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ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
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Grado GS1000e Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£1,060Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Grado GS1000e Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

4.9/10

Overall score

Score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

80%

4.9

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 98% of headphones
4.9

Value for money

Value for money
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

4.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 98%
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

52%

5.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.1

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 94%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £1,060
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Grado GS1000e

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components:

52%

5.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.1

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

4.9
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Grado GS1000e has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components:

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

4.9

Price

4.9
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
50 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 50 mm, larger driver size than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 8.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
8 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 8 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 80.3% of headphones and equal to 2.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Grado
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
250 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 250 g, heavier than 61.4% of headphones and equal to 1.5% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Grado GS1000e vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 10 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (8 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    8 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • 15,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (35,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    35,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 18 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (62 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    62 mm vs 44 mm
  • 2.55 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3.8 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3.75 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 0.45 dB tighter channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a lower channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (0.1 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    0.05 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 18 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (62 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    62 mm vs 44 mm
  • 2.55 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3.8 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3.75 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 10 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (8 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    8 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • 15,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (35,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    35,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.45 dB tighter channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a lower channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (0.1 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    0.05 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 16 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (44 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    44 mm vs 60 mm
  • 14.7% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (250 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    250 g vs 218 g
  • 11.78x more expensive
    Grado GS1000e is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,060 vs £90).
    £1,060 vs £90
  • 48% worse value for money
    Grado GS1000e has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (4.91 vs 7.3).
    4.91 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 11.78x more expensive
    Grado GS1000e is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,060 vs £90).
    £1,060 vs £90
  • 48% worse value for money
    Grado GS1000e has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (4.91 vs 7.3).
    4.91 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Grado GS1000e is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 16 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (44 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    44 mm vs 60 mm
  • 14.7% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (250 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    250 g vs 218 g
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 2.2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (99.8 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    99.8 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

audiophilia.com
02/10/2014
Listening review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The Grado GS1000e is a light, warm, full-bodied open-back with excellent imaging, though it sounds best with a good amp such as the Schiit LYR 2.
majorhifi.com
08/06/2018
Hands-on review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The Grado GS1000e is a colorful, spacious open-back with detailed highs, suited to jazz and folk, but its bass is modest and its cable is bulky.
homestudiobasics.com
17/01/2026
Demo review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The Grado GS1000e is a light, comfortable open-back with clear, wide sound, but it is overpriced, has a fixed cable and a 2 kHz peak.
H
head-fi.org
10/08/2014
Summary of the review
Grado GS1000e - Reviews - Head-Fi
H
head-fi.org
10/08/2014
Summary of the review
Grado GS1000e | Headphone Reviews and Discussion
H
homestudiobasics.com
25/11/2025
Summary of the review
10 Grado E Series Headphones Ranked Worst To Best
S
stereo.de
16/12/2014
Summary of the review
Grado GS1000e - Review Results
(Translated)Show original
O
on-mag.fr
10/07/2011
Summary of the review
Review [Updated]: Grado Statement GS1000i Headphones (Includes the Transition to the GS1000e Model)
(Translated)Show original
Z
zococity.es
14/07/2021
Summary of the review
Comfort and Performance Analysis: Grado GS1000e
(Translated)Show original
A
afdigitale.it
20/12/2019
Summary of the review
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000 Hi-Res DAP – Review
(Translated)Show original
A
afdigitale.it
11/02/2020
Summary of the review
Astell & Kern Kann Cube: high-resolution audio gets heavy
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Grado GS1000e

  • Vast and deep soundstage that provides a spacious, 'speaker-like' listening experience
  • Incredible level of clarity and micro-detail, especially effective at low volumes
  • Extremely lightweight construction makes them comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Stunning aesthetic design featuring hand-crafted mahogany earcups
  • Highly sensitive and easy to drive, though they scale well with better amplification
  • Smooth, non-fatiguing treble compared to other Grado models

What customers don't like about Grado GS1000e

  • High retail price with many users noting significant diminishing returns
  • Open-back design causes significant sound leakage, making them unsuitable for public use
  • The stock 12-conductor cable is very thick, heavy, and non-detachable
  • Bass may feel 'modest' or light for listeners who prefer heavy impact or sub-bass
  • Recessed midrange can make vocals feel distant or less intimate
  • Large 'G-cushion' foam pads can feel 'itchy' or scratchy to some users

Verdict

The Grado GS1000e is a high-end, open-back circumaural headphone featuring hand-crafted mahogany ear cups and 50mm dynamic transducers. Its technical specifications include a wide frequency response of 8Hz to 35,000Hz, a 32-ohm impedance, and a sensitivity of 99.8 dB, making it relatively easy to drive despite its audiophile status. Main characteristics include the signature 'Statement Series' large foam G-cushions for enhanced comfort and an expansive soundstage. Pros include its exceptional instrument separation, airy treble, and lightweight design that facilitates long listening sessions. However, cons include a bulky, non-detachable cable, significant sound leakage due to the open-air design, and a peaky 2kHz frequency response that some listeners may find fatiguing.

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