Grado eGrado vs Sennheiser HD 25: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 25 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sennheiser HD 25 - Outstanding overall at around $110.

On-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Sennheiser HD 25 leads on 3 of 4 measures.

Grado eGrado
Sennheiser HD 25

HearWiki score

Sound

6.2

7.8

Value

7.2

8.0

Price (USD)

$74

$110

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Sennheiser HD 25 is 4 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

eGrado2020
HD 2520244 yr newer

Specifications

eGradoHD 25

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $74; $110
HearWiki score: 53; 81
Released: 2020; 2024
Availability: Discontinued; Still sold new
Driver: 44 mm dynamic; dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 44 mm; -
Drivers per side: 1; -
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 16 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 70 Ω
Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW; 120 dB/mW
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms): -; 120.4
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Controls: buttons; none
Weight: 88 g; 140 g
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: -; No

Specification comparison of Grado eGrado vs Sennheiser HD 25
Spec	Grado eGrado	Sennheiser HD 25
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$74	$110
HearWiki score	53 / 100 Average	81 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2020	2024
Audio
Driver	44 mm dynamic	dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	44 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	-
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	16 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	70 Ω
Sensitivity	101 dB/mW	120 dB/mW
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)	-	120.4
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Controls	buttons	none
Design
Weight	88 g	140 g
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	-	No

What reviewers said

Grado eGrado

The Grado eGrado is a lightweight, wired on-ear headphone that delivers a lively and engaging sound, with a particular strength in bass response for its price point. It offers a transparent and open presentation typical of the brand, though it can exhibit slight sibilance in the upper mids and occasional driver distortion on certain tracks. Best suited for genres like rock, jazz, and pop, it may not be the ideal pick for bass-heavy electronic music with continuous low-end.

Pro:Strong bass performance for the price
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended listening
Pro:Open, detailed sound signature

Con:Occasional sibilance in upper midrange
Con:Driver breakup on some tracks
Con:Not ideal for sustained deep bass in EDM

Sennheiser HD 25

The Sennheiser HD 25 is a lightweight, wired on-ear headphone built for professional tasks like DJing, broadcasting, and field recording. It offers a neutral, accurate sound with good separation and a durable, modular design, though its lack of ANC and limited passive isolation make it less suited for travel or office use. Comfort can be an issue during long sessions, and the cable connection at the earcup is a known weak point.

Pro:Accurate, neutral sound with good separation
Pro:Lightweight and stable fit for active use
Pro:Durable, modular build with detachable cable

Con:Comfort declines during extended wear
Con:Weak passive isolation without ANC
Con:Cable connection at earcup is fragile

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparison Grado eGrado Sennheiser HD 25