Bob Levi (right) with Michael Fremer (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson)
Brand new to the lineup of Grado Labs Signature Headphones is the extraordinary Signature S950 all wood headphones. Frankly, I did not see these coming! The aluminum used in the excellent HP100 SE Headphones is gone and hand-crafted Brazilian walnut shell has taken its place. The S950 now weighs a delicate 395g and are more comfortable than even the most cushioned Sennheiser. As much as I loved the GS3000X headphones for long-term listening and the Signature HP100 SE for extreme detail, the Signature S950 Headphones are the cans you can take home to mother. I will try not to blather on or gush with joy as I go through the details of what these new headphones will do, but no guarantees.
Specifications
- Transducer Type: Dynamic
- Operating Principle: Open Air
- Frequency Response: 3.5Hz – 51.5kHz
- THD: <0.1% @100 dB
- SPL 1mW: 117 dB
- Nominal Impedance: 38 ohms
- Driver Size: 52 mm
- Driver Matched dB: 0.4 dB
- Cable Type: Grado Gold detachable cable
- Headphone Connection: 4pin Mini XLR
- Source Connection: 6.3 mm
- Earpad Supplied: G Cushions and F Cushions
Reference equipment
Headphone amplifiers
EAR HP4 tube headphone amplifier
Manley Absolute tube headphone amplifier
Preamps
- Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II tube preamp
- EAR DAC 4
- EAR V12 integrated amplifier
- EAR 88PB tube phono preamp
Cables
- UIT audio IMP-XLR - Perfect Music Purifier Interconnect Cable
- Kubala-Sosna Emotion interconnects RCA
Headphones
- Grado Labs Signature S950
- Grado Labs Signature HP100 SE
- Grado Labs Statement GS3000X
Comparisons with the EAR HP4 Headphone Amplifier
First up were my very favorite, the Statement GS3000X Headphones. I listened to the excellent John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman pairing on Impulse records from Qobuz at a 24/96kHz Resolution. The GS3000X Headphones were predictably very musical, very high definition, and produced relatively sharp imaging. The sound was very dimensional and intensely involving. The headphones used cocobolo wood as the exterior material, with aluminum shell inside. They were the first Grados to utilize the new 52mm driver.
I noticed that Hartman's voice was electronically sweetened though not completely clear or focused. Nevertheless, The GS3000X remain one of the world's most musically correct headphones ever created by Grado Labs.
Next up to bat, are the hot new Grado Labs HP100 SE supplied with a detachable cable for the very first time in Grado's history. The cable is shorter than previous Grado offerings which caused me to switch seating positions in order to evaluate it. I have already awarded this headphone the Reviewer Choice Award for 2024. Hartman's voice is significantly more focused and a bit smaller than the GS3000X presentation, yet the instrument placement was more solid, and the double bass was dramatically more focused on the HP100 SE headphones. All of the instruments including Hartman's voice are further recessed, less full and voluptuous. It reminds me of listening in the studio to a live recording with headphones plugged into the board. The sweetening and reverb are less apparent, producing a dryer and more distant perspective. The HP100 SE all aluminum headphones display an accurate yet slightly less pleasurable presentation. These are the perfect headphones for a recording engineer, neutral high definition seekers, and those looking for super durable cans.
The latest offering, the Signature S950 Headphones are supplied with the same length detachable cable as the HP100 SE. Its 100% wood body of walnut shell and the exceptional 52mm driver, present a robust sound from Hartman's voice. All of the instruments moved forward demonstrating amazing clarity. The double bass is beautifully recorded and fully imaged. The piano was larger and precisely recorded. The drums came alive and present. The air and sweetening were easier to detect. Over all, the most realistic headphone presentation of this complete performance so far. Specifically, the studio's ambience around Johnny Hartman is the most precisely rendered I have heard on non-electrostatic headphone designs. What fun!
With Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Columbia Records at 24/96kHz from Qobuz, the GS3000X had a similar presentation to the previous Prestige recording. I heard better imaging than I expected, natural harmonics, and precise instrument placement. The focus was very good as this is a much better recording than the Hartman set. Coltrane is up close and personal making it hard to discern the studio space with his saxophone. The legendary recording had a natural sound all around but the double bass is again blurry with indistinct imaging. Overall the sound was on the warmer, richer side of neutral.
With the HP100 SE, I heard excellent imaging with near perfect instrument placement. Tonal colors are spot on but instruments lacked fullness. The presentation was more distant and dryer with the studio sound well presented. The saxophone presentations are clearer and more defined. These are very neutral cans.
With the new Signature S950 I heard the most realistic headphone presentation, the best imaging, and the widest sound stage. The presentation is both organized and enjoyable, spatial cues are excellent, extremely convincing, and with an overall top notch musical presentation. Both saxophones were more appropriately placed and complementary to the rest of the instruments. This great recording sounded more alive with the Signature S950. They sounded very similar to my Marten Bird speakers in both presentation and mellifluousness.
Comparisons with the Manley Absolute Headphone Amplifier
We now move to the second system with an original 1972 LP of Brahms Piano Concerto Number one in D minor, on DG. This famous "Decca sounding" LP is being reissued soon by DG.
The GS3000X offered a huge sound stage on this very well-made album. The lush and musical presentation is dimensional and full range though a bit ripe. I really loved this sound so who cares. This is quality you can bring home to mother. The piano is sweet and warm but somewhat over emphasized and blurry. The presentation has weight and is huge in scope which is why I fell for this model headphone when it was first produced.
The HP100 SE listening perspective went for Row C with the GS3000X to Row T. The sound is elegant and layered presenting the kind of balance more to the liking of a music producer or technical engineer. Though highly detailed and quick, the lush warm character of the recording was diminished. Images are tighter overall, and the piano is much more clearly defined. Unlike the GS3000X the HP100 SE Headphones show a brightness that light up the violins. The HP100 SE are both musical and analytical at the same time. This is quite a balancing act coming from these bulletproof headphones.
With the wonderful Signature S950 you gain a truly mid-hall sound stage fully fleshing out the lush Berlin Philharmonic. The orchestra comes to life with a realism produced by the new Signature S950. They more often communicated to my ears the hall sounds than the other two headphone models. The sound stage is enormous and beautify portrayed. The piano has all the character you expect and more. There is a sense of space that feels just right, like a great speaker system. The piano communicates a sense of enormity missing from all other headphones in my collection, and I have eleven available. The cartridge I used was the SteinMusic Aventurin V6 Mk2. I know this cartridge's sound and the new Signature S950 mirrors its natural, full throated presentation very nicely.
When testing with 3rd party cables on hand, we were unable to improve on the performance of the supplied and extraordinarily sophisticated Grado cables. That does not mean that there are not better cable options than I had handy, and detachable cables give you the opportunity to experiment.
Quibbles
I would like to see right and left indicators on both new Signature models more boldly shown please. I managed to confuse both Signature cans in setup. Also, an extension cable should be included with the purchase of these headphones for user convenience unless, of course, you can add a foot of additional cable to the two Signature models. Due to the stiff nature of the quite excellent wire supplied, they are just too short for me.
Summary
The Grado Labs Signature S950 Headphones pass my rigorous testing with flying colors. With a superbly comfortable and light weight design, I could not ask for more. As much as I like and continue to recommend the Statement GS3000X and the Signature HP100 SE, the Signature S950 gives you a bigger bang for the buck. For me personally, I believe that the S950 are the finest headphones that Grado Labs has ever created in so many ways, and likely the finest dynamic headphones I know of regardless of brand. Honest to God.
Their ease of presentation, their powerful and musical delivery, and their high efficiency, make the S950 appropriate for any head-amp or DAP. With their stunning new all wood design and improved head adjustment pillars, Grado Labs is not only improving the performance of their products but also their ergonomics and feel in your hands. I am most impressed.
The cutting edge Grado Labs Signature S950 Headphones truly has my very highest recommendation. I would buy them in a heartbeat.
Grado Labs Signature S950 Headphone
Retail: $2195
Grado Labs
718.435.5340
