Grado Signature HP100 SE

Dec 9, 2024 at 1:06 PM Post #302 of 696
The HP100 SE was named Best Open Headphones of the Year by Headphone Guru. He called it the best dynamic driver he’s ever heard, and honestly, I also think it’s one of the best dynamic headphones I’ve heard. I’d even say **in my opinion, and of course, to my subjective ears!** it holds its own against most planars I’ve tried, though maybe not in the sub-bass, still, the bass is super impressive for a dynamic. That said, I’ll admit I haven’t heard all the latest planars from Hifiman, Audeze, or ZMF yet.

https://headphone.guru/headphone-guru-2024-product-of-the-year-awards/
 
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Dec 9, 2024 at 1:18 PM Post #303 of 696
The HP100 SE was named Best Open Headphones of the Year by Headphone Guru. He called it the best dynamic driver he’s ever heard, and honestly, I’m starting to feel the same way. I’d even say (IMO) it holds its own against most planars I’ve tried, though maybe not in the sub-bass, still, the bass is super impressive for a dynamic. That said, I’ll admit I haven’t heard all the latest planars from Hifiman, Audeze, or ZMF yet.

https://headphone.guru/headphone-guru-2024-product-of-the-year-awards/
Just checked your headphone inventory, you used to have an Atrium right? Did you get rid of it after getting the HP100? Was going to ask if the HP100 would be eating up all your listening time when it comes to metal but maybe that answers my question haha
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM Post #304 of 696
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.
Yup. There you go. He said what I was wanting but hesitating to say.
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 2:08 PM Post #305 of 696
If anyone has the HP100 SE and a pair of Beautiful Audio pads I'd be curious to know if you think they work well together
they definitively work well together. better confort and sound :wink:

PHOTO-2024-12-06-16-58-29.jpg
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 2:43 PM Post #306 of 696
they definitively work well together. better confort and sound :wink:

PHOTO-2024-12-06-16-58-29.jpg
These are the large BA pads right? Are there any notable sonic differences going from the G cushions to the BA pads? Hoping that they still retain all the magic of the headphones in their stock configuration
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 3:06 PM Post #307 of 696
I would wait until you have a decent amount of time on the phone getting acclimated to their sound as they do break in. After that you certainly play with other choices but be fussy about the sound character. This model went through a long design process and everything is already super well matched. The BA pads are good quality but anytime I tried them on they did change the sonic signature with less details and a heavier bass. The HP100 SE certainly does not need any added bass.
Do try it for yourself of course. To me on a headphone of this elevated quality they deserve to sound as they were designed.

Enjoy all. If you might want some more thoughts on making any Grado feel more comfortable in stock trim feel free to PM me and I can pass along some thoughts you may or may not be familiar with.

Congratulations 🎈 on your purchase.
 

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Dec 9, 2024 at 3:14 PM Post #308 of 696
Just checked your headphone inventory, you used to have an Atrium right? Did you get rid of it after getting the HP100? Was going to ask if the HP100 would be eating up all your listening time when it comes to metal but maybe that answers my question haha

I had the Atrium, but I decided to sell them to help fund the HP100. The price is pretty high here in Canada, and I just couldn’t justify keeping two headphones that cost me around $4000 CAD each. In the last couple of months, I’ve been using my PS500x (and my GH2) more than the Atrium, as the Grado sound fits my taste better, so I knew it was time to sell the Atrium. Don’t get me wrong, the Atrium is awesome, and I’ve really enjoyed it over the past couple of years, but the HP100 (and PS500x/GH2) just clicks with me more, and I’ve always been a big fan of the Grado lively sound. I’ll definitely miss the Atrium, but I’ve ordered the Bokeh Open, hoping they’ll give me that ‘baby Atrium’ sound for when I want something warmer and more laid-back. But don’t just take my word for it, try to find a place where you can listen to them before dropping $2500 blindly. I’ve been a Grado fan for over 20 years, so I’m definitely a bit biased. As much as I like the HP100, I don’t think it’s going to turn all the anti-Grado crowd into fans just because it has detachable cables, etc. The HP100 definitely has that Grado DNA we love, maybe even more than ever, but I know this sound isn’t for everyone.
 
