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Grado SR225e vs Sennheiser HD 25: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Grado SR225e vs Sennheiser HD 25, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

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

Sennheiser HD 25 leads on 4 of 4 measures.

  • Grado SR225e
  • Sennheiser HD 25
HearWiki score
-
81
Sound
-
7.8
Value
-
8.0
Price (USD)
$200
$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 6 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 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

  • SR225e2018
  • HD 2520246 yr newer

Specifications

SR225eHD 25
Type
On-Ear
On-Ear
Price (USD)
$200
$110
HearWiki score
Not scored
81
Released
2018
2024
Availability
Discontinued
Still sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
-
Frequency response
20 Hz - 22 kHz
16 Hz - 22 kHz
Sound signature
warm
-
Impedance
32 Ω
70 Ω
Sensitivity
98 dB/mW
120 dB/mW
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
-
120.4
Active noise cancelling
No
No
Controls
none
none
Weight
357 g
140 g
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
-
No
Connector
3.5 mm
-

What reviewers said

Grado SR225e

The Grado SR225e is an open-back, on-ear wired headphone that delivers a lively, detailed performance with an impressively wide and airy soundstage. Its warm overall tuning is paired with a forward treble that can be sharp on certain tracks, and the foam pads may feel stiff during extended listening sessions.

  • Pro:Open-back design creates a spacious, immersive soundstage
  • Pro:Crisp, revealing detail across the frequency range
  • Pro:Warm signature adds body to vocals and instruments
  • Con:Treble can come across as harsh or sibilant at times
  • Con:Foam earpads are not very plush for long wear
  • Con:No inline controls or cable microphone

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.

Compare something else

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New comparisonGrado SR225eSennheiser HD 25