Grado's new high-end headphones echo the firm's iconic 90s cans, but feature detachable cables for the first time

Audiophiles request nary preamble to nan Brooklyn-based open-back headphone master Grado (although do spot our best on-ear headphones guideline for 2 fantabulous sets – namely the high-end Hemp aliases nan more affordable SR80x) and if nan all-new Signature HP100 SE sounds familiar, you're not wrong: these caller flagship headphones are a modern homage to nan iconic Signature HP1 headphones made betwixt 1989 and 1992, by Grado Labs laminitis Joseph Grado.

The HP100 SE boast recently engineered drivers and, for nan first clip successful a Grado design, detachable cables, arsenic good arsenic a caller headband assembly to complete a look Grado is calling "a caller creation direction" for nan family-run firm. As always, nan HP100 SE are hand-assembled successful Grado's Brooklyn headquarters.

In nickname of what would've been Joseph Grado’s 100th birthday, Grado Labs is proudly introducing these Special Edition cans. “Although Uncle Joe near america 10 years ago, he will ever beryllium a beingness astatine Grado Labs”, said Joseph’s nephew and Grado CEO, John Grado.

Grado Signature HP100 SE: specs, pricing and everything you request to know

Grado tells maine that though nan HP100 SE are based connected an iconic brace of headphones, nan attack present has been "from nan crushed up." First off, there's a wholly caller 52mm driver utilizing a caller insubstantial composite cone and a caller sound coil made from lightweight copper-plated aluminum. Honoring nan practice of nan original Signature HP1/2/3 headphone designs but pinch a modern feel, nan housings are individually machined from specially treated aluminium pinch nan merchandise sanction engraved connected nan face.

The HP100 SE travel successful abstraction grey (and abstraction grey only) and again, it is nan first Grado exemplary to characteristic detachable cables. Terminated pinch a 6.3mm plug, each driver lodging is connected via a 4pin mini XLR plug, but nan institution tells maine that further detachable cablegram options (4pin XLR termination, 4.4mm balanced termination, positive various cablegram lengths) will beryllium disposable successful nan future.

They're designed for comfortableness during agelong listening sessions, too. The caller headband features 50% much padding than erstwhile Grado designs but pinch nan brand's trademark stainless alloy tallness rods that tin beryllium adjusted and rotated up to 105 degrees to minimize listening fatigue.

The Grado Signature HP100 SE will beryllium disposable successful November from selected independent retailers and from www.grado.co.uk (UK) and www.gradolabs.com (US), priced $2,495 / £2,795 (which is astir AU$4,231) and though I haven't yet had nan pleasance of putting them connected my ears, I deliberation they look very absorbing indeed.

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