Established circa 1953, in Brooklyn, Grado Labs is well known and respected for hand-building visually and sonically appealing headphones. The company’s newest models continue in the Grado tradition of selecting unique materials and emphasizing a rewarding aural experience. From the limited-edition Heritage Series GH3 and GH4 to the premium Statement Series GS3000e, the wired headphones will integrate nicely with your existing 1/4" or 3.5mm-equipped gear. Or go wireless with the GW100!
The GH3 and GH4 share a strong common bond. Both feature an open-back, over-ear design with cushioned earpads and Norwegian pine wood housings. Their 44mm dynamic drivers yield a frequency response of 18 Hz to 24 kHz, and are matched to a 0.05 dB tolerance for proper stereo balance. The 5.9' cables on these headphones are terminated with 3.5mm stereo mini jacks, which grant compatibility with many mobile devices, but don’t worry… You can still connect to a dedicated headphone amplifier, thanks to the gold-plated 1/4" adapter supplied with each GH3 and GH4. So, how are they different? In comparison to the GH4, the GH3 uses thinner cuts of wood and sports low-profile enclosures. It’s just a matter of preference for your wearing style. It is worth noting that “limited edition” does indeed mean that Grado will be producing a limited run.
If you’re looking to bolster your monitoring setup with a set of “ultimate” open-back headphones, contemplate the Statement Series GS3000e. These substantial, over-ear cans incorporate 50mm dynamic drivers to produce an ultra-wide frequency response of 4 Hz to 51 kHz! As with the GH3 and GH4, the drivers of the GS3000e are matched to 0.05 dB. Also like the GH3 and GH4, the cable is 5.9' long. However, it is terminated with a 1/4" TRS connector, and includes a 1/4" to 3.5mm adapter and a 15' headphone extension cable. Regarding style and comfort, the GS3000e is adorned with large cocobolo wood housings and thick earcup padding. Stately and classy, these headphones will seem at home in any high-class sound setup.
For those who are always on the move, the Grado GW100 may be the ideal addition. These over-ear headphones combine open-back audio performance with Bluetooth wireless convenience. Their dynamic drivers produce frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, and are matched to 0.05 dB. Bluetooth version 4.2 with support for apt-X ensures high-quality wireless audio capability, if your paired device is capable of apt-X transmission. An internal rechargeable battery allows up to 15 hours of listening time, though a dead battery doesn’t mean an end to your enjoyment; a 3.5mm audio cable is included for traditional wired operation. Unexpected and welcome are the built-in microphone and controls, which offer hands-free integration with your mobile device for calls, volume adjustment, and more.
Whether your audiophile tendencies run strong while you’re out and about, or you contain them until confined to your audio lair, these Grado headphones aim to bring sonic satisfaction. Visit the B&H website or stop by the B&H SuperStore to see for yourself!
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