[musiclover666]

Hi all,
 
I am having a bit of a conundrum in regards to purchasing a set of Grados. I found a Canadian online retailer with decent prices for new Grados. I am having a tough time deciding between the SR80is and the SR225is. I have enough cash to buy the 225s but I am wondering if buying the 80s and doing the screen mod, and hole mod with some bowls would get me in the ballpark of the 225s. Or should I just bite the bullet and get the 225s and wouldn't have to do the screen mod or buy different pads. 
 
Anyone with experience or opinions I would greatly appreciate some help in this matter.
 
Cheers,
Dan

 

[KG Jag]

Buy the 225 (considered the sweet spot in the Grado line) and keep your warranty in force.

 

[wallace]

It all depends whether you enjoy modding,i have a fully modded pair of SR80i's c/w woodies and they are still my favourite Grado's and get as much use as my SR325i's.
If you don't want to mess with them just get the 225's.
Good luck.
 

 

[DrawTheLine]

Personally I think it makes more sense to just buy the 225. Otherwise you'll end up spending around $130-140 on a pair of 80's, when for $60 more you could have just purchased a much better headphone. I have a pair of 60s and 225s. I can't go back to the 60s after listening to the 225s. The upgrade is well worth it in my opinion.

 

[Fringe]

Never tried the 80s but I love my 225s especially after some modding. The 225s have the metal grills, bowl pads, and closer matched drivers over the 80s. I think the little extra cost is worth it and then you won't regret not getting it later on.

 

[musiclover666]

I got a pair of 80s coming and will be modding them. I like to tinker so I think it is money well spent.

 

[musiclover666]

Well my Grado SR80i showed up today, only took two days. I am enjoying the ****** out of these things! I get it now. I understand all the hype now! I am sold. Consider me a Grado convert. I know these are only 80s, but they seem to do everything right, for me that is. And I haven't even started modding them yet. I intend on acclimatizing myself to the sound and then I will start to modding them. I have NEVER heard guitars reproduced like the 80s are doing right now, drums have more liveness to them as well. Grados definitely do something special with midrange. I know I am gushing like a little kid with a new toy, but, I can't help it at this point. These things are just so damn much fun to listen to.
 
I have a pair of flats, L cush, and Senn 414s coming this week sometime, so I will be doing some serious pad rolling before I start dismantling the cups. Are the comfies worth quarter modding at this point? Also how do they sound reversed?
 
Cheers,
Dan

 

[ivanrocks321]

225 is a good choice. 

 

[musiclover666]

Quote:

225 is a good choice. 

Indeed, but due to financial reasons I chose the 80i. The 225 might be my next choice, however, once I am done modding mine they will probably be close to or equal to a 225.

 

[Fringe]

This article has some good info on the different pads. I personally like the taped bowls.

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/evaluation-grado-stock-and-modified-ear-pads

 

[KimChee]

Go for the gold.  225=sweet spot

 

[KG Jag]

Quote:

Go for the gold.  225=sweet spot

 
I haven't heard the 225, but I can't imagine that they would touch the 325 through a hybrid amp.

 

[Grado77]

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[obobskivich]

I haven't heard the 225, but I can't imagine that they would touch the 325 through a hybrid amp.

FWIW, I found the 325 (the goldie i) to be overly harsh; the 225 seemed more "in line" with the rest of the SRs. I'm not saying the 325 are a bad can, they just seem to stick out like a sore thumb imho. To the op: I think the SR-80 is a fine choice; to imagine the 225, just think about continual refinement and slight "betterings" over what you have now. You did good (even the SR-60 are good ).

 

[wje]

Quote:

 
I haven't heard the 225, but I can't imagine that they would touch the 325 through a hybrid amp.

 
Back in my Grado days, it was highly suspected that the SR-225 and SR-325 utilized the same driver.  The difference was that the black housing that fit around the driver on the SR-325 was etched with serial numbers and then had the aluminum shells on the them.  Oh, additionally, the SR-325 also featured a leather headband, which the SR-225 did not.