Skip to content

Best Grado Headphones 2025

Grado Labs, a renowned name in the world of audiophiles, has been setting the standard for high-quality audio since its inception in 1953. Founded by Joseph Grado, a master watchmaker turned audio pioneer, the company has remained a family-owned business, now under the leadership of John Grado. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship and innovative design, Grado headphones have earned a loyal following among audio enthusiasts who appreciate the brand’s commitment to delivering exceptional sound quality.

The hallmark of Grado headphones is their unique “Grado sound signature,” which is characterized by a vibrant and dynamic audio experience. This signature sound is marked by a detailed midrange, precise bass, and sparkling treble, creating a balanced and immersive listening experience that captivates the listener. Grado’s open-back design further enhances the audio quality by providing a spacious soundstage, allowing for a more natural and expansive sound.

GRADO SR325e Stereo Headphones

GRADO SR325e Stereo Headphones are a standout model in Grado Labs’ Prestige Series, celebrated for their exceptional sound quality and classic design. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship, these headphones embody the Grado sound signature, offering a vibrant and dynamic audio experience that is highly sought after by audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.

These headphones feature an open-back design, which is a hallmark of Grado’s approach to achieving a natural and expansive soundstage. This design allows for a sense of airiness and realism in the music, making the SR325e particularly well-suited for home listening environments where sound leakage is not a concern. The open-back architecture ensures that the audio remains spacious and detailed, providing a more authentic listening experience compared to closed-back models.

Comfort is a top priority in the design of the SR325e, with lightweight materials and plush ear pads that rest gently on the ears. This ensures that users can enjoy extended listening sessions without discomfort, making these headphones ideal for long hours of music enjoyment. The retro aesthetic of the SR325e, characterized by its simple yet elegant design, appeals to those who appreciate classic style in their audio gear.

Sonically, the SR325e delivers the signature Grado sound with a focus on clarity and detail. The headphones excel in reproducing midrange frequencies, making them particularly well-suited for genres like rock, jazz, and classical music. The treble is crisp and clear, while the bass is tight and controlled, offering a balanced and natural sound profile that audiophiles will appreciate.

In terms of build quality, the SR325e is constructed with durable materials that ensure longevity. The high-quality cable is designed to minimize interference and signal loss, preserving the integrity of the audio signal from the source to the listener’s ears. This attention to detail in both design and performance makes the SR325e an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality audio at an affordable price point.

Overall, the GRADO SR325e Stereo Headphones are a testament to Grado’s legacy of delivering exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer to high-fidelity audio, the SR325e offers an engaging and enjoyable listening experience that showcases the best of what Grado has to offer.

GRADO SR80e Prestige Series Wired Open Back Stereo Headphones

Grado SR80e Prestige Series Headphones
  • Upgraded driver design. Connectivity Technology: Wired
  • Large ear cushions for comfortable listening
  • Adjustable, soft vinyl headband

Grado’s SR80e is something of an anomaly in today’s headphone market. Not only is the grado house sound handcrafted in Brooklyn, New York, but they’re not proudly tech-savvy. There is no Bluetooth connectivity, no in-line microphone or active noise canceling, and thanks to their open design, they’re hopelessly impractical for commuting or commuting to the office. Despite all of these flaws, however, the Grado SR80e delivers an unrivaled listening experience at its price range and is unbeatable value for money for an audiophile headphone brands in pure sound.

Grado’s Prestige series of headphone models has been around for over twenty-five years and this is immediately evident in the design of its SR80e headphones. With a build quality designed to sit on your ears rather than on them, the grado lineup simply consist of two large plastic earphones connected by metal rods to a simple vinyl headband. While the sleek retro look is a statement series, the flip side is that the headphones aren’t sturdy and aren’t particularly practical. The cord, for example, is a chunky, non-detachable wire that attaches directly to each earbud, and while the earbuds can rotate 360 ​​degrees, there’s no way to fold the earbuds for storage.

