Grado SR80x vs. Grado SR325x (Review, Comparison, and Pads)
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- Опубліковано 23 лют 2022
- Welcome to the Channel!
0:00 Intro/Welcome
0:58 SR80x Review
11:27 SR80x Pad Swapping
13:30 SR325x Review
23:27 SR325x Pad Swapping, Preferred Experience
33:52 Conclusion/Goodbye
Hope you guys enjoyed the video. Please, let me know what you think.
Good video and your review comes off very personable and honest. Would love to see more videos from you!
I've had 80X, 225X, and 325X. I appreciate your points and the way you go in depth about this, but I disagree. 325X is far and away the superior headphone. It's not that superior to the 225X but it stands head and shoulders above the 80X. And this is no slander at all, it costs three times the money. All three of these sound beautiful and trying out different pads on all of them is amazing.
Excellent review. I’m not sure I can think of a more honest, trustworthy presentation. Subscribed.
Thank you for this video, I was seriously considering the 325X but not so much now.
I have subscribed to your channel.
Geoff in the UK.
Welcome. Glad you enjoyed the review!!
Great video, love the grado sr80e and was just very useful your video, thanks, cheers from Mexico
Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed it!
Great review. Thank you!
I genuinely want to give the grados a try (the 80's are more in my range).
I just think it's hilarious how many people review them as basically "They suck. I love them."
Hi! Did you give them a try? How was it?
Personally, I did a detached cable mod, so I can use a vmoda mic for gaming, and added the big pads with both making a great difference to comfort and usability.
For me they're perfect, much preferring them over the hd6xx, hd600, hd560s qne he4xx, having a more fun sound and pretty wide soundstage.
Obviously it's all personal preference though, I haven't heard anything that sounds as enjoyable for me, if you can demo them then I'd highly recommend them
That's why I got the original 80 in 2005. Everybody complained about them but then said "but they sound great!" I've had the 80i and now have the MS1 and 80x. They need EQ IMO. The S pads are itchy, they lack bass below 40hz but they're pretty bomb.
Great review, thanks. Looking forward to more. Yes, your production could be more polished, high tech etc but I'm sure that will come.
first video with a banger already. Sub well deserved.
LOL, I bought the 325x a few weeks ago and agree with practically everything you said. When I first put them on I thought OMG these sound great. After about an hour I had to take them off because of how uncomfortable they became. I adjusted them, took my glasses off, tried again, same thing. And oh yeah, the cable is a pain in the arse.
I figured I'd return them but decided to give them one more try. So I got the G pads - which make them completely over-ear and very comfortable for extended listening sessions - and they suddenly came alive for me. I mean ALIVE. The bigger soundstage and level of detail, particularly. Now I love them, and am at the stage of going through my entire library cos I want to hear what everything sounds like on them. I won't be returning them after all but whoever designed those F pads obviously had a cunning plan. Basically, I think they are a Grado/after market conspiracy to get you to buy lots of other pads. I'm joking. I think.
Btw, I tried EQing them to reduce that shoutiness you mention. I mean, it works, but after a while I turned it off and suddenly they sounded fantastic even without the EQ. I guess my ears have adapted to them. I actually find it hard to go back to my Sundaras now.
The Headphonia review comparing the SR80x and SR325x described 80x as having a more "around the ear" typical headphone sound, but 325x as having a more speaker-like sound. The reviewer even thought they accidentally hooked up their speakers at one point. At least for the 325x its almost certainly a conspiracy to buy aftermarket pads lol
Do you have a link or reference for the G pad you bought ?
Thanks 🙏
I’m only a little bit into the video, but this is exactly the comparison I wanted to see, I’ve never* had a Grado, so I want to know if I should go cheap, or go all out when the time comes where I get bored with what I got
Felt a bit CheapAudioMan in presentation and levity. Good first review! I’ll stay tuned for the next. Subbed ya
But you clearly went your own route over the review. I liked the relaxed delivery and originality 👍🏼👍🏼
Good Review and interesting take! I actually bought sr325x just before I watched your video. I almost cancelled it, now that I have it. I actually really enjoy it. It's amazing for Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Classical. I do think that vocals doesn't sound as good compared to my Focal Clear MG (I know I shouldn't make comparisons with a $1000+). I do agree that the G-Pads improved it tremendously. Which is interesting since the higher end wooden grados are all came with the G-Pads instead of the F-pads.
