Grado SR325is Prestige - Classy Headphones for True Audiophiles

There are two reasons why many audio experts today look up to the Grado SR325is Prestige: 1) the man who created it was renowned for his genius in headphone design, and 2) that man – Joseph Grado – was elevated to the Audio Hall of Fame in 1982 for his innovation and ingenuity. Since then, his nephew – John Grado – took command of the business and came up with the Statement, Reference and Prestige lineup that kept the brand’s state of the art audio innovation and retro styling.

Can Grado still keep up with the current trend and stiff competition in the market today? Or, did the brand lose its appeal with the retirement of its founder?  Let’s examine some of the features of the Grado SR325is Prestige to know the answers.

Overview

What does the i stand for in the new SR325is from Grado? Improved, that`s what! Yes, Grado has taken one of the world`s most acclaimed headphones and taken it a few steps further. The new SR325is has an upgraded driver design, and they have enlarged and improved the mass distribution in the metal housing. The way the SR325is new driver and metal housing move air and react to sound vibrations are now less affected by transient distortions. With the SR325is you will notice improved control of the upper and lower range of the frequency spectrum with both better supporting Grado`s world renowned midrange.

Sound quality

The SR325is, and Grados in general, are a strange balancing act of brightness and warmth with a small-ish soundstage which put you ‘on stage’ with the band.  The certainly aren’t closed in sounding as typical of ‘phones with smaller soundstages but they put everything relatively close together and put you in the middle of the action in a small and intimate setting.  Instruments are well separated but not as sharply imaged as some other ‘phones like my Sennheiser HD650s or Beyerdynamic DT770/600 ohm. The treble is very emphasized and relatively clear, making these bright headphones.  It’s well extended and fairly detailed, but not the most accurate in its price bracket.

Excellent Transparency at a Sensible Price

Most audiophiles who’ve been around for a while retain fond memories of at least one Grado product. Over the years, the Brooklyn-based company has carved out a niche in phono cartridges and headphones that marries value with musical excellence. At the same time, that musicality often gets associated with a certain “Grado sound.” That sound sets Grado apart from other companies, and is held in reverence by Grado fans. The SR325is is the top of Grado’s entry-level Prestige line. While that almost sounds contradictory (tall short people?), it helps to remember that Grado’s reputation is built on delivering high performance products at entry-level prices. The Prestige line starts with the $49 iGrado, but really hits its stride with the justly famous SR60i at $79.

Design and Ergonomics

The SR325i headphones leave an odd impression. On one hand, this model has a simple, even primitive, design: a flat head-band, round foam-rubber ear-pads (not even trimmed with fabric). The height adjustment is implemented with simple steel rods that move up and down in the plastic casing. The association provoked by this design is that of a radio operator from the times of World War 2. But on the other hand, the quality of manufacturing cannot be unnoticed: the head-band is trimmed with natural leather (as opposed to the Grado SR80 with its plastic imitation). The casings are milled out of aluminum and anodized to a golden color.

Summary

People who buy Grado headphones know their cans. So, as you’d expect, they are a tough audience to please. No Dr Dre Beats headphones newbies here. The Grado SR325is Prestige headphones earn a lot of praise for the brightness and warmth of the sound stage, which puts you on stage among the band or orchestra.

One reviewer felt the instruments were well separated but not as sharply as imagined on the Sennheiser HD650s, so you might want to check these out before putting any money down.



 

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Which Headphones Are Best for You? It depends...

 There is a bewildering range of headphones available and deciding upon merely one set of headphones can certainly be a daunting decision to make. One of several ways you are able to narrow the list and help make your selection of headphones much easier would be to think of the way you intend to use your headphones. Different types of headphones are more suited for use in different situations, so here there is presented several of the more common situations when you'd use them accompanied by a couple of ideas to help you select the best headphones for you.

 Traveling 

 If you ever travel a whole lot you might require a set of headphones that will help you offset most of the out side racket as well as pump some of your favorite tracks into your ears. While looking for a pair of headphones for travel comfort and ease is usually a key concern in conjunction with noise cancellation features. Some thing just like the PSB M4U two Sound Cancelling Headphone can be perfect. These give a great combination of ease and comfort alongside excellent sound canceling.

