You’ve probably never thought about succession in headphones, but just like taking on your family’s business legacy, Grado’s SR225x steps up to continue the tradition. It’s the successor to the beloved SR225e, a favorite among headphone enthusiasts for nearly a decade. Grado, known for its iconic look, introduces upgrades like the “F cushion,” enhancing textured tones, an improved headband, and a more durable cable. The star feature is the 4th generation X Series Driver, promising a more powerful magnetic circuit and reconfigured diaphragm.
The SR225x maintains the family resemblance but adds modern touches. The unboxing is minimalist yet informative. In terms of usability, it’s suitable for home use but not an ultra-portable option due to its slightly heavier construction. A standout surprise is its unexpected aptitude for PC gaming, providing an open soundstage and impressive mid-range and dynamic bass response.
In terms of sound, the SR225x impresses with a warm and nuanced middle range, punchy lows, and a well-balanced presentation across genres. The headphone excels in reproducing vocals.
The Grado SR225x successfully follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the SR225e. With enhanced build quality, remarkable sound, and a stylish design, it lives up to the family name and sets a new standard in this price range.
The clarity and range of Grado headphones can reveal new notes and details in songs heard hundreds of times. The driver and housing working in tandem react to sound vibrations and virtually eliminate transient distortions. With warm harmonic colors, smooth top-end, excellent dynamics, and a world renowned mid-range, the SR225x produces a sound that’s pure Grado.
Features
- Polycarbonate housing
- 8 conductor cable
- Vinyl headband
- Drivers matched .05db
- De-stressed driver
- F cushions
- Hand assembled in Brooklyn
4th Generation Grado drivers are here. Specifically tuned for the SR225x, this new speaker design features a more powerful magnetic circuit, a voice coil with decreased effective mass, and a reconfigured diaphragm. Reengineering these components for our 44mm drivers improve efficiency, reduces distortion, and preserves the harmonic integrity of your music.
Customer Reviews
I have many headphones, dynamic, balanced armature, planar magnetic, and electrostatic. I have an older Grado, a sr60i.. The sr225x I think is a nice evolution, and an excellent upgrade. The Sr60i was an excellent headphone for metal. Such an aggressive and fast attack. It could run toe to toe with a Stax, yes I mean that. But lacked sub bass. Which yes it’s excellent for metal, but not much more. Which for me is fine I’m a metalhead. But venturing into other genres, the sr60i could be a little too sharp. The 225 keeps the attack, keeps the speed and clarity, but adds a nice meaty low end, and they’re not bedded in yet. The X driver I personally think is a good well rounded evolution in the Grado transducer. It’s pointed yet polite, aggressive but not offensive. Delivers rumble when needed, excellent clarity, and a hot, fast treble that keep you wanting more, you want it to dig in more. The vocals are engaging, they’re right there with you, the soundstage is near holographic. A metal song with an opera voice like Floor Jansen, is supreme, an energetic metal singer like Anette Olson just grips you.
Structure is classic Grado. Tank build, and a transatlantic cable to feed it. Light on the headphones themselves it’s very light. Sits more comfortable than previous generations. Pads are more dense and more “forming”. Best thing of all, they’re easy on the amp. Straight from phone is spectacular, easy to drive. I have not tried an amp yet so cannot comment on how dedicated headphone amps can control them. For $225 bucks I can’t see a better headphone with the sr225’s qualities.
My headphones were not working, and I requested a replacement multiple times but customer service did not get back to me. I don't know what to do with it.
I received an email on July 25th at 2:20pm that said your headphone was broken with no other information. We emailed you back within less than 5 minutes asking for additional information on your order and don't show having received a response. This review gave me the information that I needed to help. I have just issued you a return label, please send the headphones back, please include a copy of your packing slip and a note stating what the problem with the headphone is.
Regards
Rich Grado
Great, clear sound, with good bass.
The new dog destroyed the old Grado headphones I had been using since the early 1990s. Upgraded to these and they are amazing. Worth every penny and built to last (beware puppies though).
These are the best headphones I've ever had hands down. They've made me a Grado supporter for life. My gripe with these headphones isn't about the sound quality but of the strength and durability of the headband components. I'm not rough with my headphones but I wear them daily; usually taking them off and putting them back on several times a day.
I've had my headset for about 3 years and after some months (maybe a year) of ownership the headband took on a faceted look. Instead of being smooth and dome shaped It now looks like a 5 sided hemisphere. I have no idea what caused this to happen but I just ignored it because it didn't really effect my user experience.
After about a year and a half to two years, one of the small brackets that holds the speaker and headband together (the ones that have "L" and "R" on them) split in half. I ended up gluing them back together and it worked for a while until they broke again. Now the glue isn't keeping it together so I have to get rid of this pair.
Whenever I put my headphones on I put them on by holding the speakers and placing them on my ears. This creates tension in those small brackets and I guess over time it just broke them, so for future pairs I will probably put them on by holding the brackets instead of the speakers which isn't much trouble but I just feel that's not the intended design of the headphones.