Matching 0.1dB speakers deliver a punchy bass texture at high speeds, while maintaining exceptional midrange tones. As mentioned, the open back construction means the conductors are exposed. This is impressive considering how strong the bass resonance is, as this style usually results in a flat, low pitched sound. The ear cushions are very comfortable because they don’t compress your ears and cause pain when removing each other. They are lightweight which makes them easy to travel. Plus, the long cable is handy for those who play instruments when plugged into a stereo or other device.

If you’re worried about the price range of over ear headphones, the best Grado audiophile headphones in this series fall somewhere in the mid-range of headphones, so they shouldn’t really bother you on the cost front. In terms of performance, the sound quality is smooth, creamy and warm. The sound quality is second to none. Grado SR80e is the Best Grado Headphones.

GRADO SR60e Prestige Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones

No products found.

GRADO SR60e Prestige Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones are an entry-level offering from Grado Labs, yet they embody the brand’s commitment to excellent sound quality and craftsmanship. These headphones are a popular choice for those new to the Grado sound, providing a compelling introduction to the world of high-fidelity audio.

Designed with the signature open-back architecture, the SR60e offers an expansive soundstage that allows music to breathe, creating a sense of space and realism that enhances the listening experience. This design choice, while contributing to sound leakage, ensures that the audio remains natural and airy, making it ideal for home listening environments.

The SR60e headphones are equipped with a lightweight and comfortable design, featuring foam ear pads that rest gently on the ears. This makes them suitable for extended listening sessions without causing discomfort. The retro aesthetic, characterized by a minimalist design, appeals to those who appreciate classic style in their audio gear.

Sonically, the SR60e delivers the distinct Grado sound signature, with an emphasis on clarity and detail. The headphones excel in reproducing midrange frequencies, making them particularly well-suited for a variety of music genres, including rock, jazz, and classical. The treble is crisp and clear, while the bass is tight and controlled, offering a balanced and natural sound profile that audiophiles will appreciate.

In addition to their sonic capabilities, the SR60e headphones are built with a durable construction that ensures longevity. The high-quality cable is designed to minimize interference and signal loss, preserving the integrity of the audio signal from the source to the listener’s ears. This attention to detail in both design and performance makes the SR60e an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality audio at an affordable price point.

Overall, the GRADO SR60e Prestige Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones are a testament to Grado’s legacy of delivering exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer to high-fidelity audio, the SR60e offers an engaging and enjoyable listening experience that showcases the best of what Grado has to offer.

Grado SR60e is the best budget Grado Headphones.

GRADO SR125e Prestige Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones

Whatever your musical taste, the Grado Prestige Series SR125e headphones can enhance the sound of your tracks. They deliver classic Grado sound in spades – intimate mids with full-bodied vocals, crisp, sparkling highs, and tight, punchy bass. These headphones feature updates to Grado’s previous SR125i headphones, including an improved driver design, better sound dampening and a new cable. Grado’s SpaceBlack polycarbonate enclosures minimize resonance and vibration, for crisp, clear sound. The feeling of warmth and immediacy of the SR125e can sometimes surprise you. We believe these phones are exceptional value for audiophiles on a budget. You can easily drive them with your portable player or laptop. They also benefit well from the addition of a headphone amplifier.

Every pair of SR125e headphones are still made in Brooklyn, New York, where the John Grado family have been making award-winning audio gear for over 60 years. Like all Grado headphones, the SR125e uses an “open-air” ventilated headphone design with large, non-resonant air chambers for a powerful and extended low-frequency response and a more open, spacious sound to your ear tips. The diaphragm of each speaker has been subjected to a special “de-stressing” process which allows it to provide more musical detail for an even greater soundstage during your listening sessions. A sturdy eight-conductor patch cable and ultra-high-purity copper voice coils give these phones a refined high-end, ultra-smooth and dynamic, yet tightly controlled bass.

