Grado GH2 vs RS2e vs SR325e

[Rocker UK]

I would like a set of Grado headphones having previously tried the SR80e and being quite impressed. I don't have anywhere to try them so I'd be buying blind really but have arrowed it down to the following 3:

GH2

RS2e

SR325e

I listen to a lot of music genres, everything from Classic Rock to Jazz, Female vocals and ambient. I am after something that's very detailed to reveal the nuances in the music but also one which isn't too bright at the expense of lower end.

I have read great reports about each of the above and that's part of the dilemma - are they more similar than different or would one fit the bill more than the others?

They'd be used with Audirvana+ or Tidal desktop through Meridian Prime Amp/DAC and dedicated PSU.

Any views from Grado users please?

 

[dwinnert]

I would like a set of Grado headphones having previously tried the SR80e and being quite impressed. I don't have anywhere to try them so I'd be buying blind really but have arrowed it down to the following 3:

GH2

RS2e

SR325e

I listen to a lot of music genres, everything from Classic Rock to Jazz, Female vocals and ambient. I am after something that's very detailed to reveal the nuances in the music but also one which isn't too bright at the expense of lower end.

I have read great reports about each of the above and that's part of the dilemma - are they more similar than different or would one fit the bill more than the others?

They'd be used with Audirvana+ or Tidal desktop through Meridian Prime Amp/DAC and dedicated PSU.

Any views from Grado users please?

I would say there are subtle differences. I went from SR80i's to SR325e's.....but was thinking of the RS2e's. Looking back, I probably should have bought the RS2e's for the psychological hug I would get from the wood cups. In reality when I tested them side by side....they sounded too close to call. Here is the kicker....I feel the SR225e's are the golden child in the SR line. Unless you want the aluminum cups and better headband....The SR225's are the ones to get.

 

[Rocker UK]

Thank you for your reply that's really useful. I actually hadn't considered the 225's at all and am really torn whether to go for another one of the Prestige models or to go RS or GH.

Wish I could hear them side by side.

Any more views please?

 

[zazex]

Thank you for your reply that's really useful. I actually hadn't considered the 225's at all and am really torn whether to go for another one of the Prestige models or to go RS or GH.

Wish I could hear them side by side.

Any more views please?

What do you use as source material?

 

[Rocker UK]

Usually stream from NAS or Tidal HiFi via I actually and Meridian Prime.

Would very much appreciate as much input as possible

 

[FYB-2]

Rocker - what did you go with?

I'm torn between the RS2e and 325e for a similar reason aesthetic reason (how shallow of us ). I've been very pleased with my HD650/Valhalla 2 combo, but am moving on to a portable amp/DAC combo and the inefficient HD650, while a great sounding headphone, especially at the price point, wears out the battery on my M3s so quickly (~2hr) that it isn't all that useful for a 1/2 days listening.

 

[Rocker UK]

Rocker - what did you go with?

I'm torn between the RS2e and 325e for a similar reason aesthetic reason (how shallow of us ). I've been very pleased with my HD650/Valhalla 2 combo, but am moving on to a portable amp/DAC combo and the inefficient HD650, while a great sounding headphone, especially at the price point, wears out the battery on my M3s so quickly (~2hr) that it isn't all that useful for a 1/2 days listening.

Hi

I chose the 325 and absolutely hated them so sent them back. Since then I have really hesitated whether to go for another set of Grados for fear that the RS series will give the same problem.

 

[FYB-2]

Am wondering why you disliked them so? Did your let them run a week or two of 24/7 so they were fully broken-in?

 

[Rocker UK]

Am wondering why you disliked them so? Did your let them run a week or two of 24/7 so they were fully broken-in?

I did. I found them to be lacking in pretty much every area, to be honest, particularly the bass. Maybe I should have expected that but not to the degree I experienced. They just sounded far too 'thin' and didn't convey any kind of excitement into the music.

