Over-Ear
Grado SR325
72Good
$350
Full review dataGrado SR325 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Grado SR325
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling1.0
Value6.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Grado SR325 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $350 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 18Hz-24kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 280 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
Grado SR325
The Grado SR325 is an open-back, wired headphone that delivers a clear, detailed, and spacious soundstage, making it a solid pick for critical listening. Its 44mm dynamic driver offers a lively and precise presentation, but the open design means significant sound leakage and minimal isolation, so it's not ideal for on-the-go use. Build quality is generally solid, though the earpads can be prone to coming loose over time. While it's easy to drive and engaging for focused sessions, its comfort and fit may be a concern for some users, especially during extended wear.
- Pro:Clear and detailed sound with good instrument separation
- Pro:Open, spacious soundstage ideal for critical listening
- Pro:Easy to drive with a wide frequency response
- Con:Significant sound leakage and poor isolation
- Con:Earpads can detach easily
- Con:May feel heavy or slip off during use
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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