This grado headphone are high-performance with a remarkable distinction between sound textures. Wide-open sound is produced due to the open-back structure. You have an equally smooth range between each sound level: punchy bass, lively mids, and sparkling highs. The first thing you will notice about these headphones is their design, and for good reason, they are extremely unique. The word “elegant” doesn’t necessarily apply here – but “classic” does. It’s also very simple: there’s a simple leather strap that goes over your head and the earbuds extend to different sizes thanks to a basic metal rod. We think the retro styling of these cans is a good thing for excellent dynamics – they don’t conform to the same treatment the Beats and Monster give their headphones, and that makes Grado’s headphones stand out.

Grado’s ability to combine lightness, extreme stiffness and internal damping has been put to good use in the wireless headphone. Based on the same design as the SR80e, the SR125e also features an improved driver and cable design using UHPLC (Ultra-High Purity, Long Crystal) copper voice coil wire. With the new 8-conductor cable design, you’ll notice improved control and stability of the upper and lower range of the frequency spectrum instead of high frequency, both of which better support Grado’s world-famous midrange. The diaphragms go through a special “de-stressing” process to enhance interior details. The way the wired headphones new driver, cable and plastic housing move air and respond to sound vibrations are now less affected by transient distortions. The bass, midrange and treble are all more open and you’ll appreciate the fine tonal distribution and balance.

GRADO RS2e Reference Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones

The Grado RS2e Reference Series headphones are a remarkable addition to Grado Labs’ lineup, embodying the brand’s dedication to high-fidelity audio and expert craftsmanship. These headphones are designed to deliver the quintessential Grado sound, characterized by vibrant dynamics and a detailed audio experience that appeals to audiophiles worldwide. The RS2e model is particularly known for its beautifully crafted wooden ear cups, which not only enhance the headphones’ aesthetic appeal but also contribute to their acoustic properties. The choice of wood helps in delivering a warm, rich sound with natural resonance, a hallmark of the Grado sound signature.

The open-back design of the RS2e allows for a spacious soundstage, providing a sense of depth and realism that is often unmatched by closed-back headphones. This design choice enhances the overall sound quality, making the RS2e ideal for home listening environments where sound leakage is not a concern. The headphones excel in reproducing midrange frequencies, making them particularly well-suited for genres like rock, jazz, and classical music. The treble is crisp and clear, while the bass is tight and controlled, offering a balanced and natural sound profile that audiophiles will appreciate.

In terms of comfort, the RS2e is designed with the user in mind, featuring a lightweight construction and plush ear pads that ensure a comfortable fit during extended listening sessions. The headphones sit securely on the ears without causing discomfort, allowing for hours of uninterrupted listening pleasure. The non-removable, heavy cable might be a drawback for some users, but it is a minor inconvenience compared to the overall exceptional performance and user-friendly features of the RS2e.

Sonically, the RS2e delivers an impressive audio experience that is both dynamic and detailed. The headphones are capable of reproducing a wide range of frequencies with precision, ensuring that every note is heard clearly and accurately. This makes them particularly well-suited for critical listening and professional monitoring, as well as for those who simply enjoy high-quality audio in their everyday listening. The RS2e’s ability to convey subtle nuances and intricate details in the music makes them a top choice for discerning listeners who value accuracy and fidelity.

Overall, the Grado RS2e Reference Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones stand out as a premium choice for audiophiles who value sound quality, craftsmanship, and design. With their superior audio performance and distinctive aesthetic, they offer an unparalleled listening experience that is sure to delight even the most discerning listeners. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer to the world of high-fidelity sound, the RS2e headphones provide an engaging and enjoyable listening experience that showcases the best of what Grado has to offer.

