Skip to content
HearWiki

Grado Signature S950 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth - Outstanding overall at around $1399.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth leads on 4 of 4 measures.

  • Grado Signature S950
  • HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
HearWiki score
76
83
Sound
8.7
9.3
Value
5.8
8.8
Price (USD)
$2,200
$1,400

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Grado Signature S950 is 2 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • Signature S95020252 yr newer
  • HE 1000 Stealth2023

Specifications

Signature S950HE 1000 Stealth
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$2,200
$1,400
HearWiki score
76
83
Released
2025
2023
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
52 mm dynamic
planar magnetic
Driver type
dynamic
planar
Driver size
52 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
3.5 Hz - 51.5 kHz
8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature
-
neutral
Impedance
38 Ω
32 Ω
Sensitivity
117 dB/mW
93 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling
-
No
Controls
buttons
-
Weight
395 g
458 g
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
No
No
Connector
6.35 mm
6.35 mm
Balanced connection
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Grado Signature S950

The Grado Signature S950 is a premium open-back dynamic headphone with a neutral-leaning, highly detailed sound signature. It offers a spacious, immersive soundstage and crisp treble, though its bass is not especially deep and its midrange can be slightly recessed. With a lightweight build, detachable cable, and high sensitivity, it's easy to drive from a variety of sources, making it a polished choice for critical listening.

  • Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and transient response
  • Pro:Wide, immersive soundstage with precise imaging
  • Pro:Easy to drive thanks to high sensitivity (117 dB)
  • Con:Bass lacks depth and weight
  • Con:Midrange can sound recessed on some tracks
  • Con:Treble can be sharp during extended listening

HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth

The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is a wired, open-back planar magnetic flagship that delivers a neutral, highly detailed sound signature. It's easier to drive than typical planars thanks to its 32-ohm impedance and 93 dB sensitivity, yet still rewards quality amplification. With its relatively lightweight build for a large headphone and detachable balanced cable, it offers strong technical performance and comfort, though its size and price may not suit everyone.

  • Pro:Refined, neutral sound with excellent detail
  • Pro:Easier to drive than most planar headphones
  • Pro:Comfortable for its large over-ear design
  • Con:Still relatively heavy at 458 grams
  • Con:Large fit may be awkward for smaller heads
  • Con:Treble can sound uneven on bright recordings

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonGrado Signature S950HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth