{"title":"Grado","description":"\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building headphones and phono cartridges by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Four generations of the Grado family have refined their patented moving iron design, a flux-bridger system that delivers the speed and detail of a moving coil with the output and compatibility of a moving magnet. Every cartridge is assembled, tested, and voiced in the same building where the company started over seven decades ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe current cartridge lineup spans three series. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-prestige-cartridges\"\u003ePrestige Series\u003c\/a\u003e uses elliptical diamond styli and OCC copper coils for reliable, musical playback from $140 to $260. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-timbre-cartridges\"\u003eTimbre Series\u003c\/a\u003e steps up to wood-bodied housings with matched cantilever designs from $300 to $1,500. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-lineage-cartridges\"\u003eLineage Series\u003c\/a\u003e represents the pinnacle: Brazilian Ebony housings, nude Shibata diamonds, and sapphire or boron cantilevers from $3,500 to $9,995.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"grado-epoch4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Epoch4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Epoch4 is the flagship phono cartridge in Grado's Lineage Series, pairing a nude Shibata diamond with a sapphire cantilever for maximum groove contact. Hand-assembled in Brooklyn using Grado's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator and ultra-high purity OCC copper coils, the Epoch4 is housed in Brazilian Ebony. Both stereo and mono configurations are available, with the mono version voiced specifically for proper vertical compliance on dedicated mono pressings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Epoch4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNude Shibata Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Expanded groove contact area compared to elliptical profiles, improving tracking accuracy and high-frequency detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSapphire Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely rigid and lightweight, transmitting stylus vibrations with minimal energy loss or coloration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented design achieves the lowest effective moving mass of any cartridge type, combining moving coil speed with moving magnet output simplicity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long-crystal oxygen-free copper for improved signal transmission and more consistent channel balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrazilian Ebony Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Selected for its density and natural damping properties, contributing to stability and resonance control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow-Output Design (1.0mV):\u003c\/strong\u003e Optimized for use with MC-capable phono stages, delivering wider dynamic range and lower noise floor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStereo and Mono Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purpose-built mono version available for dedicated mono playback with proper vertical compliance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Every unit assembled, tested, and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Joseph Grado, a Metropolitan Opera watchmaker turned audio engineer, founded the company in the back of his family's fruit store on 7th Avenue, hand-winding coils on a watchmaker's lathe and selling cartridges from the same building. Four generations on, the Grado family still operates out of that Sunset Park facility, where every cartridge is assembled by hand before it ships. The patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system at the heart of every Grado has been refined continuously since Joseph's original designs. It delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil cartridges while keeping the higher output and simpler loading requirements that made Grado a fixture in working studios for seven decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron System\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the heart of every Grado cartridge is the flux-bridger generator, a moving iron design patented by the Grado family. Unlike moving coil cartridges that attach the coils directly to the cantilever, which adds mass, or traditional moving magnet designs that fix a magnet to the cantilever, Grado's system uses a small iron element as the moving component. This achieves the lowest effective moving mass of any generator type, allowing the stylus to track groove modulations with exceptional accuracy. The result is transient speed and low-level detail associated with moving coil cartridges, paired with the higher output voltage and simpler phono stage requirements of a moving magnet. For the Epoch4, Grado uses the most refined version of this generator. Components are hand-selected from a broader pool than the lower-tier Lineage models, tolerances are held tighter at every stage of assembly, and each finished generator is auditioned at the factory before being committed to a finished cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Inline image 1 --\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-epoch4-inline-01.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Epoch4 flagship phono cartridge in Brazilian Ebony housing\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eShibata Diamond and Sapphire Cantilever\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Epoch4 uses a nude Shibata diamond stylus, a profile originally developed for quadraphonic playback that has become the standard for high-end cartridges due to its extended groove contact area. The Shibata profile sits deeper in the groove than elliptical or conical tips, reading information that simpler profiles miss while distributing tracking force across a larger contact patch. This reduces record wear at the same time as it improves high-frequency extension and inner-groove tracking. The diamond is mounted nude, meaning the gem itself is bonded directly to the cantilever rather than to an intermediate metal shank, which lowers tip mass and tightens the precision of energy transfer. That diamond is then mounted on a sapphire cantilever, chosen for its rigidity at extremely low mass. Sapphire transmits vibrations from the stylus tip to the generator with minimal energy storage, preserving micro-detail and transient attack that softer cantilever materials absorb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Inline image 2 --\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-epoch4-inline-02.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Epoch4 cartridge close-up showing nude Shibata diamond on sapphire cantilever\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eBrazilian Ebony Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll Lineage Series cartridges are housed in Brazilian Ebony, a dense tropical hardwood selected for its natural damping characteristics. The wood body absorbs airborne and mechanical vibrations that would otherwise feed back into the generator, reducing coloration and tightening bass response. Grado has refined the housing geometry for the \/4 generation, with updated profiles designed to improve both stability during playback and ease of installation. The Ebony body also contributes to the cartridge's 12-gram mass, providing enough heft for secure headshell mounting without requiring counterweight extensions on most tonearms. Each housing is finished by hand at the Brooklyn factory, and grain patterns vary from piece to piece, so no two Epoch4 cartridges look exactly alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper Coils\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOCC stands for ohno continuous cast, a copper drawing process that produces a single long-crystal structure with far fewer grain boundaries than ordinary copper. Fewer grain boundaries means fewer points along the conductor where the audio signal has to cross from one crystal to the next, which lowers distortion in the low-level signal coming out of a cartridge. Grado specifies OCC copper for the Epoch4's coils for the same reason it appears in reference-grade interconnects: the cartridge output is the smallest signal in the entire chain, and what gets lost or smeared at that stage cannot be recovered downstream. The Epoch4's coils are hand-wound at the Brooklyn factory and matched for channel balance before installation in the generator assembly, with tighter matching tolerances than any other model in the Grado lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eExplore the Full Grado Lineage Series\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Epoch4 is the flagship of Grado's Lineage Series. The entire Lineage lineup shares the same Brazilian Ebony housing and flux-bridger generator, differing in stylus profile, cantilever material, and component tolerancing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-aeon4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Aeon4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Nude Shibata diamond on sapphire cantilever, the series' second-tier reference.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-statement4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Statement4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Nude Shibata diamond on machined boron cantilever, the entry point to the Lineage Series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Epoch4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eNude Shibata Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eSapphire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eBrazilian Ebony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e6 Hz - 72 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChannel Separation\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAvg. 33 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInput Load\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e47,000 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInductance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e30 mH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eResistance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e91 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.5 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e12 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStereo, Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Mono","offer_id":42681431359584,"sku":"GRADEPOCH4MO","price":9995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stereo","offer_id":42681432506464,"sku":"GRADEPOCH4ST","price":9995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-epoch4-hero.jpg?v=1775507502"},{"product_id":"grado-aeon4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Aeon4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Aeon4 is the second-tier reference in Grado's Lineage Series, sharing the Epoch4's nude Shibata diamond and sapphire cantilever combination in a hand-built cartridge that delivers reference-level analog performance. Built around Grado's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator with ultra-high purity OCC copper coils and a Brazilian Ebony housing, the Aeon4 sits between the boron-cantilever Statement4 and the flagship Epoch4 in component grading and voicing. It is available in both stereo and mono configurations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Aeon4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNude Shibata Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extended groove contact for superior tracking accuracy and high-frequency detail retrieval.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSapphire Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rigid and lightweight, preserving transient detail and micro-dynamics from the groove wall to the generator.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented low-mass design combines moving coil speed with the higher output and simpler loading of moving magnet cartridges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long-crystal oxygen-free copper for cleaner signal transmission and tighter channel balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrazilian Ebony Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense hardwood body for natural vibration damping and resonance control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow-Output Design (1.0mV):\u003c\/strong\u003e Pairs with MC-capable phono stages for wider dynamic range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStereo and Mono Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dedicated mono version with proper vertical compliance for mono records.