Between you and Dankpods, I now own my first pair of Grado's (sr80e). And they're wonderful. Please stop making me want nice things...And thank you for all you do...
holyshit! you are not the only victims here! I am also waiting for sr80e! fuckk! Edit: I had to cancelled my Sr80e due to global shortage fuckk mee! The seller wasn't completely transparent with pre-order selling. So I went to other store and preorder GW100 instead lol
@@jaad_1090 You shouldn't!!! If you listen to music on the daily the sr80e is such a nice pair of headphones. I got mine around a week ago and use them pretty much every day.
@@hafeezytaughtme yea, because the hd6xx is viriliously hated, right? Try that again but this time admitting that grados have distorted bass and poor technicals for the price.
I meant first really positive review for those GW100. Grado is a wonderful brand of course. But why Steve G. or other reviewers did not fall in love with them as Zeos so completely did? Is this new version with Bluetooth 5.0 and USB C charging port much better?
Hold up, I thought the Panda's would be the opposite of the Grados, since the Pandas are not DSP corrected, but physically tuned, which is why they sound the same on bluetooth and THX amps?
Yeah, Pandas are not DSP corrected. AKG K361/371BT aren't either. Wired/wireless for these? No difference (except maybe bluetooth quality). Maybe Zeos was talking about the Panda update: There WILL be hardware DSP correction available with the panda, personalized via an app, IF you want it. Which is another impressive new thing.
Thank you for the review! I am a huge Grado nut and I have owned the same pair of SR60's for 25 years. I am disappointed that the first Grados with a detachable cable shouldn't be used with a cable, but if they're half as good as you say they are, they are now on my list for Santa.
G-cushions can be easily stretched to fit. Don't expect to use the cushions on your other Grados once stretched. The gap inside the small diameter hole is wide enough. I haven't noticed much change in sound, but I think it helped widening the sound stage. The deep base somehow felt right by my ear because of the spongy part resting on my ear before. Now that it's gone, it feels more open and natural. G cushions don't heat up the ears and distribute the pressure around the ears.
Wow, I love the energy here! I had the 60's like 20 years ago, and I used them for as long as the cable lasted. Loved them. Miss them, actually... You just cost me, dude. I'm ordering!
@@Ryanpeech I like them. I like the sound, and they're light and comfy on the head (as long as you're fairly still). There's a kind of ratteling noise some times(with loud volume), I suspect a cable is touching the woofer(?)... Dollar for dollar you can probably find better quality, but I don't regret buying them.
All fighter jets are extremely unstable, but unstable just means tendency to want to roll/pitch. The more unstable the faster you can maneuver, but you just have to pay more attention and correct to straight and level flight. Passenger jets are inherently stable, meaning flying without touching controls will (to a point) correct to straight in terms of roll, and slightly pitch up. Congratulations, you now understand the stability part of stability and control classes for Aerospace Engineering.
Plus, fighter jets counteract their deliberately designed instability with *a lot* of fly-by-wire tech. In fact, without the FBW, many modern fighters will become practically impossible to fly.
Yo Zeos. You have to review the new gw100x. They sound similar to the v1 with the DSP but, if my ears are not completely broken, it sounds like they've improved the wired sound and it's very close to the Bluetooth sound with minor differences in the high mids.
I suspect Grado just used off-the-shelf Bluetooth/amp/dac components available from their Chinese manufacturer. Interesting, but looks like a $150 headphone to me.
These are my fave Grado headphones. Threw some Yaxi pads on there and called it a day. They're not made in Brooklyn. Grade is pretty open about them being manufactured in China. It's Grado with bass and it's awesome.
These are better for immersive gaming than my akg k-712 pro headphones. I don't know what they have done to this but the soundstage have that intimate endless circular around your head sound. I also own grado sr225e and there is not as much depth in the soundstage and highs can be way too much. Imaging is also better in gw100 vs k712 pro and sr225e.
There are three editions of this headphone, the GW100, the GW100v2 and the GW100x. Since this one hasn't got micro USB and is from 2 years ago it's got to be the GW100v2. The recently released x version has the new, apparently thinner membrane, x driver. I don't get the criticism and the talk about the dsp chip. My GW100 sounds very good but my SR80e sounds clearly better, just with a cable from my high quality Sony tv. I blame a somewhat mediocre dac and amp they probably put in the GW. The Sony tv just has a way better output, as would any High End amp. Which is audible with these sensitive headphones. Thumbs up!
All their drivers are made in their plant in long island, the GW100 itself are designed in Brooklyn and made 'overseas,' and also the iGrado were made in China.
I use these at Walmart - literally lol - the fact they are open back and yet don’t leak as much as a normal Grado open-back - is a plus, not a minus, for situational awareness, and they’re extremely lightweight and comfortable.
Non Zamfir that’s a legit complaint - it doesn’t happen often enough, maybe once or twice every few hours for me but it is definitely more susceptible to signal interruption than any of my other similarly priced (and many far cheaper) Bluetooth headphones. That’s my experience from the initial version with micro USB, though, don’t know if that was addressed in the updated version with USB-C or not. It’s not so much that I even think about it often - I often forget about it until it happens and it’s usually brief and I can’t recall it even happening the last few times I’ve used it, but I’ll admit that it may have and I don’t recall it.
@@noe-tobin In my opinion, yes. I mean, I was auditioning them at a store, not taking them home using them and using them daily. Obviously price factored into the situation. The other headphones I listed are quite boring sounding. I also cant really use the other ones outside of sitting at my desk at home, whereas the Grados (as goofy as I may look) actually get use outside of being at home. For example, just to name a few I own: DT1990 (great imaging, but boring and no bass, very uncomfortable), HD700 (great for gaming/imaging, again lacking lower-bass, extremely comfortable), HD599 (muddy, no imaging, veiled), Q701 (too wide sounding, ruins imaging, no mid-bass, but plays super low, similar feel to DT's, with less clamp), KPH30i (decent sounding, has mid-bass, but sloppy amounts that bleed into the mids, also lacks imaging that the expensive cans can achieve, also not as comfortable, even with Yaxi Pads), SR60e (Great sounding, less bass than the GW100, but has a heavy cable), SHP9500 (great imaging, bass is non-existent below 120hz). I'm not even a basshead (anymore); I own a bunch of very bright open backs, but they all simply fail to produce much accuracy below 100hz. The GW100 are fun to listen to, wireless, lightweight, and very inexpensive compared to what it can keep up with.