GRADO SR225e Prestige Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones

The Grado SR225e headphones are a standout model within Grado’s Prestige Series, known for their excellent sound quality and classic design. These headphones are a testament to Grado Labs’ dedication to creating audio equipment that delivers a truly immersive listening experience. With their open-back design, the SR225e headphones provide an expansive soundstage that allows music to breathe, offering a sense of space and realism that closed-back models often cannot replicate. This design choice enhances the overall sound quality, making these headphones ideal for home listening environments where sound leakage is not a concern.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the SR225e features a durable construction that combines lightweight materials with a comfortable fit. The foam ear pads sit gently on the ears, providing hours of listening pleasure without discomfort. The headphones’ retro aesthetic, characterized by a simple yet elegant design, appeals to those who appreciate timeless style in their audio gear.

Sonically, the SR225e delivers the signature Grado sound with a focus on clarity and detail. The headphones excel in reproducing midrange frequencies, making them particularly well-suited for genres like rock, jazz, and classical music. The treble is crisp and clear, while the bass is tight and controlled, offering a balanced and natural sound profile that audiophiles will appreciate.

GRADO GW100 v2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

GRADO GW100 v2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones -...
  • Open back design offers larger sound stage with improved detail and clarity
  • The lightweight and comfortable design with a padded headband and foam ear...
  • Now featuring Bluetooth 5.0 - Apt-X, AAC and SBC Compatibility. Up to 40...

The Grado GW100 v2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones represent an exciting step for Grado Labs, merging their renowned sound quality with wireless convenience. As Grado’s first Bluetooth headphones, the GW100 v2 maintains their commitment to excellent audio while offering wireless flexibility.

These headphones feature an open-back design, rare in Bluetooth models, providing a spacious soundstage and some sound leakage. This design is ideal for home listening, where isolation isn’t crucial. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, they ensure a stable connection up to 10 meters and support aptX for enhanced audio quality. The GW100 v2 combines classic Grado design with modern updates. The durable ear cups and adjustable headband ensure comfort during extended use. Lightweight and portable, these headphones are suitable for both home and on-the-go listening.

The GW100 v2’s sound signature is distinctly Grado, with detailed mids, sparkling highs, and balanced bass. They excel with vocals and acoustic instruments, making them perfect for jazz, classical, and folk genres. The bass is articulate but not overpowering. Notably, the GW100 v2 offers up to 40 hours of battery life, allowing for prolonged listening without frequent charging. A detachable cable provides the option for wired listening, enhancing versatility.

GRADO PS500e Professional Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones

Grado PS500e represents a significant achievement in the Grado lineup, offering a sound that is quintessentially Grado with its warm harmonic colors, rich full-bodied vocals, and excellent dynamics. As part of the ‘e series’ of Grado models, the PS500e benefits from advancements in design and engineering, including an improved 8 conductor cable design and a hybrid air chamber that combines metal and wood. This design ensures an undistorted flow of the audio signal, preserving the purity of the music.

These headphones feature an open-back design, which is a staple of Grado’s approach to achieving a natural and expansive soundstage. The open-back nature allows for a sense of airiness and space around the music, which closed-back headphones often cannot replicate. However, this design also means that they are not ideal for noisy environments as they do not isolate the listener from external sounds. The PS500e is equipped with a newly redesigned 44mm speaker that contributes to its detailed and dynamic sound. The use of copper wire in the headphones’ cable is a deliberate choice, given copper’s excellent conductive properties, which help maintain the integrity and quality of the audio signal from the source to the listener’s ears.

When it comes to comfort, the PS500e is an on-ear model, which means the headphones sit on the ears rather than around them. This design can be a matter of personal preference, with some users finding on-ear models less comfortable over long periods. However, the PS500e is noted for its lightweight and compact form factor, which may offset some of the potential discomfort associated with on-ear designs.

The headphones sound particularly impressive with a variety of music genres, delivering audio with clarity and precision. While they may not have the deep, resonant bass that some listeners prefer, the PS500e offers a balanced and intentional sound that is both pleasing and accurate, making them a solid choice for professional monitoring and for audiophiles who value fidelity and detail in their music listening experience.