Nice review. I got the rs2e
Puedes decir con que aparatos estabas haciendo las pruebas?...
I've recently bought the sr325x, my first Grados, and love them! They're comfortable (for me) and light. And the sound is fun. I've got some planar headphones and IEMs but the only thing I have that I preferred over the Grado sr325x for listening pleasure for long periods are some shure 846s which have the intimacy and fun and also have more depth and detail. I've worn the SR325x's for several hours at a time and found them a pleasure. Just shows how people's experiences and preferences vary! (using a headphone amp, Sony dap and LG v60. One thing I did notice was that it was with WAV files that things shone. With Spotify they weren't that great.
I put the S pads on my 325's plus some thin packing wool underneth, that sorted out the sound.
I had a 325 back in the 2010's bought new from Grado. It was very uncomfortable to wear for more than an hour as you said the driver's would push against my ear and also, it would be painful around my temples as it would push down the legs of my glasses. So I eventually got rid of them. But, recently, I miss that clear sound of the 325. Some reviewers would say it would take very long time for them to break in. So I decided to give it a go once more. Reason, which is unrelated. I road bike and I bought a leather saddle from Brooks, a famous bike saddle maker from Britain. When I first bought it, I stopped using them as it was so painful to ride on them for more than 30 minutes. I then put it away but recently, I decided to give it a go one more time. I stuck with it despite the discomfort and pain. After close to 1000 miles logged on them, they are heaven as it started to take shape based on my physical geometry. I am so happy I did not get rid of it. It is the best thing that ever happened. I am hoping Grado will be the same.
The printing on the earcups comes off after a few uses on the entire Prestige line. I have the 125 and 325x.
Just bought the 325x after briefly owning the 225x which I found disappointing. The 325x reminds me more of my old 80e with a bit more refinement. I get the point about the F pads, but the I don't think they're too much worse than the S pads. I've just added the L pads which move the drivers away from the ear slightly and offer better comfort. This may be a solution for those who find the 'phones 'shouty'.
If you hole punch one in each pad it will bring in the mid treble back, not entirely but more than without the hole. Try it. Only hole punch the fabric closest to the driver so when you put them on, the hole is in the direct location to your ear drum.
nice review i had the og 225 lasted a few decade's it came with the small open pads back then very painful ended up getting senn 340? pads for around $4 looks like stock pads on 580 i understanded back then the drivers were the same just mods to the housing metal vs plastic A stock vs B stock divers maybe same for 325? bought a 580 good knock around headphones
I had the chance to buy the 325x but I got a used 80x for significantly cheaper and a used ms1 for $40 instead. The difference is that the ms1 is flatter (and more accurate?) while the 80x is more lively and forward. The ms1 has better dynamics but isn't as engaging. The 80x does a better job of pulling you into the music, it has more energy from mids and highs.
Some complaints on the 80x: they're not that detailed or separated in the low mids which I blame the S pads. Bass guitar on the ms1 sounds much better as does bass and sub bass. On my EQ +4.5db@125hz sounds louder than +6db@125hz on the 80x, the ms1 is much more sensitive in that frequency. The MS1 sounds like it has authority with its sub bass while the 80x sounds more full bodied and clumped together (which isn't as pleasing). The 80x is prone to sibillance on some recordings, especially with highs turned up but it's here and there and it's my only real sound complaint that has any merit. I cannot stand either without EQ, they're insanely echo-y and shouty, they sound like a 1950's truck radio. However, with a set by ear EQ they do a 180 from being dog shit to being absolutely magical, sounding so real and punchy. The shout makes me wince with the EQ off. There's no sub bass, it rolls off hard after 50hz whereas the original 80 (L pads) and MS1 (S pads) have an audible authority to them - and yet they say the X has more bass... it really does not IMO. Yes, it sounds darker overall in its bass but that doesn't mean "more bass", it means less articulated. The MS1 has the dynamics to make the sub, bass and mid stand out from eachother which accentuates the lows by just enough. The 80x flops at this dynamic.
I've had the original 80 and 80i too. The i was terrible. The original 80 was cake.
I'm using them with an android with 16 bit flac with a 10 band EQ, mostly classic rock, rock and EDM. I have an apple dongle but my phone wouldn't recognize it.
