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Grado Signature S750 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.

Score 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 Signature S750
  • HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
HearWiki score
78
83
Sound
9.2
9.3
Value
5.6
8.8
Price (USD)
$1,700
$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 Grado Signature S750 is 2 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.

  • Signature S75020252 yr newer
  • HE 1000 Stealth2023

Specifications

Signature S750HE 1000 Stealth
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$1,700
$1,400
HearWiki score
78
83
Released
2025
2023
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
50 mm dynamic
planar magnetic
Driver type
dynamic
planar
Driver size
50 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
4 Hz - 48 kHz
8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature
-
neutral
Impedance
38 Ω
32 Ω
Sensitivity
115 dB/mW
93 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling
No
No
ANC type
none
-
Transparency mode
No
-
Companion app
No
-
Custom EQ
No
-
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
none
-
Voice assistant
No
-
Weight
460 g
458 g
Water resistance
none
-
Foldable
No
-
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
No
No
Connector
6.35 mm
6.35 mm
Balanced connection
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Grado Signature S750

The Grado Signature S750 is a high-end, open-back wired headphone that pairs a classic, airy Grado presentation with a newly engineered 50mm dynamic driver for detailed, dynamic sound. It impresses with a wide soundstage and strong clarity on well-recorded material, though its bright tuning and fit-dependent comfort make it a specialized choice. The 6.35mm connection and lack of built-in controls or wireless features underline its purist, audiophile-focused design.

  • Pro:Wide, open soundstage with strong detail retrieval
  • Pro:Dynamic and engaging driver performance
  • Pro:Premium build quality
  • Con:Sound can be too bright for some listeners
  • Con:Comfort is highly dependent on individual fit
  • Con:High price relative to feature set

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.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonGrado Signature S750HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth