Grado GW100 X Open-Back Bluetooth Headphones

The Grado GW100 X is an open-back over-ear Bluetooth headphone with 44mm drivers from Grado's X-series, delivering the typical open-back soundstage without cables.

It's the third generation of Grado's first wireless headphone. According to Grado, the GW100 line was the first open-back Bluetooth headphone ever made – and to this day, few competitors have caught on to the concept. The housing and internals were recalculated for this: sound leaking to the outside is reduced by up to 60 percent, according to the manufacturer.

Why the GW100 X?

Inside the GW100 X are Grado's fourth-generation 44mm drivers (X-series): a stronger magnet drive, a voice coil with lower effective mass and a newly configured diaphragm. This reduces distortion and keeps the harmonic structure of the music intact.

The wireless connection runs via Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC – high-resolution streaming with a stable connection. Up to 46 hours of playback on a charge of around two hours via USB-C. If the battery ever runs out, simply plug in the included 3.5mm cable and keep listening passively.

What you hear

An unusually large, open soundstage for a wireless headphone, with lively bass, present mids and refined treble that's never harsh. Controls and a microphone for calls and voice assistant sit right at the ear.

Who is the GW100 X for?

For anyone who wants the open Grado sound without cables – at home, in the home office, on the sofa. Plain talk: it's not meant for the train, bus or open-plan office. Open means: you hear your surroundings, and your surroundings hear a bit of you too. If you need quiet and isolation, go for closed-back models.

Our verdict

The GW100 X fills a gap that hardly anyone else addresses: open sound, wireless, with solid battery life and a jack-cable escape hatch. If you understand the concept, you get something here that's rarely found elsewhere.

Technical specifications

• Type: Open-back Bluetooth headphone (over-ear, open-air, dynamic)
• Driver: 44 mm, Grado X-series (4th generation)
• Bluetooth: 5.2, range approx. 10 m
• Codecs: aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC
• Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
• Nominal impedance: 38 ohms
• Sensitivity (1 mW): 99.8 dB
• Driver matching: 0.1 dB
• Battery: 850 mAh, up to 46 hours (at 50 percent volume)
• Charging: USB-C, approx. 2 hours
• Wired operation: Included 3.5mm cable, passive
• Microphone: Built-in, sensitivity 42 dB ± 3 dB
• Controls: Buttons on the earcup, for music, volume, calls and voice assistant
• Ear cushions: WS-Cushion
• Weight: approx. 187 g
• Development: Grado Labs, Brooklyn, NY
• What's included: Headphones, 3.5mm jack cable, USB-C charging cable, warranty documents

Frequently asked questions

Is the GW100 X really open-back – and what does that mean?

Yes. The earcups are open at the back, which produces the typically large, airy Grado soundstage. The downside: it doesn't isolate. Grado reduces sound leakage by up to 60 percent, but that doesn't turn it into a closed-back travel headphone.

Can I also use the GW100 X with a cable?

Yes. If the battery is empty or you want zero-latency listening, connect it directly to the source using the included 3.5mm cable. It then keeps playing passively – no Bluetooth, no power, no waiting at the outlet.

How long does the GW100 X's battery last?

Grado states up to 46 hours, measured at around 50 percent volume; loud music and bass-heavy genres drain it faster. The 850mAh battery charges in about two hours via USB-C. One charge is usually enough for a working week in the home office.

Why buy the Grado GW100 X at HD Zürisee?

Because open versus closed is the decisive question – and it depends on your environment, not the spec sheet. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Grado dealer; tell us by phone, email or WhatsApp where you listen, and we'll give you an honest assessment.

Goes well with

More headphones and headphone accessories with replacement cushions and cables.