GreenBow
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2015
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Sometimes I think I am a little harsh with my opinion of the 225e, as mentioned above in post 13. However I don't mean to mislead. The 225e is a good headphone.
When I compare the 225e to the 125i that I had before though, the picture changes. The 225e is sonically a fraction more advanced, but it's the whole picture that loses me a little sometimes. The 225e's mixture of refinement, insight and dynamics don't seem quite in balance with each other. Whereas the 125i was a more equal mixture, while being sonically less advanced, the result being it sounded more balanced.
I think this is why many think of how well the 225e sounds with classical music and that stands out. Whereas we think of the other Prestige Series as more as good across all music styles. I particularly loved the SR125i for rock, but it was equally at home with tunes and pop, on my DAB radio. Classical was fine with it too.
It's not all bad with the 225e though, and not a bad headphone, as I keep trying to convey. I think it's benefitted from the e-series enhancements which give it weight. That's similarly what What Hi-Fi say about the 325e, saying it has gained wieght and clarity over the 325is.
With regard to reviews though, the 225 series has to my knowlege not received a five star review. What Hi-Fi had the original SR225 reviewed with 4-stars. Hi-Fi Choice reviewed the SR225i as 4-stars recommended. Whereas the rest of the Prestige Series have all, always secured five star reviews. The opposite side of that is that some people found the 325is a little bright, but it still gained 5-stars however. The 325e of course is more refined, and nine times out of ten preferred over the 325is.
When I compare the 225e to the 125i that I had before though, the picture changes. The 225e is sonically a fraction more advanced, but it's the whole picture that loses me a little sometimes. The 225e's mixture of refinement, insight and dynamics don't seem quite in balance with each other. Whereas the 125i was a more equal mixture, while being sonically less advanced, the result being it sounded more balanced.
I think this is why many think of how well the 225e sounds with classical music and that stands out. Whereas we think of the other Prestige Series as more as good across all music styles. I particularly loved the SR125i for rock, but it was equally at home with tunes and pop, on my DAB radio. Classical was fine with it too.
It's not all bad with the 225e though, and not a bad headphone, as I keep trying to convey. I think it's benefitted from the e-series enhancements which give it weight. That's similarly what What Hi-Fi say about the 325e, saying it has gained wieght and clarity over the 325is.
With regard to reviews though, the 225 series has to my knowlege not received a five star review. What Hi-Fi had the original SR225 reviewed with 4-stars. Hi-Fi Choice reviewed the SR225i as 4-stars recommended. Whereas the rest of the Prestige Series have all, always secured five star reviews. The opposite side of that is that some people found the 325is a little bright, but it still gained 5-stars however. The 325e of course is more refined, and nine times out of ten preferred over the 325is.
