Grado SR125 review

Ah, Grado headphones: their unique ‘1930s radio operator' looks always divide opinion, but praise for their performance is typically universal.

We last reviewed the SR125s back in 1999, and moaned about poor comfort: a subsequent change of ear-pad design means no such gripes this time.

These headphones are fast, dynamic and dig up plenty of detail. Whether you listen to Shostakovich or Paul Simon, there's little else that communicates the music's message so well.

The Grados time beautifully, and organise the various instrumental strands of a piece of music: you'll never be in any doubt as to what the artist or the composer intended.

The SR125s – like most Grados – are a very long-running design. It's ironic then, that most of the rivals are still playing catch-up.