(Original review in German on www.musicalhead.de)
Here I am again. A man forever driven in the hunt for the Holy Grail – or rather – for sonic Nirvana. For over 30 years now. And have I achieved this goal in the meantime? Of course not. Because at the end of the day, you finally come to the realization that it is probably the journey that marks the actual goal. And that perfection and bliss are fundamentally mutually exclusive. Is there such a thing as a perfect reproduction of music? Absolutely. But only of the original.
Consequently, no ear speakers on this planet is able to reproduce voices, instruments or even concerts 100% authentically and in the appropriate spatial context – regardless of the price tag. In my opinion, the real attraction lies elsewhere. Because, far removed from all technical refinements and excellent test reports, headphones ideally convey the essence of music – namely, to create great emotional experiences. Just behind the original.
Which brings us straight to the topic. Because today I am testing the brand new GRADO HP100 SE for you – the current top model from the hallowed halls of Brooklyn. The dynamic ear speakers from the New York factory are not necessarily known for their linear frequency responses, abysmal bass or discoloration free-mids. Not to mention the occasional sibilant highs at excessively high listening volumes.
So why this review? Well, why are we fascinated by mechanical watches? After all, their digital equivalents measure time much more accurately. Or why do we love antiquated tube devices when powerful transistor amplifiers have been enriching the audiophile world for what feels like an eternity?
Maybe because we sometimes feel a slight tendency towards anachronism. Or just occasionally want to swim against the tide. And GRADO headphones in particular are perfect for this. Somehow unique. Or sometimes a bit strange. In any case, they embody traditional values in a very appealing way and bring the spirit of the good old days into the present.
In any case, the ear speakers from GRADO LABS don't have to worry about being accused of following the sound mainstream. Or even being substantially boring. And that's exactly why I'm writing this review. Because old love doesn't rust.
Technology
The HP100 SE undoubtedly marks the contemporary version of a true GRADO LABS classic – the famous HP1 from the early 1990s. And as such, it is reminiscent of the illustrious past of the American family-owned company. Nevertheless, the HP100 SE is currently setting the direction for future ear speakers of the brand due to its current driver design and other constructive interventions.
The HP100 SE features newly developed 52 mm membranes made of paper composite, powerful magnetic circuits made of a rare-earth alloy with high flux density, and copper-plated aluminum voice coils. The efficiency of the dynamic headphones is an incredible 117 dB/mW. To achieve this, all components relevant to sound quality have been meticulously optimized – the channel deviation of the hand-selected driver pairs is an astonishing 0.05 dB, which particularly benefits spatial reproduction.
According to the New York manufacturer, these measures not only ensure outstanding dynamic properties, but equally excellent transient and decay behavior of the new cone membranes – and also a very fine sense of the point-stable and precise representation of all musical events.
Packaging & Features
These GRADO headphones are also delivered in the famous white pizza box, although it now has a higher quality, much more stable design. All relevant technical data is printed on the outside of the smooth box, in addition to the product- and the famous brand name; even the obligatory warranty card is usually an integral part of the box.
After opening the magnetically locked lid, the ear speakers, clad in gray foam, smiles at me despite the long journey from the USA, the aluminum driver housings are additionally protected on the outside by rubber bands. In addition, the complaints of thousands and thousands of knights of the fine tones have finally been heard – because for the first time in the long history of the American manufactory, the HP100 SE is actually equipped with a detachable cable set. I am still allowed to experience that.
The 12-core, 1.8-meter-long copper cable has a 6.3 mm jack plug and is connected to the driver housings via 4-pole mini jacks. Further cable options, such as symmetrical connection variants and different cable lengths, will also be available in the future. However, I still miss an adapter to 3.5 mm jack to be able to operate the HP100 SE with mobile playing partners also asymmetrically – as well as the traditional extension cable in 4.50 m length, which presumably fell victim to austerity measures.
However, it should be mentioned at this point that GRADO LABS – in memory of the famous HP1 – includes classic F-Cushion ear pads with the new headphones, in order to possibly show the knight of the Holy Grail of fine sounds a different sonic approach. Whether and to what extent the nostalgically inspired on-ear cushion set can actually convince in practical use remains to be seen in the following listening test.
