Over-Ear
Grado GS1000
78Great
$1195
Full review dataGrado GS1000 vs Sennheiser HD 800s: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 800s comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 800s - Outstanding overall at around $1874.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 800s
88Outstanding
$1874
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
Sennheiser HD 800s
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Grado GS1000 | Sennheiser HD 800s |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1195 | $1874 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2003 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-35kHz | 4Hz-51kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 101.64 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 102 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | - | 330 g |
| USB-C | No | 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
Sennheiser HD 800s
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is a premium open-back headphone aimed at audiophiles, delivering a remarkably wide soundstage and a neutral, reference-style tuning that excels at detail retrieval. Its high impedance and sensitivity mean it truly shines with a quality dedicated amplifier, while the included balanced cable adds flexibility for high-end setups. However, its open design leaks sound significantly, and its pricing and lack of bass punch make it a niche choice for serious listeners rather than casual users.
- Pro:Exceptional soundstage width and imaging
- Pro:Detailed, neutral, and articulate sound signature
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Requires a powerful amplifier to perform at its best
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:Expensive for what it offers
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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