Grado RS1 vs Signature HP100 SE: Sound, Comfort, and Value Compared

Quick answer

Choose the Grado RS1 if you want a lower-cost entry into Grado's Reference series with the option to tune comfort and sound using L-Cushions. Choose the Signature HP100 SE if you want a current Signature-series headphone that ships with B-Cushions and is built for buyers who value the newest Grado design. The RS1 is the better value for most first-time Grado buyers; the HP100 SE is the better fit for listeners who want the Signature series experience and are comfortable spending more.

The Grado RS1 and Signature HP100 SE sit in different parts of the Grado lineup, so comparing them is less about one being better and more about which trade-offs you are willing to accept. The RS1 is a Reference-series headphone with a long-standing reputation, while the HP100 SE is part of the current Signature series. Both are open-back, both accept genuine Grado cushions, and both can be tuned with a simple pad swap. The real differences show up in price, included cushions, and how each fits into a daily listening routine.

This comparison uses only the catalog facts supplied for each model. Where a specification is not provided, I will say so rather than guess. That matters because Grado buyers often make decisions based on cushion type, case compatibility, and replacement-part availability, and those are exactly the details that separate a satisfying purchase from a frustrating one.

Sound and series positioning

The RS1 is part of Grado's Reference series, and the HP100 SE is part of the Signature series. In the Grado catalog, the RS1 ships with L-Cushions as standard equipment, while the Signature HP100 SE ships with B-Cushions. That single difference is the most concrete sound-related fact available here, because Grado cushions are known to change both comfort and the way the headphone feels on your ears. The L-Cushion is a smaller, flatter pad; the B-Cushion is a larger, bowl-style pad. If you have read our guide on how replacement cushions change Grado sound, you already know that pad depth and density affect bass weight, treble presence, and soundstage.

No frequency response, impedance, or sensitivity figures were supplied for either model, so I will not invent them. What I can say is that both headphones accept genuine Grado replacement cushions, which means you can adjust the fit and feel after purchase. If you want the RS1 to feel more like a Signature-series headphone, you can fit B-Cushions. If you want the HP100 SE to sit closer to your ears, you can fit L-Cushions. That flexibility is one of the strongest arguments for buying into the Grado ecosystem rather than treating either headphone as a fixed object.

• RS1 ships with L-Cushions; HP100 SE ships with B-Cushions.
• Both models accept genuine Grado replacement cushions, so pad swapping is a realistic tuning tool.
• Do not assume a specific frequency response curve; use the included cushion type as your starting reference.

Comfort, fit, and daily wear

Comfort on a Grado headphone is largely a cushion decision. The B-Cushions that come with the Signature HP100 SE are the same cushions used on the Signature S750 and S550, and they fit all Signature, Classic, Statement, Reference, Prestige, Professional, and Limited Edition headphones. The L-Cushions that come with the RS1 are standard on the RS1, RS2, and PS500, and they also fit all Prestige, Reference, Statement, Professional, and Limited Edition headphones. In practice, that means you can move between pad styles on either headphone without hunting for a model-specific part.

The trade-off is that larger cushions spread pressure over a wider area but can feel looser, while smaller cushions sit closer and can feel more immediate but also more noticeable during long sessions. Neither is universally better. If you wear glasses, have larger ears, or listen for hours at a time, the B-Cushion is usually the easier starting point. If you prefer a lighter, more compact feel and want the drivers closer to your ears, the L-Cushion is the more natural choice. Because both headphones accept both pads, you can test this for yourself rather than committing blindly.

• B-Cushions are standard on the Signature HP100 SE and fit all Signature, Classic, Statement, Reference, Prestige, Professional, and Limited Edition headphones.
• L-Cushions are standard on the RS1 and fit all Prestige, Reference, Statement, Professional, and Limited Edition headphones.
• If comfort is your main concern, budget for one spare set of cushions so you can compare without downtime.

Value, storage, and ownership costs

The RS1 is the lower-cost option in this comparison, and the HP100 SE is the more expensive one. That price gap is the core value trade-off. The RS1 gives you a Reference-series headphone and a clear upgrade path through cushions and accessories. The HP100 SE gives you a current Signature-series headphone with B-Cushions already fitted. Neither is a bad buy, but they reward different priorities. If you want the most headphone for the least money today, the RS1 is the more efficient choice. If you want the Signature-series experience out of the box, the HP100 SE is the one to pick.

