Grado SR-325i

Use: I use the Grado SR-325i to listen to my CDs on an audiophile hi-fi system (Rega Apolo CD player, Sphinx Project 10 amp, Rega Ear headphone amp, Dynaudio Contour 1.4S)

Music I listen to: blues, reggae, folk, pop, jazz, in short, a bit of everything with a preference for acoustic music.

Look: The Grado SR-325i are light, simple and effective, with a somewhat retro look; A leather headband holds both swiveling earcups, no unnecessary frills, the money was primarily invested in the basic components needed for the reproduction of SOUND.

Comfort: The Grado SR325i are light, but the earcup foams press a bit too much on the ears, itching a bit and should've been covered in leather or cloth to be more comfortable.

The good news is that the original foams of the Grado SR325i can be replaced by those of the Grado GS 1000.
The latter were conceived to free up some space around the ear (there is no pressure on the ear), the part that is in contact with the head is larger, which clearly improves the comfort without altering the sound.
I had no problem installing them, there's no need to fiddle with anything, their dimensions are perfectly compatible with the SR325i headphones. I insist on this point because the GRADO website states, and resellers insist, that the foams of the GS1000 are exclusively adapted to that particular model, yet the dimensions of Grado headphones are common to all models...

I did the mod and can only recommend it.
If only the foams of the GRADO GS1000 were covered in leather or cloth it would be perfect!
Mr. GRADO if you are reading....

I haven't had any problems with the sturdiness as a non-pro user, and their performance has only increased with time after the corresponding break-in.

The Grado SR325i combines features rarely seen on a pair of cans::

- My 1st impression was AIRING, every recording is different, nothing systematic, they are very transparent.
- Then the SUBTLETY with which the Grado SR 325i reproduce the TIMBRES. Sound has character, it has "substance," the finest nuances are extremely well translated, even the vibratos are reproduced with a remarkable fidelity.
- The DYNAMIC RESPONSE cannot be beaten and not even the fortissimos of a full orchestra can make them distort.

Finally, music breathes!
And all this intensity without being aggressive to the ears, because the highs are precise but not metallic, and the lows aren't muddled, they are incredibly deep and well-defined!

The Grado SR325i work perfectly together with an iPod classic but they show their true qualities when used with a headphone amp.
Personally, I first used them plugged into the headphones output of a Sphinx Myth 5 but their full qualities were revealed when I started listening to them with a small Rega Ear headphone amp. It's a real treat!
Some people say the sound of the Grado SR325i together with a TALISMAN amp is exceptional.

I've been using the Grado SR325i for more than six years and I am really happy with them, after having had the SR125, which were too aggressive in the highs, for my taste.

I compared them (among others) to the Sennheiser HD 650, which also bear the Diapason d'Or recommendation, but if you ask me, there's simply no comparison. Recordings breathe and become full of life with the Grado SR325i, whereas the Sennheiser HD650 only offer a well-defined sound.

Sometimes I alternate with a pair of AKG A340 Electrostatic-Dynamic headphones just for the pleasure of it. I recommend the Grado SR-325i without hesitation. Their main quality is making music have a life of its own.

- How long have you been using the product?
About six months

- Which features do you like the most / the least?
What I like best is their incredible capacity to reproduce the sound image and the clarity of the sound;
The entire frequency spectrum is respected, frequencies don't "eat" each other.
They are high-quality headphones (which have won several awards) and the brand's reputation is well established.

The only drawback is their comfort, you can feel some pain after a long listening session due to the direct contact of the headphones and the ear.

- How would you rate the value for money?
Their value for money is very good.

- Based on your experience, would you choose this product again?
Yes I wouldn't hesitate! Even if I would have to go months without eating sweets...

I bought them in January 2007. Very quickly, 3 months afterwards, I noticed a defect with the jack connector (a channel would cut off). So I took the headphones back to the store (in Paris) where they immediately said I probably ripped the cable. One month later, they offered me to have the cable changed by a technician for €90. I told them I was surprised that it wasn't covered by the Grado warranty and asked them to put me in direct contact with the Grado importer in France. Three months later I had no news, so I got in contact with them again and they said Grado "had no cables in stock." So, with no cables after March 2009 the only solution was to let their technician repair it for €90. I refused and demanded they give me my headphones back, which they did, one week later. I noticed that the cable of my headphones had in fact been severed with a cutter where the left and right headphones split. I contacted the Grado importer who confirmed that they had indeed been contacted by the reseller for a spare cable, and they also told me that they didn't offer after-sale service and had forgotten to order the replacement from Grado USA. The result? I payed almost €400 for a pair of headphones and also have pay for the repair. My impression of GRADO as a brand is very poor.