Grado has a habit of reissuing its beloved open-back headphones with subtle tweaks, and the SR325 Classic is the latest exercise in nostalgia-meets-engineering. Built on the bones of the Award-winning SR325x, this version trades a little modern restraint for warmer, more characterful styling — but the real question is whether it keeps the sonic magic intact.
The heart of the matter is Grado’s 44mm X2 dynamic driver, paired with a Mylar diaphragm, a copper voice coil and a rare earth magnet system. It’s a tried-and-tested recipe from the family-owned Brooklyn workshop, and Grado has tuned it here for articulation and speed rather than thunderous low end. Expect tight, controlled bass, a forward and clear midrange, and crisp high-frequency extension that the brand has long been known for.
On paper, the numbers tell a familiar story: a frequency response of 18 Hz–24 kHz, sensitivity rated at 98–100 dB, and an impedance of 38 ohms. That low impedance is good news for anyone planning to drive these from a phone or a modest portable amp — you won’t need a desktop powerhouse to get them singing, though a decent source will reward you.
As with all Grado open-backs, the design philosophy is unapologetically purist. There’s no active noise cancellation, no Bluetooth, no app — just a pair of drivers, a cable and your music. The open-back architecture means sound leaks both ways, so these are headphones for the listening chair rather than the open-plan office or the morning commute. In exchange, you get a spacious, airy soundstage that sealed cans struggle to match.
The ‘Classic’ branding is the headline change here, leaning into Grado’s heritage as a manufacturer that has been hand-building audio gear since 1953. The result is a familiar listening experience dressed in more characterful clothing — a love letter to the company’s roots as much as a product launch.
The SR325 Classic was unveiled on March 24, 2026 as part of Grado’s new Classic Series, and it has been on sale since then. Pricing sits at US$350 (£349 in the UK), placing it squarely in the enthusiast bracket where Grado has always been most comfortable.
Does it lose a little of the signature magic? That’s the eternal debate with any reissue. But for listeners who value detail, immediacy and that distinctive Grado presentation, the SR325 Classic looks like a compelling way to buy into a piece of audio history without paying flagship money.