Storage matters more than most buyers expect. The Medium Hard-Shell Case for Grado Headphones fits all Prestige Series, GW100, GH1/GH2/GH3/GH4, RS2e, and Hemp headphones when they are fitted with S/WS, L, or Flat Cushions. It is a hard-shell zipper case with an embossed Grado logo, and Grado offers a $5 saving when you buy the case together with a headphone from the headphone page. Note that the supplied facts list the RS2e, not the RS1, so if you own an RS1, confirm the fit before relying on that case. The Wood Headphone Stand - Walnut is a display and storage option that accommodates larger headphones from the Professional and Statement Series, and it is a reasonable add-on if you want your headphones off the desk.

• The Medium Hard-Shell Case fits RS2e and several other models with S/WS, L, or Flat Cushions; RS1 is not listed, so verify before buying.
• Grado offers a $5 saving when the case is added to the cart from a headphone page.
• The Wood Headphone Stand - Walnut is large enough for Professional and Statement Series headphones.

Which one should you buy first?

If this is your first serious Grado headphone, the RS1 is the more sensible starting point. It costs less, it uses the widely available L-Cushion, and it leaves room in your budget for a spare set of cushions or a case. You can always move to B-Cushions later if you want a different feel. That path gives you two listening experiences from one purchase, which is a meaningful value advantage.

If you already know you prefer the Signature series, or you want the headphone that Grado currently ships with B-Cushions, the HP100 SE is the more direct purchase. It is the more expensive option, and the value case rests on you wanting that specific series and pad configuration. Buy it for the experience you want now, not as a stepping stone, because the price gap is real and the RS1 already covers a lot of ground.

• First Grado: RS1 plus a spare set of cushions is the lower-risk path.
• Signature-series loyalist: HP100 SE is the more direct match.
• Either way, confirm cushion fit and case compatibility before checkout.

Trade-offs to weigh before you decide

• Price versus series: The RS1 is the lower-cost Reference-series option; the HP100 SE is the more expensive Signature-series option. You are paying more for the newer series and its included B-Cushions. If budget is the deciding factor, the RS1 wins. If series matters more than price, the HP100 SE wins.
• Cushion starting point: The RS1 arrives with L-Cushions and the HP100 SE arrives with B-Cushions. Both pads fit both headphones, so the included pad is a starting point rather than a permanent limit. Plan to try one alternate pad set if comfort or sound is not right on day one.
• Storage and accessories: The Medium Hard-Shell Case lists the RS2e but not the RS1, so RS1 owners should verify fit. The Wood Headphone Stand - Walnut handles larger Professional and Statement Series headphones. Confirm case compatibility for your exact model before adding it to the cart.

Catalog facts behind this comparison

• Grado Headphone Replacement L-Cushions: Genuine Grado ear cushions, standard equipment on the RS1, RS2, and PS500, and they also fit all Prestige, Reference, Statement, Professional, and Limited Edition headphones. These are the pads that come with the RS1, and their broad compatibility means you can keep using them if you move to another Grado model later.
• Grado Headphone Replacement B-Cushions: Genuine Grado ear cushions, standard equipment on the Signature S750 and S550, and they fit all Signature, Classic, Statement, Reference, Prestige, Professional, and Limited Edition headphones. These are the pads associated with the Signature series and the HP100 SE, and they are the easiest way to try a larger, bowl-style fit on a Grado headphone.
• Medium Hard-Shell Case for Grado Headphones: Hard-shell zipper case with embossed Grado logo; fits all Prestige Series, GW100, GH1/GH2/GH3/GH4, RS2e, and Hemp headphones when fitted with S/WS, L, or Flat Cushions. Save $5 when bought together with a headphone from the headphone page. It is a practical storage upgrade for many Grado models, but the RS1 is not listed, so confirm compatibility before you buy.
• Wood Headphone Stand - Walnut: The Sieveking Sound Omega Headphone Stand is made from real wood and is large enough to accommodate larger headphones from the Professional and Statement Series. A stable display stand keeps either headphone protected between sessions and suits buyers who want their gear visible rather than boxed away.

Who each headphone is for

Best for

• Buyers who want a lower-cost entry into Grado's Reference series and are willing to tune the fit with cushions
• Listeners who prefer a smaller, closer-fitting pad and want the option to try B-Cushions later
• Shoppers who want to put the savings toward a case, stand, or spare cushions

Not for

• Buyers who specifically want the Signature series and its included B-Cushions out of the box
• Listeners who already know they prefer a larger, bowl-style pad and do not want to buy cushions separately
• Shoppers who want the newest Grado series regardless of price

The Grado RS1 and Signature HP100 SE are both credible choices, but they reward different buyers. Pick the RS1 if you want the lower-cost Reference-series path with room to experiment on cushions. Pick the Signature HP100 SE if you want the Signature-series experience with B-Cushions included and are comfortable paying more for it. Either way, check cushion compatibility and case fit before you order, because those small details shape how much you enjoy the headphone after the box is open.