Grado Signature S550 Harnesses Warmth of Walnut

Brooklyn-based head-fi company, Grado, has introduced the S550, the newest model in its expanding Signature series of open-backed wired headphones. It joins the premium lineup alongside the Signature S750, Signature S950, and flagship Signature HP100 SE.

Grado designed the S550 for listeners who want warmth, openness, and clarity without fatigue, delivering a more relaxed sound. At the same time, the headphones preserve speed, detail, and immediacy, so says the manufacturer.

At the heart of the sound are 50mm S2 dynamic drivers tuned for the S550’s all-wood enclosures. Rather than a new driver design, this setup is said to have created a warmer, more forgiving sound that stays fast, detailed, and open. The S550 promises a wide soundstage with clear imaging and natural dynamics, making it great for long listening sessions while keeping the immediacy Grado fans love.

The S550’s housings are made entirely from sustainably sourced Brazilian walnut, just like the premium Signature S950. Each pair is crafted individually, so the natural grain means no two are exactly the same.

Grado adds that walnut’s natural density helps give the S550 a fuller, more balanced sound and maintains consistent acoustic performance over time.

Grado quotes a Frequency Response of 6 Hz – 44 kHz and a THD of <0.2% @100 dB.

As with other models in the series, the S550 uses Grado’s Signature headband assembly, which has a flexible metal support inside the leather headband for a better fit. The design also includes engraved metal gimbals, stainless-steel height rods, reinforced junction blocks, and controlled housing rotation to provide durability, stability, and comfort during long listening sessions.

The headphones are said to weigh 335g (without cable) and come with the company’s B Cushion earpads.

The Signature S550 comes with a “Signature Silver” detachable cable terminated with a 4-pin balanced mini-XLR at the housing end, while the source end features a 3.5mm mini plug. A 6.3mm adapter is also included.

The Grado Signature S550 will be available later this month, priced at £995 | US$995.

For more information visit Grado