Grado Signature HP100 SE vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
Both are dynamic open-back headphones.
The HD 800 S is 190 g lighter, at 330 g against 520 g.
The HD 800 S needs 20 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.
The HD 800 S lists for $495 less.
$2,495
$1,999.95
Side by side
Signature HP100 SEHD 800 S
- Driver
- Dynamic
- Dynamic
- Diaphragm
- Paper composite cone; copper-plated aluminum voice coil
- 56 mm ring radiator with 40 mm in-house wound voice coil
- Driver size
- 52 mm
- 56 mm
- Enclosure
- Open-back
- Open-back
- Weight
- 520 g
- 330 g
- HD 800 S is 190 g lighter
- Impedance
- 38 ohms
- 300 ohms
- Sensitivity
- 117 dB SPL @ 1 mW
- 102 dB SPL (1 V)
- Power for 110 dB
- 0.20 mW, 0.09 V
- 20.9 mW, 2.50 V
- HD 800 S needs 20 dB more
- Drive
- Easy to drive
- Easy to drive
- Frequency response
- 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz
- 4 Hz – 51 kHz (−10 dB)
- Made in
- United States
- Ireland
- Released
- 2024
- 2016
- List price
- $2,495
- $1,999.95
- HD 800 S is $495 less
From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.
Amplifiers that drive both
How the matching worksEach of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.
Where to buy the Signature HP100 SE
List $2,495
Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works
Where to buy the HD 800 S
List $1,999.95
- Headphones.comIn stock online$1,799.95
- Audio46In stock online$1,799.95
- Moon AudioIn stock online$1,799.95
Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works