 

[FYB-2]

Thanks. Guess I'll stay with my current selection of headphones.

 

[zazex]

Hi

I chose the 325 and absolutely hated them so sent them back. Since then I have really hesitated whether to go for another set of Grados for fear that the RS series will give the same problem.

Wondering if you chose the current version (325e). The 325's have gone through a whole lot of changes over 5 years or so.
When I first heard them - I think they were called the "325is (but not sure), they almost took the top of my head off.
Returned them in a hurry.

After some more iterations, they produced the 325e, which garnered so much praise (especially in the UK), that I decided
to give them a try. Bought and kept them; has been a year or so. The piercing highs have been toned down significantly,
the bottom is fuller and more present (although IMO they could still use a bit more oomph down there), the clarity overall
has increased...I think they've become very competitive in their price range. And I'm not alone in this perception.

FWIW, I also have the PS500e's and the RS1i's, both of which I think are better (the 500e's at a price,
while the RS1i's are entirely out of production - and their "replacement", the RS1e's have received very
mixed reviews...)

So, in brief, if you've not heard the latest i.e. the 325e, I do suggest you give them a listen - with some
decent equipment, of course - they can be driven with a phone but won't sound particularly good.

Finally, plenty of folks just don't go for Grado headphones, whatever the reason(s).
They've often been described as "polarizing" in the reactions they elicit, and I certainly
have to agree with that.

 

[Rocker UK]

Yes I did have the 325e and, as mentioned, they just were not for me at all. I hadn't tried the previous versions and suspect I may be one of the types of people you mention who simply don't have the right head tuning for Grado headphones . I spent some time with them through a Meridian Prime HP amp (which I no longer have) and my Meridian Explorer2 which is actually my DAC/Amp of choice and usually able to 'mellow out' harsh recordings or reproductions.

That said, I actually didn't mind the SR80e at all - they are just damn uncomfortable. It's a shame as I would love a really nice pair of open back cans - both my others are closed. I did consider the Shure SRH1840 but have never heard them and am slightly put off by the reviews commenting that they are very anaemic and too bright.

 

[zazex]

Yes I did have the 325e and, as mentioned, they just were not for me at all. I hadn't tried the previous versions and suspect I may be one of the types of people you mention who simply don't have the right head tuning for Grado headphones . I spent some time with them through a Meridian Prime HP amp (which I no longer have) and my Meridian Explorer2 which is actually my DAC/Amp of choice and usually able to 'mellow out' harsh recordings or reproductions.

That said, I actually didn't mind the SR80e at all - they are just damn uncomfortable. It's a shame as I would love a really nice pair of open back cans - both my others are closed. I did consider the Shure SRH1840 but have never heard them and am slightly put off by the reviews commenting that they are very anaemic and too bright.

Not to hijack the thread (too much), I've had the 11840 Shures (as well as the 1540's) for a while and like them very much.
I disagree with the 'anemic' and 'too bright' characterizations. If anything, they do have a certain character which reminds me
a bit of the infamous 'Sennheiser veil'. Overall, though,l they strike me as quite neutral, very comfortable, reasonably well made,
and all in all a good listen - even for hours at a time. About $100.00 overpriced IMO.

As for the Grado's - oh well. Different strokes and all that. I don't know, I find them to be comfortable. Never had an issue
with that going all the way back to my first ones which were the SR80'sl. As for other open backs, with more objectively (?)
wearing comfort, I recommend the Beyerdynamic DT880 (250 ohms), and with quite a price jump the Beyerdynamic Amiron's,
and DT1990 Pro's, Plenty of people go for the AKG K712's which are certainly comfortable but never did much for me sonically.
Not bad, but to me not the real deal. Sold mine a while ago and don't miss them at all. Might want to try - suggestion from left field -
the Audio Technica R70's. Interesting and priced fairly IMO.

Hope you find your open back nirvana's and other good stuff as well,

JH.