Over-Ear
Grado PS2000e
84Great
$1,900
Full review dataGrado PS2000e 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.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 - Outstanding overall at around $2865.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
88Outstanding
$2,870
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Grado PS2000e
Sound9.0
Value5.0
HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
Sound9.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Grado PS2000e | HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1,900 | $2,870 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 131.15 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 50 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 530 g | 420 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Grado PS2000e
The Grado PS2000e is a premium open-back flagship that delivers exceptionally dynamic, natural sound with impressive detail, making it a strong choice for critical listening with quality amplification. Its handcrafted build and engaging tuning stand out, but the high price, significant sound leakage, and unconventional design limit its appeal to a niche audience. It requires capable partnering gear to shine and may expose noise in lesser systems.
- Pro:Excellent dynamics and natural, refined sound
- Pro:Handcrafted build quality with premium materials
- Pro:Easy to drive despite needing good source gear
- Con:Very high price limits accessibility
- Con:Significant sound leakage due to open-back design
- Con:Fixed, non-replaceable cable is a practical drawback
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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