For audiophiles, the word “Grado” is a very special word. It refers to a company that has been making headphones in New York City for the past 70 years, and over the past few years, John Grado’s business has become synonymous with fun-sounding open-back headphones that are almost a must-have for audiophiles. have. Here I have a pair of their SR325x headphones in their entry-level Prestige line and omg they are good.
At first glance, the SR325x don’t look like a £262/$295 pair of headphones, with a retro-inspired aesthetic that looks closer to 1953 than 2023. But, arguably, it’s this retro aesthetic that sets these Grado headphones apart from other similar headphones — and the pricing is a choice. They look great to my eyes and feel great in the hand.
What makes the SR325x structurally different from the less expensive options in the Prestige line is that the earcups are made of aluminum. This gives them a bit of weight and justifies the price tag better than the plastic models. Also, the headband on the SR325x is made of real leather, not a vegan alternative, and feels really nice to the touch. My only qualm with their construction is that the ear pads here are made of thin foam, which is typical for Grados, and they do feel like they’ll eventually fall apart… though at least they’re pretty cheap to replace. Ear pads aside, the SR325x feel solid and well built.
It may not seem like these Grados will support your head very well, but even without the padding, the headband can be molded to fit your head, allowing them to simply sit over your ears. For someone less used to in-ear headphones, it will take some getting used to, but when you get them set just right, the SR325x are a reasonably comfortable set of headphones. There isn’t much clamping force depending on how tight you adjust the earcups, and the 340g weight makes these some of the lighter headphones I’ve tested. They’re only a few grams heavier than the Drop + Hifiman HE R7DX I looked at a few months ago, which means they don’t feel like undue strain on your head when you’re wearing them.
These Grados party pieces are open-back headphones, which means they let out as much noise as they go in. Open-back designs offer a wider soundstage than more traditional closed-back cans because there is less physics to limit the width of the sound. While this may be good for audio quality, it means these headphones are meant for home use only. They make a lot of noise, so they’re not ideal for commuting to work or walking around town, and likewise, other people around you will hear every note of your music.
Although their designated purpose is listening in a quiet room at home, the SR325x sound great. Grados are generally considered to offer more sparkling sound profiles, handling highs while suppressing lows, another characteristic of open-back designs. These SR325x provide a surprisingly strong bass response, with more punchy low end and a great soundstage compared to other Grados. The sense of width they have in their playing of Rush’s 2112 becomes apparent in the opening overture, where Alex Lifeson’s guitar drive is scattered around, and it’s the most immersive 1976 track I’ve had in a long time one of listening.
In fact, the bass here isn’t overly powerful or muddy, which makes the Grados a more natural listen, with stunning clarity and detail. This can be clearly seen when listening to James Taylor’s I Was A Fool To Care, there is a certain crispness to his finger-struck acoustic guitar, and there’s a certain crispness to his vocals that I haven’t noticed on other headphones Sharpness. Listening to more of JT’s favorites also once again revealed the width of the soundstage, giving the rest of the band plenty of room to breathe, especially the strings in the background.
It’s perhaps no surprise that it’s where the Grados really shine, as they showcase high-end products. As expected, it’s surprisingly crisp and clear, with the brand’s signature sparkle, which works wonders on Steely Dan’s Do It Again, whose opening timing of competing percussion can be a minefield for headphones. The SR325x handles these issues brilliantly, and this track demonstrates the true expansiveness of the can’s soundstage. The synth notes on top of Steve Hogarth’s Cage also reinforce the excellent high end and further make these SR325x’s a stunning listen. Beyond that, on Rush’s Working Man, Neil Peart’s cymbal playing in the instrumental part of the song is noticeably brighter than the song’s otherwise raspy, punchy guitar work.
They’re also a solid set of gaming headphones. The expansive soundstage immerses you in games of all kinds, especially the more cinematic ones, while the stronger bass response compared to other Grados also helps give games some punch and immersion. I ended up installing the SR325xs during a few rounds of CS:GO and it all became apparent with the sheer power of gunfire and explosions and expansive game sounds all around me. Additionally, when playing Forza Horizon 5, the immersion factor also comes into play during races or free mode.
All of the above combine to make the SR325x some of the best headphones I’ve tested, especially when paired with the right source material and running them through a powerful DAC, such as the Chord Mojo 2 I got here. With that in mind, the impedance of 38 ohms is very low, so you can easily run these headphones even with your smartphone or computer’s integrated audio.
£262/$295 may seem like a lot of money for a pair of headphones, but for something as classy as the Grado SR325x, it’s well worth it. They radiate brilliantly, and their sound is clear and detailed, making them a pleasant listen to a wide variety of music and gaming genres. Their status as open-back headphones means they’re also impressive against the soundstage of closed-back headphones. With that in mind, they might take a little while to get right, but other than that, these are some fantastic headphones and well worth trying for any budding audiophile.
