Debuting at CanJam NYC 2025, the Grado S950 Signature headphones quickly captured the attention of high-end audio enthusiasts and seasoned audiophiles. Priced at $2,195, these open-back dynamic headphones promise a spacious and detailed soundstage while retaining the unmistakable Grado sound signature. Whether you’re an avid collector or exploring high-resolution headphone listening, the S950 Signature brings something distinctive to the table.
What’s in the Box
- Grado S950 Headphones
- Cable Type: Grado Gold detachable cable
- Headphone Connection: 4pin Mini XLR
- Source Connection: 6.3 mm
- Earpad Supplied: G Cushions and F Cushions
Design and Build Quality
The S950 Signature maintains the classic Grado aesthetic seen in their premium lineup. The large, round earcups feature a mix of retro design and modern functionality, complete with a durable adjustable headband and interchangeable cushions. You’ll receive both G Cushions for an over-ear experience and F Cushions for a more traditional on-ear fit—providing flexibility based on comfort and sonic preference.
Grado has long been known for their fixed cables, but the S950 features a welcome update: a detachable cable system using mini XLR connectors. This allows for customization and replacement options, giving it a modern edge over older models.
While the build quality is solid and lightweight, extended listening sessions might introduce some fatigue. Opting for the larger G Cushions helps distribute the weight more comfortably over long periods.
Technical Specifications
- Transducer Type: Dynamic
- Operating Principle: Open-back
- Frequency Response: 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.1% @100 dB
- Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 117 dB
- Nominal Impedance: 38 Ω
- Driver Size: 52 mm
- Matched Driver Tolerance: 0.4 dB
Sound Quality Impressions
Soundstage and Imaging
The Grado S950 Signature excels in one of Grado’s most celebrated traits: a massive, immersive soundstage. From the very first listen, it’s clear that these headphones are engineered to create a sense of openness and depth that rivals even some planar magnetic and electrostatic models. The left-to-right width is pronounced, but more impressive is the front-to-back layering—the headphones don’t just spread sound horizontally, but give tracks a real sense of dimensionality. When listening to well-mastered live recordings or ambient soundscapes, instruments and vocals feel suspended in a clearly defined three-dimensional space.
Imaging is tight and articulate, allowing you to precisely locate instruments within the stereo field. Hi-hats stay locked to one side, backing vocals wrap around the mix, and pianos stretch across the soundstage with satisfying realism. This makes the S950 Signature particularly compelling for orchestral works, electronic compositions, and spatially engineered pop mixes. If you’re into immersive experiences or headphone mixes with detailed placement, this is where the S950 shines the brightest.
Bass Response
The bass presentation is refined, articulate, and slightly warm, maintaining a controlled character that favors detail over sheer quantity. Sub-bass extension is present, and it doesn’t roll off too suddenly when reaching into the deepest subterranean regions. This means ultra bass-heavy tracks like trap, EDM, or dubstep may not hit with the physicality some listeners crave. However, in genres like jazz, classical, and acoustic rock, the bass feels natural, musical, and appropriately weighted.
There’s a certain “dryness” to the bass character that keeps it from smearing across the soundstage. Instead of bloom or rumble, you get a tight, nuanced response—bass guitar plucks are well-articulated, and upright bass resonates with an organic timbre. The low end never crowds the mids or treble, allowing other frequencies to breathe. This balance is perfect for analytical listening or for those who want bass that supports rather than dominates the musical landscape.
Midrange Performance
The midrange on the S950 Signature is recessed, forming a noticeable dip in the frequency response that contributes to its U-shaped tuning. Vocals, guitars, and mid-forward instruments take a step back in the mix, which may come off as distant or under-emphasized, particularly if you’re accustomed to mid-centric headphones. This tuning decision gives the impression of increased spatial depth, but it can also introduce a sense of hollowness or nasality depending on the track and source equipment.
Vocals, especially female voices, sometimes take on a slightly metallic or brittle edge when combined with the headphone’s forward treble. Male vocals, on the other hand, can feel chesty but withdrawn. That said, there’s still a good amount of detail retrieval in the mids—strings and pianos maintain clarity, and dialogue in film or podcasts is intelligible, though not as intimate or emotional as it could be with a flatter midrange response.
This tuning might not suit vocal-forward genres like soul, indie rock, or singer-songwriter music, where emotional nuance is key. However, in complex mixes or electronic productions, the pulled-back mids can help declutter the soundstage and emphasize spatial effects.
Treble Clarity
The treble on the Grado S950 Signature is clear, airy, and unapologetically forward. It delivers the kind of top-end sparkle that makes cymbals shimmer and synths shine, and it’s a major contributor to the headphone’s holographic imaging. Resolution is high—ambient details like reverb tails, hi-hat decay, and subtle background textures come through with stunning clarity.
However, the treble tuning is not without its risks. On brighter tracks or poor recordings, the S950 Signature can come across as harsh or fatiguing, particularly at higher volumes. Sibilance is more apparent with certain vocalists, and aggressive guitar tones or snappy percussion can sound piercing without a warm source to tame them.
That said, pairing the S950 with a smoother amp or DAC—like a tube-based system—can work wonders in softening the edges without sacrificing detail. For listeners who enjoy micro-detail, airiness, and extended highs, the S950 delivers in spades. But for those who are treble-sensitive, caution is advised—especially during long listening sessions.
Best DAC & Amplifier Pairings
While the S950 Signature is efficient enough to run from portable sources, it truly shines when paired with high-quality desktop equipment. Using a dongle DAC might not unlock its full potential.
- Best Pairing: Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies – a tube amp that adds warmth and smoothness to the treble, balancing out the headphone’s brightness while enhancing its low-end richness.
- Other great options: FiiO K17 or Chord Mojo 2 for neutral or clean amplification.
Final Thoughts
The Grado S950 Signature is a premium headphone made for detail lovers and spatial audio fans. While its scooped mids and energetic treble won’t appeal to every listener, it offers an immersive and uniquely Grado listening experience that’s ideal for electronic, ambient, and jazz styles. If you’re working with a tube amp or looking for a high-end headphone that prioritizes openness and sparkle, the S950 is well worth an audition.
The Grado S950 Signature is available at Audio46.
