- Grado’s GW100 headphones combine two features that don’t usually mix together – an open-back design and wireless Bluetooth support.
- The open-back design is the preferred style for professionals using headphones for reference, as it produces a detailed and accurate sound.
- This type of headphone doesn’t block out any noise, however, which limits performance for wireless playback outside.
- Still, despite this seemingly odd marriage of features, there’s no denying the GW100’s stunning audio performance, and at $249, the headphones offer a great value for the money.
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Open-back headphones are for wearing at home and basking in the inherent spaciousness the design brings to your music. Wireless Bluetooth headphones are for wearing when you don’t want a cable getting in the way – like when you’re commuting, at the gym, or working in a public area. Open-back headphones share your music with everyone due to sound leakage, and consequently let noise from the outside world in. Out and about, no one wants to hear what you’re listening to, and you don’t want to listen to the drone of the train, plane, or baby crying at the table next to you.
For these reasons, open-back headphones and wireless support don't typically go hand in hand. Yet, despite these two product worlds not really blending, here I am listening to Grado's GW100 open-back Bluetooth headphones - the first of their type in the world, according to Grado.
Perhaps surprisingly, given this introduction, these are wonderful headphones. As a product, they make almost no sense whatsoever, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Not just because of the amazing sound, but also because of the reasonable price. Just never wear them outside the house, OK?
Confused? I don't blame you, so let me explain.
Specifications
- Design: Open-back and on-ear
- Bluetooth: Version 4.2 with AptX
- Battery: 320mAh for 15 hours playback at approximately 50% volume
- Weight: 313 grams/11 ounces
Note: The above specifications refer to the version of the headphones we reviewed. A slightly revised version with Bluetooth 5.0 support and up to 40 hours of battery life is now listed on Amazon.
Setup and interface
I used the Grado GW100 headphones connected to an iPhone 11 Pro while listening to music stored locally and streamed on Spotify. You pair the headphones just like any other Bluetooth device, resulting in a simple and painless setup process.
Unlike some other companies, Grado does not offer a dedicated app for the headphones, so there are no other setup requirements or advanced features to adjust. Instead, once paired with your phone, you simply open the music streaming service you'd like to start listening to.
I didn't have any connection problems at all when using the headphones inside, but the connection was a little unstable when walking around outside with the phone in my pocket. This only seemed to be an issue for the first few minutes, and settled down after listening for a while. For those who prefer a wired connection, you can also use the GW100 headphones with the included 3.5mm audio cable.
Performance and features
Put the Grado GW100 headphones on, and the open-back design lets air flow freely through the cups, avoiding uncomfortable pressure and any unpleasant echo, and exposing your ears to unfiltered, spacious, airy sound. There's a reason open-back headphones are used for "reference" listening - they are highly accurate. Family-run, Brooklyn-based Grado is no stranger to this, and has been making highly respected headphones and cartridges since the 50s. Embracing wireless technology has taken a while, and it's a definite surprise to see it added to a set of open-back headphones.
While it's a bizarre decision, it's also an inspired one. The GW100s sound utterly fantastic, regardless of what you listen to. Every track I played sounded incredible - full of detail with just the right level of thump to the bass, and a sparkling treble that brings vocals to life. All this without thinking about the soundstage, because it just feels like the air around you is the soundstage. They're a properly fun listen and fully involving, with more volume than you'll be able to handle, and a superb balance rarely found in a set of headphones that cost this little.
Examples? Izone's "Pink Blusher" is a super cute pop song dominated by high-pitched lead vocals. Listening on the GW100s is so fun, you'll smile all the way through. There's simply no harshness, the mid-bass is expertly judged, and the track's quiet/loud mix is handled very well. How about something harder? The central scream of Skrillex's "Bangarang" dominates, but the GW100s never lose control, keeping the baseline tight throughout. The soundstage is so spacious and wide that the opening of Clozee's "Inner Peace" makes the percussion sound like it's in another part of the room.