 USING WITHIN HOME 

 For headphones that might be being used in your house it's best to largely be checking out full sized headphones along with a full sized phono jacks which will fit your home stereo. Most use at home headphones out there at the moment such as Audio-Technica ATH-M50, have a regular 3.5mm connector combined with an adapter to change them to full-sized for your home music system. Which means they may be utilized with various other gadgets such as MP3s as a result.

 FASHION STATEMENT 

 Every so often you just need some headphones which will match up with your lifestyle along with reveal that you are a stylish individual. In the event that sound quality, levels of comfort not to mention price aren't matters that bother you then the Beats by Dre choice of headphones could be an excellent option for you. Dre Beats headphones are unquestionably leading the prevailing headphone style phenomena and trendy headsets like the Monster Beats by Dre Solo are great for the style knowledgeable personal audio listener. With respect to music reproduction they may not be the perfect headsets in existence, however they are well put together, eye-catching together with innovative. 

EXERCISE 

 Needless to say that when you are looking for some headphones for your training routines you'll need something that supplies a secure and safe fit. Various headphones that happen to be intended for use during workouts appear to be lacking audio quality however , there are several on the market today similar to the Polk Audio UltraFit 2000, which presents extremely good sound quality, along with a decent comfortable fit and also a sensible price. It is easy to become overloaded with all the current options of headphones available today, nevertheless with a bit of invested time it's possible to uncover something that might be appropriately worthy of your individual personal taste. It is probably better not to jump on the hype train which unfortunately often go along with optionsBeats by Dre headphones rather take a little time to check out alternative headphones that could in fact be superior.

AKG K550 Closed-back reference class - Masterful balance between noise-isolating and spacious

AKG is well-respected for creating some of the most sought-after headphones in the market today, with the brand’s high-performance AKG K701s getting the nod of music addicts as well as regular music lovers alike. If the K701s are too heavy for your pocket, then the K550s just might suit you, the premier headphones in the mid-range class. What makes the AKG lineup very competitive is that these headphones offer the most ideal balance between the noise-isolating capability of closed-back headphones coupled with the finest sound of those with an open-design. A good number of headphone critics were awed by the performance of the AKG K550, giving it a perfect 5/5 rating. But, what do other critics think about the gadget? Read on…

Minimizing noise

The AKG K550 is a set of over-the-head headphones that is designed to keep ambient noise out, while delivering realistic sound. These AKG headphones weigh 8.3 oz, and feature a closed back design on the ear-cups, allowing for a truly private listening experience. It includes large cushioned ear-cups and a padded headband for long term listening comfort. The AKG K550 is equipped with 50-mm drivers that help to deliver powerful, clear sound from nearly any audio source. These over-the-head headphones have a frequency response range of 12 Hz to 28 kHz and an impedance of 32 Ohms. The AKG headphones have a sensitivity of 114 dB.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKG-K550-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Headphones-BRAND-NEW-BOX-FREE-SHIP-USA-/180995764517

Appearance

There’s no question that one of the AKG 550s most distinctive features are their appearance. The ear pads are the size of dinner plates, sending the message that the wearer takes their music seriously and they want to be able to hear every cymbal and piano cord in distinct clarity. Big and bold, the AKG 550s are exceptionally comfy to wear without being as heavy as they may look. This means you can wear them for hours without needing a neck brace, although there have been comments that the closed design and large earpads can cause your ears to feel hot after a while. So I think the ‘audiophiles earmuffs’ would be a worthy nickname.

http://bestheadphonesreviews.us/review-akg-k550-closed-back-reference-class-headphones-big-bold-and-beefy-but-light-on-the-bass/

Customer Reviews

The K550s have an entirely new headband design. Unlike my K702s and my K271s this one does not self-adjust for different head sizes. You have to adjust it yourself. Fortunately this is very simple and the advantage with this headband is that it is much neater and closer to the head all round, so you look less like a cyberman. Another advantage with the K550 design is that the headphones will fold flat-ish. This is very useful for putting them in a briefcase (which is what I do), along with your laptop or what-have-you. However these are pretty large headphones so even flat they are quite a big object, but much easier to deal with in their flattened state.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Headphones-Black/dp/B005CNR7B0%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJQS3NPFXQ3JWKVNA%26tag%3Daaaslle-21%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB005CNR7B0