@@Kelocyde Really interesting. So how's the bleed from outside sounds like traffic when you're listening to music outside? Also, what's the bass performance like? I have the sr80e which are just beautifully clean and precise in the upper mid/high range, but of course lack in bass. How do the GW100 compare?
Just bought them. I dig Open-Backs for long sessions and movies + games, and i will use them for sound effect creation. I want them to be wireless because I often work with my notebook and don't want to carry a good dac with me + i like to be free of any cables on my rather big desk :)
The Hemps are supposedly incredible. I own the 60e and they're soo good, and if you EQ that 2k or whatever spike and bump up the low end, they're so good. Im assuming the SR80E would have been better. To be honest, if the Hemps are a perfect Grado, they're game changers. Grado is like 2 decibels here and there from legit audiophile perfection.
I have literally spent the past 2 week trying to hunt down Open Back Bluetooth Headphones. - I don't like being shut off from the ambient noise around me - I have kids, so it helps here as well - I sometimes want to have background TV on - Sometimes I just want to use it for voice chat (separate Mic on Laptop) - YUP! I like to use them while cooking (And the KPH30i wire can get in the way. or is useless if I want to watch youtube while cooking.) These have the potential to become my main headphones in 90% of my life.
@@mox05 Overall they worked very well. Pretty much how Z describes it. But for me with and without glasses the on ear got pretty uncomfortable pretty quick, 30 minutes and my ears or behind my ear would ache. And I simply could not get past how cheap they felt. Like a literal $5 pair of headphones out of a bargain bin. The QA seemed off as well. My USB port was at a slight angle making it so some chargers could not go in... again. mirroring a very cheap build. They sounded great, but not good enough for the Price, Comfort, and cheap feel to me. So I returned them. If they had not sounded so good.. I would have sworn I had been scammed by the site I got them from.. In fact that was my first guess, and I Triple researched that I had indeed purchased them from the correct seller.
I mailed Grado suggesting them to produce a bluetooth speaker, because I think they will be the only to blow away my (2x5 Watts) Emberton Marshall. Grado sound reproduction (I've only had the Sr80) blew me away, enjoyed it for couple years. Grado4LifeSuckers
SR80e's croaked about 2 years ago and I still miss them, too bad these cost about 2.5 the price as the 80e's. If grado made a pair of wireless at the same cost as AirPods more people would probably buy it.
I haven't gotten the chance to listen to these, but I put on the HF3's and went 😶 Everything wrong with Grados (except the permanently attached cable) is fixed on the HF3's. Quality cable, better headband, no sub-bass rolloff, polite treble. I hope the GW100 and HF3 are signs of good things to come from Grado.
Made in China under license so no nowhere near Brooklyn. Also this must have been a recent update but they originally come with BT 4.0 aptx but the site now says 5.0 must of had a minor update but now you could get stuck with an older version without knowing
I know this is an older video - but I ordered a pair of the GW100X’s. I hate closed back headphones and I wanted a pair of BT cans. I know BT Open Back is SUPER niche.. but I an surprised Grado seems to be the only one making BT Open Backs. These will be my first pair of Grados!
@@tom_123 I'll be honest. I ended up returning them. I loved them, but it didn't really set well with me that I had to pay additional $$$ for custom ear pads to make them wearable.
I've viewed you for a little while now but god dang it. if any review would have anybody buy anything...…its this one. Jesus Christ. love it man. funny thing is i viewed this while wearing my sr60e lol
i know this is a stupid question but.. i was thinking of using it for gaming ( with a separate usb mic ). Past models grado were told not good for gaming despite their open back nature. what about this though? AND probably with wired like vMODA mic because it sounds fantastic on my Sony wh1000xm4 with anc turned on,
Good hear you continuing to review lower end quality headphones. I couldn't afford the $X000 upper tier range. Maybe in the next life. I must say though as much as you curse using a cable with the GW100, wired seems pretty good on the newer GW100x. If you ever get a chance to revisit the upgraded model for review that would be appreciated. I was almost regretting purchasing bluetooth headphones, but bluetooth over/on headphones are probably better value than bluetooth earphones which when the li-ion battery dies, will become landfill. On the larger headphones most li-ion batteries are replaceable even on the Grado GW100. I think they last 40+ hours as it's purely a headphone and no gimmicky functions such as on the Sony WH-1000mx...
Is there a built-in microphone that can be used over the bluetooth connection? Really need a good-sounding bluetooth headset with a mic that is usable for zoom meetings.
I just bought these to replace my Bose qc35, as they were free from a mobile phone deal, thus selling on my grade sr60. Pads are flimsy and are too large to fit on my head. Will look for new padded covers and something to stick on inside of headband
I bought one but highly likely made in China. Anything but China, please. If it's made in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, is wayyy better hands down. But everything made in China will have some issue now or prematurely. EDIT: I absolutely agree, the 325 is severly lacking low end, and although Grado says they are focused on reproducting the sound as closely matching the recording, I'm sure the artists that has recorded did not mean to sound like it is reproduced in Grado. For example, if you go to a live performance, you don't say "gee there's really no bass or low end..." it just sound natural. Like the deep vibration of strings in a concerto, or that deep sound of a grand piano in live performance, they don't sound like what the Grado headphones reproduce.
I herd grado this and grado that. How they are so good! Well my personal story with grado is I got the white headphone and was so disappointed. Then got the sr80x and was also disappointed. Did some trading and ended up with a gw100 recently. And was like wow these are way better! I'm glad I found this review that agrees with me.
Renato Zgorelec depends on what you like - I have both and like both. I use my GW100 at Walmart and outside lol... but never the Deva because of the size and fugly dongle - but the Deva are definitely better overall, better detail, better soundstage ... but I do really, really like the GW100, too
Renato Zgorelec well, that one, I’m not the best to answer because I’ve never heard the Sundara but from what others say, the answer is “it depends”, lol... the Deva of course has that single, balanced 3.5mm input which enables the nifty if ugly Bluetooth single for a true no-wires configuration, and the Sundara can’t get you there... But build quality and looks I think go to the Sundara and I believe the Sundara also have better timbre from what I’ve read from people who have compared the two. But the fact is because I already have the HE-560 and the Deva, I’ve not been convinced yet that I want to drop coin for the Sundara, my headphone addiction notwithstanding. 😅
I liked my 325i way back in the day.. Until they started rattling. But they were terribly uncomfortable with the stock pads. I used the sennheiser HD414 pads and sometimes cut a small hole in the center. Anyway, how will these compare to Pandas for sound? Obviously open VS. closed..