Grado Reference Series RS1e Headphones

Grado Reference Series RS1e Headphones
  • Tranducer type - Dynamic / Operating principle - Open Air / Frequency...

The Grado Reference Series RS1e headphones are a testament to Grado Labs’ dedication to high-fidelity audio and expert craftsmanship. Known for their distinctive sound signature, these headphones offer a listening experience that is both immersive and precise, making them a favorite among audiophiles. The RS1e features beautifully crafted mahogany ear cups, which not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to the headphones’ acoustic properties. The choice of wood helps in delivering a warm, rich sound with natural resonance, a hallmark of the Grado sound.

The open-back design of the RS1e allows for a spacious soundstage, providing a sense of depth and realism that is often unmatched by closed-back headphones. This design choice enhances the overall sound quality, making the RS1e ideal for home listening environments where sound leakage is not a concern. The headphones excel in reproducing midrange frequencies, making them particularly well-suited for genres like rock, jazz, and classical music. The treble is crisp and clear, while the bass is tight and controlled, offering a balanced and natural sound profile that audiophiles will appreciate.

Comfort is a significant consideration for any on-ear headphones, and the RS1e addresses this with its lightweight construction and plush ear pads. These enhancements not only improve comfort during extended listening sessions but also ensure that the headphones sit securely on the ears without causing discomfort. However, it’s worth noting that the non-removable, heavy cable might be a drawback for some users, despite the headphones’ otherwise user-friendly features.

In terms of performance, the RS1e delivers an impressive audio experience that is both dynamic and detailed. The headphones are capable of reproducing a wide range of frequencies with precision, ensuring that every note is heard clearly and accurately. This makes them particularly well-suited for critical listening and professional monitoring, as well as for those who simply enjoy high-quality audio in their everyday listening.

Overall, the Grado Reference Series RS1e headphones stand out as a premium choice for audiophiles who value sound quality, craftsmanship, and design. With their superior audio performance and distinctive aesthetic, they offer an unparalleled listening experience that is sure to delight even the most discerning listeners.

GRADO GS1000e Statement Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones

Grado GS1000e Statement Series headphones are a pinnacle of audio engineering, representing the best of what Grado Labs has to offer in terms of sound quality, design, and craftsmanship. Designed for audiophiles who demand nothing but the finest audio experience, these headphones deliver an unparalleled listening experience that captures the essence of Grado’s signature sound.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the GS1000e features large mahogany ear cups that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute significantly to the acoustic performance. The use of wood in the construction helps in achieving a warm, rich sound with natural resonance, which is a hallmark of the Grado sound signature. The open-back design of the GS1000e ensures a wide and spacious soundstage, allowing for an immersive audio experience that is both detailed and expansive.

Comfort is paramount in the design of the GS1000e, with oversized ear cushions that envelop the ears, providing a plush and comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. The leather headband is adjustable, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for all head sizes. This attention to comfort makes the GS1000e ideal for long hours of listening without fatigue.

Sonically, the GS1000e excels across the frequency spectrum, offering a balanced and dynamic sound profile that is both articulate and engaging. The headphones deliver crystal-clear highs, detailed mids, and a tight, controlled bass that audiophiles will appreciate. The sound quality is further enhanced by Grado’s use of high-quality components, including an improved driver design and ultra-high-purity copper voice coils, which ensure a clean and precise audio signal.

The GS1000e is particularly well-suited for genres that benefit from a wide soundstage and detailed reproduction, such as classical, jazz, and acoustic music. The headphones’ ability to convey subtle nuances and intricate details in the music makes them a top choice for discerning listeners who value accuracy and fidelity.

In summary, the Grado GS1000e Statement Series Wired Open-Back Stereo Headphones are a testament to Grado’s commitment to excellence in audio engineering. With their superior sound quality, luxurious design, and exceptional comfort, they stand out as one of the best Grado headphones available, offering an unparalleled listening experience for audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.