Clarity and power

Lightweight, comfortable and stylish: perfect at home and on-the-go Real Image Engineering for accurate definition and impression of width, distance and depth Closed-back design for a fully personal listening experience 50mm drivers for outstanding sound from any deviceLarger drivers, richer soundThe AKG® K550 reference-class headphones' 50-millimeter (2-inch) drivers are the largest of any AKG headphones in their product class. They deliver rich, lifelike sound across a frequency range of 12Hz to 28kHz, with the full dynamics and 3-D spatial imaging of a live performance. Their closed-back design ensures that you'll hear your music exactly as its creators intended you to hear it, with little ambient sound to distract you.
http://ipod12.vv-shopping.com/ap1-shop-for-akg-k550-closed-back-reference-class-headphones-black-save-now/

Masterful balance between noise-isolating and spacious

With the K 550s, AKG® engineers have struck a masterful balance between the noise-isolating qualities of closed-back headphones and the spacious, dimensional sound of an open-back design - creating reference-class headphones ideal for private listening both at home and on the go. 50mm drivers, the largest in the AKG product line, deliver great sound from your hi-fi system or virtually any portable device. The large ear cups and new headband design ensure an amazingly comfortable fit, and the 2D-axis mechanism folds flat to stow or go. Lightweight, comfortable and stylish: perfect at home and on-the-go
http://akg-k550.blogspot.com/2012/12/buy-akg-k550-closed-back-reference.html

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Review Ultrasone Edition 8 - The Royal Crown of Headphones (and about the same price)

If you can afford to pay $1,500 for a pair of headphones then good for you! If not, and you are drooling over those pair of cans being displayed at your favorite audio shop and you call your boss to beg for a cash advance, then good luck. For those who don’t care how expensive a piece of headphone is for as long as they can satisfy their material desires, these are people you want to hang out with! And, for those who call you to borrow money just to buy a one-grand piece of can, these are people you want steer clear of! I wouldn’t mind paying for a one-thousand dollar headphone if I have extra moolah on my pocket. But paying more for what I can afford is another issue.

I can be obsessed with my music anytime, but I always use my head first. Now, is the Ultrasone Edition 8 worth its price? Let’s find out…

Ultrasone Edition 8 review

With a list price of $1,500, the Ultrasone Edition 8s compete with a select group of luxury full-size headphones, most of which are targeted specifically for in-home use. But unlike the 6.3-millimeter phono plugs found on equivalent Grado and Sennheiser models, the Edition 8s sport a 3.5-millimeter plug that works with portable audio players without the need for an adapter. Indeed, the Edition 8s were a perfect match for our iPod. The headphones are equipped with a thin, 4-foot "Y" cable (one that goes to both earcups), and a 13-foot headphone extension cord is also included for home use.

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/ultrasone-edition-8/4505-7877_7-33632133.html

Ultrasone Edition 8 Review and Discussion

The Ultrasone Editions 8s have incredible sound. It has a strong bass that is tight and controlled and sound across the board is incredibly clear and defined. The mid and treble range is bright and warm with the absence of harshness or tinny noises. However, the midrange and treble lack the same oomph, power and clarity of the bass which the headphones produce. This applies mainly to the midrange, with the treble suffering less. This improves with the addition of amplification (in my case the addition of the Meier Audio Stepdance). With amplification, the bass, midrange and treble all receive more substance and power in the sound.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/538496/ultrasone-edition-8-review-and-discussion

Balance

The Edition 8 sound great. Everything is well balanced, and the stereo effect gets out of your head much better than other headphones. Unlike lesser headphones that need dedicated amplifiers along with their own problems, just plug these in, and you'll immediately be so enthralled with the sound that you won't take them off for a long time. The Edition 8 sound great even at soft levels. Most headphones are deficient in bass, which cause people to have to play them too loud. The Edition 8 have great bass, so even at low levels, you can hear it all.

http://kenrockwell.com/audio/ultrasone/edition-8.htm

Performance

The Ultrasone 8s are closed back headphones. Ordinarily, this means you can listen to your music without it being broadcast to the people around you with the payoff of a loss in transient sound. Not so with these headphones. The Edition 8s are on a par, if not better, than many top open-back headphones, which is incredible for their closed back design.

