From simply throughout the river in Brooklyn lies a headphone firm that’s lengthy been celebrated for its household legacy and iconic on-ear designs: Grado Labs. In honor of Joseph Grado’s a hundredth birthday, the corporate has unveiled the limited-edition Grado HP 100 Particular Version (HP 100 SE) — a high-end, over-ear, open-back headphone that stands as a flagship launch for the model. With a price ticket of $2,495, this mannequin is unquestionably producing buzz. Right this moment, we’re diving deep into its design, construct, and sound signature to find out whether or not it lives as much as the hype.
What Comes In The Field
- HP100 SE Particular Version Open-Again Headphones
- Grado G Cushion (Put in)
- Grado F Cushion
- 4-pin Mini XLR to six.35mm (1/4″) Removable Cable
- Grado Labs Guarantee
Aesthetics and Performance
Grado’s visible identification stays constant throughout their product line, and the HP 100 SE isn’t any exception. True to type, it options the corporate’s recognizable earpads, retro-inspired housings, and sturdy cabling. Nevertheless, what units this mannequin aside is its removable 12-conductor cable—a primary for Grado. This welcome improve permits customers to swap in cables with completely different terminations, increasing compatibility with quite a lot of audiophile setups.
That stated, construct high quality might elevate some eyebrows given the premium worth. The headphone body feels a bit fragile, and the general development doesn’t fairly justify the almost $2.5K value. The HP 100 SE can also be heavy on the top with a free clamping drive. Whereas this reduces ear fatigue, the general weight can really feel cumbersome over lengthy classes.
I paired the HP 100 SE with the FiiO K11 desktop DAC and headphone amplifier, which offered ample energy and a strong listening setting. As a result of weight and bulk of the headphones, they’re finest fitted to stationary, at-home listening classes—positively not for strolling round or informal mobility.
Tech Specs
- Transducer Sort: Dynamic
- Working Precept: Open Air
- Frequency Response: 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz
- THD: <0.1% @100dB
- SPL 1mW: 117dB
- Nominal Impedance: 38 Ω
- Driver Measurement: 52 mm
- Driver Matched dB: 0.04 dB
- Cable Sort: 12 Conductor removable
- Headphone Connection: 4-pin Mini XLR
- Supply Connection: 6.3 mm
- Ear Cushions: G cushions (put in), F cushions
Listening Overview
Soundstage
The soundstage is without doubt one of the HP 100 SE’s strongest belongings. With wonderful width and pure spatial depth, this headphone excels in reproducing a balanced and analytical stereo picture. There’s no synthetic coloration or exaggerated dimensionality—only a flat, sincere subject that makes it a superb reference headphone for mixing or important listening. Crank up the quantity, and you will hear micro-details which might be usually misplaced with extra informal headphones.
Low Frequencies
The low finish is tight and reserved, offering sufficient physique and heat to push tracks ahead with out changing into overbearing. Bass extension is clear and managed, providing spectacular readability with out veiling the mids. It’s not a bass-heavy headphone by any means, nevertheless it offers you simply sufficient influence to maintain issues musical with out sacrificing element.
Midrange Frequencies
The midrange is without doubt one of the most naturally offered features of the HP 100 SE. Vocals sit confidently on the entrance of the combo, whereas acoustic devices preserve sturdy definition and depth. There’s strong separation within the layering, particularly in complicated tracks like orchestral or jazz preparations. The width of the midrange offers listeners the power to dissect particular person elements with out dropping cohesion—a important high quality for these needing a impartial and correct headphone.
Excessive Frequencies
The treble vary is ethereal and nuanced, contributing to the HP 100 SE’s spacious and easy presentation. Excessive-end element is well-defined however by no means harsh, and the pure roll-off makes room acoustics and reverbs really feel extra expansive—particularly in classical and ambient recordings. This mild and open top-end helps steadiness the bodily weight of the headphones, providing a way of carry and openness that counteracts their heavier construct.
Abstract
The Grado HP 100 Particular Version (HP 100 SE) is a standout in Grado’s lineup, combining the model’s signature open-back design with new tech-forward options like removable cables and finely matched 52mm drivers. Its sound signature is analytical, balanced, and revealing, making it very best for important listening, mastering, or mixing. Whereas the construct high quality and weight might go away one thing to be desired—particularly at this worth level—the sonic efficiency is undeniably elite.
For audiophiles and professionals alike, the HP 100 SE delivers a clear and refined expertise, although informal listeners would possibly need to weigh its consolation and value towards its exceptional audio constancy.
The Grado HP 100 SE is offered in the present day at Audio46.
