I’ve been spending a lot of time with the Grado GW100x lately—and that alone says something. These are the headphones I instinctively grab when I don’t want to think too hard: light on the head, easy to live with, and completely free of cables. For casual, everyday listening they’re a joy, and while you do need to be mindful of volume in quiet, crowded environments, they’re surprisingly usable for street wear if you exercise a bit of common sense.

Comfort is a big part of why they’ve become one of my go-to pairs. They’re extremely lightweight, the clamping force is gentle, and nothing about them feels fatiguing over long sessions. In many ways, the GW100x might be Grado’s most accessible headphone to date—not just sonically, but in how effortlessly it fits into daily life.

Many people still don't know that Grado releases wireless products — Many people still don’t know that Grado releases wireless products

Grado, But Wireless?

A lot of people still don’t associate Grado with wireless audio, which is understandable given the brand’s deep roots in old-school, wired, open-back designs. But Grado has quietly been doing wireless for a while now, with two products in the lineup: the GW100x headphones and the GT220 true wireless earbuds.

On paper, “Grado + Bluetooth” may sound like an odd pairing. In practice, it works—because the sound is unmistakably Grado. The brand’s tonal DNA is clearly intact, and there’s a growing group of enthusiasts who appreciate exactly that: classic Grado sound, freed from cables. Visually, the GW100x sticks closely to Grado’s traditional design language. Retro, understated, and slightly rebellious in a modern wireless market dominated by glossy plastics and touch panels. Interestingly, these have also found an audience among younger listeners, drawn to that timeless, almost hip aesthetic.

Once you put them on, they are a product that stands out with its retro yet hip feel, and I hear that there are actually a lot of young people who are looking for them.

What’s New in the X Generation

As the name suggests, the GW100x is the “X” revision of the original GW100. Externally, changes are minimal—new branding on the housings and an updated model designation. This is very much in line with Grado’s philosophy, as anyone familiar with the Prestige series will recognize.

The real upgrades happen inside. The X generation brings a completely redesigned 44mm driver, with a new magnetic circuit, voice coil, and diaphragm. The result is not just better technical performance, but a noticeable shift in tuning. The sound is more balanced, more refined, and more universally appealing than before, without abandoning Grado’s signature character. It’s a smart evolution rather than a reinvention.

The GW100x, as its name suggests, is the "X" version of the previous GW100. Naturally, there aren't any significant design changes compared to its predecessor. — The GW100x, as its name suggests, is the “X” version of the previous GW100. Naturally, there aren’t any significant design changes compared to its predecessor.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth has been upgraded from version 5.0 to 5.2, bringing better stability and improved power efficiency. Codec support is also pleasantly surprising. In addition to AAC for Apple users, the GW100x supports aptX Adaptive—something I honestly didn’t expect from Grado. Connectivity is solid, and latency is well controlled.

Another long-overdue improvement: charging has finally moved from micro-USB to USB-C. If you owned the previous model, this alone feels like a strong argument for upgrading. Battery life has also increased, from an already respectable 40 hours to around 46 hours per charge. A 3.5mm cable for wired listening is included, along with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable.

The sound quality of the extensive X-generation upgrade has been highly praised, and the unit performance and tuning itself have been significantly revised to meet the needs of many users.

Open-Back

Despite being wireless, the GW100x remains a true open-back headphone—and that inevitably raises concerns about sound leakage. Grado has addressed this with a newly designed housing and internal structure that reportedly reduces external sound leakage by up to 60%.

In real-world use, this improvement is noticeable. While these still won’t be silent to people sitting right next to you, they leak far less than traditional open-back designs. At normal listening distances, you can enjoy reasonably high volumes without disturbing others too much. Importantly, this reduction in leakage doesn’t kill the benefits of an open-back design—the sense of space and openness remains intact.

The 44mm unit has been redesigned with a magnetic circuit, voice coil, and diaphragm almost entirely redesigned.

The soft WS ear cushions play a big role here as well. They’re breathable, comfortable, and minimize pressure and heat buildup, making long listening sessions effortless. Combined with the headphone’s low weight, the GW100x is simply easy to wear—something that often matters more than raw specs.

Sound

Sound quality is where the GW100x genuinely exceeds expectations. Going in, I assumed this would feel like a “Grado-flavored compromise”—a wireless curiosity rather than a serious listening tool. That assumption didn’t last long.

Compared to the original GW100, which could sound slightly muted in the mids and lows, the GW100x delivers a much more coherent and satisfying frequency balance. The midrange has body and presence, the bass is fuller without becoming bloated, and the treble retains that crisp, energetic sparkle Grado fans expect.

The Bluetooth version is 5.2, a slight upgrade from the previous model's 5.0. Naturally, you can expect improved battery efficiency and connectivity. — The Bluetooth version is 5.2, a slight upgrade from the previous model’s 5.0. Naturally, you can expect improved battery efficiency and connectivity.

The internal damping does add a touch of thickness to the sound, but this actually works in the headphone’s favor—especially with rock and metal, where a bit of weight enhances impact. The result is a headphone that still sounds unmistakably Grado, yet feels more rounded and versatile than before.

Yes, the novelty of hearing “real Grado sound” wirelessly is part of the appeal—but what keeps me coming back is how enjoyable they are to listen to. The GW100x doesn’t just free Grado from cables; it refines the formula in a way that makes sense for modern listening.