FYI, you got the new revision that just recently launched. Previously they had micro-USB, and just about 10 hours (15 stated I think) of battery life. Not sure if there's any difference in sound however, but I feel like my pair of the first revision sound boomy as hell. There's so much sub-lowend that just pulses the drivers, leading to distortion. Works great with the YAXI pads though!
@@trellusg Could absolutely be the case. Hoping so as I'm upgrading to the new revision the second they arrive locally! Seriously one of the most convenient headphones I have ever owned.
@@antoinep9733 Sure is! Was thinking about getting the black ones but honestly the purple looks great on them! They're not too different from the stock pads, but less irritating on the ears for sure.
How is the Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless fare compare to the Grado GW100? How I wish I could see a you do a sound demo on the Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless.
The GW100 came as a Micro-USB without Apt-X bluetooth. They upgraded their headphone (and fun fact, you can get a free upgrade through warranty) to include USB-C and Apt-X bluetooth. I've heard everything from Grado and these are definitely top dogs. Grados are fucking uncomfortable. You can force G-Cush pads on them, but they are still a little bit uncomfortable, albeit worth it for their amazing sound. Edit: Also wanted to confirm they have ZERO bluetooth latency. I have Bose SoundSport Free, MDR-1000x, AirPods 2, and Airpods Pro. They all have lag. Bose doesn't lag on Netflix, but everything else has like 150-500ms lag. The Grados have NONE. You can literally use them for gaming.
I wish grado wood pun intended make a over ear design of that chassis headband body everything with a duel wired entry connection and sound like this one with the higher-end models
I have yet to buy these but am definitely a Grado nerd but only really after taking my SR325Es and custom making some leather pads for them . Now they have the best low end and overall sound than anything I own and actually are better in ways than my Favorite Headpphones the Focal Stellia's. I'm actually surprised Zeos has never changed the pads to a more traditional design because it makes a world of difference.. As far as DSP goes when dealing with a single driver the correction is really only equalisation which every Audiophile rages against like it's the Antichrist lol I use an old school very good EQ and when using my Sundara's which can be a tad Bass light I do the unthinkable and turn up the Bass . I think I'm going to order the GW100s because you definitely peaked my interest . Oh and by the way the driver's are made in the US and the rest is China as far as I've been told. Would love to see a comparison of these vs the Ananda BT or the Deva
Dsp is the best thing ever! If you ever heard the isine20 raw vs with dsp you know what im takling about. The raw isine20 sounds literally worse than the cheapest beats there are (tonality wise) but eq'd flat with the toneboosters morph-it plugin, they are some of the best headphones ive ever heard.
I've heard a bunch of concern about the buttons being so loose in cups that you can hear them rattling around while on your head. did you experience that?
Ifi ZEN dac + Sundara for $500* total vs this at ($227) with Bluetooth 5.0 device. Converted from Canadian at the place I usually buy from. Did I screw up by going for the first option?
Home Studio Basics I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Deva. I love the Grado RS2e, And I hear that this GW 100 is updated and much better than the one that came out a couple years ago
In a way, DSP tuning makes sense on an engineering level. Combining the headphone and the DAC in the same package means being able to tune a DAC and amp to match a headphone exactly because it's a DAC that's only meant for one headphone. Technically, any DAC as a digital processing device could actively change the sound of whatever music it's processing. But because DAC's have always been separate from the audio output, they can't mess around too much or else they'll sound like shit in some headphones or speakers, in order to sound good with others. It explains why DACs tend to sound mostly the same and focus constantly on metrics that nobody can actually hear. That said, I don't ultimately trust this technology. In the first place, the basic engineering principle of cramming the DAC and amp all into one unit not only removes the choices in equipment that the audio hobby revolves around, it also means every headphone or speaker comes with its own DAC and amp, which is never going to be cheap to do properly. Just because engineers figured out how to maximize the use of the tech, a good headphone will shine on its own. It's like how every new supercar these days is full of increasingly sophisticated tech that's essentially meant to do the same thing for car as DSP does for headphones: TCS, SCS, torque vectoring, active suspension, etc. Sure, they go faster because of all this, but they end up feeling more and more automated to drive. In the end, for the enthusiast, nothing beats what properly done mechanical tuning does to the actual experience of driving. It's why everyone in the car community jizzed at the Gordon Murray T.50, with it's stated purpose to be entirely about response and driver control over the meaningless arms race over spec numbers and laptimes.
"not only removes the choices in equipment that the audio hobby revolves around": fair enough, but what about the people that just want it to work? especially new comers?
@@Peaches4Rent That's a fair point, but like I pointed out, selling headphones with a complete Amp and DAC that's properly tuned to enhance its sound isn't going to be cheap. Maybe economics can work some of its magic into that, but the first few generations of properly good HiFi that utilizes this tech will almost certainly not be for a beginner-friendly price. It's to say that there's no easy answers. Which is why I'm inclined to point beginners towards cheaper traditional tech combinations that give them a transparent gateway into the hobby. ChiFi's done plenty to make that accessible.
@@Boyetto-san yeah, I get what you mean. Imo, I have a feeling that you can hit a good sweet spot of price and sound quality that you can entice non-audiophiles to buy as well. For most non audiophiles, there's going to be a point after which they can't make out a difference in sound quality As an electrical engineer, I've been excited about an isolated circuit for quite a while, just for the engineering concept. In fact, I've been thinking about this since the usb c wired earphones
@@Peaches4Rent It's definitely an interesting technology, especially from a design and engineering perspective. I myself don't really buy into the claims of the highest-end of the audio market, and the emergence of this new tech definitely serves to explain some part of that. If you have to design amps and DACs that have to work with the widest range of headphones possible, then of course differences in sound signature between products are going to be minimal. To what extent the human ear can actually hear the difference made by the highest SINAD measurements is dubious to me at best, and I can really only justify buying into it when it's for a comparatively good price point. As an educator, I liken it to the problem of teaching large class sizes. The larger each class is, the less you can tailor your lessons to each student's quirks and interests in order to accomodate everyone as much as possible. So the direction of more closely integrating audio components to work with each other definitely makes some sense to me. My skepticism is really just due to price of admission, which is already a big issue with HiFi as it is. And I guess also a certain personal investment into the reward structure of finding diamonds in the rough for reasonable prices. It's why Zeos jizzes his pants at every budget value product that exceeds his expectations.