I got the 80x over the 325x based on this review. I want to try the 325x now. While it is shouty that's more easily tamed with lowering EQ more than you'd be able to add sub bass or separation to an 80X. The base sound of the 80x is shouty too. The 80x from 31-63hz will distort if adding too much (like +10db to both), I thought it'd handle more because the original 80 did this very well, amped. Maybe this is a non-amped issue.
I can't see why you'd prefer the 80x presentation unless you're not EQing either. The 325x EQ'd would sound better than the 80x with EQ, that is a given so to me it's a little misleading to steer people from the 325x to the 80x. Neither of their base sound would be pleasing.
10 band for the 80x:
31: +9
63: +8
125: +6
250: 0
500: -3.2
1k: -2
2k: -0.5
4k: +6
8k: +9
16k: +7.5
Tell me that doesn't rock your socks. Turn EQ off/on/off. It's night and day.
You said the 325x is technically the better driver... because it really would be. Whatever worse faults it has over the 80x would be more easily cured with EQ so I'm going to guess that you didn't use EQ? These are awful without yet amazing with and they respond very well to it, they're sensitive all over the frequencies. Even changing something by 0.3db is audible.
The 80x is a great buy if you have a 10 band EQ and I'm going to guess the 325x would be even better, otherwise don't bother getting either because the shout is insanely bad even on the 80x.
31:08 : So what's the name of the pads that add the soundstage for 60$ ?
hey, so buy the 80x or 325x?
I got the earzonk L cushions…and i place the original cushions over the L cushions and i get perfect bass and tamed the muds and highs…you should try it…love grados. Whats the best way to stick the new pads together permanently?
Just bought another pair of replacement pads that cover the ears….bass sounds so full and creates more distance away from drivers…sounds even better
Someone should make a comparison with different styles of pads
I actually bought and I own both and in my opinion I like the SR 80 better. For one it's comfort on the new SR80X there's a pad on the band that just makes it more comfortable on your head and the 325X doesn't have that. Also I like the standard S pads on the SR 80 versus the 325 which has the F pads. Besides comfort to me the 325 is a lot smoother which is definitely in my opinion more of an audio file sound but I also feel it kind of smoothed out the mid range grit that the SR 80 has a little bit that makes for a colorful tone and midrange.
100% agreed. I love colorful and lively midrange in my headphones.
Great video!!! Very good sound what mic are you using?
Thanks man!! I am using a Samson Q2U with some EQ applied. It is a great, budget friendly mic.
This is a very solid, detailed, no-BS review. Hope you do more reviews.
I watched your review with interest and thought to add my two cents. I have the 80x and recently got the 325x. I was able to run the same source to both headphones at the same time and switch back and forth, to see the differences. The differences are clear. The 80x is great, better than the 80e I had a while back, but is just missing the bottom end on most tracks. You hear the bass but can't feel it. The rest of the frequency range it does very well IMO. But the 325x is clearly superior, has bass in spades, so much so that I actually dial the bass down on some tracks. It's like driving a car with a lot of torque, you don't need to use it all the time but you feel it's there. Also the 80x just feel cheap and brittle. Other headphones in this price range give you more handling confidence. The 325x immediately feels more premium when you pick it up. But you are right about the comfort. I can just about live with the pads but the headband is awful. I can't deliver the most expensive model in the line up is the least comfortable. Just adding some foam under the leather would have made such a difference.
I love you n congratulations . New subscriber and you are as welcome as rain
Funny to see your reaction to the comfort of 325X. 😂
They are uncomfortable for about a week. After that you won’t notice much of that. I think the sound is great with the stock pads.
In a way it’s like picking up the guitar for the first time. At first your fingers are going to hurt, but then you’ll get used to it and when it sounds this good, you’ll love it.
I agree with you that they are bright , especially on an A-B comparison.
If you just pick the 325, you don’t notice the brightness as much. At least I don’t. I like it with rock music.
I just returned the Grado sr80x due to the loud mids and highs and lack of balance. The slimming of the timbre of the voice and instruments became unacceptable to me 😞.
what do you plug headphones into?
I find these do not benefit too much from higher end gear. I mostly use them portably on a dongle.
