Grado Signature S950 Headphone

A Relaxed, Personal Insight Into Your Music

The Grado Signature S950 stays true to the brand's longstanding tradition of using wood in its headphone housings, contrasting deliberately with the more analytical, machined aluminum HP100 SE stablemate sitting above it.

A 52mm open-air driver built around a paper composite cone, a high-flux rare earth magnetic circuit, and a copper-plated aluminum voice coil gives the S950 a genuinely neutral, balanced overall character.

Every housing is individually crafted from walnut wood, chosen for its density and resistance to decay, bringing a genuinely relaxed musical presentation with a one-of-a-kind grain on every single pair.

Where the Walnut Wood Housing Earns Its Keep

A Broad, Balanced Brushstroke

At 38 ohms and 117dB sensitivity, the S950 reaches a genuinely wide 3.5Hz to 51.5kHz frequency response, with driver matching held to 0.4dB across every single pair that ends up shipping out.

Where the HP100 SE is detailed and revealing, the S950 offers a more neutral, broad-brush presentation that lets you settle into what the music is genuinely trying to communicate to you.

A Headband Built for Long Sessions

The S950's headband assembly, first introduced on the Signature HP100 SE, includes 50% more padding than earlier Grado models, plus a stainless-steel band and adjustable height rods for a genuinely personalized fit.

G and F cushions both ship in the box, letting you compare the two directly and settle on whichever one you personally find more comfortable and musically satisfying in the end.

Who Is the Signature S950 Best For?

• You want a relaxed, broad-brush presentation over analytical precision: Grado specifically tuned this driver for neutral, balanced musicality
• You value genuine wood craftsmanship: every walnut housing has a naturally unique grain pattern you won't find on any other pair
• You want tuning flexibility built into the box: G and F cushions are both included so you can compare them directly
• You want detachable cables for future flexibility: the included Grado Gold cable can be swapped or upgraded as your setup changes
• You want relaxed musicality from a wood-housed Grado — the Signature S950

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The included Grado Gold cable connects via 4-pin mini XLR at each earcup and terminates in a standard 6.3mm plug, ready for desktop headphone amplifiers right out of the box.

Optional balanced cables, including 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR terminations, are also available separately if your amplifier happens to support a balanced connection instead.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a Signature S950:

• Headphone amplifiers — reveals noticeably more detail and control than a portable source alone
• Digital-to-analog converters — a clean digital source feeding your amp matters as much as the amp itself
• Headphone cables — optional balanced terminations are available alongside the included Grado Gold cable
• Headphone stands — a proper resting spot for genuine walnut wood craftsmanship

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a headphone amplifier for the Signature S950?

Not strictly, but it's genuinely recommended. A dedicated amplifier reveals noticeably more of what this driver is capable of than a portable source alone.

How is this different from the HP100 SE?

The HP100 SE uses a machined aluminum housing for a more detailed, revealing character. The S950's walnut housing leans toward a warmer, more relaxed presentation instead.

What does open-back mean for everyday use?

Sound leaks freely in both directions — people nearby hear your music, and outside noise comes in. Reserve these for quiet home listening, not a commute.

Is the cable detachable?

Yes. The included Grado Gold cable connects via 4-pin mini XLR, so a damaged or worn cable is a simple swap rather than a repair.

Which cushions should I use, G or F?

Both ship in the box specifically so you can compare them yourself. Try each pair and settle on whichever one you personally find more satisfying.

Where is the Signature S950 made?

By hand, in Brooklyn, New York, the same original location where Grado Labs has assembled headphones since 1953.

See It in Action

The Audiophile Man presents Grado Signature S950 Review | Brazilian Walnut Headphones – Detail Lovers’ Dream? Too Analytical?.

Moon Audio presents Grado S950 Review: The Warmer Open-Back Signature Series Headphone | Moon Audio.

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Learn More

Want to learn more about open-back headphones, headphone amplifiers, or how wood housing materials shape sound? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.