I like your honesty and telling it all approach. I am ready to buy those GW100 after watching you. So I searched other reviews and did find the same enthusiasm. Maybe that updated model is just that better? How good are they? What can compare in term of cheer satisfaction on Z wall ?
@@marksmithers9779 I really think this new revision is just, as you said, that much better. I have a pair of the originals, and while i do like them for the ease of an open backed headphone with BT, i feel like they are the opposite of this review. The originals sound SO MUCH BETTER wired than over bluetooth, so i am thinking the vaunted DSP is a new or at least much more intentionally tuned addition. and the bluetooth implementation in the original revision is really sub-par. If my phone is in my left pants pocket and i turn my head to the left, I lose signal. Fine for walking around my house (with the phone in decent range) but nothing I would have recommended to others. Zeos's review of this new revision has me really considering a new set, even if just for comparison sake.
Hi, thanks to your review, I've just ordered these headphones, could you please give me the reference of the large model earpads you used for this test? Thanks and regards from France ;-)
Between you and Dankpods, I now own my first pair of Grado's (sr80e). And they're wonderful. Please stop making me want nice things...And thank you for all you do...
Dankpods turned me onto grado and senheiser went and bought the hd800S and now want some grados lol
I’m glad dankpods is getting everyone into audiophile gear. I’m waiting on a pair of Sr80’s as well lmao
holyshit! you are not the only victims here! I am also waiting for sr80e! fuckk!
Edit: I had to cancelled my Sr80e due to global shortage fuckk mee! The seller wasn't completely transparent with pre-order selling. So I went to other store and preorder GW100 instead lol
Dankpods is the person who got interested in audio stuff
@@jaad_1090 You shouldn't!!! If you listen to music on the daily the sr80e is such a nice pair of headphones. I got mine around a week ago and use them pretty much every day.
positive grado review? we truly live in a society
Why do people generally dislike grado?
@@meckers11 Cus popular
Bottom text
@@hafeezytaughtme yea, because the hd6xx is viriliously hated, right? Try that again but this time admitting that grados have distorted bass and poor technicals for the price.
I meant first really positive review for those GW100. Grado is a wonderful brand of course. But why Steve G. or other reviewers did not fall in love with them as Zeos so completely did? Is this new version with Bluetooth 5.0 and USB C charging port much better?
No 10 minute cable rant, 0/10.
Cable length of BT headphones 0/10 meters.
@@MichaelLargent well they're made in America, they're all 0/10 meters.
@@k.-flynn Gah. Yes. True...and I hate it. :P
USB-C and Grado... I think we've peaked as a society
Better yet , Grado without that thick obnoxious attached Y wire...
@@Ivanmckt yes they did. Bluetooth 4.2 got upgraded to 5.0
@@Ivanmckt gw100 version 2
@CognizantxNight I'm highly considering buying one... a wireless grado with the same sound signature but more bass??? sounds like audio heaven
Hold up, I thought the Panda's would be the opposite of the Grados, since the Pandas are not DSP corrected, but physically tuned, which is why they sound the same on bluetooth and THX amps?
You're correct.
Yeah, Pandas are not DSP corrected. AKG K361/371BT aren't either. Wired/wireless for these? No difference (except maybe bluetooth quality).
Maybe Zeos was talking about the Panda update: There WILL be hardware DSP correction available with the panda, personalized via an app, IF you want it. Which is another impressive new thing.
Thank you for the review! I am a huge Grado nut and I have owned the same pair of SR60's for 25 years. I am disappointed that the first Grados with a detachable cable shouldn't be used with a cable, but if they're half as good as you say they are, they are now on my list for Santa.
G-cushions can be easily stretched to fit. Don't expect to use the cushions on your other Grados once stretched. The gap inside the small diameter hole is wide enough. I haven't noticed much change in sound, but I think it helped widening the sound stage. The deep base somehow felt right by my ear because of the spongy part resting on my ear before. Now that it's gone, it feels more open and natural. G cushions don't heat up the ears and distribute the pressure around the ears.
Finally! I've been using these for a while now and they are fantastic! Been wondering where the love is!
Are they comfy?
Thanks!
so DSP correction is the filter of instagram
Why would you say something so controversial, yet so brave.
This comparison makes sense yet it is objectively bad.
D-Nall no cause i wouldn’t mind dsp however i hardly ever like a filtered photo 😣
Wow, I love the energy here! I had the 60's like 20 years ago, and I used them for as long as the cable lasted. Loved them. Miss them, actually... You just cost me, dude. I'm ordering!
How’s you like them?
@@Ryanpeech I like them. I like the sound, and they're light and comfy on the head (as long as you're fairly still). There's a kind of ratteling noise some times(with loud volume), I suspect a cable is touching the woofer(?)... Dollar for dollar you can probably find better quality, but I don't regret buying them.
All fighter jets are extremely unstable, but unstable just means tendency to want to roll/pitch. The more unstable the faster you can maneuver, but you just have to pay more attention and correct to straight and level flight. Passenger jets are inherently stable, meaning flying without touching controls will (to a point) correct to straight in terms of roll, and slightly pitch up. Congratulations, you now understand the stability part of stability and control classes for Aerospace Engineering.
Plus, fighter jets counteract their deliberately designed instability with *a lot* of fly-by-wire tech. In fact, without the FBW, many modern fighters will become practically impossible to fly.
Yo Zeos. You have to review the new gw100x. They sound similar to the v1 with the DSP but, if my ears are not completely broken, it sounds like they've improved the wired sound and it's very close to the Bluetooth sound with minor differences in the high mids.
I have a pair arriving tomorrow. Needless to say, I'm very excited.