Hey, make more videos. I have SR325 IS. I would love to hear the difference between my version and the new X version.
This is a great review - you come across as sincere and honest, and provide a detailed description of your experience without relying too much on audiophile bullshit language.
I have the SR80x, which I had modded to have a detachable cable, and I alternate back and forth between the S cush pads they come with and the Geekria G cush clones. The Geekria pads expand the sound stage and make them a bit less veiled and come across as having a little more clarity, with a bit better bass, but at the expense of being a little harsher on the high end. I'm not particularly treble sensitive so it mostly doesn't bother me, and it's more comfortable. I think it actually seems to work pretty decently for gaming with the Geekria G cush pads as well. The sound signature does a fair job of highlighting foot steps and the bigger sound stage is nice. I'm not saying it's an HD800s replacement or anything but it seems to work pretty decently. I want to try out the Geekria L cush pads next.
I love my SR80x but it's not my only headphone, and I generally wouldn't recommend Grados to anyone if it's going to be their only open back. It's a great headphone to add variety to an existing collection though. I also feel pretty strongly that the SR60x/SR80x are the Grados to get; I think that going up in price doesn't bring enough to the table to be worth it.
If you release more videos I'll definitely consider subscribing. Looking forward to seeing more content!
Grado sr325 x vs Etymotic esr4 sound quality ?
I have ordered Grado SR325 and have Etymotic ER4XR. I could share some points once I will listen to it for some time.
i got the 80x then immediately bought the 325x 2 weeks after. i love the 325x for what it is... but it doesnt have the Grado magic.
Seems like we took the same course of action and came to the same conclusion. Cheers for the comment!!
@@anjtheaudiophile4640 I regret selling the 80X though. 😅 So different from the 325X
They could do exactly the same pad but in velour with memory foam inside
More videos!
I dont get why more people wont review these
These sound great with L pads
1. I get what you're saying about discomfort with the 325x. I had the RS-2e for a couple of years. Definitely the pressure on the ear was not pleasant. 2. At this price level, I don't think it is completely fair to judge the sound without a more expensive amplifier as reference. Although, if people are just going to plug them into a portable player and wear them out in the street, etc, or computer/USB DAC, your reactions are honest and can be considered in that context. 3. I am considering buying the 325x. I appreciate your point of view. I would probably be using the cans in a different environment with different equipment. I probably will apply some EQ to them. 4. Did you break these in? I would say 100-200 hours break-in are necessary to get a good idea of the true potential of Grado 'phones. Maybe I missed it. I only listened from 13:30 on.
I did but them second hand, though I cannot confirm how many hours the first owner put on them. I found that using a dedicated amp/dac did not significantly improve performance. I preferred them slightly on my hybrid Vali 2, but not enough to put them over the edge. Of course with EQ, you will have a much better experience. Though I do not know how well Grados' drivers like EQ.
I think you shouldn't lump in all grado enthusiasts as having the same opinions. I have no issues at all with the sr325x stock pads. I fall asleep in them quite often. I wouldnt change anything except thhe cable ans im both a heavy modder and a grado enthusiast
I am sorry to type this, but I pulled the plug, I don’t agree with you, I got both also and all this video is completely misleading IMO 325's are simply so much better, got no issues with comfort, amazing sound and yes the 80's are also very good for less demanding audio gear, don’t doubt buy what you can within your budget grado won’t disappoint you.
Lol 1 video?
Grado drivers need a 100 hours break in. They should never be listened to immediately upon purchase. Hence the thin and hard found of 325. More expensive models go through a factory break-in. That is the danger with 325s. Considerably less with the 80s. Very good selected and matched pair of drivers in 325s, that do not sound good out of the box.
You should mention the electronics and source you use the product with. It does matter.
When doing a video, stand further away from the camera, use a better microphone and control your breathing. Good luck.
Breaking in headphones is a myth that's been busted long ago. A slight, slight change might be noticeable. If you dislike a certain headphone right out of the box you won't suddenly like them after play noise through them for 100s hours.
I owned the sr325e for a couple of years and had well over 100 hours use. The sound did not change at all. Burn in is a an audiophile myth.
I definitely experienced headphone burn in with my grado sr325i and koss ksc75. after 100 hours it made them sound a lot smoother and less sibilant
Check your ears.. I'm wearing them and they are amazing