Workmanship & Comfort
The new GRADO HP100 SE undoubtedly enjoys impeccable workmanship and equally high-quality materials in the complete absence of any plastic parts – even the slightly archaic-looking stainless steel rods for step less height adjustment, which have been carelessly designed for decades, are now made of high-quality aluminum. And they are also screwed and not glued. I can hardly believe it.
In addition, a new mechanism limits the rotation of the driver housings to 105 degrees to avoid the unintentional impact of the outer aluminum rings, which, by the way, impress with a visually and haptically exquisite finish. In addition, the headband, which is also made of stainless steel, has been padded with 50% more high-quality leather to improve comfort.
Which is still determined by the proven G-Cushion ear pads. Acoustically ingeniously designed (sound-absorbing surfaces and the avoidance of standing waves), the funnel-shaped foam pads are equally impressive due to their easy replacement and minimal maintenance. In addition, the positioning on the wearer's head can be slightly adjusted, thereby slightly varying the stereo balance.
And although my relatively large ears (my wife thinks they are of normal size) always find enough space under the relatively spacious G-Cushion's without touching the central driver covers, these GRADO headphones also occasionally irritate with their slightly scratchy contact surfaces at the edges of the ear pads, which have been reinforced by gluing to stabilize their shape. However, this is of course subject to purely subjective evaluation – in my opinion, an individual fitting is essential for the inclined knight of the sensitive perception.
Especially since the HP100 SE, with its (reweighed) 490 grams, is not necessarily one of the absolute lightweights of the GRADO brand. Although both the load distribution of the headphones and the moderate contact pressure were chosen in an exemplary manner in my opinion, and the American ear speakers basically offers a very good wearing comfort overall. Decades of experience sometimes pay off.
Preparation
The new Grado HP100 SE is not too demanding on the respective front end in terms of performance due to its favorable efficiency and the mobile-friendly impedance of 38 ohms. Consequently, for the subsequent listening test, I primarily favor my LOTOO PAW GOLD TOUCH (Titanium) for the short-term musical liaison with the top model of the Americans.
However, in order to explore the sonic limits of the HP100 SE as fully as possible, the new GRADO ear speakers also gets some playtime on the YAMAHA HA-L7A as a stationary representative of the transistor guild. My long-standing, proven APPLE iMAC with optimized Audirvana+ software serves as the digital signal source – I also use an HMS ENERGIA SL as the power cable for the HA-L7A, and an AUDIOQUEST CARBON cable is used for the USB connection to the iMAC. Incidentally, I use a braided FURUKAWA silver-copper cable with a 4.4 mm PentaConn connection instead of the standard test leads for the listening test.
As usual, the test program consists of the audio samples of the music genres classical, jazz, blues, rock and pop that I am very familiar with – mostly in highresolution. Further technical information about the new GRADO HP100 SE can be found on the homepage of the High-Fidelity Studio at: high-fidelity-studio.de. Or directly from the American manufacturer at: gradolabs.com
At this point, I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Frank Schick from the German GRADO importer, who, as always, provided me with my test subject for today's review on Musicalhead in no time at all and with no red tape.
Sound Test
What makes a good pair of headphones? This question is not so easy to answer, because the respective area of application is of course always crucial. Should the ear speakers of choice be listened to on the go, or is the instrument of high-fidelity bliss destined for use at home? In addition, every connoisseur of fine sounds probably attaches a very individual weighting to the different tonal aspects.
This is, of course, also dependent on musical preferences – those who prefer to enjoy live concerts at the original volume will not get much out of the delicate sounds of electrostatic headphones. The quiet connoisseur of sparsely occupied jazz ensembles may also not be happy with powerful bass ear speakers. However, one's own interests often overlap with regard to the different music genres and shift the personal listening focus sometimes in one direction and sometimes in the other.
For me, a good pair of headphones can handle all facets of music. It cultivates the very soft tones just as effortlessly as it handles coarse dynamic attacks. And the new GRADO HP100 SE in particular not only impresses with a very successful tonal balance, but also surprises even at moderate power input with extraordinary microand macrodynamic qualities, which, in my opinion, make the American headphones perfect for any type of music.
Even in combination with the LOTOO PAW GOLD TOUCH Titanium, the HP100 SE plays with a lot of spirit and commitment and gives the enthusiastic knight of the grail a lot of fun with the musical performance at all times. In particular, the now stronger and no less amazing bass range makes a lasting impression and, in my opinion, sets new standards for ear speakers with the dynamic working principle.