Because of your review, i'm going to save up and one day buy them!!
I suspect Grado just used off-the-shelf Bluetooth/amp/dac components available from their Chinese manufacturer. Interesting, but looks like a $150 headphone to me.
I do wish that price would come down. That is the price they are going with because they had to china. Don't want it to be TOO popular.
Yeah I had a pair of these and the bluetooth was pretty bad. They were amazing wired but the bluetooth was a nightmare.
@@bobbyz9052 bluetooth is the only reason you’d buy them isn’t it
These are my fave Grado headphones. Threw some Yaxi pads on there and called it a day. They're not made in Brooklyn. Grade is pretty open about them being manufactured in China. It's Grado with bass and it's awesome.
I would like to see a comparison between GW100v2 and the new GW100x
These are better for immersive gaming than my akg k-712 pro headphones. I don't know what they have done to this but the soundstage have that intimate endless circular around your head sound. I also own grado sr225e and there is not as much depth in the soundstage and highs can be way too much. Imaging is also better in gw100 vs k712 pro and sr225e.
This might be my first pair of Grados
Also Raphtalia is best girl, no competition
2 weeks ago? You time travel?
@@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797 patreon baby. They get videos earlier, zeos leaves them unlisted
@@Ty6260 oh I see
There are three editions of this headphone, the GW100, the GW100v2 and the GW100x.
Since this one hasn't got micro USB and is from 2 years ago it's got to be the GW100v2.
The recently released x version has the new, apparently thinner membrane, x driver.
I don't get the criticism and the talk about the dsp chip. My GW100 sounds very good but my SR80e sounds clearly better, just with a cable from my high quality Sony tv.
I blame a somewhat mediocre dac and amp they probably put in the GW.
The Sony tv just has a way better output, as would any High End amp. Which is audible with these sensitive headphones.
Thumbs up!
Designed by Grado Labs, made in China.
China? That's disappointing.
their workers are as good as ours.
@@davidl2662 In no way did I mean that as a negative, just a fact. I think this product looks great.
David l hell, I’d even say they work better than us xD amps and headphones from China are beautiful
@@davidl2662 they are also good in taking money and jobs from the americans.
All their drivers are made in their plant in long island, the GW100 itself are designed in Brooklyn and made 'overseas,' and also the iGrado were made in China.
Man... Im about to buy the GW100 v2 specifically because I don't want anything China in my headphones.
@@radagast7200 every pair of headphones will have something Chinese in them
Agreed, these sounds absolutely phenomenal
I just bought these before seeing these.... Omg, a grado with a full sound stage native?! I have 320e's and 80i's. Uhhh... Excited
Both of my grandos smelled TERRIBLE. I bought my first pair in 2010
I use these at Walmart - literally lol - the fact they are open back and yet don’t leak as much as a normal Grado open-back - is a plus, not a minus, for situational awareness, and they’re extremely lightweight and comfortable.
The problem is you shop at Walmart
Non Zamfir lol. Well, they get a lot more use outdoors when I’m walking the dog, frankly.
@@trellusg the reviews I've seen say the Bluetooth implementation is pretty bad, have you experienced much sound cut out when turning your head?
Non Zamfir that’s a legit complaint - it doesn’t happen often enough, maybe once or twice every few hours for me but it is definitely more susceptible to signal interruption than any of my other similarly priced (and many far cheaper) Bluetooth headphones.
That’s my experience from the initial version with micro USB, though, don’t know if that was addressed in the updated version with USB-C or not.
It’s not so much that I even think about it often - I often forget about it until it happens and it’s usually brief and I can’t recall it even happening the last few times I’ve used it, but I’ll admit that it may have and I don’t recall it.
I heard these against HD800, HD820, Utopia, Stellia, and PS1000e. I bought them.
wowza. better??
@@noe-tobin In my opinion, yes. I mean, I was auditioning them at a store, not taking them home using them and using them daily. Obviously price factored into the situation. The other headphones I listed are quite boring sounding. I also cant really use the other ones outside of sitting at my desk at home, whereas the Grados (as goofy as I may look) actually get use outside of being at home. For example, just to name a few I own: DT1990 (great imaging, but boring and no bass, very uncomfortable), HD700 (great for gaming/imaging, again lacking lower-bass, extremely comfortable), HD599 (muddy, no imaging, veiled), Q701 (too wide sounding, ruins imaging, no mid-bass, but plays super low, similar feel to DT's, with less clamp), KPH30i (decent sounding, has mid-bass, but sloppy amounts that bleed into the mids, also lacks imaging that the expensive cans can achieve, also not as comfortable, even with Yaxi Pads), SR60e (Great sounding, less bass than the GW100, but has a heavy cable), SHP9500 (great imaging, bass is non-existent below 120hz).
I'm not even a basshead (anymore); I own a bunch of very bright open backs, but they all simply fail to produce much accuracy below 100hz. The GW100 are fun to listen to, wireless, lightweight, and very inexpensive compared to what it can keep up with.
@@Kelocyde Really interesting. So how's the bleed from outside sounds like traffic when you're listening to music outside? Also, what's the bass performance like? I have the sr80e which are just beautifully clean and precise in the upper mid/high range, but of course lack in bass. How do the GW100 compare?
love my 60's and 80's, this pleases me, Hemp's soon
Given how good the 60s are i refuse to believe their higher quality stuff is shit
Just bought them. I dig Open-Backs for long sessions and movies + games, and i will use them for sound effect creation. I want them to be wireless because I often work with my notebook and don't want to carry a good dac with me + i like to be free of any cables on my rather big desk :)
The Hemps are supposedly incredible. I own the 60e and they're soo good, and if you EQ that 2k or whatever spike and bump up the low end, they're so good. Im assuming the SR80E would have been better. To be honest, if the Hemps are a perfect Grado, they're game changers. Grado is like 2 decibels here and there from legit audiophile perfection.
Gonna order one now. Thanks for this f-ing great rview Sir 😊
A man of culture
I have literally spent the past 2 week trying to hunt down Open Back Bluetooth Headphones.
- I don't like being shut off from the ambient noise around me
- I have kids, so it helps here as well
- I sometimes want to have background TV on
- Sometimes I just want to use it for voice chat (separate Mic on Laptop)
- YUP! I like to use them while cooking (And the KPH30i wire can get in the way. or is useless if I want to watch youtube while cooking.)