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Joseph Grado, a Metropolitan Opera watchmaker turned audio engineer, founded the company in the back of his family's fruit store on 7th Avenue, hand-winding coils on a watchmaker's lathe and selling cartridges out of the same building. Four generations on, the Grado family still operates out of that same Sunset Park facility, where every cartridge is assembled, tested, and voiced by hand before it ships. The patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system at the heart of every Grado has been refined continuously since Joseph's original designs, delivering the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil cartridges while keeping the higher output and simpler loading requirements that made Grado a fixture in working studios and home systems for seven decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron System\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Aeon4 uses the same patented flux-bridger generator found throughout the Grado lineup, refined to Lineage Series tolerances. The moving iron element is the lightest component in any generator type, giving the stylus freedom to track complex groove modulations without the added mass of attached coils or magnets. This translates to faster transient response, better tracking of dynamic passages, and more accurate reproduction of complex harmonics. The Aeon4's generator is hand-selected and tested to meet Grado's Lineage specifications, sitting between the Statement4 and the flagship Epoch4 in component grading. In practice, that means tighter channel-balance matching and lower part-to-part variance than the Statement4 below it, paired with a voicing pass that leans slightly closer to the Epoch4's transparency profile than to the Statement4's livelier character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Inline image 1 --\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-aeon4-inline-01.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Aeon4 phono cartridge with Brazilian Ebony housing\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eShibata Diamond and Sapphire Cantilever\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike the Epoch4, the Aeon4 pairs a nude Shibata diamond with a sapphire cantilever. The Shibata profile contacts a wider area of the groove wall than elliptical or line-contact alternatives, reading more recorded information while distributing tracking force to reduce vinyl wear. The diamond is mounted nude, meaning the gem itself is bonded directly to the cantilever rather than to an intermediate metal shank, which lowers tip mass and improves the precision of energy transfer at the contact point. Sapphire's rigidity then ensures that the vibrations captured by the stylus reach the generator with minimal energy loss. The combination of the Shibata profile's extended contact area, the nude mounting, and sapphire's transmission efficiency makes the Aeon4 particularly revealing of micro-detail, surface texture, and spatial cues in recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Inline image 2 --\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-aeon4-inline-02.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Aeon4 cartridge detail showing nude Shibata diamond and sapphire cantilever\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eBrazilian Ebony Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Aeon4's Brazilian Ebony body serves as both structural housing and acoustic treatment. The wood's high density provides natural vibration damping, absorbing resonances that would otherwise color the signal. Grado has updated the housing geometry for the \/4 generation, refining the profile for improved stability during playback and easier cartridge alignment during installation. The Ebony body also contributes meaningfully to the cartridge's 11-gram mass, which gives most modern tonearms enough loading for secure tracking without requiring counterweight extensions or additional headshell weights. The wood is finished by hand at the Brooklyn factory, and grain patterns vary from piece to piece, so no two Aeon4 housings are identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper Coils\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOCC stands for ohno continuous cast, a copper drawing process that produces a single long crystal structure with far fewer grain boundaries than ordinary copper. Fewer grain boundaries means fewer points along the conductor where the audio signal has to cross from one crystal to the next, which lowers distortion in the low-level signal coming out of a cartridge. Grado uses OCC copper throughout the Lineage Series for the same reason it appears in reference-grade interconnects: the cartridge output is the smallest signal in the chain, and what gets lost or smeared at that stage cannot be recovered downstream. The Aeon4's coils are hand-wound to the same tolerances as the Epoch4's, with channel balance matched before installation in the generator assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eExplore the Full Grado Lineage Series\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Aeon4 is the mid-tier reference of Grado's Lineage Series. All three Lineage cartridges share Brazilian Ebony housings and flux-bridger generators, differing in component selection and tolerancing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-epoch4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Epoch4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - The flagship, with the tightest component tolerances and most refined voicing in the Grado lineup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-statement4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Statement4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Nude Shibata diamond on machined boron cantilever, the entry point to the Lineage Series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Aeon4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eNude Shibata Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eSapphire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eBrazilian Ebony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e5 Hz - 70 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChannel Separation\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAvg. 35 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInput Load\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e10,000 - 47,000 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInductance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e8 mH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eResistance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e74 