Grado Labs, designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announces the release of the Signature S550, the fourth model to join the company’s expanding Signature Line, delivering a new S2 driver tuned for warmth and performance.
Continuing Grado’s long tradition of thoughtful evolution, the Signature S550 combines proven driver technology, carefully selected materials and deliberate tuning choices to create a headphone with its own distinct sonic character. Designed for listeners seeking warmth, openness and clarity without fatigue, the S550 offers a more relaxed presentation while preserving the speed, detail and immediacy long associated with the Grado sound, says the company.
The Grado Signature S550 will begin shipping later in March and will be available for demonstration at CanJam NYC, taking place on March 7 and 8 at the New York Marriott Marquis.
At the core of the Signature S550 is Grado’s 50mm S2 dynamic driver, tuned specifically for use with the headphone’s all-wood enclosure. Rather than developing an entirely new driver architecture, the company focuses on optimising the interaction between the S2 driver and the acoustic properties of the housing.
This approach delivers a presentation that is warmer and more forgiving, while remaining fast, detailed and spatially open, says the company. The S550 offers a wide soundstage with precise imaging and natural dynamics designed to support longer listening sessions while maintaining the immediacy and engagement Grado listeners expect.
The Signature S550 features housings crafted entirely from Brazilian walnut, continuing the company’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.
According to Grado, walnut is valued for both its tonal characteristics and structural stability. Its density contributes to the S550’s fuller and 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.
The Signature S550 ships 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 connector, allowing compatibility with the company’s expanding range of detachable cables.
The included cable is terminated with a 3.5mm mini plug at the source end and includes a 6.3mm adapter, enabling compatibility with a wide range of audio equipment. Additional cable options, including alternative lengths and balanced terminations, are available from Grado as aftermarket accessories or as part of the original purchase.
Comfort and personalisation are also key aspects of the design. The Signature S550 comes fitted with the company’s new B cushions and remains compatible with the wider Grado cushion lineup, allowing listeners to tailor both comfort and sonic presentation to their preferences.
Like other headphones in the Signature Line, the S550 features the company’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 over time.
The S550 uses the narrower leather headband strap introduced on the Signature S750 and incorporates engraved metal gimbals, stainless-steel height rods, reinforced junction blocks and controlled housing rotation, all designed to deliver durability, stability and long-term comfort during extended listening sessions.
As the fourth model in the Signature Line, the S550 reflects the company’s continued focus on refining its designs through listening, material selection and measured engineering choices. With additional models planned, the Signature Line continues to evolve while offering distinct sonic perspectives united by a shared design philosophy, says the company.
The Grado Signature S550 will be available later in March with a suggested end user price of £995.
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 with 6.3 mm adapter
Earpad Supplied: B Cushion