These have the potential to become my main headphones in 90% of my life.
KPH30i on a BTR3k is my cooking combo
@@cjeffcoatjr Kph30i and Ear Studio es100 for me
i want them for the same reason? Did you buy them? how do you like them?
@@mox05 Overall they worked very well. Pretty much how Z describes it.
But for me with and without glasses the on ear got pretty uncomfortable pretty quick, 30 minutes and my ears or behind my ear would ache.
And I simply could not get past how cheap they felt. Like a literal $5 pair of headphones out of a bargain bin.
The QA seemed off as well. My USB port was at a slight angle making it so some chargers could not go in... again. mirroring a very cheap build.
They sounded great, but not good enough for the Price, Comfort, and cheap feel to me. So I returned them.
If they had not sounded so good.. I would have sworn I had been scammed by the site I got them from.. In fact that was my first guess, and I Triple researched that I had indeed purchased them from the correct seller.
I mailed Grado suggesting them to produce a bluetooth speaker, because I think they will be the only to blow away my (2x5 Watts) Emberton Marshall. Grado sound reproduction (I've only had the Sr80) blew me away, enjoyed it for couple years. Grado4LifeSuckers
They are one of the best wireless headphones I ever heard.
Which other headphones have you owned?
This was the first item I bought before you ranted it to heaven. Now I feel real proud 😎
What's the font used in "Wireless Series Grado Labs"? I remember that font from somewhere.
Got these based on this review. Holy shit. My HD 660S is going to collect dust. Thanks Z Reviews :)
They're better than HD660s?
SR80e's croaked about 2 years ago and I still miss them, too bad these cost about 2.5 the price as the 80e's. If grado made a pair of wireless at the same cost as AirPods more people would probably buy it.
25:07 What Boxes are the future of audio ? The grado & ... ?
I haven't gotten the chance to listen to these, but I put on the HF3's and went 😶 Everything wrong with Grados (except the permanently attached cable) is fixed on the HF3's. Quality cable, better headband, no sub-bass rolloff, polite treble. I hope the GW100 and HF3 are signs of good things to come from Grado.
wes008 the new Grado Hemp is also said to deviate in a good way (for many) from the more classic Grado sound.
@@trellusg I hadn't heard of those for some reason, but they look awesome! And I got a kick out of the price point.
Your description of these reminds me of my B&O H7 II's. They're awful when wired but pretty damn good when used wireless.
Made in China under license so no nowhere near Brooklyn.
Also this must have been a recent update but they originally come with BT 4.0 aptx but the site now says 5.0 must of had a minor update but now you could get stuck with an older version without knowing
I know this is an older video - but I ordered a pair of the GW100X’s. I hate closed back headphones and I wanted a pair of BT cans.
I know BT Open Back is SUPER niche.. but I an surprised Grado seems to be the only one making BT Open Backs.
These will be my first pair of Grados!
where did you buy it, on the official site? now its like 330 bucks right?
@@lyingonthekitchenfloorasus608 Crutchfield - $275
@@lyingonthekitchenfloorasus608 Grado now sells them for $275 as well.
How did you get on with them? Nearly a year later, are you pleased with how they’ve performed? I hate closed backs too!
@@tom_123 I'll be honest. I ended up returning them. I loved them, but it didn't really set well with me that I had to pay additional $$$ for custom ear pads to make them wearable.
A weeb who enjoys audio stuff your who I espire to be when i become an adult
I live in the middle of nowhere and I'm often on my own but doing shit like cooking, gardening and jobs. I'm ordering these right now!
I've viewed you for a little while now but god dang it. if any review would have anybody buy anything...…its this one. Jesus Christ. love it man. funny thing is i viewed this while wearing my sr60e lol
i know this is a stupid question but..
i was thinking of using it for gaming ( with a separate usb mic ). Past models grado were told not good for gaming despite their open back nature. what about this though?
AND probably with wired like vMODA mic because it sounds fantastic on my Sony wh1000xm4 with anc turned on,
I bought them mid summer 400$ canadian dollars with the wooden rack and case. Best headphone I’ve owned Period.
I got replacement pad from geekria. You just have to make them fit 🤷♂️
What other headphones have you owned?
Good hear you continuing to review lower end quality headphones. I couldn't afford the $X000 upper tier range. Maybe in the next life. I must say though as much as you curse using a cable with the GW100, wired seems pretty good on the newer GW100x. If you ever get a chance to revisit the upgraded model for review that would be appreciated. I was almost regretting purchasing bluetooth headphones, but bluetooth over/on headphones are probably better value than bluetooth earphones which when the li-ion battery dies, will become landfill. On the larger headphones most li-ion batteries are replaceable even on the Grado GW100. I think they last 40+ hours as it's purely a headphone and no gimmicky functions such as on the Sony WH-1000mx...
Dammit I’m researching and holding back but this review may push me to buy these headphones
Open back BT headphones are my dream...I just can't afford my dream apparently. We need KPH30is wireless.
MMCX mod + BT modules = BOOM
Is there a built-in microphone that can be used over the bluetooth connection? Really need a good-sounding bluetooth headset with a mic that is usable for zoom meetings.
I just bought these to replace my Bose qc35, as they were free from a mobile phone deal, thus selling on my grade sr60.
Pads are flimsy and are too large to fit on my head.
Will look for new padded covers and something to stick on inside of headband
5:20 / 27:17
Darling GRADO GW100
Sold. Thank you, man
Well that seals the deal then, your opinion in headphones has to be the best around after all your choice in best girl is
I just upgraded my PC's bluetooth card because I love these headphones so much...
I bought one but highly likely made in China. Anything but China, please. If it's made in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, is wayyy better hands down. But everything made in China will have some issue now or prematurely.
EDIT: I absolutely agree, the 325 is severly lacking low end, and although Grado says they are focused on reproducting the sound as closely matching the recording, I'm sure the artists that has recorded did not mean to sound like it is reproduced in Grado. For example, if you go to a live performance, you don't say "gee there's really no bass or low end..." it just sound natural. Like the deep vibration of strings in a concerto, or that deep sound of a grand piano in live performance, they don't sound like what the Grado headphones reproduce.
