A cheaper version of my favorite open-back audiophile headphones just dropped
cheers, Grado!
Date:
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:22:48 +0000
Description:
Grado's more affordable Signature S550 headphones are in and if you read our Signature S750 review, you'll be eager to know more
FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get the TechRadar Newsletter Sign up for
breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter 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 $1,695 / 1,695 (about AU$3,400). 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". You may like Grado Signature S750 review: crystal clarity and a wide soundstage, but the fit isn't a hit Our top budget wired headphones maker unveils stunning
new mid-range cans Head-fi specialist Meze Audio has a beautiful new pair of wired headphones
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 Grados 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 , FiiO FT1 and Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG ), but that's just for starters. Grado Signature S550 headphones: the details (Image credit: Grado) 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 Grados 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 Grados 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. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
The Signature S550 also come with Grados 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 Grados 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 $995
/ 995 (which is around AU$1,880, taking the UK pricing as a guide) and let me tell you, I'll be very interested to hear them The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons
Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones 1. Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6 2. Best mid-range: Bose QuietComfort Headphones 3. Best under $100/100: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 4. Best under $60/50: Soundcore Q30 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
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