Grado Signature HP100 SE

[Astral Abyss]

Absolutely, not only to send them back but also leave a negative review about knowingly sending demo unit for the price of a new one. You made right decision, that dent is completely unacceptable. HP100 cups are made from special aluminum alloy to mitigate any resonance and unnecessary vibrations that can cause distortion in sound. Cups are kinda heavy because it's a full cast aluminum, you can take a flashlight and look for yourself what's the thickness of the cups - it's pretty darn impressive. From my understanding this unit was most likely dropped, it's impossible to leave a dent on very hard material without using excessive force. I highly doubt Grado Labs have such poor quality control that somehow they missed a huge dent on $2500 flagship headphones. Since dent is located right on the edge of the cup it's indisputable evidence that it was the point of impact, I'm more than sure this unit was neglected. If I were you I would be so furious, I would demand full refund and wouldn't even bother to ask for exchange. Next time order directly from manufacturer.

Agreed. I was pretty upset because telling someone that these are "A stock" and good as new and then finding a defect like that is like a slap in the face. If they had been listed as B stock, I'd have been less disappointed, especially if the defect was noted.

 

[plakat]

Agreed. I was pretty upset because telling someone that these are "A stock" and good as new and then finding a defect like that is like a slap in the face. If they had been listed as B stock, I'd have been less disappointed, especially if the defect was noted.

I fully understand being upset by receiving a not that cheap headphone with a flaw. Yet I'm not so sure the dealer is the culprit here... when I purchased my GS3000x the first unit (you see where this leads...) had not only dents on the wood but also a defective driver. The second unit... again a defective driver. Plus. Small dent in the wood. Both came directly from the German distributor since my local shop did not carry the GS3000x and therefore had no stock. I'm quite sure the units came in this condition from Grado since the distributor does repairs by themselves: it would have made no sense for them to receive back a defective unit and try to sell it again without repair.

A dent below the rubber might even have come from the factory doing the cups (I guess they are not made by Grado themselves). So yes, it might simply have escaped end control.

It's of course hard to accept that the first unit with the dent sounded better than the replacement... that's really unfortunate. Can you somehow compare it to a different third unit? Going by my experience with the GS3000x I'd not rule out defective drivers (although in my case it was only one side of course). I've just recently heard a new HP100SE vs. my own, well used one, and they sounded identical. So it its very off, I would not have high hopes of that repairing itself...

Very sorry for your troubles. Hope you can get it sorted out soon, and enjoy the HP100 in its fully glory.

 

[spydrwebb44]

Feel like you made the right decision and also believe you should lead with grace.

 

[You Kay]

Hi guys. I know I went silent for a bit but I have a valid reason. I had purchased an "A stock" 100SE from Audio46 and it came in as expected. It sounded incredible with deep bass and none of the treble issues you guys were talking about. It was likely due to it being a demo unit.

Well, as soon as I took the rubber bands off, a nasty dent in the cup caught my eye. Unacceptable for a headphone that was supposedly checked out and had zero defects. I ended up sending it back and just got my replacement a few days ago.

Holy crap, it sounds like a completely different headphone. The bass is gone and the upper mids are blowing up my eardrums. I completely understand what people were talking about with these right out of the box. I'm guessing my replacement was either new or very lightly used... Smelled new honestly.

I've been burning them in and trying to get back to that blissful sound the original pair had. I feel like I'm getting closer with each session.

What a trip this has been.

So tell me, if you bought a pair that were supposed to be in perfect condition and had this chip on them, would you have sent them back? They sounded so good it pained me, but that chip was going to torment me forever...

The stupid rubber band was hiding it

You did the right thing. I wouldn’t have accepted a dented unit. And you’ve given us the heads up to check the unit thoroughly so thank you.

As I can’t find much feedback on the s950 I think I’ll just go for the 100se.

 

[JayF]

I've purchased from Audio 46 many times over the past 10 years both in person and online. They always have fantastic customer service, quick to respond & ship, typically offer a bit of discount, etc. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt here and it sounds like they did replace the unit at your request. Personally that nick wouldn't have bothered me especially knowing I was buying a demo unit (likely with a discount), but I understand everyone has a different level of tolerance for these things. A negative review doesn't seem justified in this case.

 

[fidgeraldo]

So tell me, if you bought a pair that were supposed to be in perfect condition and had this chip on them, would you have sent them back?

I'd ask for 50% off and be OK with that dent; without 50% off, I'm sending it back!
And asking for 25% compensation for stress suffered.

Cheesr!

 

[Alexander IN]

Hi guys. I know I went silent for a bit but I have a valid reason. I had purchased an "A stock" 100SE from Audio46 and it came in as expected. It sounded incredible with deep bass and none of the treble issues you guys were talking about. It was likely due to it being a demo unit.

Well, as soon as I took the rubber bands off, a nasty dent in the cup caught my eye. Unacceptable for a headphone that was supposedly checked out and had zero defects. I ended up sending it back and just got my replacement a few days ago.

Holy crap, it sounds like a completely different headphone. The bass is gone and the upper mids are blowing up my eardrums. I completely understand what people were talking about with these right out of the box. I'm guessing my replacement was either new or very lightly used... Smelled new honestly.

