wired – Grado Newsroom

Grado’s all new Signature S950 headphones: Premium sound in a handcrafted Brazilian walnut shell

Grado Labs, world-renowned designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announces the release of its latest open-back headphone, the Signature S950. Building on the success of the recently released HP100 SE, the Signature S950 is the second headphone to become part of the new Signature line.

Staying true to Grado’s longstanding tradition of using woods in crafting their headphone housings, this model utilizes a Brazilian Walnut, the first time Grado has chosen this family of woods. Grado finds that different woods offer distinct sonic characteristics allowing this headphone its own sound signature which contrasts the more analytical, machined aluminium HP100 SE stablemate.

Lightweight but durable, the Signature S950 is crafted from Brazilian walnut. Weighing only 395 grams it offers a comfortable fit and reduced fatigue for those long listening sessions. The wood grain of each individually crafted housing is never identical, bringing a special one-of-kind quality to each build.

Walnut, known for its density and resistance to decay, has been chosen for a relaxed musical presentation and stability. The lack of expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature or humidity helps maintain the acoustical characteristics. Brazilian walnut is grown in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon, and sustainable practices help protect the ecosystems in the area.

Speaker design

The Signature S950 utilises a version of the new Grado 52mm S driver originally designed for the award-winning Signature HP100 SE. While developing this new 52mm driver, Grado aimed to create a speaker that delivers exceptional high-frequency detail, a smooth midrange, and powerful bass while maintaining minimal distortion, ensuring a musically and harmonically accurate sound.

To achieve this, a paper composite cone was selected, paired with a high-flux magnetic circuit made from rare earth alloys. The driver also features a lightweight copper-plated aluminum voice coil. Together, the advanced magnetic circuit and voice coil enhance dynamics and transient response while providing a refined sense of space, soundstage, detail and imaging.

While the award-winning Signature HP100 SE has been lauded by recording engineers and consumers around the world as detailed, revealing and accurate to the recorded piece, the Signature S950 has a more neutral and balanced sound, providing a broad brushstroke to the musical presentation – a presentation that allows the listener to experience a relaxed personal insight to what the music is communicating.

Detachable cables

The Grado Signature line will continue to feature detachable cables. First introduced with the launch of the Signature HP100 SE, these new cables have been a welcome change to Grado headphones. The Signature S950 headphone will ship standard with the Grado Signature Gold cable, with a length of 6 feet and a 6.35mm single ended termination. All new Grado cables have been redesigned with a softer more durable braided finish as well as an improved insulation that enhances flexibility while reducing overall weight.

The cable connects to each housing via a 4-pin balanced mini XLR plug. Future Grado detachable cables will be available with termination options, there will be a 4-pin balanced XLR termination and 4.4mm balanced termination, variable cable lengths will also be available. The detachable cables allow users to customize their headphones to best match their source and personal preferences.

Headband assembly design

The Signature S950 will utilise the new headband assembly that was first made available on the Signature HP100 SE. Built for long listening sessions, the updated headband includes 50% more padding than earlier Grado models. It features a stainless-steel band and adjustable height rods, allowing for a customized fit that helps reduce listening fatigue.

Grado Labs has crafted the engraved gimbals from an aluminum alloy, while the stainless-steel height rod adds stability at the connection point. The height rod is designed to remain secure to the junction block as well as restrict the housing rotation to 105 degrees, helping minimise wear over time.

The Grado Signature S950 is available in March, priced (MSRP): £2,495 / $2,195

Technical specifications

Transducer Type: Dynamic

Operating Principle: Open Air

Frequency response: 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz

THD: <0.1% @100 dB

SPL 1mW: 115 dB

Nominal impedance: 38 ohms

Driver size: 52 mm

Driver Matched dB: 0.4 dB

Cable type: 12-conductor detachable

Headphone Connection: 4pin Mini XLR

Source Connection: 6.3 mm

Earpad Supplied: G Cushions and F Cushions

To buy the Signature S950 and discover other Grado products please visit www.grado.co.uk

IMAGE DOWNLOAD GALLERY

Grado Labs, world-renowned designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announces the release of its newest and flagship model, the Signature HP100 SE. Grado Labs founder Joseph Grado created what many consider to be the high-end headphone market with the release of the Signature HP1 headphone in the early 1990s. In recognition of Joseph Grado’s 100^th birthday and this industry milestone, Grado Labs is introducing these Special Edition headphones. “Although Uncle Joe left us 10 years ago, he will always be a presence at Grado Labs”, says Joseph’s nephew and Grado’s CEO, John Grado.

While the HP100 SE pays homage to Grado’s illustrious past, these headphones are a contemporary version of a true classic, with a new design from the ground up. With newly engineered drivers, the HP100 SE also boasts detachable cables, as well as a fresh headband assembly. This also ushers in a new direction for future Grado headphone releases. As always, the HP100 SE is hand-assembled in its Brooklyn-based headquarters.

New speaker design

At the heart of the HP100 SE is a completely new speaker design. In considering the attributes of a new 52mm driver, Grado’s goal was to deliver a speaker that produced excellent high frequency resolution, midrange smoothness and bass energy with low distortion, resulting in a voicing that is musically and harmonically correct.

A new paper composite cone was chosen, alongside a powerful high flux magnetic circuit using rare earth alloys, and a new voice coil made from lightweight copper-plated aluminium. This new magnetic circuit coupled with the voice coil produces excellent dynamics and transient response, along with a highly refined sense of space, soundstage and image.

Modern housing design with detachable cables

Honouring the recognizable heritage of the original Signature HP1/2/3 headphone designs but with a modern feel, the housings are individually machined from specially treated aluminium with the product name neatly engraved on the face. The HP100 SE arrives in a stylish space grey finish.

The HP100 SE is the first Grado model to feature detachable cables. A departure from the cable currently employed on the Statement Series, it has been engineered to a softer but durable braided finish, with cable insulation that improves flexibility and decreases the overall weight of the cable.

Terminated with a 6.3mm plug, it connects to each housing via a 4pin mini XLR plug. Additional detachable cable options such as 4pin XLR termination, 4.4mm balanced termination, and various cable lengths available in the future. This allows for the cable to be changed based on customer needs for source side termination and cable range.

Headband assembly redesign

The HP100 SE’s headband assembly has changed from the classic Grado models. Designed for comfort during long listening sessions, the new headband features 50% more padding than previous Grado designs, with a stainless steel band and height rods that can be adjusted for the perfect fit to minimize listening fatigue.

Grado Labs engraved gimbals are made from an aluminum alloy, and the stainless steel height rod enhances the stability of the point where they meet. The height rod is also designed to not slide out of the junction block if the zinc alloy end caps become dislodged. This mechanism limits housing rotation to 105-degrees to reduce wear and tear.