Grado HP100 SE Review: The Most Capable Grado Ever?

Let me get this out of the way first: the Grado HP100 is the most technically capable Grado to date.


INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:

I've directly compared the HP100 to the latest and greatest from RS1X, GS3000X, etc., and this takes the cake with respect to technicalities, that is clarity, resolution, smoothness, and bass extension. I am curious if and how the distortion measurements will indicate.

The HP100 SE comes with two different kinds of pads. The big salad bowl G pads and the flat F pads. For those not familiar, refer to this post on what the F pads do for various headphones in the Grado lineup.

My preference is with the F pads. Using the F pads with the HP100, the tonal response comes somewhere in between a classic Grado (SR80 to RS2) with the standard L cushion bowl and the flat F pad. The timbre has the classic Grado midrange crunch and definition in the highs. The means peaks at 2kHz, 5Kkz and 10kHz, but again the overall tilt isn't upward like Grados with the L cush, or downward like Grados with F cush, but even across.

Basically, if you like the tone and timbre of the SR80 to RS2 (Note the RS1X and RS1E depart from this a bit) but want it toned down just a bit (plus a big jump in technicalities), the HP100 SE with the included F pads is for you! However if you are expecting the darkish neutral response of Joe Grado HP1/HP2/HP1000, you will have to look elsewhere (suggest Grado Hemp with F pad).

TONAL SIGNATURE:

With the big salad bowl G pads, the tonal signature is like the GS3000X. I don't have measurements yet, but I will provide them later. With the F pads, the tonal signature is like somewhere between the Joe Grado and John Grado sound. Now I've heard rumors of another pad being developed that puts the tonal signature between the F pads and the salad bowl pads. To be continued. I think the point is that we can have a lot of fun here rolling pads. With this new driver and housing, I think it's definitely worth it. Frequency response comparisons to other Grados can be found here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...he-most-capable-grado-ever.14988/#post-442277

One thing to add to the above: the bass extension is the best ever for a Grado. One complaint from has been that Grados lack bass extension. While the HP100SE isn't like Audeze LCD bass extension to 20Hz, it's no slouch and does just as well as the best open headphones from Sennheiser. In addition, bass distortion is low, which is another positive change from the better (see distortion section later).

The resonant frequency of the driver is also much lower at 51Hz. The nominal impedance is about 43-ohms. This is a sweet spot for headphone amplifiers, not being insanely low like the latest planars (under 18-ohms). See here for impedance measurement: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...he-most-capable-grado-ever.14988/#post-442315

The effects of amplifier output impedance with the HP100SE's impedance curve upon frequency response is here courtesy of @Biodegraded: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...he-most-capable-grado-ever.14988/#post-442325

PHYSICAL BUILD:

The beauty of these headphones speak from themselves. Here is a cup size comparison to the SR325. The new drivers are big at 52mm! The gimbals and rods are metal like the old Joe Grado HP1000! The headband has more padding. Oh, and don't forget, a Grado first: removeable cables! Normally I have issues with heavier headphones with non-suspension headbands because of the ridges I have on the top of my skull, but I did not have any issue. With the weight of the cups, I can see people having conform issues with the F pads on on the ears, so just flagging it. I however did not.





FREQUENCY RESPONSE MEASUREMENT
Grado HP100 SE
F pads
Frequency Response (DF 1db downward slope compensated)


INITIAL NOTES:

1. Amazeballs channel matching
2. I am somewhat surprised by the measured FR, because the HP100 (F pads) sounded darker in the highs than what the measurements say. There's definitely a smoothness to the driver. And this was from my initial impressions using a Schiit Midgard (balanced output) which has a pretty honest "studio reference" sound.
3. I think the bass extension is throwing me off - making me think it is sounding darker. Expectations ya know! There are measurements, then where are people's consciousness, brains, and ears. The latter I would take over any measurement (because we are not measurement fascists here).

DISTORTION:

The distortion results for this driver are nothing short of amazing and confirms my subjective listening impressions of the HP100E sounding clearer than the GS3000 and RS1X. If you want to see the distortion surface measurements, go here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...t-capable-grado-ever.14988/page-2#post-443264

DYNAMIC COMPRESSION:
This is new measurement for curiosities sake. Too early to say anything. Bottom like is that from 84db to 99db, the bass region gets compressed 0.5db. Anecdotally, this performance is normal at worst and quite good at best. But again, too early to say anything without more comparative data.
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...t-capable-grado-ever.14988/page-2#post-443175

MORE IMPRESSIONS AND IN A NUTSHELL:

I finally had a opportunity to run it through my Eddie Current custom 45 tube amp using the Gungnir 2 DAC / Mercury 3 Streamer as the source and the technicalities were on par with the best dynamics around. I did this to see if the HP100SE could scale up with better equipment, and it sure did, while still requiring minimal requires to get good sound (Grados have never really needed a fancy amp other than a regular headphone phone dongle output, and the HP100SE is no different). Anyway, the HP100SE resolves on a scale better than any prior Grado and on par with the best dynamics.

