Grado SR225 or SR325i?

[Barrett]

Can't decide. Are they pretty much the same on comfort level? How much of a sound difference is it? Thanx.

 

[warpdriver]

The 325i's are a lot heavier and thus less comfortable in that way but have a softer headband to compensate. I personally didn't like the extra weight around my head. After I stretch the headband to lessen the pressure, the headphone moved too easily on my head.

I personally don't like the 325i that much, I'd order the MS2i instead which has a more refined sound.

 

[phergus_25]

I liked the 225s alot better, seems to be the common opinion too, expecially when cost comes into play.

 

[F107plus5]

I can only comment on the comfort. The SR-225 are 200 grams. the SR-325s are 300.

.........and change.......

Some folks can't tolerate the additional weight.

....some can.

To find out; I added 100gm worth of sockets to the height adjusters of my MS-1s and did a test......the longest test ran just slightly over ten hours.

I'll be getting MS2i soon.

 

[FooTemps]

The 325i sounds great and the metal housings look great. The weight has a different feel to it. It's not neccisarily more uncomfortable, it's just different. The 225s are light and feel like nothing on my head, while the 325i's feel like they are actually there. Either way, it felt good to me.

I can clearly hear the difference between the 325i and the 225. The 325i has the brightness that I enjoy the most (it is said to be the brightest), but if you don't like headphones that are too bright but still fun the 225 works great.

edit:

Team Grado FTW!

 

[GreatDane]

I've been tossing around the idea of buying some Grados myself and I can never remember the details of how they compare.

My original plan was to buy the MS2i but I got agrivated when Alesandro never returned my emails. So now I'm thinking maybe go for a less expensive option like the SR-225....and then I saw the Headphile modded version:

http://headphile.com/hd12.jpg

...so that wouldn't exactly be saving me any money now would it?

...anyway, I got side tracked and bought a DT-770 which will be woodied soon, then I'll get back to the Grado issue.

 

[en480c4]

There's only one way I can describe the difference between the two:

To my ears, there was nothing the 225 did that the 325i didn't do better. I did some extended back-to-back listening, and the 325i came out on top in pretty much every category. The only drawback was the 325i's weight. The 325i had better treble detail without being harsh, even bordering on refined. The 325i's mids had a different sound to them... improved texture and detail, though at the cost of being a little less full. And the bass extension and detail of the 325i was head and shoulders above the 225.

Do the 225 offer great value? Yes. But to me, the step up to the 325i was not insignificant. A lot of people here will tell you there is a 3-Grado progression... SR-60 -> SR-225 -> RS-1. I preferred the 325i to the 225 by a fair margin, and I preferred the RS-2 to the RS-1 by no small margin either.

So what do my ramblings offer the reader? While there's a lot to take from reading others' opinions, there's nothing that beats hearing them yourself. You just might be surprised at how much your opinion can differ from the general consensus on Head-Fi. Get to a shop that demos them, and if that doesn't work, get to a meet.

Good luck!
Ian

 

[Tyleroni]

I just upgraded from the sr-80s to the 325is and I love them! For me the weight is not really noticeable and IMO the brightness is very much exaggerated on these forums. I actually think my sr-80s are brighter headphones! The bass on the 325i is fantastic and probably the biggest area of improvement. No matter what you get, make sure to pick up a pair of flat pads from TTVJ as they do make a nice difference and are well worth the seemingly high price. Good luck!

 

[Tyleroni]

Just thought I would mention there is a 325 in the for sale forum for $225 which is much better than a 225 for $325.

 

[MdRex]

Just note when people complain how crabby the SR325i is because of their brightness, remember that the news of their brightness has been GREATLY exaggerated.

Whichever you decide to buy, I hope you enjoy them!

 

[Blackmore]

First of all what is your music preferences? Personally never heard of SR325i. Only SR225, RS1 and RS2, that I own now. My experience with SR225 is that they are very good phones for the money. Balanced, well controlled and can be used with different kind of music, but especially ROCK. However RS1 and RS2 is absolutely brilliant with ROCK to. I think all Grado's in general are very good there…
But here is my advice to you. If you want to end up with Grado, buy RS2 or RS1 directly. Don't spend your time on figuring out which one is the best, JUST BUY THE BEST!
On the other hand if your budget is very tight, I would end up with SR225. Once again, I never heard of SR325i, so only your ears can make a difference. A lot of people, include me, don't know any better than only information from here. That's the main problem but what can you do. I was starting directly with SR225 and like 4 month later RS2 IT IS! So spare all this nonsense and buy directly RS line.

Take care and good luck.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MdRex Just note when people complain how crabby the SR325i is because of their brightness, remember that the news of their brightness has been GREATLY exaggerated. Whichever you decide to buy, I hope you enjoy them!

I dont think the brightness complaint is exaggerated at all. I have owned all the grados and the 325 is the only one I could not tolerate .... because of their overly bright, etched sound. I believe the sr-225 is a much safer bet.

 

[augustwest]

I would recommend that you skip both the 225 & 325i, and get the MS2i. It's a much more civilized choice!

If you want to order them, just call, they don't do e-mail very well.

- augustwest

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by augustwest I would recommend that you skip both the 225 & 325i, and get the MS2i. It's a much more civilized choice! If you want to order them, just call, they don't do e-mail very well. - augustwest

The M2Si is sweet. Thats probably my next headphone .... good suggestion.

 

[jpr703]

I've owned both, and sold the 325i. The 225s are more comfortable and sound great with everything. The 325i was heavy to me. The bass was a little better than the 225, but they were a little bright and they were brutal with "less than perfect" recordings--prehaps too analytical.