Heya,
Most will claim that the SR225i is the best value in the line. Personally, after having owned 3 Grados, I have to say, really the SR60i is perfectly good. Bass is actually good on Grados. I've made mine pulse some good tones for EDM and even some dub, especially if you have something that does EQ well (the Grados can bass it up, my E11 with EQ2 setting for bass makes them thump very nicely and drop pretty low, they're not bass shy at all, they're just not earthquake cans). I don't find Grados too bright. They're definitely not laid back, not for the fatigue-easy ear. They're forward, grainy and piercing. But again, I find the SR60i at $80 to be pretty much all you need if you want to experience Grado. And I think its mandatory that you get L-cush pads (bowls) along with it for $20 to replace the stock flats they come with (they're horrible). I really don't hear a worthy difference between the SR60i and SR325i for example, having both. Definitely not a $200 difference to me. If you love Grado sound and you want to make them your mains, then I would explore the higher non-prestige line at that point. But for starting out, I would just go SR60i or SR80i with L-cush pads/bowls and enjoy them. Then if you really, really like Grado, step up to the RS1/2 or higher and go all out. I love Grados, though they're not my main. My primary problem with them as a main is that they're not all that comfortable to me over time. I can go like 2 hours before my ears feel too much pressure from the on-ear pads. I much prefer full size over-ear. And only the highest end Grados sound right with the big G-cush bowls. The lower prestige models sound awful to me with the G-cush bowls--all treble, tizzy, hot, tinny and the bass disappears when using G-cush bowls in the prestige line. L-cush is where it's at as far as I'm concerned. And I think every audiophile should have at least one Grado... hehe.
Very best,