The tonal signature with the F pads lies somewhere between the old Joe Grado HP1000 (neutral-dark) and the John Grado (upper mid-crunch) sound. However, a welcome surprise is that this now comes with bass extension into the lows that matches the open TOTL dynamics. The distortion is low and arguably bests the revered HD800 (which sounds a bit grey in comparison), and this comes with the trademark Grado "fast" transients. The large salad bowl G pads gives us a tonal signature like the GS3000X. I can still see the tonal signature not to some people's liking, but keep in mind that we haven't even explored the use of different pads to tune the response. I am curious what we can arrive for personal tuning though different pads.

Despite the use of the flat F pads, the headstage was expansive with better than expected depth. I wonder if the deeper cups contribute to this feel. At no point did I feel claustrophobic or having a three-blob effects as with many $2k planars.

The Grado HP100 SE is, in my opinion, the brand's finest headphone to date, outshining models like the RS1X and GS3000X in terms of clarity, resolution, and bass extension. It comes with two ear pad options — large G pads and flat F pads — with the F pads favored for achieving a balanced tonal signature that blends elements of the classic John Grado sound with the Joe Grado characteristics, while also enhancing overall technical performance. These headphones provide improved bass response and reduced distortion levels, featuring a resonant frequency of 51Hz and a nominal impedance of 43 ohms, making them compatible with a wide range of amplifiers. The build quality stands out, featuring large drivers and robust metal components. Overall, the HP100 SE performs exceptionally well in both basic and high-end setups, offering an expansive soundstage along with the ability for customized tuning through different pad options. The HP100SE, which invokes the HP1000 moniker, truly embodies the spirit of the Joe Grado HP1000, living up to that legacy.

 

Here are some comparisons with other Grado / Pad combinations

BLU/RED: Grado HP100 SE (F pad)
GRN: RS2X (F flat pad)


Compared to the RS2X (F pad), the HP100 (F pad) is a bit lifted from the upper mids up. HP100 also has better bass extension!

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BLU/RED: Grado HP100 SE (F pad)
GRN: RS2X (L classic bowl pad)


Compared to the RS2X (L classic bowl pad), the HP100 (F pad) is very similar from the upper mids up. HP100 also has much better bass extension!

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BLU/RED: Grado HP100 SE (F pad)
GRN: RS1X (L pad)


Compared to the RS1X (F pad), the HP100 (F pad), the HP100 has different peak locations in the upper mids and highs. The HP100 has that classic Grado sound with the peaks near 2k, 5k, and 10k. The HP100 also has much better bass extension.

 

I will need to compare directly to the likes of the HD600, HD800, etc. and report back. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with the HP100 from the EC 45 using the Schiit Gungnir 2 as the sound quality scaled in a very discernable way. Grados run great without complex chains and a good dongle does wonders. On the other hand, they don't scale well with mid-fi or sometimes better gear. The HP100's definitely scaled well here. I will try tonight from Mjolnir 3 / Yggdrasil MILF combo and report back.

It's possible the bass extension threw me for a loop (expectations) and thus explains why I felt it sounded darker than what was measured. Most Grados designed with the big G salad bowl pads do not work well with smaller pads (bass cannon), but this was not the case here. With respect to Midgard, it should only be used with the balanced output. The SE output is merely OK.

Like other Grados, the HP100 isn't seal or placement dependent. Depth I felt was good. Maybe because of its bigger cups? (The ZMF effect? LOL).

The cups are deep - a solid chunk of metal. Also note metal gimbals, rod, assembly, and removable cables! If there is a downside, I can see some people complain that they are too heavy / uncomfortable. I've always been fine with the F pads and Grado PS1000 weight.

 

Cup size comparison

 

Grado HP100 SE
Impedance Curve
GRN = Free Air
YEL = On Head


Resonant frequency is 51Hz while on head.

 

Slighter wider diameter because the HP100 drivers are 52mm and the regular Prestige series ones 44mm, This tells us a better story.

HP100 vs SR325X

 

I have a Klingon ridge on top of my skull so I prefer suspension headbands - however HP100 headband is fine. It's actually padded a bit more. If there is any discomfort, it's the weight of the cups using the F pads. The weight does press on the ears a bit.