Grado GW100 Review | 93 Data compared

Reviews on Head-Fi for the Grado GW100Go highlight them as a groundbreaking open-back Bluetooth design, praised for an exceptionally wide, immersive soundstage and a warmer, less harsh sound profile compared to traditional Grados. Users specifically cite the punchy, clean low-end, stable Bluetooth 5.0, and a lightweight, comfortable design with intuitive controls as major pros. Conversely, the open-back nature creates a complete lack of passive isolation, resulting in significant sound leakage and environmental noise penetration, making them unsuitable for commuting or noisy areas. Critics note a less premium feel due to the extensive use of plastic, while some users report discomfort and ear soreness from the on-ear foam cushions during extended listening sessions. Read more on the Head-Fi Grado GW100 review page.

The Grado GW100 Wireless Headphones retain the brand's iconic retro aesthetic from the Prestige series while pioneering the first-ever open-back wireless design. In terms of performance, they offer fantastic audio quality with a warm, immersive, and expansive soundstage that delivers incredibly natural vocals and well-balanced, extended bass frequencies. Additional pros include their lightweight build and comfortable foam earpads, making them highly wearable for extended, casual listening sessions around the house. However, the unique open-back architecture results in heavy sound leakage, meaning they fail to isolate environmental noise and will easily disturb anyone nearby. This critical flaw makes them entirely unsuitable for commuting or communal environments, restricting their practical use to solitary home listening. Furthermore, for their premium $249 price tag, the headphones suffer from a slightly flimsy plastic and metal construction, and the foam earpads are known to easily pop off the cups.

The Grado Labs GW100Go marks a major milestone for the Brooklyn-based manufacturer as their very first Bluetooth wireless product. Priced at $365 AUD, these headphones cater strictly to music lovers prioritizing high-fidelity audio and comfort over lifestyle gimmicks. The reviewer finds them to be an exceptional step forward for the brand, packing a sensational performance that mirrors the acclaimed sound signature of their wired sibling, the SR80e. Several key advantages stand out in this review, starting with their stunning, sensational sound quality and high level of comfort. The device provides an easy initial Bluetooth pairing experience alongside a respectable battery life of roughly 15 hours, which accurately matched the reviewer's real-world testing. Additionally, they manage to drop the traditional, often clunky audio cable without compromising the core acoustic identity that fans expect from Grado.

The Grado GW100 WirelessGo are open-back, on-ear headphones designed for critical listening, offering a wide, natural soundstage, better bass than traditional wired Grados, and good comfort. Key downsides include poor build quality, high latency with video content, and a "leaky" design that causes significant sound leakage and eliminates ambient noise isolation. They are best suited for quiet, indoor listening environments rather than daily commuting or multimedia use, according to RTINGS.com.

The Major HiFi review of the Grado GW100 highlights these $249 headphones as a groundbreaking open-back wireless model that delivers exceptional sound quality unmatched by closed-back competitors at this price point. A major standout pro is the phenomenal, lifelike soundstage that provides a deep sense of space, especially benefiting classical test tracks. The audio profile boasts a natural, energetic low end with an impressive bass response you can physically feel, alongside highly accurate midranges and dynamic, sparkling highs that maintain the signature Grado brightness. Additionally, comfort is heavily upgraded over previous Grado models due to a softer, plusher headband and looser-fitting yokes that prevent ear pinching during long listening sessions. However, the reviewer points out several notable cons related to the physical build, design limitations, and hardware. The on-ear controls located on the left earcup are criticized for feeling like cheap, chintzy plastic, contrasting poorly with the overall high-fidelity audio performance. Because of its distinct open-back design, the headphones suffer from terrible sound isolation, meaning external ambient noise easily leaks in and people nearby can hear your music. Finally, the...

The Grado GW100 ($250) is the first wireless, open-back headphone from Brooklyn-based Grado Labs, a brand known for its cult following and great audio quality. It delivers an exceptionally clear, detailed, and immersive soundstage with a well-tuned midrange and nuanced, non-exaggerated bass that handles various genres perfectly. Furthermore, Grado successfully engineered this model to drastically reduce the external sound leakage typically found in open-back headphones, allowing it to be used around coworkers without causing annoyance. However, the GW100 is a barebones product that lacks mainstream conveniences like active noise cancellation, companion apps, EQ modes, or multi-device pairing. Its physical build is also flawed; the lightweight plastic and thin metal construction feels flimsy and nerve-wracking to travel with. Additionally, the stock foam earpads feel scratchy on the skin and frequently pop off the earcups when the headphones are stored in a bag. Finally, because it is an open-back design, it fails to block out loud ambient environment noises like subway trains or traffic.

The SoundGuys review of the Grado GW100Go highlights a unique, lightweight open-back, on-ear design that offers a neutral sound signature with exceptionally clear vocals and natural bass. Its primary pros include comfortable, wire-free listening, a distinct lack of bass bloating, and superior performance for analytical listening in quiet, indoor environments. Conversely, the open-back design fails to isolate the listener, rendering the audio quality poor in noisy, public spaces, while the plastic construction feels cheap for the $249 USD price point. Additionally, the accurate bass response will underwhelm users seeking a punchy or high-impact, consumer-focused sound profile.