Grado Signature S950 Headphones Review: The Natural, Acoustic Marvel
Read Time: Approx. 12 min.
Articulate Neutrality For the Discerning Listener
A hi-fi headphone manufacturer that needs no introduction, Grado Labs has made a splash in the market with its newest headphone the Signature S950. The Signature S950 Open-Back Headphones are the second model to join Grado's new Signature Line. The first in the line, the Signature HP100 SE Headphones offered a glimpse into the future of Grado Headphones with a new speaker design, build upgrades, and a detachable headphone cable. While the Signature S950 is on the heels of the HP100 SE, it in no way rides the coattails of its elder sibling.
Think of the Signature S950 as the warmer, acoustic counterpart to the HP100 SE. With housings crafted from Brazilian Walnut, a first for any Grado headphone, the Signature S950 stands in a league of its own, making it the ultimate headphone for the discerning listener.
PROS
- Beautiful wood housing
- Incredible ventilation
- Acoustic sound. Wide soundstage
CONS
- Large ear cups, even larger ear pads
Design
Aside from stellar sound quality, one of my favorite attributes of a Grado headphone is its build quality. The company has been handcrafting its products since 1950 and while it would certainly be easier to mass produce a headphone in a far-removed manufacturing facility, Grado has never strayed from its roots. By handcrafting each headphone and phono cartridge, you get a 100% original, authentic piece. Artisans carefully craft each headphone housing, putting their time, heart, and soul into making the perfect masterpiece. Just like Birkin Bags, you can imitate and replicate them, but nothing beats the exceptionally high standards of a handmade, quality item.
The Signature S950 Headphones have all the hallmarks of a Grado Headphone: Wood housing, large ear pad cushions, grate grill design, and adjustable height rods. Grado does a good job of providing customers with both on-ear and over-ear headphones, and the Signature S950 is a true over-ear can. It's got the same overall look as the HP100 SE Headphones but with one clear difference–the housing.
Staying true to the company's longstanding tradition of using wood in its housings, the Signature S950 features Brazilian Walnut, a first for any Grado headphone. Up to this point the company has used a combination of cocobolo, maple, hemp, and a few other woods, so I'm excited to see if Brazilian Walnut becomes part of the rotation for future models. Brazilian Walnut is known for its density and resistance to decay, delivering a relaxed, musical presentation and stability. In general, wood is porous, making it easily susceptible to expanding and contracting when there are changes in temperature or humidity. While still porous, Brazilian Walnut doesn't contract or expand as easily as other wood types, allowing it to maintain its acoustic characteristics.
I'm not a wood expert so it's hard to judge it, but if I'm just going off looks it's breathtaking. The color is deep, rich, and cool-toned–very much a walnut wood. Weighing in at 395 grams, it's lightweight yet durable, ensuring a comfortable fit and reduced fatigue. Because Grado handcrafts each of its headphones, no two wood housings are the same. The wood grain on each headphone is never identical which is something truly special. Compared to the HP100 SE's aluminum housing, the sonic results of Brazilian Walnut were very clear.
Moving beyond the housing, the Signature S950 comes with two Grado ear pad cushions, G Cushions and F Cushions. The G cushions are more enveloping and are what I used most when listening. If you have larger ears or don't like the full coverage of the G cushions, the F cushions are wider on the inside and have a lower profile. Both the Signature S950 and HP100 SE feature a new headband assembly specifically designed for long listening sessions. The updated headband includes 50% more padding than earlier Grado models with a stainless steel band and adjustable height rods. Arguably the most exciting thing about the Signature S950 is the detachable headphone cable! The included cable features a 6.35mm connection but Grado has teased the possibility of alternative connection options being available in the future. It's something from Grado that I thought we'd never see, but it unlocks a world of upgradability.
Overall, I didn't find the Signature S950 Headphones to be uncomfortable or fatiguing. I think there's a misconception that every open-back headphone is breathable by nature of design. Well, let the record reflect, that is not always the case. I've listened to plenty of open-back headphones that made my ears feel hot and sweat more than their closed-back counterparts. Grado does a really great job of providing sufficient ventilation for the drivers so you never experience that hot, fatigued feeling. Between the headband, ear cup design, ear pads, and adjustable height rods the Signature S950 was the perfect weight. From the wise words of baby bear "Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right."
Sound
I listened to the Signature S950 with two different setups. First, the Astell&Kern SP3000M DAP confirmed that the Signature S950 was pretty easy to drive and performed well with a low-profile, portable component. My personal favorite setup was the desktop solution I created at my workstation with the Chord Mojo 2 DAC/Amp as an external DAC and the Chord Alto Professional Headphone Amplifier. The level of accuracy and clarity I experienced with that setup was unmatched.
So how does the Signature S950 sound? If you're familiar with Grado headphones then you won't be surprised to hear that they have that signature "Grado sound." What's the Grado sound you ask? Wide, expansive soundstage, detail resolution, articulation, and accuracy.