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.6 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e11 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStereo, Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Mono","offer_id":42681431392352,"sku":"GRADAEON4MO","price":4995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stereo","offer_id":42681432539232,"sku":"GRADAEON4ST","price":4995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-aeon4-hero.jpg?v=1775507504"},{"product_id":"grado-statement4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Statement4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Statement4 is the entry point to Grado's Lineage Series, a hand-built cartridge pairing a nude Shibata diamond stylus with a machined boron cantilever in a Brazilian Ebony housing. It shares the same wood body and flux-bridger generator architecture as the flagship Epoch4, bringing Lineage-level materials and construction to the most accessible position in the series. For listeners moving up from the Timbre Series or arriving at Grado from another brand, the Statement4 is the door into Joseph Grado's most refined work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Statement4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNude Shibata Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wide groove contact profile for accurate tracking, extended high-frequency response, and reduced record wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined Boron Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely stiff and low-mass, transmitting groove detail to the generator with high fidelity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented low-mass design delivers moving coil speed with moving magnet simplicity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free long-crystal copper for clean signal transmission.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrazilian Ebony Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense hardwood body for natural vibration damping and stable tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow-Output Design (1.0mV):\u003c\/strong\u003e Optimized for MC-capable phono preamps with wider dynamic range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStereo and Mono Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dedicated mono version for proper mono playback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Joseph Grado, a Metropolitan Opera watchmaker turned audio engineer, founded the company in the back of his family's fruit store on 7th Avenue, hand-winding coils on a watchmaker's lathe and selling cartridges out of the same building. Four generations on, the Grado family still operates out of that same Sunset Park facility, where every cartridge is assembled, tested, and voiced by hand before it ships. The patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system at the heart of every Grado has been refined continuously since Joseph's original designs, delivering the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil cartridges while keeping the higher output and simpler loading requirements that made Grado a fixture in working studios and home systems for seven decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMachined Boron Cantilever\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere the Epoch4 and Aeon4 use sapphire cantilevers, the Statement4 employs machined boron, a material prized in high-end cartridges for its exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio. Boron transmits stylus vibrations to the generator quickly and accurately, with minimal energy storage that could smear transient detail. The machined construction, as opposed to drawn or bonded, ensures consistent diameter and wall thickness along the cantilever's length, which contributes to predictable behavior across the frequency range. Paired with the Shibata diamond's extended groove contact, the boron cantilever allows the Statement4 to deliver the Lineage Series' characteristic speed and resolution at its most accessible price point. The cantilever-stylus assembly is hand-aligned at the Brooklyn factory and inspected under magnification before final voicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Inline image 1 --\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-statement4-inline-01_26146a25-2ef6-4d23-879a-05f6450b0004.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Statement4 phono cartridge in Brazilian Ebony housing\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron System\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Statement4 carries the same patented flux-bridger generator used throughout the Lineage Series. A small iron element serves as the moving component, keeping the effective tip mass lower than either moving coil or moving magnet alternatives. This low mass allows the stylus to follow groove modulations more accurately, particularly in complex passages where multiple instruments occupy similar frequency ranges. Unlike a traditional moving magnet design that fixes a magnet to the cantilever or a moving coil that hangs coils off the back, the flux-bridger keeps the cantilever assembly as light as possible while still generating the 1.0mV output that pairs cleanly with most MC-capable phono stages. The Statement4's generator is assembled and voiced to Lineage specifications, with hand-selected components that differentiate it from the Timbre Series models below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Inline image 2 --\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-statement4-inline-02.