Of course it had to be Zero Two. Ah you made my day :)
$250 DORRARS?!
aight imma head out.
You act like that's a lot for audiophile quality wireless headphones
I herd grado this and grado that.
How they are so good!
Well my personal story with grado is
I got the white headphone and was so disappointed.
Then got the sr80x and was also disappointed.
Did some trading and ended up with a gw100 recently.
And was like wow these are way better! I'm glad I found this review that agrees with me.
is DSP still active if we use usb C to usb A on PC / usb c to usb c on smartphone ?
£130/150 in the UK so I might give them a go, all the other grado headphones I've had were uncomfortable and of avarage sound.
now is the question...buy the hifiman deva or these as a open back bluetooth headphone..?
Renato Zgorelec depends on what you like - I have both and like both. I use my GW100 at Walmart and outside lol... but never the Deva because of the size and fugly dongle - but the Deva are definitely better overall, better detail, better soundstage ... but I do really, really like the GW100, too
@@trellusg what would you pick,sundara or deva?
Renato Zgorelec well, that one, I’m not the best to answer because I’ve never heard the Sundara but from what others say, the answer is “it depends”, lol... the Deva of course has that single, balanced 3.5mm input which enables the nifty if ugly Bluetooth single for a true no-wires configuration, and the Sundara can’t get you there...
But build quality and looks I think go to the Sundara and I believe the Sundara also have better timbre from what I’ve read from people who have compared the two.
But the fact is because I already have the HE-560 and the Deva, I’ve not been convinced yet that I want to drop coin for the Sundara, my headphone addiction notwithstanding. 😅
these
Should I purchase the gw100 or the gw100x headphone?
I have a similar wireless setup - detachable ES100($99) hanging on the left cup of my custom wired SR80e ($100). Has EQ and sounds uber good.
I liked my 325i way back in the day.. Until they started rattling. But they were terribly uncomfortable with the stock pads. I used the sennheiser HD414 pads and sometimes cut a small hole in the center. Anyway, how will these compare to Pandas for sound? Obviously open VS. closed..
FYI, you got the new revision that just recently launched. Previously they had micro-USB, and just about 10 hours (15 stated I think) of battery life.
Not sure if there's any difference in sound however, but I feel like my pair of the first revision sound boomy as hell. There's so much sub-lowend that just pulses the drivers, leading to distortion. Works great with the YAXI pads though!
Kim Bergdahl I have the first version with microUSB and the bass doesn’t sound boomy to me nor does it distort. Might have been a bad unit?
@@trellusg Could absolutely be the case. Hoping so as I'm upgrading to the new revision the second they arrive locally! Seriously one of the most convenient headphones I have ever owned.
Kim Bergdahl Is that the new Grado-specific pads? (💜PURPLE!!!) I like the comfort of Yaxi foam.
@@antoinep9733 Sure is! Was thinking about getting the black ones but honestly the purple looks great on them! They're not too different from the stock pads, but less irritating on the ears for sure.
@@kim-- Can you let us know if there is a difference in sound and connection when you get your new pair, thanks
How is the Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless fare compare to the Grado GW100? How I wish I could see a you do a sound demo on the Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless.
Part of me is sad that this did not come out on Tuesday given the wallpaper
Are you gonna review the marshall major 4s?
The GW100 came as a Micro-USB without Apt-X bluetooth. They upgraded their headphone (and fun fact, you can get a free upgrade through warranty) to include USB-C and Apt-X bluetooth. I've heard everything from Grado and these are definitely top dogs. Grados are fucking uncomfortable. You can force G-Cush pads on them, but they are still a little bit uncomfortable, albeit worth it for their amazing sound.
Edit: Also wanted to confirm they have ZERO bluetooth latency. I have Bose SoundSport Free, MDR-1000x, AirPods 2, and Airpods Pro. They all have lag. Bose doesn't lag on Netflix, but everything else has like 150-500ms lag. The Grados have NONE. You can literally use them for gaming.
except I'd have to idk play them thru a btr5 plugged into my computer
Is this a review of the first or second version? I read somewhere there was a second version
Are these USB-C? the website says it comes with micro-usb. That is a deal killer for me.
He shows at the beginning
I wish grado wood pun intended make a over ear design of that chassis headband body everything with a duel wired entry connection and sound like this one with the higher-end models
I have yet to buy these but am definitely a Grado nerd but only really after taking my SR325Es and custom making some leather pads for them .
Now they have the best low end and overall sound than anything I own and actually are better in ways than my Favorite Headpphones the Focal Stellia's.
I'm actually surprised Zeos has never changed the pads to a more traditional design because it makes a world of difference..
As far as DSP goes when dealing with a single driver the correction is really only equalisation which every Audiophile rages against like it's the Antichrist lol
I use an old school very good EQ and when using my Sundara's which can be a tad Bass light I do the unthinkable and turn up the Bass .
I think I'm going to order the GW100s because you definitely peaked my interest .
Oh and by the way the driver's are made in the US and the rest is China as far as I've been told.
Would love to see a comparison of these vs the Ananda BT or the Deva
"I do the unthinkable and turn up the Bass"
An audiophile of culture, who went full circle.
How do these sound plugged in with the audio cable bypassing the dsp? Do they still sound good?
Dsp is the best thing ever! If you ever heard the isine20 raw vs with dsp you know what im takling about. The raw isine20 sounds literally worse than the cheapest beats there are (tonality wise) but eq'd flat with the toneboosters morph-it plugin, they are some of the best headphones ive ever heard.
I've heard a bunch of concern about the buttons being so loose in cups that you can hear them rattling around while on your head. did you experience that?
hay z im looing at either theses or Audeze iSINE 10 ... fight who wins ?
Know your busy but when are we going to get the review on The Fives by KLIPSCH ?
Please always check his patron page before saying that, unless you're saying when will it be publicly available.
Ifi ZEN dac + Sundara for $500* total vs this at ($227) with Bluetooth 5.0 device.
Converted from Canadian at the place I usually buy from.
Did I screw up by going for the first option?
Just bought these and the g cushions. All the other headphones I have ever owned or tried are garbage now.
Do these sound better than sundaras or maybe hd58x? I have hd58x now and looking for a new headphone, wondering if these will sound diffrent at all.