The Signature S950 features the same 52mm driver as the HP100 SE, which is a new design with a paper composite cone, a powerful high-flux magnetic circuit, and a new voice coil made from lightweight copper-plated aluminum. This means excellent high-frequency resolution, midrange smoothness, and bass energy with low distortion.
Pictured: HP100 SE Headphones (Left), Signature S950 Headphones (Right)
Articulation and neutrality are the biggest takeaways with the Signature S950. It's just a hair warmer than the HP100 SE but it still classifies as a neutral and natural-sounding headphone. Female vocals are sweet and emotive with the perfect amount of clarity and texture.
I particularly enjoyed the wide, three-dimensional soundstage. Songs with a ton of instrumentation resembled that of an amphitheater, naturally reflecting the sounds of pianos, trumpets, and more.
Bass response on Grado Headphones isn't super crazy with a focus on articulation over thump and rumble. The Signature S950 doesn't have an impactful bass response but there's some nice mid to low-end articulation and snap.
Compared to the HP100 SE, the Signature S950 has more acoustics but they're both pretty close. I'd say that the HP100 SE suits itself more for analytical listeners who value complete neutrality and detail retrieval. Think reference-level listening. Whereas the Signature S950 is for the listener who enjoys a natural, more acoustic sound that's still neutral and detailed but with a little more character.
The Signature S950 is a great headphone for classical, jazz, folk, pop, and country. I had no problems driving it with the Astell&Kern SP3000M DAP but found it performed beautifully with a premium setup equipped with a dedicated DAC and headphone amplifier–In this case the Chord Mojo 2 DAC and Chord Alto Headphone Amplifier.
Party 4 U
By Charli XCX
(How I'm Feeling Now)
Bed Chem
By Sabrina Carpenter
(Short N' Sweet)
Freddie's Mood
By Vince Guaraldi
(Be My Valentine Charlie Brown)
Yes, I'm Changing
By Tame Impala
(Currents)
Features
- Open-back design
- New 52mm S Dynamic Driver
- Handcrafted Brazilian Walnut housing
- White-stitched leather headband
- Drivers matched to 0.4dB
- Detachable 12-conductor headphone cable
- Hand assembled in Brooklyn, NY USA
Aside from a physical redesign, Grado implemented newly engineered 52mm speaker drivers into the Signature S950. It's no secret that Grado likes to keep their driver designs and details under wraps, but what we do know about the Signature S950 drivers is this:
"A new paper composite cone was chosen, alongside a powerful high flux magnetic circuit using rare earth alloys, and a new voice coil made from lightweight copper-plated aluminum. This new magnetic circuit coupled with the voice coil produces excellent dynamics and transient response, along with a highly refined sense of space, soundstage, and image." - Grado Labs
Grado's goal with this new design was to deliver a speaker that produces excellent high-frequency resolution, midrange smoothness, and bass energy with low distortion for musical and harmonious sound quality. Save to say that's been accomplished.
Dragon Cables
[Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable]
As for headphone cables, the Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable added a little bottom-end weight and warmth without compromising on detail retrieval. Grado Headphones are celebrated for their open, expansive soundstage and remarkable detail, making them a great candidate for the bottom-end weight and warmth the Black Dragon delivers. What was already a phenomenal presentation was enhanced with a bit more character and color.
Verdict
The Grado Signature S950 Open-Back Headphones represent a new league of premium flagship-level headphones. At $2,495, they deliver exceptional value with their unique combination of handcrafted Brazilian Walnut housings, remarkable ventilation, and the new 52mm driver design. Grado always sets the bar high with its artisanal craftsmanship and acoustic engineering.
The Signature S950 balances neutrality with just enough character to bring music to life, while innovations like the detachable headphone cable and improved headband design enhance both comfort and future upgradability. I mean, we're practically jumping for joy over here at the freedom of cable swapping and finally enjoying a Grado Headphone with our Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable. It's our personal choice and recommendation for all Grado headphone models–trust us–you won't be disappointed. For the discerning listener who appreciates reference-quality sound with acoustic character, impeccable build quality, and the authenticity of a true artisanal product, the Grado Signature S950 represents not just a premium headphone, but an investment in a musical experience that simply cannot be replicated.
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What's in the Box
- Grado Signature S950 Headphones
- Detachable Headphone Cable: 6-foot 4-pin balanced mini XLR plug to 6.35mm termination
- Earpads Supplied: G Cushions and F Cushions
Specifications
Transducer Type: Dynamic
Operating Principle: Open Air
Frequency Response: 3.5Hz - 51.5kHz
THD: <0.1% @100 dB
SPL 1mW: 115 dB
Nominal Impedance: 38 ohms
Driver Size: 52 mm
Driver Matched dB: 0.4 dB
Cable Type: 12-conductor detachable
Headphone Connection: 4-pin Mini XLR
Source Connection: 6.3 mm
Earpad Supplied: G Cushions and F Cushions