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Dec 9, 2024 at 3:39 PM Post #309 of 696
In the 10 days that I have the HP100 I've spent many happy hours with it. Details come without effort, its never aggressive (listening mainly via K11 R2R + Lyr+ or on my M17), shows impressive dynamics and a stable, wide soundstage. Just beautiful. The Abyss I used to own did not make me half that happy (at more than double the price...)

Last Friday I took that Forza cable home for testing, and it feels really nice. Still kneading the original cable, but despite my efforts it doesn't show any signs of getting more pliable so far. Too bad, since the part from splitter to cups feels very good.
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 5:29 PM Post #310 of 696
For the record, I have tried almost all the pads I have in the house on the SE, even the G pads although I can't use them, and I guess I don't want to say the best sound because it's clearly so subjective -- even measurements don't entirely tell the tale, because better on a graph does not necessarily mean a better listen -- but the sound I certainly found most pleasing, and which brought out the most to my ears, including things like instruments I had not previously heard on well-liked recordings, was on the TTVJ deluxes.

For what it's worth, I've also never bought a new Grado that had a shorter break-in period. That said, I'm confident it will continue to improve.

Again, I'm just reporting these things because they might be useful to consider. I only stand by them as my own experience, however, caveat emptor (although if you can afford these things you're insane not to buy them,) your results may vary, like that.
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 6:23 PM Post #311 of 696
BIG SURPRISE: Without any espectation I gave a try to the "flats" pads that are also supplied with the HP100 ( It is the Type "F Pads" that were the standard pads supplied with the original HP1, HP2 and HP3), and... they sounded really not bad !!

I enjoyed them more than the G pads... except for confort that is really "special". Now I have to choose between the F pads and the blue one from Beautiful Audio.

--> Am I the only one here that prefer the slim F pads over the comfy G pads ?

Pads Grado F.jpg


Pads Beautiful Audio.jpg
 
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Dec 9, 2024 at 6:55 PM Post #312 of 696
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.
And I would go with my buddy here. Not sure that makes this the buddy system, but none of us make any money on these cans, so that's worth considering at least. And as it happens I was listening to my PS2000e yesterday and I would never be without it. The SE has the edge, it's the if you only have to have one, all that good stuff, but I'm somewhat comforted that it doesn't exclude the charms of its predecessors -- including the HP2. Plus obviously it uses the X driver and those don't, so of course there's going to be a difference right there. I still haven't A/Bd it with the PS1000(x) LE, which would probably be my pick for best ever before this, but I can't imagine that one is any better per se than this. I'm giving it a few points in advance because I haven't played it enough for it to fully open up, but it's clear that's going to be the case. I enjoy having the different ones for the different sounds, and it's also true I prefer different ones for different types of music, but the SE is also the best all-rounder. It's a masterpiece.
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 6:58 PM Post #313 of 696
BIG SURPRISE: Without any espectation I gave a try to the "flats" pads that are also supplied with the HP100 ( It is the Type "F Pads" that were the standard pads supplied with the original HP1, HP2 and HP3), and... they sounded really not bad !!

I enjoyed them more than the G pads... except for confort that is really "special". Now I have to choose between the F pads and the blue one from Beautiful Audio.

--> Am I the only one here that prefer the slim F pads over the comfy G pads ?

Pads Grado F.jpg


Pads Beautiful Audio.jpg
To complicate matters, the TTVJ deluxe flats are even better. I have different pads in the vein of the BAs, and they have lost something. I was also well advised here to use flats until they become comfortable and now they really are.
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 7:13 PM Post #314 of 696
BIG SURPRISE: Without any espectation I gave a try to the "flats" pads that are also supplied with the HP100 ( It is the Type "F Pads" that were the standard pads supplied with the original HP1, HP2 and HP3), and... they sounded really not bad !!
 
Dec 9, 2024 at 7:14 PM Post #315 of 696
So the HP100 SE has a 52mm driver but the pad openings are only 30mm?
 

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