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I agree. I found the 325is to be shrill, piercing and overly bright. The 225(i), to me, is the best Grado in the Prestige lineup. Grados scale up nicely with refinement, extension, detail and to some degree soundstage. You can see my impressions in my sig if you want to read more.
Agreed.
Just spent several hours at a hi-fi shop in Centerville VA ([size=10.0pt]
http://www.giftedlistener.com/ [/size]just west of Washington DC off Rt. 66) and found that perfect sweet-spot with the 225i's.
I have an iPod and a Fostex HPP1 outboard d/a/amp (one of the first portable outboard d/a converters for the iPod) and so I wanted some decent sound for on-the-go listening... ideally a pair of cans that I could even jog with (used to own a pair of Grado 60's and jogged with them all the time).
A few months back I had bought a pair of those gorgeous P5 B&W $300 headphones we've all heard about and was really bothered by the sound... very nasal and always sounded "strained" and never open or airy. So the Grado experience shocked me when the 1/3 the price Grado 80i's blew the B&W's out of the water no-question.
I then tried the 225i's and was amazed... compared to the excellent rs80i's the 225i's just opened up even more with micro-resolution and smooth, silky highs and mids and well defined bass... the music was airy and just "flowed" like the B&Ws never did.
Then I tried a (new) pair of 325i's expecting nirvana. Wrong... the sound was even more detailed with an almost unfathomable level of resolution, but the strident highs sounded wearisome and I didn't want to risk the chance that even when "burned in" they wouldn't lose that strident edge. The sound was still beautiful, but I knew my ears would grow tired with the more emphasized highs and I want headphones I can use for extended listening. Why don't manufacturers of high-end audio gear burn-in the stuff in advance for you at the factory to avoid this question altogether?
In any case... I actually *preferred* the sound of new 225i's compared to new 325i's. More than that... the new un-broken-in 225i's sound like heaven. So if they get even better, I know I can't be disappointed because even if they just continued to sound like they do now I'd still be thrilled. I like the musicality that the 225i's have that seemed lacking with the more strident highs of the 325is.
It could be that after burn-in the tables would have turned, but I'm not interested in taking a $100 bet given the difference in price and given that after the time taken to burn-in, if all wasn't well with 325i's, I'd be well past any return/exchange period.
Listening to my new pair of 225i's as I type this and just thrilled with the musical, highly-resolved yes musical detail married with sumptuous yet rock-solid bass. Looking forward to the 225i's as they gradually break in and sound even better.
-dave
p.s. if anyone struggling with this Grado-comparison issue lives in driving distance to Centerville/Manassas Virginia (just off rt. 66 about 30-45 minutes west of Washington DC) check out [size=10.0pt]
http://www.giftedlistener.com and email Tom (the owner) for their hours of opperations. He has most of the Grado line in-stock and is happy to let you audition and take as much time as you need. While you can't be assured of hearing what the 325i's sound like after 600 hours of break-in played on tubes, you will get a good idea of what sound you'll be walking away with after swiping your credit card. This was exactly what I wanted and it's what I got. I really get frustrated with buying high-end audio gear online based solely on reviews by folks who's sonic tastes may vary from my own... first hand impressions are second to none. Go to the "Gifted Listener" if you're in driving distance and hear for yourself. Oh, and his prices are identical to online so you won't pay more for the privilege of the storefront entrance. Thanks Tom![/size]
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p.p.s. if the 325i's really do sound preferable to the 225i's after break-in that's fantastic and I'd be glad for that to be the case, though it wouldn't be cause for regret given the fantastic audio I'm enjoying via the 225i's.[/size]