Over-Ear
Grado PS2000e
84Great
$1,900
Full review dataGrado PS2000e vs HiFiMAN HE 1000se: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000se 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 1000se - Outstanding overall at around $1699.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1,700
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 1000se
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Grado PS2000e | HiFiMAN HE 1000se |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1,900 | $1,700 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 50 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 50 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 530 g | 440 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 1000se
The HiFiMAN HE1000se is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail retrieval and a spacious, airy soundstage. Its bright-neutral tuning offers strong bass and treble extension, though the prominent treble can become harsh with lower-quality recordings. While its 35-ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity make it moderately easy to drive, it still benefits from quality amplification to perform at its best.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail clarity
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
- Pro:Strong extension at both frequency extremes
- Con:Bright, peaky treble can fatigue on poorly mastered tracks
- Con:Requires a decent amp despite moderate sensitivity
- Con:Midrange lacks warmth and body for some tastes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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