Grado’s unveils the high-end HP100 SE signature headphones

Brooklyn-based Grado Labs designs and manufactures premium headphones in the heart of New York. Today, the brand is announcing the launch of its newest and flagship headphone, the Signature HP100 SE.

Grado Labs founder Joseph Grado created what many consider to be the high-end headphone market with the release of the Signature HP1 headphones in the early 1990s. In recognition of Joseph Grado’s centennial, Grado Labs is releasing these Special Edition headphones.

“Even though Uncle Xho left us 10 years ago, he will always be present at Grado Labs,” says Joseph’s grandson and Grado CEO John Grado.

While the HP100 SE pays homage to Grado’s past, these headphones are a modern version of a classic, albeit redesigned from the ground up. With newly designed drivers, the HP100 SE has detachable cables and a new headband assembly. As always, the headphones are assembled by hand at the company’s headquarters in Brooklyn.

At the heart of the HP100 SE is an all-new 52mm transducer. Grado’s goal was to provide a driver that produced excellent high-frequency resolution, smooth midrange, and low-distortion bass energy—in other words, perfect sound.

To create the new driver, a composite paper cone was chosen, along with a powerful high-flux magnetic circuit using rare earth connections. The drivers also use a new voice coil made from lightweight copper-clad aluminum. According to Grado Labs, the magnetic circuit paired with the voice coil produces excellent dynamics and transient response, along with a highly refined sense of space, soundstage and imaging.

Honoring the renowned heritage of the original Signature HP1/2/3 headphone models, the new headphones have a thoroughly modern feel and are individually machined from specially treated aluminum with the Grado name engraved on the face. The HP100 SE are finished in an elegant grey.

The HP100 SE are the first Grado headphones to feature a detachable cable. A departure from the cable currently used in the Statement Series, the new cable is designed with a softer yet durable braided finish, with cable insulation that improves flexibility and reduces overall weight.

The cable is terminated with a 6.3mm plug and connects to each housing using a four-pin mini XLR plug. Other detachable cables with a four-pin XLR termination or balanced 4.4mm plug will be available in the future. It will also be possible to order cables in different lengths.

The HP100 SE headband assembly has changed from the classic Grado models. Designed for comfort during long listening sessions, the new headband has 50% more padding than previous Grado models. The headband is reinforced with stainless steel and the height bars can be adjusted for the ideal fit to minimize listening fatigue.

Grado Labs Carved Carves are made from an aluminum alloy with tall stainless steel rods that increase durability at the point where the two meet. The height rod is also designed to not slip out of the junction block if the zinc alloy end caps come off. This mechanism limits housing rotation to 105 degrees to reduce wear.

Price and availability: The Grado Signature HP100 SE headphones are available in November and priced at $2,495 / £2,795 from Grado’s website.

Technical characteristics:

• Transformer: Dynamic.
• Driver Size: 52mm.
• Operating principle: In open air.
• Frequency response: 3.5Hz – 51.5kHz.
• THD: <0.1% @100dB.
• SPL 1mW: 117dB.
• Nominal impedance: 38Ω.
• Matched driver dB: 0.4dB.
• Cable type: 12-conductor detachable.
• Headphone connection: four-pin mini XLR.
• Source connection: 6.3 mm.
• Earplug Type: G-pads.