You can crank the volume right up, too. There's some slight distortion when you go over about 75% volume on the iPhone 11 Pro, and they can become a little too bright for their own good, but let them sit at 70% volume and you won't notice. Volume adjustment can be performed on your phone, or using two buttons on the left hand cup. The power button doubles as play/pause when short pressed. There's no in-line remote on the optional cable, however, which just fits in with the GW100s' complete unsuitability for use outside.
Design
Convinced by the Grado GW100s' sound quality? You should be. When it comes to audio performance in a quiet environment, these are fantastic headphones. Unfortunately, however, the open-back design does have its limitations, greatly reducing the usefulness of the headphones' Bluetooth feature.
Basically, the GW100s don't belong outside at all. The second you step out into the real world, much of the glorious detail of the headphones is lost as the sound of the street intrudes through those open backs. On public transport of any kind, you may as well not bother wearing them, unless you go all out with the volume. At this point, everyone around you will hate you.
The problem is sound leakage. Forget about the annoying jingle jangle of a set of Apple EarPods. The GW100s are so loud from the outside, anyone sitting next to you will be able to identify, and likely sing along with, whatever's playing. Grado says it has worked to eliminate 60% of sound leakage on these specially designed Bluetooth headphones. That may indeed be the case, but it still doesn't make them suitable for the office. I listened almost exclusively to the Grado GW100s in a quiet room at home, and that's where they belong.
Let's recap. Unless you want to become a social pariah, you can't listen to the Grado GW100s outside; but inside, they're beyond fabulous.
In addition to the open-back form factor, the rest of the design is typically Grado - ultra lightweight, simple cups, and a thin but pleasingly padded hanger, plus the trademark metal length adjusters on each side. However, the wood on Grado's Reference headphones is replaced by some pretty unpleasant plastic, and the ear pads are just made from foam, which feels cheap to the touch and hot on your ears. The open-back design means the plastic cups sound cheap when you tap them, and the buttons also feel cheap when you press them.
The Grado GW100s are well made, but the materials, the lightness, and the sparseness makes them appear cheap. It's genuinely hard to believe they sound so great when you first pick them up. What I wouldn't do for a set of lambskin ear cup covers to make them more comfortable to wear for longer periods. I want to listen, but the foam gets hot and unpleasant after an hour or so.
The battery life on the model we reviewed isn't great either, with Grado rating the original GW100s for 15 hours of playback. With that said, the headphones have now been replaced on Amazon by a slightly revised version with an upgraded battery life of 40 hours. We haven't tested this newer edition yet, but if that number holds up, it puts the GW100s more in line with other competing wireless headphones, like the Audio-Technica M50xBT.
The bottom line
The Grado GW100 headphones sound superb. The balanced audio is matched with just the right amount of bass, sparkling vocals, and a soundstage only possible with an open-back design. While the Bluetooth has been reliable for me, these are not suitable for use outside due to the lack of any sound isolation at all. The reasonable price makes them a good value, but the materials and build sometimes feel cheap.
Should you buy it?
Yes, provided you understand what you're getting. These are Bluetooth headphones that free you from wires inside the house, not outside. Get past this, and you're in for an audio treat.
What are your alternatives?
If you're expressly looking for a pair of Bluetooth connected, open-back headphones in this performance range, then Grado basically has the market cornered with the GW100s. If you just want a pair of Bluetooth connected headphones that sound good, then many more options come into view.
The aforementioned Audio-Technica M50xBT are a great alternative which will also satisfy an audiophile's desire for musical credibility. The natural tuning has seen the wired versions of these headphones used in recording studios around the world for years. Removing the wire has not affected the sound at all, and these can be found for $179.99. Alternatively, Audio-Technica's ATH-SR50BT are $199.99 and are more stylish than the M50xBT. If you prefer a harder hitting sound, the Beats Solo 3 Wireless also come in at $199.99, and are versatile and well made.
There are almost too may alternatives to list if you are shopping for a set of Bluetooth headphones at this price, but absolutely none are direct competitors to the Grado GW100s. Arguably, that's because no one would usually consider making such a product; but after listening to them, I'm so glad the GW100s exist.
Pros: Immersive, well-balanced, wide soundstage, lightweight, reasonably priced.
Cons: Not suitable for use in loud environments, materials feel a little cheap, battery life is short (new revised model includes improved battery life)