A cheaper version of my favorite open-back audiophile headphones just dropped — cheers, Grado! | Tech Radar
Overview
A cheaper version of my favorite open-back audiophile headphones just dropped — cheers, Grado!
Featuring Grado's S2 driver, tuned for "musical warmth"
Details
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Grado's new Signature S550 has its 50mm S2 dynamic driver at the core
…the same driver used in the twice-the-price Signature S750, which I love
Brazilian walnut ear cups, and they're priced at 'just' $995 / £995
If you've ever thought of kitting yourself out with some of the best wired audiophile headphones, you'll have come across the name Grado — and you'll likely have read our recent and glowing Grado Signature S750 review too.
The Signature S550 seem to carry over everything I love about Grado cans (proven driver technology, carefully chosen materials, open-back design, unique aesthetics and deliberate tuning choices to create a headphone with its own distinct voice) but at a cheaper price point to the S750 — and by cheaper, I mean that they're practically half the price, since those arrived in October of 2025 for
Grado says the new S550 are "designed for listeners seeking warmth, openness, and clarity without fatigue", promising a "more relaxed presentation while preserving the speed, detail, and immediacy that have long defined the Grado sound".
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So, a more forgiving performance than the S750 perhaps? Yes, but still warm, spacious and detailed, says Grado — and I'm inclined to believe the revered audio specialist.
The Signature S550 again feature Grado’s 50mm S2 dynamic driver, (used in the aforementioned S750) but this time it's been tuned specifically for its all-wood enclosure — which is a new look I love. Grado tells me that engineers focused on optimizing the interaction between the S2 driver and the acoustic properties of the housing (certain wooden ear cups have been found to promote warmth as well as clarity — just see the Sivga Oriole, Fii O FT1 and Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG), but that's just for starters.
As well as those delicious housings crafted entirely from Brazilian Walnut, (each housing is individually made, with natural variations in grain ensuring that no two pairs are exactly alike) the Signature S550 ship 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, and the included cable is terminated with a 3.5mm mini plug at the source end and includes a 6.3mm adapter, for compatibility with a wide range of more unusual or heritage audio equipment.
The Signature S550 also come with Grado’s new B cushions for a comfortable fit, but they're compatible with the full Grado cushion lineup, so you can tailor them as you wish (read: however cosy you'd prefer your ears to get).
As with all headphones in its now four-strong Signature Line, the S550 uses Grado’s Signature headband assembly; within the leather headband is a flexible metal support. 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.
The Grado Signature S550 will be available later in March at an MSRP of
➡️ Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones
- Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6
- Best mid-range: Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones
- Best under $100/£100: 1 More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
- Best under $60/£50: Soundcore Q30
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Becky became Audio Editor at Tech Radar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, Four Four Two and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.
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Key Takeaways
-
A cheaper version of my favorite open-back audiophile headphones just dropped — cheers, Grado
-
Featuring Grado's S2 driver, tuned for "musical warmth"
-
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission
-
Grado's new Signature S550 has its 50mm S2 dynamic driver at the core
-
…the same driver used in the twice-the-price Signature S750, which I love
