they are vague enough to leave me undecided on both. Every person who has said they prefer either has never really noted what music they listen to, or their preferences in cans. One guy recommends 325, and then a few threads later, he recommends MS2 or vice versa. I'm not much of a detail junkie, but lack of or muddiness is something that I don't enjoy. I see bass as a separate instrument, with varying tones, not just a monotonous boom in ranging volumes. (To me, distinction of bass guitar and hearing every note is essential) I'd prefer an impactful/passionate set of cans to a more neutral sound (to be debated) I love nothing better than a channeling of the energy of a vocalist, as if I were mere feet away. On to my musical preference.. My music is not ripped in lossless, but I intend on doing it anyways.. right now my library is in 256kbps As per my "progressive/ambient/rock" thread, I love every single recommendation I'm a fan of the distorted guitar in grunge, namely my favourite bands of Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and the Screaming Trees Recently picked up Eric Clapton's Unplugged album, I do wish I could hear more detail in the acoustic guitars Music with awesome bass tracks - Red Hot Chili Peppers / Tool off the top of my head Some of the classics - Boston, Styx, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, etc. Atmospheric rock! On a side note, I just sold my SR80s.. I feel a sense of emptiness that has never accompanied a previous sale. I'm open to any suggestions/comments. I was craving a bit more detail in the highs for the SR80, and I know that there are DACs/amps to include in a rig.. (not looking for something huge, maybe a bit transportable [reasonable?]) If anyone cares to elaborate more on what these would do and what I should look for, I'd be extremely grateful. Specifics please!

I have the 80's and 225's and I have to say if you want more detail and airiness the 225's are the way to go. The 80's are a little more fun but they lack some of the resolution of the 225's and the 225's go deeper in the bass department. When I listen to my 80's I can feel that there is something missing as compared to the 225's. You can get the 225's for 185 shipped from ttvj.com so it would only cost you 85 bucks more for some 225's.I would not say that these two are a night and day difference but the 225's are definitely better.

 

[Televator]

@ BrookR1... thanks, that explained a lot. Still I reckon that as he states he is feeling an emptiness after selling the SR80 and he's willing to spend that much $ on a reentry into grado, you shouldn't feel insecure about suggesting the SR325i

still it is a very good suggestion to see if you can find them used as that might save you some cash or to buy the SR325i from a (sponsor) with a good return policy so you can return them if they don't suit you

 

[headphonejunkie]

I was just listening to my 225's thru my computer/rhapsody/av710/soha and these things do kick butt.

 

[judas391]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrookR1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If all he's looking for is a little greater detail, then the 225s will give that to him while still keeping the punch he likes. So, my reasoning for recommending the 225s is that he'll spend only $200 and then decide if he really loves the Grado sound, in which case he'll move up to the woodies. Or, he'll decide that Grados aren't for him and then move on to another brand.

Very strong, makes me more undecided.. which is a good thing! I might buy 225s and possibly return if not satisfied for 325s!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Televator /img/forum/go_quote.gif he is feeling an emptiness after selling the SR80 and he's willing to spend that much $ on a reentry into grado, you shouldn't feel insecure about suggesting the SR325i

Yes, I'm willing to spend a lot to recapture that feeling, but I don't want to throw out all my $$$ altogether.
Another alternative is: SR225 + BitHead = $350ish or SR325i and save up for amp to be purchased later!

@ Nicecans, Yeah, I'm most concerned about the jump in soundquality. I'd rather pay more for a bigger difference from the SR80 than less for a minimal upgrade.

Thanks to all who replied, keep em coming!

 

[judas391]

@ F107plus5, how does the MS2 sound unamped, if you hadn't heard it amped?
Likewise with the 325 to everyone

 

[headphonejunkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by judas391 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Very strong, makes me more undecided.. which is a good thing! I might buy 225s and possibly return if not satisfied for 325s! Yes, I'm willing to spend a lot to recapture that feeling, but I don't want to throw out all my $$$ altogether. Another alternative is: SR225 + BitHead = $350ish or SR325i and save up for amp to be purchased later! @ Nicecans, Yeah, I'm most concerned about the jump in soundquality. I'd rather pay more for a bigger difference from the SR80 than less for a minimal upgrade. Thanks to all who replied, keep em coming!

I haven't heard the 325i.

 

[user18]

I posted my impressions from Asr's loan program
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=237855