Grado SR225x

The SR225x is an open-back hifi headphone from the Grado range, positioned just above the SR125x in the brand's hierarchy. It is designed for home listening on a hifi system or a dedicated audio source, for stationary rather than portable use, as the open-back design lets ambient sound through and does not isolate the listener from their surroundings.

This model features a 4th-generation Grado driver, specially developed for the SR225x. This new 44 mm driver design incorporates a more powerful magnetic circuit, an acoustic voice coil with reduced effective mass, and a reconfigured diaphragm. In practical terms, these developments are intended to improve transducer efficiency, reduce distortion and preserve the harmonic integrity of the reproduced signal. The cable has also been redesigned: it now features 8 conductors of super-annealed copper wire, housed in a more durable sheath, to improve audio signal transmission. The headband has likewise been modified, with a reinforced cushion intended to improve comfort during wear.

The SR225x is aimed at music enthusiasts looking for an open-back hifi headphone for attentive listening at home, in a quiet environment suited to this type of acoustic design. It will suit those who appreciate Grado's characteristic sound signature and who already own, or are considering, a dedicated system or headphone amplifier.

When buying used, several points deserve particular attention with this type of open-back headphone. The earcup cushions, here the new F cushion specific to the SR225x, wear and compress over time: their condition directly affects sound quality and comfort, and they are replaceable. The cable, although reinforced on this version, should be checked along its entire length as well as at the junction points with the earcups, classic areas of fragility on wired headphones. The headband and its padding are also worth examining, as excessive compression can affect the headphone's fit and comfort.

Each SR225x is hand-assembled by the Grado team in Brooklyn, continuing the artisanal manufacturing the brand has upheld since its beginnings in 1953.