Both are great but in different ways, By comparison, GW100 is clearer and brighter, HD58X is warmer and a bit more refined with good amplification
@@headphonejedimaster3755 Thanks for response
Hey man why don't you just get a deva? The gw100 is okay but comfort is awful and the 2k issue is still there. Deva is pretty much a perfect product.
Home Studio Basics I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Deva. I love the Grado RS2e, And I hear that this GW 100 is updated and much better than the one that came out a couple years ago
In a way, DSP tuning makes sense on an engineering level. Combining the headphone and the DAC in the same package means being able to tune a DAC and amp to match a headphone exactly because it's a DAC that's only meant for one headphone. Technically, any DAC as a digital processing device could actively change the sound of whatever music it's processing. But because DAC's have always been separate from the audio output, they can't mess around too much or else they'll sound like shit in some headphones or speakers, in order to sound good with others. It explains why DACs tend to sound mostly the same and focus constantly on metrics that nobody can actually hear.
That said, I don't ultimately trust this technology. In the first place, the basic engineering principle of cramming the DAC and amp all into one unit not only removes the choices in equipment that the audio hobby revolves around, it also means every headphone or speaker comes with its own DAC and amp, which is never going to be cheap to do properly. Just because engineers figured out how to maximize the use of the tech, a good headphone will shine on its own. It's like how every new supercar these days is full of increasingly sophisticated tech that's essentially meant to do the same thing for car as DSP does for headphones: TCS, SCS, torque vectoring, active suspension, etc. Sure, they go faster because of all this, but they end up feeling more and more automated to drive. In the end, for the enthusiast, nothing beats what properly done mechanical tuning does to the actual experience of driving. It's why everyone in the car community jizzed at the Gordon Murray T.50, with it's stated purpose to be entirely about response and driver control over the meaningless arms race over spec numbers and laptimes.
"not only removes the choices in equipment that the audio hobby revolves around": fair enough, but what about the people that just want it to work? especially new comers?
@@Peaches4Rent That's a fair point, but like I pointed out, selling headphones with a complete Amp and DAC that's properly tuned to enhance its sound isn't going to be cheap. Maybe economics can work some of its magic into that, but the first few generations of properly good HiFi that utilizes this tech will almost certainly not be for a beginner-friendly price. It's to say that there's no easy answers. Which is why I'm inclined to point beginners towards cheaper traditional tech combinations that give them a transparent gateway into the hobby. ChiFi's done plenty to make that accessible.
@@Boyetto-san yeah, I get what you mean.
Imo, I have a feeling that you can hit a good sweet spot of price and sound quality that you can entice non-audiophiles to buy as well. For most non audiophiles, there's going to be a point after which they can't make out a difference in sound quality
As an electrical engineer, I've been excited about an isolated circuit for quite a while, just for the engineering concept. In fact, I've been thinking about this since the usb c wired earphones
@@Peaches4Rent It's definitely an interesting technology, especially from a design and engineering perspective. I myself don't really buy into the claims of the highest-end of the audio market, and the emergence of this new tech definitely serves to explain some part of that. If you have to design amps and DACs that have to work with the widest range of headphones possible, then of course differences in sound signature between products are going to be minimal. To what extent the human ear can actually hear the difference made by the highest SINAD measurements is dubious to me at best, and I can really only justify buying into it when it's for a comparatively good price point.
As an educator, I liken it to the problem of teaching large class sizes. The larger each class is, the less you can tailor your lessons to each student's quirks and interests in order to accomodate everyone as much as possible. So the direction of more closely integrating audio components to work with each other definitely makes some sense to me.
My skepticism is really just due to price of admission, which is already a big issue with HiFi as it is. And I guess also a certain personal investment into the reward structure of finding diamonds in the rough for reasonable prices. It's why Zeos jizzes his pants at every budget value product that exceeds his expectations.
How is delay over Bluetooth (for watching movies)?
Sennheisser momentum 4 vs this headphones in terms of sound quality?
Still waiting on the review for those swan d1090s you just mentioned in this video.
Grado with improved build quality?
What timeline do we live in
SamCovert Made in China
2020, the year of madness
2020 The year of china and americas downfall
I have the SR80e. Do you think it's worth upgrading into the GW100? If yes, would you try to describe the differences in sound quality please?
Have both. Gw100 has fuller bass and much smoother highs.
This is the first really positive review in a year for the Grado GW 100. Why is that do you think?
Subtle Disappointment with other grado's? I bought them myself so I was risking it all on a curiosity.
I like your honesty and telling it all approach. I am ready to buy those GW100 after watching you. So I searched other reviews and did find the same enthusiasm. Maybe that updated model is just that better? How good are they? What can compare in term of cheer satisfaction on Z wall ?
Did not* find the same positive feedback. Just wondered why. How good are they. What can they be compared to?
@@marksmithers9779 I really think this new revision is just, as you said, that much better. I have a pair of the originals, and while i do like them for the ease of an open backed headphone with BT, i feel like they are the opposite of this review.
The originals sound SO MUCH BETTER wired than over bluetooth, so i am thinking the vaunted DSP is a new or at least much more intentionally tuned addition. and the bluetooth implementation in the original revision is really sub-par. If my phone is in my left pants pocket and i turn my head to the left, I lose signal.
Fine for walking around my house (with the phone in decent range) but nothing I would have recommended to others.
Zeos's review of this new revision has me really considering a new set, even if just for comparison sake.
@@vmstranger thank you for your message and let us know what you find out if you ever get the updated version!
I'm always suspicious when someone says "period".
Well then you won't ever know what a girl you're with is on
These or the Devo Pro? (with Bluetooth dongle)
Hi, thanks to your review, I've just ordered these headphones, could you please give me the reference of the large model earpads you used for this test?
Thanks and regards from France ;-)
Best headphones for mixing/mastering around 100/200?
dt770, hd280s, and tbh just splurge like 500 bucks and get the neumann ndh 20
Is there a solution about the creaking plastic? That's the only thing that bothers me.
LMFAO that intro had me rolling. lmfao
How about Kennerton Hi-Fi Magneplanar Headphones?
Nice ZeroTwo
I want open-back bluetooth headphones... need the bleed... have kids... anything new that is better than these?
theres now an open backed wireless koss