The Grado S950 headphones offer a refined listening experience, blending comfort and exceptional sound quality. This review delves into the details of Grado's latest open-back design, highlighting its unique features and sonic characteristics. From its comfortable, sustainably-sourced Brazilian walnut earcups to its innovative 52mm driver, the S950 promises a significant upgrade for audiophiles seeking a warm, natural sound. We'll explore its build quality, comfort during extended listening sessions, and its performance across a range of musical genres.This in-depth analysis compares the S950 to its predecessor, the HP100 SE, focusing on the subtle yet impactful differences in their sound signatures. We'll examine the S950's expansive soundstage, its detailed and articulate bass response, and its remarkable rendering of vocals. Discover whether the S950's warmer, more acoustic presentation will resonate with your listening preferences and whether it justifies its position as a top contender in the open-back headphone market.
Pros And Cons
- Comfortable fit
- Detachable headphone cable
- Brazilian walnut housings
- New headband design with 50% more padding
- Wide, expansive sound stage
- Detailed, articulate sound
- Natural and neutral sound signature with slightly warmer character than HP100 SE
- Excellent high-frequency resolution
- Smooth mid-range
- Good bass energy with low distortion
- Sufficient ventilation for drivers preventing overheating
- Perfect weight
- Bass response not impactful, focuses on articulation over thump and rumble
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Design and Comfort
The Grado S950 boasts a refined design, inheriting the comfortable headband from the HP100 SE with 50% more padding. This, combined with stainless steel construction and adjustable height rods, ensures a secure and comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. The detachable cable is a welcome feature, offering flexibility and longevity.
A standout feature is the use of Brazilian walnut for the earcup housings. This is a first for Grado, offering a unique aesthetic appeal and potentially impacting the sound signature. The wood's density and resistance to decay contribute to a stable and consistent listening experience, unaffected by temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Ventilation is excellent, preventing overheating during prolonged use – a key consideration for many headphone designs. The overall weight is considered 'just right', balancing comfort and durability.
Sound Quality and Performance
The S950 delivers the signature Grado sound: wide, expansive soundstage with detail, resolution, articulation, and accuracy. This is achieved through a new 52mm driver featuring a paper composite cone, a powerful magnetic circuit, and a lightweight voice coil. The result is excellent high-frequency resolution, smooth mid-range, and energetic bass.
Compared to the HP100 SE, the S950 presents a slightly warmer, more acoustic character while retaining neutrality. Female vocals are particularly well-rendered, clear, and textured. The soundstage is expansive, reminiscent of an amphitheater, making it ideal for complex musical pieces.
Bass response, while not overly emphasized, is articulate and snappy. The emphasis is on detail and clarity rather than overwhelming low-end impact. This makes it suitable for various genres, from jazz and classical to pop and country. Pairing with a high-quality DAC and amplifier further enhances the listening experience, adding depth and warmth.
Comparisons and Conclusion
The Grado S950 and HP100 SE share similarities, but the S950 offers a warmer, more acoustic presentation. The HP100 SE caters to analytical listeners who prioritize detail retrieval and neutrality, akin to reference-level listening. The S950 is ideal for those who appreciate a natural, acoustic sound while maintaining detail.
The S950's warmer signature complements various genres exceptionally well. Its balanced sound profile makes it a versatile headphone, suitable for both casual and critical listening. While a high-quality audio setup improves its performance, it's still enjoyable with portable devices.
Overall, the Grado S950 delivers a refined listening experience. Its comfortable fit, detailed sound, and warmer character make it a strong contender in the open-back headphone market. It's a well-built headphone that lives up to Grado's reputation for quality. Whether it's superior to the HP100 SE depends on individual preference for sound signature; both are excellent options for discerning listeners.