Headphones — Grado Labs Signature S950

The Signature S950 is an open-back headphone from Grado Labs, the family company founded on a kitchen table in 1953 that still assembles its headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York. It is the second model of the new Signature line and follows the Signature HP100 SE, sharing its new driver and headband. Grado positions it as a differently voiced alternative to the HP100 SE, and its housing of Brazilian walnut is a first for the company.

Key specs that matter

The 52 mm dynamic S driver has a paper composite cone, a high-flux rare-earth magnet circuit and a copper-plated aluminium voice coil. Frequency response spans 3.5 Hz to 51.5 kHz, THD stays below 0.1% at 100 dB and nominal impedance is 38 ohms. Sensitivity is quoted at 117 dB for 1 mW. Drivers are matched to within 0.4 dB, and the headphone weighs 395 g. In its standard cable configuration the S950 costs USD 2,195. The detachable 12-conductor Grado Signature Gold cable is about 1.8 m long, with a 4-pin mini XLR connector at the headphone and a 6.3 mm jack for the amplifier.

Engineering and use context

Grado developed the S driver for the HP100 SE, pairing a strong magnet with a light coil to improve control of the diaphragm. The company has worked with wood housings for over a quarter of a century. Brazilian walnut is dense, resists decay and changes little with temperature and humidity, so the acoustic behaviour of the chamber stays stable. Each housing is shaped individually and no two grains match, so every pair looks different. The detachable braided cable came to the Signature line with the HP100 SE. The S950 is also offered with an optional 3.7 m cable and with balanced 4.4 mm or 4-pin XLR terminations. The headband carries 50% more padding than earlier Grado models and is built on a stainless steel arch with height-adjustable rods. The aluminium gimbals are engraved, and housing rotation is limited to 105 degrees to reduce wear where the cable enters. Grado supplies both G Cushions and F Cushions, giving a choice between larger open pads and flatter ones.

Pairing

The S950 is easy to drive and plays at full level from a smartphone or a portable music player, as well as from desktop amplification. The open-back housing lets sound in and out, so it is aimed at quiet rooms rather than travel.

Alternatives

Grado's Signature S550 is another open-back headphone in the same Signature line.