As you’d expect for the price, the sound does, indeed, dazzle, putting the majority of other high end headphones in the shade. Cymbal crashes will never get boring and the Ultrasone Edition 8s handle kick drums and bass like a concerto grandmaster (do they exist?). Vocal and live recordings, in particular, have never sounded better, with crystal clear imaging and a warm ambience.

http://bestheadphonesreviews.us/review-ultrasone-edition-8-high-end-headphones-sturdy-enough-for-the-commute-to-work-but-at-a-price/

World’s Best Headphone Review: The Ultrasone Edition 8

The Ultrasone Edition 8 has been designed from the ground up to be the world’s best full-size portable headphone, and it does a darn good job of it. Being compact is a good thing for portable headphones, and the Edition 8 is small for a full-sized can.  The quality of construction hasn’t gone by the wayside in the effort to minimize; while the earpieces are small and you have to tuck your ears into them, they’re extremely luxuriant and comfortable. Ethiopian Goatskin leather earpads form a very good seal around your ears while not feeling artificial or sticky.

http://www.headphone.com/rightbetweenyourears/?p=1266

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Denon AH-D7100 Headphones Review - Superb Audio Capability, Cool Styling And … A Rather Heavy Price Tag, This Baby Can Really Deliver

At a thousand bucks-plus per piece, the Denon AH-D7100 is not your ordinary toy. It’s never easy sorting through the highly-stacked array of headphones out there in the market today, and if you’re looking for a great-quality piece look no further but be prepared for the price tag. Much like the Ultrasone Edition 8s, the Grado Statement, and the Sennheiser HD800s - which all offer superb audio performance - the Denon AH-D7100 is packed with the same audio power which should give you a tough time deciding which one to buy. Can the Denon AH-D7100 go head to head with the bigwigs in the top-dollar division? Let’s see…

At first glance

In general, the D7100 is bass-heavy, fun-sounding with a typical V-shaped frequency responsesomewhere in between “fun” and “HiFi”. The V-shape however isn’t too pronounced, the mids are clearly present and do not get drowned out by the bass. Treble is pronounced only in certain areas, particularly at about 8-10 kHz (not having seen the frequency response graph at this point, this is merely an estimate). This peak is not unlike the one found in many Beyerdynamic headphones. Another peculiarity is a severe drop in the lower mids at about 500 Hz. The bass is very strong in general, both mid- and lower bass are clearly pronounced. http://www.head-fi.org/products/denon-ah-d7100-music-maniac/reviews

Sports car like looks

As you’d expect with the eye watering price tag, the build quality of the Denon AH-D7100 Music Maniac Artisan headphones is superb. You get them displayed on a satin bad in a custom designed wooden box, like you’re receiving some sort of reward. In this case, a reward for your ears. As you’d expect, these are among the best headphones out there for build quality, reassuringly solid and with a frosted silver finish. The ear cups are made from a reassuringly luxuriant African mahogany with leather covering the memory foam ear cups and headband. From a distance these look similar to Beats by Dr Dre headphones (reviewed here), a comparison even its makers have acknowledged. But that’s where the comparison ends.

More about the Denon AH-D7100 headphones reviewed

Denon AH-D7000 vs. Denon AH-D7100 Comparative Review

The Denon AH-D7100 marks the evolution of the great Reference Line of headphones developed by a company we know as Denon. The new design has already created a rather speculative and rather controversial series of comments stating that the new design cheapens the original elegance afforded by the previous flagship Reference headphone, the AH-D7000. The newMusic Maniac line represents newer use of materials coupled with a completely new design that is suppose to be better than the older, single pivot design of the previous D-series Reference Line. There is a certain elegance that the old has that the new doesn't exude whatsoever. http://yklee118.blogspot.com/2012/10/denon-ah-d7000-vs-denon-ah-d7100.html

Traces of Beats

Heading up the new contenders, the 1200 Euro Denon AH-D7100 is a mix of the familiar and the new. Design-wise, they're a little similar to the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio, the top-end range from the famous (and infamous) Beats range. These are closed-back headphones that have a core two-part make up. The outer part is the plastic composite that makes up the headband and outer cup. Inside is the high-gloss finish mahogany earcup shell, topped with some seriously chunky leather pads. Although the Dr. Dre comparison was one Denon's headphone guru was not afraid to make, these come across as a whole lot classier than the Beats bunch. http://www.trustedreviews.com/denon-ah-d7100_Headphones_review Cool features The headphones are equipped with powerful 50mm Free Edge Nano Fiber drivers. The hand-carved African Mahogany Wood Ear Cups not only look great, but their rich resonance plays an important role in the headphones' excellent sound. Denon tuned the AH-D7100s to a flat EQ to provide accurate frequency response without coloration. No matter what type of music you're listening to, you'll get ultimate quality and accuracy. Ergonomic features include Denon's patent-pending pentagonally-shaped memory foam ear pads, which provide an ultra-comfortable fit. The ear cups have a ball-and-socket design that provides 360-degree articulation. An adjustable headband lets you further customize the fit. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/882291-REG/Denon_ah_d7100_Music_Maniac_Artisan_Headphones.html Superb audio capability, cool styling and … a rather heavy price tag, this baby can really deliver.

