SR225 Vs SR325 Worth The Price Difference?

[r4z0r]

Has anyone auditioned the Grado SR225 and the SR325? I know the SR325 looks more attractive with its metallic casing, but in terms of its performance (especially for rock/electronic), is it worth the extra cash when compared to the SR225? I heard that the 325's slightly treble happy and not as well balanced as the 225. Any comments will be great!

 

[cajunchrist]

What's your budget? What are your sources? Are you getting an amp, too? What kind of music do you listen to? Rock and electronic only, or a blend?

We need to know these things to give recommendations.

 

[r4z0r]

My current budget covers the price for both cans.

I plan to use them mainly for portable listening through a Creative Nomad II MG mp3 player hooked up to the Total Airhead.

The types of music I will be listening includes 70% rock, 20%electronic and 10% classical and jazz materials.

I really like the aluminum casing of the 325s! However I prefer the slimmer profile (according to the dummyhead pictures of the two phones on Headroom's website) of the 225s. Are there 225s that come with silver metallica covers like the ones found on the 325s? That will look so sweet...

and speaking of Headroom, can someone justify why they rated the 225s as the ultimate rock 'n' roll phones? Aren't the 325s supposed to be superior than its predecessor?

In any case, the appearance of the cans comes second with the sound quality being the more important factor to me. Please offer some suggestions!

 

[cajunchrist]

The 225's have an edgy, solid sound that complements rock music very well. My Godflesh CD's sound their best with these cans. The 325's have a more accurate sound, and many people say it is brighter, though I haven't heard them myself. I find the 225's to be o.k. with jazz and classical, though not great. For rock, the 225's can't be beat (except maybe by the Beyer 250-80's). For electronica, though, I would consider getting the Sony MDR-V6's. The bass on the V6's goes deeper, and I think is more suitable for electronic music. Why not get both, since you have enough to buy the 325's outright, and have a very versitale set of cans?

P.S. In my opinion, the V6's sound just as good directly from a portable as from a pocket amp, so you could keep the Airhead at home with the 225's and take the V6's on the road. The V6's are my current choice for rock on the go without an amp, that's part of the reason I'm selling my 225's. They sound good directly from a portable, but sound lots better with an amp, and the Grado/portable amp combo is just too bulky for exercise, my main use for portable listening.

 

[JMT]

I owned the 225s for about a year. They are great headphones, dynamic and detailed. But I thought they were missing something, but I wasn't sure what. I have had the 325s for about 6 months now and the sound seems more "refined." The bass is a tad deeper and tighter, and the upper mids are more forward. The high end is very crisp, but not fatiguing. Of course, this is just my opinion. If you can A/B them, that would be best.

Hope this helps.

 

[r4z0r]

Thanks a lot for your quick feedback guys! Couldn't believe I got such helpful advice in such a short amount of time.

I was originally considering the Beyer 250-80s but abandoned the idea after hearing about its rather narrow soundstage and slighty muddy boomy low end. As for the V6s, I don't listen to enough electronic stuff with my portable to justify buying another pair of phones.

Since I mostly use my hd590s and ER-4S for home listening (the ER-4S are great for rock, but I'm afraid of losing/damaging them during portable use so they stay home most of the time) and really just want a pair of more than decent cans for use on the road, I think I will settle for the 225s

Again, thanks for all your help and happy listening!