Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

These sound fantastic, I use them to mix along with my monitors. Mixes translate well...But the ear piece detached after 1 week. [...] Still, I question the build quality to price ratio. However, the sound to price ratio is right on.

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

These are an excellent set of cans. I'll focus most on what I don't like since you can get reviews all over the place that talk about the good points. Don't get me wrong though these headphones are excellent for the price, if you can overcome certain issues.

Being used to Sennheisers I've gotten used to a wide sound stage that is mostly uncolored (I would now characterize as "dull"). Grado headphones don't have a wide sound stage. You feel like you're in front of every instrument and every voice. They're also very bright and most definitely favor the higher end; they aren't harsh though. The low-end is always tight and very well defined, but you won't feel it like you do with some other brands. If you don't like these aspects you'll likely be disappointed with these headphones.

They aren't really very comfortable though. Tending to smash your ears against your head. These aren't all-day phones, though I don't find myself being fatigued by listening to them.

Being open you can pick up a lot of ambient noise as well (though this aspect is what makes any mid-fi/high-fi headphone good). They're aren't the best fit and finish either; plenty of sharp plastic edges and mold fittings. I decided that this wasn't a problem, as I the pros out-weigh these issues significantly.

I would also recommend that you have an amp handy. They're fairly low impedance, but a good amp will make a big difference in the low-end with these. I also recommend a decent quality DAC be installed if you're listening from a computer. This will make a big difference as well.

The cord is a bit short (about 5 or 6 feet), but not terribly so. It's very thick and well shielded it seems. The need to purchase an additional 1/4" to 1/8" adapter didn't make me particularly happy, but the Grado adapter is also of very fine quality.

I would absolutely recommend these if these issues aren't going to bother you. They have a unique Grado sound that I've not encountered anywhere else.

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

After reading reviews from a number of sources I purchased these headphones. I guess I was expecting way too much. They sound good but no better than a lot of off the shelf brands for much less money. Lows sound flabby not tight. Highs are clear but without spacial definition. They don't really live up to the hype. I wanted to be transported to another place. Guess I'll take the bus.
The quarter inch plug is a nice professional-looking touch but not practical for most uses. Come on, guys, throw in a pigtail adapter! The box they come in is little more than a Krispy Kreme doughnut box. How about a carrying case or bag? I don't feel like I got a lot for my money.

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

For almost the same price, these are much more comfortable than my other Sennheiser HD 280s. [...]

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

The headphones work exceptionally well. I bought these for my girlfriend who loves music and she wears them all the time. If I could have it all, I would make them easy to stow for easy transport. However, sound quality is number one so by these standards, it gets very high ratings.

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

I use it with an Ipod and a portable disc player. Sound quality was better than expected but box was flimsy.

Also, it didn't come with an 1/8" adapter cord which would have been a nice touch.

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

I use the SR125i mostly for two things. The first is playing around with my computer-dj midi controller, the other is listening to music or movies in the home theater downstairs at night when people in the house are sleeping.

The sound quality is just phenomenal. At normal volume, I can hear very fine details that I never heard before in certain parts of my favorite songs. When plugged into the home theater, everything is well balanced and I can enjoy an entire movie without feeling the need to take a break for my ears.

I read on other reviews that the big foams felt very uncomfortable to some but I personally never felt any discomfort with them, even throughout extended periods of time. The only thing that I would consider "not so great about it" would be the fact that I'm afraid to damage them while travelling with them, which could be easily arranged if I got some type of case.

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

Very balanced sound. Open design, yet does not interfere much with surrounding area. Open design and weight add to the comfort that allows extended wearing.

Comments about Grado SR125i Dynamic Open-Air Supra-Aural Stereo Headphones:

I bought these to be used with my MP3 player.
From my own experience with smaller devices powering the full size headphones, I have found that to be a mismatch of equipment: the small MP3 players simply cannot properly "power" the full size headphones.
These headphones however, respond extremely well to the tiny sources! Rich full sound.