[YtseJamer]

After a few hours of burn-in, the slight brightness seems to have settled, and now I can crank up the volume and rock out like I do with my other Grados. I also switched from the Hugo 2 to the Bifrost 2 DAC, which might be helping too.

 

[ae7.30]

No comparing the bass quality and in my opinion the HP500 SE is the Best Bass to ever come out of the house of Grado.

Have you tried sampling the tracks I shared? Do the HP100 SE reproduce the lower octave?

Got them at Planète Haute Fidélité in Montreal. The owner said it’s the first and only pair available in a store in Canada right now since all the HP100s Grado Canada got were already pre-ordered online.

Does this mean you bought the only pair available or does Planète Haute Fidélité still have a demo pair?

 

[YtseJamer]

Does this mean you bought the only pair available or does Planète Haute Fidélité still have a demo pair?

They only had one pair in stock. You might want to reach out to Michel at Grado Canada to check if they’ve got another available, but from what I heard, they didn’t receive enough to meet all the demand. It’s an awesome headphone and absolutely worth the $2500, especially when you compare it to other similarly priced headphones like the Utopia OG (used) or the Atrium.

 

[SsXxX]

Okay so I'm gonna try summarize the HP100SE sound signature according to the comments I read here ...


Bass: looks like it's universally accepted that it has the best bass in a Grado ever and that it goes really deep down the octaves


Mids: haven't read a lot about it but I'm not worried, Grado mids and timbre never disappoints


Treble: hmm here where I'm a bit worried to be honest, seems there is no agreement here, some say it's natural and okay but a lot are saying it's very bright, even for a Grado!

And this really kinda worries me, if it's Grado bright kinda similar brightness level to SR325X and GW100X; well I'm more than happy...

But brighter and especially "bright even for a Grado" really worries me, I just sold my TH909 due to its extreme brightness and treble intensity (even tho it's bass is really nice!), I hope HP100SE is not another "TH909" treble trap and I just made an expensive 2500$ mistake ... After doing a 2000$ one with the TH909


I guess all I can do is wait and see, my HP100SE is shipped and on the way ...

 

[YtseJamer]

The bass is definitely the best I’ve heard from a Grado and probably one of the best I’ve experienced in any headphone. Not for bassheads, but it’s deep and impactful for a Grado. The mids are classic Grado, no issues there. The treble is beautifully extended and smooth, with no harshness or sibilance so far, and it’s not overly bright, especially if you’re familiar with other Grados. I’d say it’s similar in brightness to the RS2x. Yesterday, I was worried it might trigger my tinnitus, but no problems at all today. When you get yours, you might have the same initial impression, but trust me, the drivers really need about 24 hours of burn-in to settle. Also, I’m running them on a warm setup, which probably helps a lot.

 

[Luckyleo]

The bass is definitely the best I’ve heard from a Grado and probably one of the best I’ve experienced in any headphone. Not for bassheads, but it’s deep and impactful for a Grado. The mids are classic Grado, no issues there. The treble is beautifully extended and smooth, with no harshness or sibilance so far, and it’s not overly bright, especially if you’re familiar with other Grados. I’d say it’s similar in brightness to the RS2x. Yesterday, I was worried it might trigger my tinnitus, but no problems at all today. When you get yours, you might have the same initial impression, but trust me, the drivers really need about 24 hours of burn-in to settle. Also, I’m running them on a warm setup, which probably helps a lot.

Agreed!

 

[Not so fat head]

Great to hear Grado put out a real winner. Now if they can move the replicable cable down the whole line, that would be excellent, even if there is a price increase.

 

[fidgeraldo]

even if there is a price increase.

I don't see the need for a price increase by changing the design with cable sockets.
I'd rather that instead of cables included at all.

Cheers!

 

[chesebert]

Great to hear Grado put out a real winner. Now if they can move the replicable cable down the whole line, that would be excellent, even if there is a price increase.

Too soon to call it. Wait for 3-4 months and then we will know.

 

[SsXxX]

"The bass is definitely the best I’ve heard from a Grado and probably one of the best I’ve experienced in any headphone. Not for bassheads, but it’s deep and impactful for a Grado. The mids are classic Grado, no issues there. The treble is beautifully extended and smooth, with no harshness or sibilance so far, and it’s not overly bright, especially if you’re familiar with other Grados."

extended treble that is smooth with no harshness and sibilance is exactly what im looking for Sir!

thank you!

 

[Chefguru]

Can you take a photo of the underside of the headphone cups without the pads?

Bump…

 

[sling5s]

Still very happy with the hp100se.

I think the hp100se is the best Grado in terms of technical abilities.
It's the most resolving, best imaging, and unmatched in its ability to produce the lowest and best bass.

It is also to my ears and preference, while I won't go far as to say it's the best sounding Grado, I do feel it is the best sounding G-Cush Grado in terms of its overall sound signature, tone, timbre, and tuning--the balance of bass, mids and treble.
To my ears again, I feel Grado has (finally to my satisfaction) had done the mids right for a G Cush headphone---better than any other G Cush (PS & GS).

 

[Luckyleo]

Still very happy with the hp100se.

I think the hp100se is the best Grado in terms of technical abilities.
It's the most resolving, best imaging, and unmatched in its ability to produce the lowest and best bass.

It is also to my ears and preference, while I won't go far as to say it's the best sounding Grado, I do feel it is the best sounding G-Cush Grado in terms of its overall sound signature, tone, timbre, and tuning--the balance of bass, mids and treble.
To my ears again, I feel Grado has (finally to my satisfaction) had done the mids right for a G Cush headphone---better than any other G Cush (PS & GS).

I'm really curious why you say "while I won't go far as to say it's the best sounding Grado, I do feel it is the best sounding G-Cush Grado". In your opinion which is the best Grado overall and what makes that headphone the best? (Not trolling, genuinely interested).

Thanks

 

[sling5s]

I'm really curious why you say "while I won't go far as to say it's the best sounding Grado, I do feel it is the best sounding G-Cush Grado". In your opinion which is the best Grado overall and what makes that headphone the best? (Not trolling, genuinely interested).

Thanks

I guess because best "sounding" to me personally would still go to the RS1 (non e/x) series. The RS1 with all it's flaws is the Grado I fell in love with.
Apart from that personal bias, I do think the hp100se is the best sounding Grado I have heard. However I have heard most but not all.
I have not heard the PS1 nor HP1.

 

[ESL-1]

I'm really curious why you say "while I won't go far as to say it's the best sounding Grado, I do feel it is the best sounding G-Cush Grado". In your opinion which is the best Grado overall and what makes that headphone the best? (Not trolling, genuinely interested).

Thanks

I agree TOTALLY with my buddy above that this is the BEST Grado in my opinion.
I have had about 10 hours listening on a friend’s and I feel very confident in that statement.
I have owned or listened to almost every Grado as I used to be an authorized Grado dealer and that statement is definitely true for me.

That includes the PS2000e & Joseph Grado Signature HP1000 HP2 and most of the the other top performers.

My best recommendation would be to to give them a listen for yourselves.

Enjoy the quest.

PS. Check out Todd the Vinyl Junkie’s video review a few posts ago. Good info from a very knowledgeable guy.