Over-Ear
Grado PS2000e
84Great
$1900
Full review dataGrado PS2000e vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled 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 Unveiled - Outstanding overall at around $2299.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled
88Outstanding
$2299
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 Unveiled
Sound9.5
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Grado PS2000e | HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1900 | $2299 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 50 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-50kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 28 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 95 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 530 g | 450 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | 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 Unveiled
The HE1000 Unveiled is a premium open-back planar headphone that elevates high-end performance with a remarkably expansive, precise soundstage and detailed, engaging vocals. It delivers top-tier resolution and dynamics for its price, though its exposed driver cups demand careful handling and it lacks a 4.4mm cable in the box. Overall, it stands as a highly accomplished flagship for discerning listeners.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and dynamics
- Pro:Very large, precise soundstage
- Pro:Engaging vocal presentation
- Con:Exposed cups require careful handling
- Con:No 4.4mm cable included
- Con:High price point
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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