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Statement4 cartridge detail showing nude Shibata diamond on machined boron cantilever\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eBrazilian Ebony Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Lineage Series cartridge, the Statement4 included, is housed in Brazilian Ebony. The wood is selected for its high density and natural damping behavior, which absorbs the airborne and mechanical resonances that would otherwise feed back into the generator and color the signal. Grado refined the housing geometry across the \/4 generation, with an updated profile aimed at both improved stability during playback and easier alignment at installation. The Ebony body also contributes to the Statement4's 10-gram mass, providing enough heft for secure headshell mounting on the wide range of tonearms it will end up in without requiring additional counterweight adjustments on most tables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper Coils\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOCC stands for ohno continuous cast, a copper drawing process that produces a single long crystal structure with far fewer grain boundaries than ordinary copper. Fewer grain boundaries means fewer points along the conductor where the audio signal has to cross from one crystal to the next, and that translates to lower distortion in the low-level signal coming out of a cartridge. Grado has used ultra-high purity OCC copper throughout the Lineage Series for the same reason it appears in reference-level interconnects: the signal that leaves a cartridge is the smallest signal in the chain, and what gets lost or smeared at that stage cannot be recovered downstream. The Statement4's coils are hand-wound and matched for channel balance before installation in the generator assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eExplore the Full Grado Lineage Series\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Statement4 is the entry point to Grado's Lineage Series. All three models share Brazilian Ebony housings, Shibata diamond styli, and flux-bridger generators, with the primary differences in cantilever material and component grading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-epoch4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Epoch4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Sapphire cantilever, the most refined component selection and voicing in the Grado lineup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-aeon4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Aeon4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Sapphire cantilever, mid-tier Lineage reference with tighter tolerancing than the Statement4.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-reference4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Reference4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - The Timbre Series flagship and the natural step into Statement4 territory, sharing the machined boron cantilever material.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Statement4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eNude Shibata Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMachined Boron\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eUltra-High Purity OCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eBrazilian Ebony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e5 Hz - 65 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChannel Separation\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAvg. 35 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInput Load\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e10,000 - 47,000 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInductance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e8 mH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eResistance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e74 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.6 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e10 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStereo, Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Mono","offer_id":42681431425120,"sku":"GRADSTATEMENT4MO","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stereo","offer_id":42681432572000,"sku":"GRADSTATEMENT4ST","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-statement4-hero.jpg?v=1775507507"},{"product_id":"grado-reference4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Reference4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Reference4 is the flagship of Grado's Timbre Series of wood-bodied moving iron phono cartridges, pairing an elliptical diamond stylus with a machined boron cantilever in an American Osage housing. Available in four configurations (high-output and low-output, stereo and mono), the Reference4 uses Grado's patented flux-bridger generator with OCC copper coils to deliver the series' most detailed and controlled performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Reference4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual-radius contact profile for accurate tracking and natural tonal balance across the frequency range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined Boron Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Five-piece OTL cantilever design achieving additional tip mass reduction over the Sonata4 and Platinum4 models.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented system combines moving coil transient speed with moving magnet output and loading simplicity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for improved signal purity and channel balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Osage Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense domestic hardwood with natural resonance damping properties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour Output Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-output (4.0mV) and low-output (1.0mV) in both stereo and mono, matching any phono stage and record collection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Four generations of the Grado family have refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while maintaining the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is hand-assembled in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph Grado first began his work over seven decades ago, then tested and voiced before it ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMachined Boron Cantilever with OTL Technology\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reference4 and Master4 both use Grado's five-piece OTL (Optimized Tip-to-Link) cantilever technology, achieving an additional 5% tip mass reduction compared to the four-piece design used in the Sonata4 and Platinum4. The machined boron cantilever provides exceptional stiffness relative to its weight, transmitting stylus vibrations to the generator efficiently without the energy storage that softer materials introduce. The difference between the Reference4 and Master4 comes down to component selection and tolerancing, with the Reference4 receiving the tightest grading in the Timbre Series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/reference4-inline-01.jpg?v=1778523363\" alt=\"Grado Reference4 phono cartridge, American Osage wood housing, Timbre Series flagship\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the Reference4 level, component grading is the lever. The cantilever assembly, generator coils, magnet pole