Over-Ear
Grado Ps1000 Le
64Good
$2,000
Full review dataGrado Ps1000 Le vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth - Outstanding overall at around $1399.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
83Outstanding
$1,400
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- Grado Ps1000 Le
- HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
HearWiki score
64
83
Sound
8.5
9.3
Value
-
8.8
Price (USD)
$2,000
$1,400
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is 13 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 13 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Ps1000 Le2010
- HE 1000 Stealth202313 yr newer
Specifications
Ps1000 LeHE 1000 Stealth
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $2,000
- $1,400
- HearWiki score
- 64
- 83
- Released
- 2010
- 2023
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 52 mm dynamic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 52 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 4 Hz - 51 kHz
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- Sound signature
- -
- neutral
- Impedance
- 38 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 99.8 dB/mW
- 93 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Weight
- 400 g
- 458 g
- Detachable cable
- No
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Connector
- -
- 6.35 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
Grado Ps1000 Le
The Grado PS1000 LE is a premium open-back headphone that delivers a powerful, detailed, and highly dynamic sound, with a particularly standout midrange. Its build quality is robust, and its sonic performance is regarded as among the best in its class, though its weight and firm headband may reduce comfort over extended periods. This wired model offers a neutral, revealing character that suits audiophiles seeking maximum clarity.
- Pro:Exceptional detail and clarity
- Pro:Powerful, dynamic sound with strong midrange
- Pro:Premium build quality
- Con:Heavy and can be uncomfortable for long sessions
- Con:Firm headband pressure
- Con:Non-detachable cable
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is a wired, open-back planar magnetic flagship that delivers a neutral, highly detailed sound signature. It's easier to drive than typical planars thanks to its 32-ohm impedance and 93 dB sensitivity, yet still rewards quality amplification. With its relatively lightweight build for a large headphone and detachable balanced cable, it offers strong technical performance and comfort, though its size and price may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Refined, neutral sound with excellent detail
- Pro:Easier to drive than most planar headphones
- Pro:Comfortable for its large over-ear design
- Con:Still relatively heavy at 458 grams
- Con:Large fit may be awkward for smaller heads
- Con:Treble can sound uneven on bright recordings
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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