Grado Pays Homage To Its Past With The New Signature HP100 SE
The holiday season always brings out some of the best new products in HiFi. This week a new direction from NY-based Grado manifests itself in the form of the Signature HP100 SE headphone. Grado was a company that was one of the first big audiophile headphone makers – even before the personal audio category exploded. Their designs have been steeped in the traditions of some of the original models, offering a cool vintage vibe that has pushed its way forward for over 30 years.
The new Signature HP100 SE marks a new departure for some of that feature set, including a completely new driver design, detachable cables and a new headband assembly. More detail is the press release below.
“Grado’s new Signature HP100 SE headphones are a
contemporary homage to the trailblazing
high-end HP1 model heralding a new design direction
October 29, 2024, Grado Labs, world-renowned designer and manufacturer of award-winning
headphones, announces the release of its newest and flagship model, 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 headphone in the early 1990s. In recognition of Joseph Grado’s
100th birthday and this industry milestone, Grado Labs is introducing these Special Edition
headphones.
“Although Uncle Joe left us 10 years ago, he will always be a presence at Grado Labs,”
says Joseph’s nephew and Grado’s CEO, John Grado.
While the HP100 SE pays homage to Grado’s illustrious past, these headphones are a contemporary
version of a true classic, with a new design from the ground up. With newly engineered drivers, the
HP100 SE also boasts detachable cables, as well as a fresh headband assembly. This also ushers in a
new direction for future Grado headphone releases. As always, the HP100 SE is hand-assembled in
Grado’s Brooklyn-based headquarters.
New speaker design
At the heart of the HP100 SE is a completely new speaker design. In considering the attributes of a
new 52mm driver, Grado’s goal was to deliver a speaker that produced excellent high
frequency resolution, midrange smoothness and bass energy with low distortion, resulting in a voicing
that is musically and harmonically correct.
A new paper composite cone was chosen, alongside a powerful high flux magnetic circuit using rare
earth alloys, and a new voice coil made from lightweight copper-plated aluminum. This new magnetic
circuit coupled with the voice coil produces excellent dynamics and transient response, along with a
highly refined sense of space, soundstage and image.
Modern housing design with detachable cables
Honoring the recognizable heritage of the original Signature HP1/2/3 headphone designs but with a
modern feel, the housings are individually machined from specially treated aluminum with the
product name neatly engraved on the face. The HP100 SE arrives in a a stylish space grey finish.
The HP100 SE is the first Grado model to feature detachable cables. A departure from the cable
currently employed on the Statement Series, it has been engineered to a softer but durable braided
finish, with cable insulation that improves flexibility and decreases the overall weight of the cable.
Terminated with a 6.3mm plug, it connects to each housing via a 4pin mini XLR plug. Additional
detachable cable options such as 4pin XLR termination, 4.4mm balanced termination, and various
cable lengths, available in the future. This allows for the cable to be changed based on customer needs
for source side termination and cable range.
Headband assembly redesign
The HP100 SE’s headband assembly has changed from the classic Grado models. Designed for comfort
during long listening session, the new headband features 50% more padding than previous Grado
designs, with a stainless steel band and height rods that can be adjusted for the perfect fit to minimize
listening fatigue.
Grado Labs engraved gimbals are made from an aluminum alloy, and the stainless steel height rod
enhances the stability of the point where they meet. The height rod is also designed to not slide out
of the junction block if the zinc alloy end caps become dislodged. This mechanism limits housing
rotation to 105-degrees to reduce wear and tear.
The Grado Signature HP100 SE is available now for pre-sale with an expected ship date of November 15.
The Grado Signature HP100 SE is price at $2,495 (MSRP)
Technical specifications
Transducer Type: Dynamic
Operating Principle: Open Air
Frequency Response: 3.5 Hz – 51.5kHz
THD: <0.1% @100 dB
SPL 1mW: 117 dB
Nominal Impedance: 38 ohms
Driver Size: 52 mm
Driver Matched dB: 0.4 dB
Cable Type: 12 conductor detachable
Headphone Connection: 4pin Mini XLR
Source Connection: 6.3mm
Earpad Type: G-cushions”
More info: Grado Signature HP100 SE