Dr Dre Studio headphones review - Do you desire bass above all else?

The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio HD headphones have given headphones a whole new aura. It has transformed them into a fashion statement over the past few years. Showcasing top-of-the-line driver technology, these audio gadgets are the flagship headphones of the highly-acclaimed Dr. Dre lineup that it now looks like every other pair of headphones you see on the streets bears the ubiquitous “B” on the side. Dr. Dre has an ambitious goal: to change the way its customers relish their music. So, the question is: Does Dr. Dre have what it takes to sustain their momentum and keep their name above the competition? Or, is the Dr. Dre Studio just a pair of overrated cans that is overpriced? You be the judge.

The price tag

It's not always easy to get excited about a pair of headphones at first glance. Generally, the listening experience, which is gathered only after putting a set on and sitting down with some favorite music, is what draws people in. Not so with the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones, a sweet-looking set that will relieve you of $350 (or closer to $300 if you shop around). Though their sound quality is nothing to scoff at, their appeal as eye-candy is undeniable. For audio enthusiasts who are tired of the same old look, the Beats Studio headphones are a must.

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/beats-by-dre-studio/4505-7877_7-33205806.html

The collaboration

You know the Beats Studio. They're the headphones that kicked off the rest of the Beats by Dre product line, the ones you've seen on every other head on the street for the past couple of years now. The Beats Studio are the fruit of a long collaboration between the well-known cable and accessory maker, Monster, and the most well-known hip-hop producer, Dr. Dre. Advertised as the perfect mix between style, active noise cancellation and sound quality, are these really the ultimate cans for the discerning hip-hop fan?

http://www.digitalversus.com/headphones/beats-by-dr-dre-studio-p3981/test.html

The Sound

So what sold me on these? It comes down to the sound. I've read some of the techno folks negative comments but to my untrained ear the sound is mind blowing -- to me worth every penny. The high def sound is rich and deep. One reviewer wrote "the sound quality is awesome while listening to music, even watching regular TV on the treadmill is an enhanced experience." I agree with these comments and do feel that my overall listening experience has increased because of the rich sound quality. The noise cancellation is a great feature too.

http://carlsimmons35.hubpages.com/hub/Beats-Studio-by-Dr-Dre-Hi-Def-Noise-Canceling-Over-Ear-Headphones-Review

Monster Bass Above All Else

For people with experience using studio headphones and those in the upper range, a lot of people have been disappointed. Many complain of the bass drowning out the rest of the sound, and another common complaint is the noise leakage. Wear Beats by Dr Dre Studio headphones on the train or bus and you might as well play your tunes through a small loud speaker.

So definitely try these before you buy, and compare them with other headphones in the price range which might lack the distinctive ‘b’ but could well deliver a more rounded audio experience. But if you’re desperate for the fashion statement these headphones make, take a look at the Beats by Dr Dre Pro headphones, which offer a step up in the sound for putting down a little extra cash.

http://bestheadphonesreviews.us/beats-by-dr-dre-studio-high-definition-headphones-review-monster-bass-above-all-else/

Review: The Beats and Monster (Noise Canceling Headphones)

The Beats Studio box was a little larger and heavier than I expected. The box sleeve slides off to uncover a nice unfolding box displaying the Beats already folded inside of their own cheap carrying case. Glancing at the other side of the box reveals cables, adapters, batteries and promotional material. There are two adapters provided — one for converting the 3.5mm mini-jack to a 1/4-inch TRS connector as well as a dual-prong airplane audio adapter. Two male-to-male mini-jack cables (a red and black one) are included; both 4.26 feet (1.3m) long. The Beats Studio headphones do not have any audio cables permanently attached and have a female mini-jack port built-in.

http://paulstamatiou.com/review-beats-studio-by-dr-dre-and-monster-noise-canceling-headphones



The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones deliver the trifecta of comfy, and cool styling, coupled with top-notch sound output. If you can afford them, they are a worthy investment toward a great listening experience.

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