The Grado GS1000 (Classic) is 38Ω at 99.8 dB/mW; the Grado Signature HP100 SE is 38Ω at 117.0 dB/mW. This page covers what they ask of an amplifier, not how they sound.
The GS1000 (Classic) needs 17.2 dB more than the Signature HP100 SE to reach the same loudness — 1.0 mW against 0.02 mW.
| Specification | GS1000 (Classic) | Signature HP100 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 38 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 117.0 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (voltage) | 114.0 dB/V | 131.2 dB/V |
| Power for 100 dB | 1.0 mW | 0.02 mW |
| Voltage for 100 dB | 0.20 V | 28 mV |
| Current for 100 dB | 5.2 mA | 0.7 mA |
| Highest source impedance that leaves them alone (one-eighth rule) | 4.75 Ω | 4.75 Ω |
| Sources that reach 100 dB out of 280 | 280 | 280 |
Every source in the database that drives one of them drives the other. On power, the choice between these two changes nothing about what amplifier you need.
31 sources stay below the audible-hiss threshold with the GS1000 (Classic) but cross it with the Signature HP100 SE (Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini, FiiO BTR11, Fosi Audio SK02, 28 more).
280 of the 280 sources here reach 100 dB on both.
The GS1000 (Classic) is more demanding than 58% of the 567 non-electrostatic models in this database; the Signature HP100 SE than 2%.
| dB SPL | GS1000 (Classic) power | GS1000 (Classic) voltage | Signature HP100 SE power | Signature HP100 SE voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 0.01 mW | 20 mV | 0.2 µW | 3 mV |
| 85 | 0.03 mW | 35 mV | 0.6 µW | 5 mV |
| 90 | 0.10 mW | 63 mV | 2.0 µW | 9 mV |
| 95 | 0.33 mW | 0.11 V | 6.3 µW | 15 mV |
| 100 | 1.0 mW | 0.20 V | 0.02 mW | 28 mV |
| 105 | 3.3 mW | 0.35 V | 0.06 mW | 49 mV |
| Source | Price | Headroom, GS1000 (Classic) | Headroom, Signature HP100 SE | Output impedance | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JadeAudio JA11 | $20 | 13.8 dB | 31.0 dB | 0.5 Ω | 1.7 µV |
| FiiO KA11 | $29 | 22.1 dB | 39.3 dB | 0.7 Ω | 1.7 µV |
| FiiO BTR13 | $59 | 19.0 dB | 36.2 dB | 0.6 Ω | 1.0 µV |
Of the 280 sources here, 280 reach 100 dB on both. 42 of them also publish an output impedance low enough for both under the one-eighth rule and a noise figure that stays below the audible-hiss threshold with both.
The cheapest of the 42 is the JadeAudio JA11, at $20. It leaves 13.8 dB of headroom on the GS1000 (Classic) and 31.0 dB on the Signature HP100 SE, its output impedance is 0.5 Ω against a one-eighth limit of 4.75 Ω for both, and its noise figure puts the hiss floor 21 dB and 4 dB below the 20 dB SPL this site treats as the point where a quiet room stops hiding it.
| Model | As printed | Tolerance | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS1000 (Classic) | 8-35 | not printed | not printed |
| Signature HP100 SE | 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz | not printed | not printed |
Grado prints 8-35 for the GS1000 (Classic) and 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz for the Signature HP100 SE.
Neither range has a tolerance printed beside it, so a wider range on one sheet is not deeper bass or more treble.
Not a measurement; maker by maker.
Both have a page of their own. In full: Grado GS1000 (Classic) and Grado Signature HP100 SE. Every figure on this page comes from what Grado published, or is derived from it — what that maker publishes, counted.