
Grado Ps1000 Le vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Grado Ps1000 Le | HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1495 | $2865 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2010 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 52 mm | 131.15 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-50kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Neutral |
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 400 g | 420 g |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Grado Ps1000 Le
The Grado PS1000 is a premium wired over-ear headphone that delivers exceptionally detailed, dynamic, and neutral sound, with a particularly outstanding midrange. Its high price is matched by strong build quality and a striking design, though its substantial weight and firm headband may cause discomfort during extended use.
- Pro:Excellent clarity and detail retrieval
- Pro:Dynamic and powerful sound presentation
- Pro:Strong build quality with distinctive design
- Con:Heavy and less comfortable for long sessions
- Con:Non-detachable cable limits flexibility
- Con:High price may not suit all budgets
HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 is a premium planar magnetic headphone offering a neutral, reference-grade sound signature with exceptional clarity and detail. Its large 131mm driver delivers a wide, airy soundstage while maintaining precise imaging, making it a strong choice for critical listening. Despite its high price, it earns top-tier marks for tonal accuracy and technical performance, though it requires a capable amplifier to shine.
- Pro:Excellent neutral tonality with accurate timbre
- Pro:Outstanding detail retrieval and resolution
- Pro:Very wide and open soundstage
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Low sensitivity (90dB/mW) demands powerful amplification
- Con:Large ear cups may not suit smaller heads
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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