Because these GRADO can actually do low bass. Which my wife, after an initial in-ear examination, acknowledges with the incredulous comment as to whether these are really headphones from the American brand? Because after years of bass abstinence in the frequency cellar, the HP100 SE now trumps with sonic abilities that in the past were more likely to mark the famous horse's foot of the ear speakers from New York.
In addition, the HP100 SE maintains a balanced relationship in the bass response and consequently does not favor any particular frequencies. Nevertheless, the Grado always plays with enough pressure in the boiler and at the same time provides individual bass notes with razor-sharp contours. However, the excellently fanned-out low-frequency range also shines with an exemplary, lightning-fast impulse response, thus creating a completely seamless connection to the traditionally rather slimstructured keynote range.
As part of the acoustic (r)evolution, voices and instruments in the sensitive midrange are bathed in wonderful colors, without completely neglecting the brand's inherent virtues in terms of sonic identity – the HP100 SE still plays like a typical GRADO. In addition, the American headphones impress with an expansive spatial representation in width and depth, with first-class localization and stable reproduction of the musical events.
And the HP100 SE also delivers in the high-frequency range. The GRADO impresses with its fantastic resolution and brings subtle micro-details to light that reach above the perception threshold even at low listening volumes. And although the new Grado is meticulous in its approach, the dynamic headphones always maintain the necessary coherence despite their attention to detail, and at the same time play their way directly into the heart of the Grail Knight with an outstanding musical flow.
So, lots of light and no shadows? Well, the often merciless ruthlessness with which the HP100 SE handles the finest nuances in the acoustic source material is not always to everyone's taste. Audiophile-grade components are therefore essential if the HP100 SE is to fully ignite the musical flame. Nevertheless, the upstream components relativize a suboptimal recording quality, especially since these GRADO ear speakers with a gradual change in the front end clearly scaled.
In combination with the YAMAHA HA-L7A, the GRADO HP100 SE conveys more calm in the sound image and the reproduction of the music seems a bit more relaxed in the best sense, without missing the corresponding vehemence. Quite the opposite. The way in which the American ear speakers - in congenial combination with the Japanese amplifier - masters explosive dynamic passages and at the same time provides them with lightning-fast transients is, in my opinion, almost unrivaled in this price segment and is in no way inferior to some representatives of the electrostatic fraction.
Moreover, the GRADO on the YAMAHA headphone amplifier really tones up the acoustic muscles and impresses with sudden bass attacks, increased midrange plasticity and finely transparent highs without the tendency towards sibilance – provided that no life-denying levels are demanded at the volume control of the HAL7A. Which, in turn, could possibly result in premature hearing loss – and this would be extremely regrettable, because the HP100 SE is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite ear speakers for the audiophile connoisseur.
But wait – there was something else. I almost forgot to tell you about the F-Cushion experiment. Admittedly, the experiment was relatively short. On the one hand, my personal feel-good factor regarding wearing comfort tends significantly towards zero, and on the other hand, I cannot, with the very best will in the world, detect any positive sonic aspects when using the traditional on-ear pads – in my opinion, the main point of criticism here is the completely inadequate spatial impression. Even my penchant for anachronism has its limits.
My Conclusion
The new GRADO HP100 SE not only lives up to its legendary namesake HP1, but in my opinion is certainly one of the best ear speakers to have come out of the hallowed halls of Brooklyn to date. And although the HP100 SE does indeed successfully transfer the spirit of the good old days into the present, the GRADO also boasts musical properties that are second to none in the world of headphones that use the dynamic working principle.
Because the HP100 SE rocks the concert and intones the piano. It suddenly attacks and at the same time maintains the soft tones. The new masterpiece from New York plays with a great sense of the musical picture in the mids, impresses with its superbly structured bass and delicate resolution in the treble range. Authentic transients and an almost perfect impulse response complete the outstanding acoustic impression.
But first and foremost, the GRADO conveys a fantastic musical flow and a great deal of joy, while also providing grandiose emotional moments. As a result, the traditional American company has undoubtedly achieved another milestone on the road to sonic nirvana with the HP100 SE. And the sometimes seemingly endless search for the Holy Grail could come to an end for more than a few knights of fine sound at this point. The new GRADO HP100 SE is available now from German retailers at a very fair price of €2,998.
Yours Fidelio