Over-Ear
Grado GS1000
78Great
$1195
Full review dataGrado GS1000 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000se: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000se comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000se - Outstanding overall at around $1699.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1699
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Grado GS1000
Sound8.5
Value6.0
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Grado GS1000 | HiFiMAN HE 1000se |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1195 | $1699 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2003 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 50 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-35kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | - | 440 g |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Grado GS1000
The Grado GS1000 is a premium open-back headphone that prioritizes an expansive, lively, and emotionally immersive sound over neutrality. It delivers exceptional clarity, detail, and a vast soundstage, making it a favorite for audiophiles who value musical character and treble energy. However, its open design leaks sound heavily, it lacks modern conveniences like controls or wireless features, and it demands quality upstream gear to shine.
- Pro:Huge, immersive soundstage
- Pro:Revealing and dynamic treble detail
- Pro:Open, airy presentation with strong clarity
- Con:Severe sound leakage; unsuitable for shared spaces
- Con:No inline controls or wireless support
- Con:Polarizing fit and unconventional styling
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
The HiFiMAN HE1000se is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail retrieval and a spacious, airy soundstage. Its bright-neutral tuning offers strong bass and treble extension, though the prominent treble can become harsh with lower-quality recordings. While its 35-ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity make it moderately easy to drive, it still benefits from quality amplification to perform at its best.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail clarity
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
- Pro:Strong extension at both frequency extremes
- Con:Bright, peaky treble can fatigue on poorly mastered tracks
- Con:Requires a decent amp despite moderate sensitivity
- Con:Midrange lacks warmth and body for some tastes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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