Grado Signature S950

A new standard in Grado wooden headphones

The Grado story has always been one of my favorites — and their Signature S950 over-ears are the latest in their long, legendary line of flagship wooden headphones. "We make headphones in the same building [in Brooklyn] that my grandfather bought in 1918," COO Rich Grado told me. This time around they've built their earcups from Brazilian walnut — a dense, handsome-looking wood with focused, articulate tonal qualities.

A sound grown in Brooklyn

The company was founded on a spirit of experimentation, with "Uncle Joe" Grado and later John, Rich's brother, running down from the apartments above to tinker in the shop whenever inspiration struck. That spirit still holds today — Grado family members and decades-long employees provide a level of care and know-how that's evident in every hand-assembled headband and earcup.

Designed and crafted for top performance

Grado's new dynamic drivers have been voiced here to excel within the S950's walnut enclosures. These new drivers were introduced for the HP100 SE — which used aluminum housings in a striking nod to founder Joseph Grado's original headphones. In those headphones, I noted relaxed mids with an extra bit of high-end brilliance that put emphasis on transients and detail.

I haven't tried these headphones yet, but Grado says the wood lends a warmer sound. You can expect smoother treble that still boasts Grado's trademark resonance and sparkle. Those large wooden chambers also provide an open sound with top-notch imaging, for strong instrument separation and well-placed vocals.

A charming mix of old and new

Even though Grado leans into their rich past for inspiration, they always keep an eye toward the present and future. These headphones are one the company's first to feature detachable cables, a much-requested feature from their longtime customers and fans. The headband has also been redesigned with 50% more padding than traditional Grado headphones.

They include both their G-cushion and F-cushion ear pads, so you can choose a more enveloping over-ear fit or one that sits flatter on the ear. The latter gives you a more intimate, forward sonic presentation.