head-fi – Grado Newsroom

Grado Signature S550 headphones: S2 driver tuned for musical warmth and performance

Grado Labs, designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announces the release of the Signature S550, the fourth headphone to join its expanding Signature Line.

The Signature S550 continues Grado’s long tradition of thoughtful evolution—combining proven driver technology, carefully chosen materials, and deliberate tuning choices to create a headphone with its own distinct voice. Designed for listeners seeking warmth, openness, and clarity without fatigue, the S550 offers a more relaxed presentation while preserving the speed, detail, and immediacy that have long defined the Grado sound.

The Grado Signature S550 will begin shipping later in March. The S550 will be available for demonstration at CanJam NYC on March 7th & 8th at the New York Marriott Marquis.

S2 Driver Tuned for Musical Warmth and Performance

At the core of the Signature S550 is Grado’s 50mm S2 dynamic driver, tuned specifically for its all-wood enclosure. Rather than pursuing an entirely new driver architecture, Grado focused on optimizing the interaction between the S2 driver and the acoustic properties of the housing.

This approach yields a presentation that is warmer and more forgiving, yet remains fast, detailed, and spatially open. The S550 offers a wide soundstage with precise imaging and natural dynamics, inviting longer listening sessionswhile maintaining the immediacy and engagement Grado listeners expect.

Brazilian Walnut Housing

The Signature S550 features housings crafted entirely from Brazilian Walnut, continuing Grado’s long-standing use of wood as an acoustic material. Each housing is individually made, with natural variations in grain ensuring that no two pairs are exactly alike.

Walnut is valued for both its tonal characteristics and structural stability. Its density contributes to the S550’s fuller, more balanced presentation, while helping maintain consistent acoustical performance over time. The wood is sourced with consideration for sustainable practices, supporting long-term availability while respecting the ecosystems in which it grows.

Detachable Cable System

The Signature S550 ships standard with Grado’s Silver detachable cable, designed to be lighter, softer, and more flexible than previous Grado cables. Each housing is terminated with a 4-pin balanced mini XLR, allowing compatibility with Grado’s expanding ecosystem of detachable cables.

The included cable is terminated with a 3.5mm mini plug at the source end and includes a 6.3mm adapter, ensuring immediate compatibility with a wide range of audio equipment. Additional cable options – featuring alternative lengths and balanced terminations – are available from Grado as aftermarket accessories or as part of the original purchase.

Comfort, Fit and Personalisation

The Signature S550 comes standard with Grado’s new B cushions and remains compatible with the full Grado cushion lineup, allowing listeners to tailor both comfort and sonic presentation to their individual preference.

Like all headphones in the Signature Line, the S550 utilizes Grado’s Signature headband assembly. Integrated within the leather headband is a flexible metal support that allows the fit to be gently adjusted, enabling listeners to fine-tune how the headphone rests on the head and personalise comfort over time based on individual listening habits.

The S550 features the narrower leather headband strap, as used on the S750, and incorporates engraved metal gimbals, stainless-steel height rods, reinforced junction blocks, and controlled housing rotation to ensure durability, stability, and long-term comfort during extended listening sessions.

A Growing Signature Line

As the fourth model in the Signature Line, the S550 reflects Grado’s ongoing commitment to refining its designs through listening, material selection, and measured engineering choices. With additional models planned, the Signature Line continues to evolve – offering distinct sonic perspectives united by a shared design philosophy.

The Grado Signature S550 will be available later in March at an SRP of £995/ $995 USD.

Technical Specifications

Transducer Type: Dynamic

Operating Principle: Open Air

Frequency Response: 6 Hz – 44 kHz

THD: <0.2% @100 dB

SPL 1mW: 112 dB

Nominal Impedance: 38 ohms

Driver Size: 50 mm

Driver Matching: 0.05 dB

Weight: 335g (without cable)

Cable type: Signature Silver detachable

Headphone Connection: 4-pin Mini XLR

Source Connection: 3.5mm w/6.3 mm adapter

Earpad Supplied: B Cushion

To learn more about the Signature S550 and discover other Grado products please visit www.gradolabs.com

IMAGE GALLERY (click on image then ‘Save As’)

Grado Labs, world-renowned designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announces the launch of the Signature S750 headphones, the latest addition to its acclaimed Signature Line.

As the third model in the line, the S750 builds on the award-winning stature of the Signature HP100 SE and Signature S950, offering another entry point into Grado’s expanding Signature collection, while staying true to the company’s tradition of uncompromising craftsmanship and sound quality. The S750 features a new ground-up driver design and sees the introduction of a new cushion.

New S2 driver for a new sound signature

At the heart of the S750 lies the brand new S2 50mm driver, engineered from the ground up. Featuring a carbon fibre and paper composite diaphragm, paired with a lightweight copper-plated aluminium voice coil, this driver delivers a natural musical presentation with definition and dynamic range. The S2 driver design continues Grado’s commitment to class-leading sonics, ensuring the S750 captures the detail and character of every performance while offering a uniquely engaging listening experience.

The housing of the S750 is an all-aluminium construction, each one handcrafted in Brooklyn, NY. Despite its robust build, the S750 weighs just 460 grams, making it over 10% lighter than the HP100 SE while still delivering the premium feel and durability that defines the Signature Line.

Introducing the New Grado B Cushion

Debuting with the S750 is the new Grado B cushion, a fresh approach to comfort and acoustic performance. Standard on the S750 and available separately as an accessory, the B cushion is compatible with all current Grado wired headphones.

Unlike traditional cushions, the B cushion shortens the distance between the driver and the ear and introduces a smaller interior opening to adjust balance. Eight precisely engineered slits improve airflow, opening up the soundstage while maintaining detail. The flat surface distributes pressure more evenly across the ear, educing fatigue and creating a distinct new feel for long listening sessions.

“The B cushion gives listeners another way to experience Grado headphones,” said Richard Grado, Chief Operating Officer at Grado Labs. “We’ve always engineered our drivers to achieve the best sound possible, but we understand that every listener enjoys a slightly different sound signature. With the S750, we’re giving users the flexibility to listen the way they want.”

Enhanced Detachable Cable System

The S750 continues the Signature tradition of detachable cables, first introduced with the HP100 SE. Supplied with a 6-foot cable terminated in a 6.35mm single-ended plug, the new Signature Gold braided design is softer, more durable, and lighter than before, while improved insulation also enhances flexibility.

Each cable connects to the housing via a 4-pin balanced mini XLR, providing compatibility with future detachable Grado cables. Options will include a variety of lengths, as well as balanced terminations such as 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm, enabling users to tailor their setup to personal preference and source equipment.

Pictured (from left to right): Signature S950, Signature HP100 SE and Signature S750.

Comfort and durability refined

The headband assembly of the S750 mirrors that of the Signature HP100 SE and S950, with a few subtle refinements. Though slightly narrower, the leather headband retains 50% more padding than earlier Grado models, ensuring long-lasting comfort.

Engineered for reliability, the assembly incorporates engraved aluminium alloy gimbals, stainless-steel height rods, and reinforced aluminium junction blocks. The limited 105-degree rotation reduces wear while maintaining flexibility, improving both stability and long-term durability.

The Grado Signature S750 is available in November, priced (MSRP): £1,695 / $1,695

Technical specifications

Transducer Type: Dynamic

Operating Principle: Open Air

Frequency response: 6 Hz – 46 kHz

THD: <0.2% @100 dB

SPL 1mW: 115 dB

Nominal impedance: 38 ohms

Driver size: 50 mm

Driver Matched dB: 0.5 dB

Cable type: Signature Gold 12-conductor detachable

Headphone Connection: 4pin Mini XLR