- Grado’s new Signature S550 has its 50mm S2 dynamic driver on the core
- …the identical driver used within the twice-the-price Signature S750, which I like
- Brazilian walnut ear cups, they usually’re priced at ‘simply’ $995 / £995
In case you’ve ever considered kitting your self out with a few of the greatest wired audiophile headphones, you may have come throughout the identify Grado — and you may seemingly have learn our latest and glowing Grado Signature S750 evaluate too.
The Signature S550 appear to hold over the whole lot I like about Grado cans (confirmed driver know-how, fastidiously chosen supplies, open-back design, distinctive aesthetics and deliberate tuning decisions to create a headphone with its personal distinct voice) however at a less expensive value level to the S750 — and by cheaper, I imply that they are virtually half the worth, since these arrived in October of 2025 for $1,695 / £1,695 (about AU$3,400).
Grado says the brand new S550 are “designed for listeners looking for heat, openness, and readability with out fatigue”, promising a “extra relaxed presentation whereas preserving the pace, element, and immediacy which have lengthy outlined the Grado sound”.
So, a extra forgiving efficiency than the S750 maybe? Sure, however nonetheless heat, spacious and detailed, says Grado — and I am inclined to imagine the revered audio specialist.
The Signature S550 once more characteristic Grado’s 50mm S2 dynamic driver, (used within the aforementioned S750) however this time it has been tuned particularly for its all-wood enclosure — which is a brand new look I like. Grado tells me that engineers centered on optimizing the interplay between the S2 driver and the acoustic properties of the housing (sure picket ear cups have been discovered to advertise heat in addition to readability — simply see the Sivga Oriole, FiiO FT1 and Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG), however that is only for starters.
Grado Signature S550 headphones: the small print
In addition to these scrumptious housings crafted fully from Brazilian Walnut, (every housing is individually made, with pure variations in grain making certain that no two pairs are precisely alike) the Signature S550 ship with Grado’s Silver removable cable, designed to be lighter, softer, and extra versatile than earlier Grado cables.
Every housing is terminated with a 4-pin balanced mini XLR, permitting compatibility with Grado’s increasing ecosystem of removable cables, and the included cable is terminated with a 3.5mm mini plug on the supply finish and features a 6.3mm adapter, for compatibility with a variety of extra uncommon or heritage audio tools.
The Signature S550 additionally include Grado’s new B cushions for a cushty match, however they’re suitable with the total Grado cushion lineup, so you’ll be able to tailor them as you want (learn: nevertheless cosy you’d favor your ears to get).
As with all headphones in its now four-strong Signature Line, the S550 makes use of Grado’s Signature headband meeting; throughout the leather-based headband is a versatile metallic help. The S550 options the narrower leather-based headband strap, as used on the S750, and incorporates engraved metallic gimbals, stainless-steel peak rods, strengthened junction blocks, and managed housing rotation.
The Grado Signature S550 will probably be accessible later in March at an MSRP of $995 / £995 (which is round AU$1,880, taking the UK pricing as a information) and let me let you know, I will be very to listen to them…
One of the best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets
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