Grado Labs, the Brooklyn-based family company that makes award-winning headphones has announced the latest model in its high-end range of open-back headphones. The all-new Signature S950 builds on the success of the brand’s recently released HP100 SE headphones, the first launch in the company’s new Signature line.
Staying true to Grado’s tradition of using woods for their handcrafted housings, this new model uses Brazilian Walnut and it’s the first time Grado has selected this family of woods. Different woods offer distinct sonic characteristics, giving each model a distinct sound signature compared to, say, the more analytical sound of Grado’s HP100SE with its machined aluminum housings.
Walnut is a wood that’s prized for its density and resistance to decay, which is why Grado chose it for the earpiece of the S950 to create a more relaxed sound presentation. The lack of expansion and contraction of walnut due to changes in temperature or humidity also helps maintain the acoustical characteristics of the headphones.
Weighing 395g, the S950 are relatively lightweight but the durable nature of Brazilian Walnut provides a comfortable fit and reduced fatigue during long listening sessions. The wood grain on each of the hand-crafted housings is never identical, giving each pair of S950 a unique look.
The Signature S950 uses a version of Grado’s 52mm S driver that was originally designed for the brand’s award-winning Signature HP100 SE. While developing the new 52mm driver, Grado wanted to create a speaker with plenty of high-frequency detail, a smooth midrange and a powerful bass while keeping distortion as low as possible to deliver a musically and harmonically accurate sound.
To achieve its aims for the driver, Grado selected a paper composite cone paired with a high-flux magnetic circuit made from rare earth alloys. The driver also has a lightweight copper-plated aluminum voice coil. With an advanced magnetic circuit and voice coil dynamics and transient response are enhanced, delivering a wider soundstage, more detail and solid imaging.
While Grado’s Signature HP100 SE has been lauded by recording engineers and consumers around the world as detailed, the Signature S950 provides a more neutral and balanced sound that enables the listener to experience a relaxed presentation.
The Grado Signature S950 headphones have the same detachable cables used on the Signature HP100SE. These new cables have been a welcome change to Grado headphones and the Signature S950 ship with the Grado Signature Gold cable as standard, with a length of 6 feet and a 6.35mm single-ended termination. All new Grado cables now have a softer and more durable braided finish as well as improved insulation.
The cable connects to each housing via a 4-pin balanced mini XLR plug. Future Grado detachable cables will be available with various termination options including a 4-pin balanced XLR termination and a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced jack plug with variable cable lengths. The detachable cables enable users to customize their headphones to best match their source and preferences.
The Signature S950 features the new headband assembly that was first made available on the Signature HP100 SE. Built for lengthy listening sessions, the updated headband has 50% more padding than earlier Grado models. It also has a stainless-steel band and adjustable height rods for a customized fit.
Grado Labs has crafted the S950’s engraved gimbals from an aluminum alloy, while the stainless-steel height rods bring extra stability at the connection point. The height rod is designed to remain secure to the junction block and restrict the housing rotation to 105 degrees.
Pricing & Availability:
The Grado Signature S950 headphones are available in March and priced at $2,195 / £2,495.
Tech Specs:
- Transducer type: Dynamic.
- Operating principle: Open air.
- Frequency response: 3.5Hz – 51.5kHz.
- THD: <0.1% @100dB.
- SPL 1mW: 115dB.
- Nominal impedance: 38Ω.
- Driver diameter: 52mm.
- Driver matched dB: 0.4dB.
- Cable type: 12-conductor detachable.
- Headphone connection: 4-pin Mini XLR.
- Source connection: 6.3mm.
- Earpads: Grado G cushions and F cushions.