pieces, and stylus profile inspection all receive the line's strictest tolerances. The flagship status means a unit failing any of the Reference4 inspection thresholds drops down to Master4 inventory, not back into a Reference4 box. That is how Grado maintains the consistency that lets the Reference4 sit at the top of the Timbre line without resorting to a separate generator design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAmerican Osage Wood Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the \/4 generation, the Reference4 and Master4 are housed in American Osage wood, replacing the Australian Jarrah used in previous Timbre models. Osage is among the densest and hardest domestic hardwoods available, with natural damping properties that help isolate the generator from airborne and mechanical vibrations. The updated housing geometry in the \/4 series also improves installation stability, making cartridge alignment easier during setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/reference4-inline-02.jpg?v=1778523367\" alt=\"Grado Reference4 cartridge profile showing five-piece OTL boron cantilever\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOsage is not a common cartridge housing material outside of Grado. The species is native to the central United States and was historically prized for bow staves and tool handles because of how hard and dense it stays at typical moisture content. The wood also holds its dimensions under humidity swings, which makes it a strong housing material for a cartridge generator: it does not move the way some hardwoods do, and its damping behavior holds up across the cartridge's working temperature range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eHigh-Output and Low-Output Options\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reference4 is available in both 4.0mV (high-output) and 1.0mV (low-output) versions. The high-output version works with any standard moving magnet phono input, while the low-output version pairs with MC-capable phono stages for potentially wider dynamic range and lower noise floor. Both output levels are available in stereo and mono configurations, giving the Reference4 the broadest compatibility of any Grado cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eExplore the Full Grado Timbre Series\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reference4 is the flagship of Grado's Timbre Series. All five Timbre models share the flux-bridger generator and elliptical diamond stylus, with differences in cantilever technology, housing material, and component grading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-master4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Master4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Machined boron cantilever in American Osage, the Reference4's closest companion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-sonata4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Sonata4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in Mediterranean Olive wood, the mid-point of the Timbre lineup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-platinum4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Platinum4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in Mediterranean Olive wood, sharing the Sonata4's architecture with looser grading tolerances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-opus4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Opus4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in North American Maple, the Timbre entry point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListeners ready to move beyond the Timbre Series step up to the Grado \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-statement4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eStatement4\u003c\/a\u003e, the entry to the flagship \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-lineage-cartridges\"\u003eLineage Series\u003c\/a\u003e with its nude Shibata diamond stylus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Flux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre Series cartridge runs on Grado's flux-bridger moving iron generator, a patented design that sits between conventional moving magnet and moving coil topologies. In a moving iron generator, the coils and magnets stay fixed while a small, low-mass iron armature on the cantilever responds to groove modulations. Because the moving element is just iron, not a magnet or a coil pack, the system carries less moving mass than a standard MM and roughly comparable mass to many MC designs, which is what gives Grado cartridges their characteristic speed and transient detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe practical advantage is loading simplicity. Both high-output and low-output Timbre cartridges present an inductive load that any moving magnet phono stage can drive (high-output versions) or that any MC-capable stage can handle (low-output versions). There is no compromise on cartridge loading, no need for step-up transformers on the high-output models, and no exotic phono stage requirement. The flux-bridger architecture also makes Grado cartridges relatively tolerant of capacitance variation in the tonearm cable, which simplifies setup compared to some MM designs that depend on precise capacitive loading to flatten their response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eOCC Copper Coil Wire\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Timbre Series uses oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for the generator coil wire, the same OCC copper specification used across the entire \/4 generation. Continuous-cast copper is drawn through a heated mold in a single, unbroken process, producing long crystal grains aligned with the wire's length. The result is a wire with fewer grain boundaries per inch than conventional oxygen-free copper, which translates into more consistent electrical behavior across the audio band and improved channel-to-channel matching when paired coils are wound from the same batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoil wire matters more in moving iron designs than it does in many MM cartridges because the generator's output is directly tied to the coil's electrical characteristics. Grado specifies OCC across every Timbre model precisely because consistency at the coil is one of the cleanest ways to lock in repeatable performance unit to unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eHigh-Output, Low-Output, Stereo, Mono\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre