Grado Labs has announced the Signature S150, the most accessible entry into its expanding Signature Line.
Featuring a newly developed 44mm S driver incorporating technology from Grado’s higher-end HP100 SE and S950 headphones, the S150 delivers clarity and detail.
The S150 also introduces an entirely new single-piece housing design, modernising the classic Grado appearance while retaining its identity. Combined with detachable Signature Bronze cables, a padded leather headband and refined mechanical components, the S150 offers a combination of musical performance, comfort and versatility.
At the heart of the Signature S150 is Grado’s 44mm S driver, marking the first use of this new driver design. The driver incorporates a paper-composite diaphragm based on the technology found in the larger 52mm S drivers utilized in the HP100 SE and S950.
Developed specifically for the smaller 44mm format, the new driver builds on Grado’s ongoing exploration of materials and magnetic design and their influence on musical reproduction.
The S150 delivers a level of clarity and detail that challenges expectations for a headphone in its class, while preserving the natural body and musical character of the performance.
While open-back headphones are often associated with a more restrained low-frequency presentation, the S150 has been optimised to deliver clean, articulate bass with a satisfying sense of presence. This contributes to a balanced presentation across the frequency spectrum, reportedly allowing subtle musical details to emerge without sacrificing fullness or musical engagement.
As with every Grado headphone, the S150’s final acoustic presentation reflects a combination of engineering, extensive listening and fine-tuning, with the goal of bringing listeners closer to their music.
The Signature S150 features Grado’s detachable cable system, incorporating the new Signature Bronze cable as standard equipment. Part of Grado’s latest generation of Signature Line cables, the Bronze cable features a lighter, softer and more flexible construction, improving comfort and convenience during everyday listening.
The S150 features 3.5mm connections at each headphone housing, providing additional freedom to adjust cable orientation to suit individual listening preferences and comfort. The included cable terminates in a 3.5mm plug at the source end and is supplied with a 6.3mm adapter, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of portable audio players, headphone amplifiers and home audio equipment.
The S150 can also be ordered with alternative cable terminations, allowing listeners to select the connection that best suits their audio equipment.
Weighing 220 grams, the Signature S150 combines lightweight construction, a padded leather headband and updated mechanical components to provide a comfortable and secure fit for extended listening sessions.
The S150 incorporates Grado’s new Signature headband assembly, featuring a padded leather strap that distributes the headphone’s weight comfortably across the head. A flexible steel band within the headband allows listeners to adjust the inward tension, providing a more personalised fit and level of comfort.
The assembly includes redesigned matte-black polymer gimbals, stainless-steel height rods, and reinforced junction blocks, providing improved stability, adjustability and durability. Controlled housing rotation limits unnecessary movement while maintaining the flexibility needed for a personalised fit.
The new Signature headband assembly is also available separately as an accessory, offering owners of compatible earlier Grado headphones a convenient way to incorporate the latest comfort and mechanical refinements.
The S150 is supplied with Grado’s F cushions, selected as part of the headphone’s overall acoustic tuning. Their design incorporates internal acoustic slits that promote airflow and contribute to the headphone’s open, detailed presentation.
The S150 is also compatible with the complete range of Grado headphone cushions, allowing listeners to explore different cushion options and personalise the headphone’s sonic presentation and comfort.
The Signature S150 introduces an entirely new, single-piece acoustic chamber body, bringing a contemporary refinement to Grado’s headphone design. Molded from engineered ABS polymer, the housing combines lightweight construction with durability and dimensional consistency.
The Grado Signature S150 will be available at an MSRP of £295 / $295 USD and will be available in late November from selected independent retailers and from www.gradolabs.com.