Phil Canard

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.64 of 5, 14.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I once used Grado and Sennheiser headphones. My Grado headphones would get irritating, then I would switch to the Sennheisers and get a bit bored. I now use top model AKG and Beyerdynamic headphones, and am not looking back. I owned and listened to several of the SR series Grado cans, and they all have a family sound. AKG K601 or K701 will get you better mids and keep the dynamic nature. Beyerdynamic DT880 gets you better treble and more extended bass. Either will be far more comfortable in long listening sessions. There is no accounting for taste, so some peopele are going to put up with and even prefer Grado headphones. This isn't 1991 anymore, and the headphone world has changed for the rest of us. Grado neeeds to update their comfort level, build quality and sound response curve if they want to compete as a refined headphone. They sound is now seen as in the rowdy rebel camp, and that appeals to some at first. Then you get the headphones home and get to know them over time. Perhaps some ears need the exaggerated response curve of Grado, but I would advise you to listen to some of the top new models by Audio Technica, AKG or Beyerdynamic before buying Grado. Sennheiser is normally too laid back for me, but I would still take them over Grado over the comfort issues. The other four companies I named build most of the pro microphones used by recording studios. Grado does not. They do not have the capability to compete in that camp. The other four companies can design headphones at reasonable prices that more properly reproduce what the microphone picked up, and that is why you will see many more of them than Grado in a recording studio. Many feel that Grado headphones give a colored sound, and I agree. If the coloration sounds good to you, then OK.

Grado headphones are sort of an EQ control for audiophiles who think EQ controls on their equipment are no good. If so, then buy Grado and have fun. The rest of use can buy a DT880 or K701, add a midbass hump and more low treble emphasis with a graphic equalizer, and get a similar sound to Grado while having more comfort and better soundstaging.

Grado Prestige series headphones are now really quite mediocre. Trends often continue past their useful era. Some people no doubt prefer carburetors to fuel injection. I keep my old SR60 as a backup, but rarely use it.

Strengths:
For those who prefer a colored sound over real reference quality sound. Reference sound is not pretty to some who need enhancements in their music for it to sound pretty. Some people call Grado sound exciting. You can pack Grado phones away easily as the cans swivel to a flatter shape than most.

Weaknesses:
Grado is falling behind in upgrading their headphones. Larger companies with more R&D money are taking headphones more seriously now and thus you have the upgraded DT880, K601 or K701, HD 595 or HD 650 or a number of recently imported Audio Technica models. Some people call Grado sound fatigueing. Supraaural designs are not as comfy as circumaural designs, and less open sounding. I hate Y-cords on headphones.

Similar Products Used:
DT880, K601, and several more.

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ebroyles

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from BH Photo

Summary:
As a headphone connoisseur, I have had the opportunity and privilege to listen to some of the best headphones (Stax, Audio-Technica, AKG, Sennheiser, Sony, etc.) in the world. Based on my listening experience, Grado’s SR-225 is the best MP3 player Open headphones to listen to music to in the world. The quality of the treble and bass tones is very vivid, clear, and alive to the listener ears. With is plug and play capability, after using a 1/4 to 1/8 plug converter, the SR-225 requires no headphone amp to enjoy it its full capability. John Grado of Grado’s Lab has succeeded again at delivering a product beyond it time in quality, utility, usefulness, and value. Just think, this is only the beginning of a wonderful relationship with music.

Strengths:
Quality of bass and construction

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Stax, Audio-Technica, AKG, Sennheiser, Sony

Price Paid:  $200.00 from BH Photo

Summary:
As a headphone connoisseur, I have had the opportunity and privilege to listen to some of the best headphones (Stax, Audio-Technica, AKG, Sennheiser, Sony, etc.) in the world. Based on my listening experience, Grado’s SR-225 is the best MP3 player Open headphones to listen to music in the world. The quality of the treble and bass tones is very vivid, clear, and alive to the listener ears. With its plug and play capability, after using a 1/4 to 1/8 plug converter, the SR-225 requires no headphone amplification to enjoy it its full capability. John Grado of Grado’s Lab has succeeded again at delivering a product beyond it time in quality, utility, usefulness, and value. Just think, this is only the beginning of a wonderful relationship with music.

Strengths:
Excellent tonal qualities in the area of bass that require no further amplification.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Stax, Audio-Technica, AKG, Sennheiser, Sony

mclaneone

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Amazon associate dea

Summary:
Buying these headphones was an experiment in trying to hear the reeds on John Coltrane's sax and seeing if it's true that a good pair of headphones can compare to really good loudspeakers which I'm not willing to afford. For general support, I relied on the many reviews on A/V reviews because I'm not as fully informed as the panelists are. I'm now catapulted into a realm close to that of the true audiophiles. My first revelation with the 225's was in hearing Bobby McFadden's "Round Midnight" off an old Fisher receiver. I thought I felt a tear. And I didn't even think I liked Bobby. The great round of applause I've heard for this instrument says enough. I think the burn in requirement is bogus (some people even talk about burning in connection cables, that;s crazy). What's really going on is that people get used to the sound of a particular instrument over time. If they like it after a while, they think it's "burned in". High tech glues and materials, such as these headphones and (other loudspeakers)are made of, don't like being skaken loose and mellowed out any more than YOU would like that kind of treatment. There may be some exceptions. Audiophiles can be analytical beyond personal logic and the truth of real listening. So buy these headphones and enjoy them out of the box. I was recently in a hardware store and a floor guy asked me if what I was wearing were Grado 225's. Turns out he's an occasional DJ and he worships these mothers.

Strengths:
Obvious clarity and accuracy.

Weaknesses:
Some ranges (bass and highs) can be slightly distorted, but I don't know for sure if it's source material.

Similar Products Used:
5th gen. ipod earbuds.

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twc644

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.40 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Goodcans

Summary:
I've always been a headphone person and owned lower end models in the past 20 years.I finally broke down and purchased a pair of the sr-225's from Goodcans. Man, I'm in love with these for sure.Compared to the sr-80's of which I owned for quite sometime,these cans are definitely an improvement.Not saying the 80's were bad at all(perfectly content and suprised as well).I even noticed before a very short breakin they have a tighter more focused sound.The treble is not as bright. It's as if it's layered much more smoothly.The 80's were bright but tone controls solved that problem.Mids are smoother and exhibit more minor detail in music such as slight feedback or reverb depending on the recording.You can hear the vocalist inhale and exhale even.Base is not overpowering at all...just the opposite....no thump thump distorted sound here.Never with the 80's either.Better control with base in the 225's.I guess using a better copper for the windings,and having closer matched tolerances makes the difference from Grado website info.The Grado magic is here folks if your considering on purchasing them.This is my first foray into slightly higher end headphones.They definitely breathe life into an old recording and pull out some hidden details in your older cd's.Also,everyone complains about the pads.I personally have no major problem with them--they're light and comfortable to some extent.Not perfect by any means but close enough to warrant a better material for comfort.Still,the sound makes up for that minor gripe.I've always read here in Audio Review and various consumer reviews these are great rock"n"roll cans ! All those in favor of the 225's were not kidding.I feel like a 41 year old school kid with a new toy.Overall,these are a pleasure to own and helps me enjoy the music I love that much more.I still have not heard any modern day Sennheisers.What model Senns' are in close comparison to these ? I have always preferred headphone sound to any loudspeakers and Grado re-inforces that opinion that much more and then some to my ears.

Strengths:
tight sound with increased dynamics

Weaknesses:
naturally the pads-a minor quibble tho

Similar Products Used:
Grado Sr-80,old Sonys,old pair of Sennheisers back in '89

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