I've been burning them in and trying to get back to that blissful sound the original pair had. I feel like I'm getting closer with each session.

What a trip this has been.

So tell me, if you bought a pair that were supposed to be in perfect condition and had this chip on them, would you have sent them back? They sounded so good it pained me, but that chip was going to torment me forever...

The stupid rubber band was hiding it

Most likely, you will never know the origin story of this headphone damage. If it was a blow to the metal surface, then it led not only to the loss of the aesthetic appearance of the headphones, but also to internal damage, which you cannot see on a superficial visual inspection. Moreover, internal damage may manifest itself later after some time during the operation of the headphones.
By sending the product back to the seller, you did the right thing.

 

[San Raal]

So tell me, if you bought a pair that were supposed to be in perfect condition and had this chip on them, would you have sent them back? They sounded so good it pained me, but that chip was going to torment me forever...

When I purchased my Hemps they arrived with a serious defect in the wooden cups, I sent them back straight away and received a replacement thankfully after a short wait.

When I bought my PS1000 back in the day I was disappointed as they were dull. They cups looked nothing like the 70's Cylon helmet sheen in all the reviews and stock photos. But they sounded great and returning them would of been tough as it would mean sending them back to the USA. I now buy all my Grado's in the UK, I pay more but I know that I can easily return a pair. Enjoy your new HP100SE

 

[Drmark]

How is everyone removing the black dye in the cups? I've washed mine 3 times now and it's still coming out.

 

[Luckyleo]

DMS has a new vid discussing the relationship between sound and $$ spent on the headphone. AKG 361 he says is a great closed headphone at a really reasonable price. He then mentioned that high prices don't correlate to great sound. Grado HP100SE as an example was called "hot garbage". I think that is far beyond a reasonable critique. Many of us on this thread cherish these headphones and consider them as one of the best headphones on the market. I understand we all have different opinions of what sounds good to us and what doesn't. What is worth the $$ and what isn't. But there is no need to be insulting to a product that you don't care for.

Lost a lot of respect for Douglas.

 

[bozebuttons]

DMS has a new vid discussing the relationship between sound and $$ spent on the headphone. AKG 361 he says is a great closed headphone at a really reasonable price. He then mentioned that high prices don't correlate to great sound. Grado HP100SE as an example was called "hot garbage". I think that is far beyond a reasonable critique. Many of us on this thread cherish these headphones and consider them as one of the best headphones on the market. I understand we all have different opinions of what sounds good to us and what doesn't. What is worth the $$ and what isn't. But there is no need to be insulting to a product that you don't care for.

Lost a lot of respect for Douglas.

Having been in the hobby for a long time & organizing many NY meets what I have learned is every one hears differently ones opinion is there's
doesn't mean yours are wrong bottom line trust your own ears.
I have been a Grado fan since the mid 90s and still have my SR60 I bought in1995 And have Many more Grados.
I liked the HP100se when I heard it at Canjam NY

 

[Luckyleo]

Having been in the hobby for a long time & organizing many NY meets what I have learned is every one hears differently ones opinion is there's
doesn't mean yours are wrong bottom line trust your own ears.
I have been a Grado fan since the mid 90s and still have my SR60 I bought in1995 And have Many more Grados.
I liked the HP100se when I heard it at Canjam NY

Totally agree. Most YT reviewers don't care for Grado. They can be polarizing. A love/hate kinda thing. I'm just disappointed by his lack of professionalism. I'll get over it!!! LOL

 

[sling5s]

DMS has a new vid discussing the relationship between sound and $$ spent on the headphone. AKG 361 he says is a great closed headphone at a really reasonable price. He then mentioned that high prices don't correlate to great sound. Grado HP100SE as an example was called "hot garbage". I think that is far beyond a reasonable critique. Many of us on this thread cherish these headphones and consider them as one of the best headphones on the market. I understand we all have different opinions of what sounds good to us and what doesn't. What is worth the $$ and what isn't. But there is no need to be insulting to a product that you don't care for.

Lost a lot of respect for Douglas.

Calling headphones he may not like or fail to understand/appreciate/respect "hot garbage" only makes the person lose credibility/respect as reviewer and makes him untrustworthy as person and further exposes his intolerance to differences.
A person who "attacks" as a way to secure and prove his point and ultimately his worth/pride/identity exposes his own insecurity. Unfortunate.

 

[fidgeraldo]

Grado HP100SE as an example was called "hot garbage".

My HP100SE are still on the way...I am excited that I am waiting for the "hot garbage"!
Actually, I like the name "hot garbage".
My wife and I often give to things our names, for fun...I will let her know that we have a name for HP100SE...HOT GARBAGE! Hahahaha
It would be a good name for the band . There is already Garbage, and now there is a "Hot Grbage".

Cheers!

 

[rcoranje]

My HP100SE are still on the way...I am excited that I am waiting for the "hot garbage"!
Actually, I like the name "hot garbage".
My wife and I often give to things our names, for fun...I will let her know that we have a name for HP100SE...HOT GARBAGE! Hahahaha
It would be a good name for the band . There is already Garbage, and now there is a "Hot Grbage".

Cheers!

Just enjoy them. The HP100 SE is wonderful, whatever YT-idiots with dollar signs in their eyes might say.