Grado SR225x

Some firsthand listening impressions

I usually prefer over-ear headphones, but I've been a fan of Grado's Prestige on-ear cans since their SR225e headphones won my heart a few years ago. Those earlier headphones effortlessly sounded like a more expensive pair without straining the drivers or artificially enhancing the bass response. I was excited to try this newer iteration, the SR225x, and see how they compared. 

Comfortable touches

I've always enjoyed the classic style of Grado's headphones. The ‘225xes have some welcome "quality of life" upgrades over the older version — for instance, I found the extra cushioning on the headband to be a welcome addition. The new F-cushions on the earcups were deceptively comfy despite their flat design. That, coupled with the headphones' lightweight design, made them almost disappear as I started listening.

Re-creating the simplest listening setup

I seldom listen to headphones without a DAC or headphone amp, but given the ‘225x's high efficiency and modest impedance, I wanted to see how they performed in a “real world” scenario, where one might not have access to a DAC/amp. I drove them directly with my Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and I seemed to have power to spare. I kept the volume at around 60% or 70% — any louder and I risked damaging my hearing. Even using the stock DAC in my phone, the headphones sounded wonderful.

There was a haunting airiness on the track “Pneuma” from Tool's Fear Inoculum album, which is what the song was going for. Maynard's voice was nicely textured, throwing in some subtle grit from time to time, which I hadn't really picked up on before. The open-backed design gave the cans a wide soundstage without being overly spacious.

Ed Sheeran's “Bad Habits” had plenty of fun, bouncy bass to it and it was easy to bob my head to. Little stylistic choices, like spurts of breathiness and vocal distortion, came through loud and clear. Grado's signature sound kept things warm, involving, and detailed.

The last track I played, “Bob Lennon”, came from a manga (Japanese comic) written by Naoki Urasawa. Urasawa eventually brought the song to real life and recorded it acoustically on an album in the early 2000s. I was able to get my hands on a 16-bit/44.1kHz rip of it. The headphones did a great job handling all the nuances the song has, with all of Naoki's singing quirks lovingly put on display. The guitar was rich, and the strings were vivid and clear.

Even better sound with a separate DAC

Next, I wanted to see how the Grados performed when hooked up to a DAC, so I pulled out a Sony portable DAC that I own and played “Bob Lennon” again. The headphones made me literally say “wow” within the first twenty seconds. The guitar sounded more full-bodied, and Urasawa's voice was more punctual and forward. Driven by the separate DAC, the 225x headphones re-created a more cohesive, immersive, and articulate mix. I even heard some subtle studio echo that I hadn't picked up on before.