Hey all,
I'm a new member of the forum but long time passive head-fi reader. I have been slowly building my inventory of cans and equipment but just recently I bought a pair of Grado325e's and there was just something about them that clicked in me more so than with other headphones I own. I have really REALLY enjoyed these cans and they are quickly becoming one of my favorite all day listeners.
I've found the sound to have a very particular signature and feeling to it. To me it brightens up many of my favorite songs and adds an element of FUN I don't get with my other headphones, which makes sense since my other headphones are for the most part reference class cans that are not necessarily meant to have a particular signature. That being said I love how crisp and fast these headphones are. I'm sure I'm still in the burn in phase given that I only have about 40 hours of listening time and yet the sounds is very refined and pleasurable.
On the comfort side of things, I did find the original pads too hard and i didn't bother with the washing or softening techniques and instead I bought the HD414 pads which have not yet arrived, but when they do I will test out the sound changes if any. The headband fits great and very comfortably on my rather generic head, and the clamp force is good. I wish it was a little looser but I'm sure with time that may just give in and make it more comfortable for all day listening. I currently have them as my daily drivers at the office so I do get to wear them for long periods of time.
The source and music:
I'm driving these with my little Bravo Audio V2 tube amp which I got for work for looks more than sound quality since it's a great conversation starter, and feeding from a Shiit Fulla and using Tidal hifi audio files.
Overall the setup is great. I have used them with my portable FiiO mont blanc amp and at home on a Valhalla 2 and they just don't disappoint.
As far as songs... I love how well it images songs with many instruments and it delivers top notch soundstage. Daft Punk's "Fragments of time", Earth Wind and Fire's "Fantasy" and Michael Jackson's "Do you remember the time" are 3 songs I love to listen to on these headphones and simply enjoy the clarity and accuracy of the sound and recording details. I've even pushed the limits a little bit with songs like "Robots" from Kraftwerk which have that signature analog electronic sound that sounds amazing on my DT880's and yet once again the Grados deliver a very particular sound that almost makes it like I'm listening to a different version of the song. And that's worth noting for me because in my humble opinion, that's part of the pleasure of listening to music.
Overall, these are great headphones. Deffintely sound like much more expensive cans in the $5/600 range for sure. I almost wish I could listen to a pair of RS2e's just to compare. particularly with the wood vs metal cup. But that will come later. All I know is that these headphones finally got me to want to comment and be a part of the Grado/headfi community. That or the fact I just saw all their videos and I'm now a big fan... Regardless the cans hold up to the competition and there is no hype to how good they really are. And just for that I would recommend them to anyone and everyone.