cartridge ships in four configurations: high-output stereo (4.0mV), low-output stereo (1.0mV), high-output mono, and low-output mono. The high-output 4.0mV version pairs with any standard MM phono input, the same input that handles the vast majority of installed phono stages. The 1.0mV low-output version is intended for MC-capable phono stages or step-up transformers; the lower output trades some absolute gain for a potentially quieter noise floor and (depending on the phono stage's MC topology) more headroom on dynamic passages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mono configurations are true mono generators with the coils summed at the cartridge, not a stereo cartridge with a mono switch in the preamp. For collectors with significant pre-1958 mono LPs, a true mono cartridge eliminates vertical groove noise that a stereo pickup will reproduce as rumble or surface hash, and it improves apparent resolution on the playback of mono pressings. The mono variants are marked Special Order and No Returns, consistent with how most cartridge manufacturers handle true-mono SKUs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eTracking Force and Compliance\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll five Timbre models share the same tracking-force window of 1.6 to 1.9 grams, with most installations dialing in at 1.75 grams as a starting point. Compliance is specified at 20 µm\/mN, which places the Timbre Series squarely in the medium-compliance range that pairs comfortably with most modern tonearms. Effective mass between 9 and 14 grams at the headshell is the sweet spot. Cartridge weight runs 9 grams across the aluminum-cantilever models (Opus4 through Sonata4) and steps up to 10 grams on the Master4 and Reference4, so headshell weight is the main variable to balance during arm matching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor VTA, start parallel to the record surface and adjust by ear once break-in is past the first 20 to 30 hours. Cartridges in this category typically need that early use time before the suspension settles into its working stiffness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Reference4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMachined Boron (5-Piece OTL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV (High Output) \/ 1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAmerican Osage Wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.6 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e10 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHigh-Output Stereo, High-Output Mono, Low-Output Stereo, Low-Output Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"High-Output Mono","offer_id":42681431490656,"sku":"GRADREF4HOMO","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681433391200,"sku":"GRADREF4LOST","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Mono","offer_id":42681433423968,"sku":"GRADREF4LOMO","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"High-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681433587808,"sku":"GRADREF4HOST","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-reference4-hero.jpg?v=1775507509"},{"product_id":"grado-master4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Master4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Master4 sits just below the Reference4 in Grado's Timbre Series, sharing the same machined boron cantilever and American Osage wood housing in a cartridge that balances performance and value. Built around Grado's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator with OCC copper coils, the Master4 is available in four configurations to match any phono stage and listening preference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Master4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual-radius profile for accurate tracking and balanced tonal presentation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined Boron Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Five-piece OTL design with 5% lower tip mass than the four-piece cantilevers used in the Sonata4 and Platinum4.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented low-mass generator for moving coil speed without the loading complexity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for improved signal clarity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Osage Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense domestic hardwood with natural vibration damping, new to the \/4 generation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour Output Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-output (4.0mV) and low-output (1.0mV) in stereo and mono.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Four generations of the Grado family have refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while maintaining the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is hand-assembled in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph Grado first began his work over seven decades ago, then tested and voiced before it ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eBoron Cantilever and OTL Technology\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Master4 shares the Reference4's five-piece OTL cantilever assembly with a machined boron rod. This construction reduces effective tip mass by approximately 5% compared to the four-piece OTL design in the Sonata4 and Platinum4, allowing the stylus to follow groove modulations more precisely. Boron's high stiffness-to-weight ratio means vibrations travel from the stylus tip to the generator with minimal delay or energy loss. The distinction between the Master4 and Reference4 is in component selection and quality grading, not architecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/master4-inline-01.jpg?v=1778523355\" alt=\"Grado Master4 phono cartridge, American Osage wood housing\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMachined boron is the same cantilever material used in many cost-no-object moving coil cartridges. Grado specifies it on the Master4 and Reference4 because the flux-bridger generator's transient response is fast enough to expose any energy storage in the cantilever, and boron's stiffness-per-gram is the highest of any material in widespread cartridge use short of single-crystal diamond. The trade-off is fragility: boron cantilevers are stiffer but more brittle than aluminum, which is one reason Grado retains aluminum on the lower-tier Opus4 through Sonata4 models where price-to-replacement-risk balance favors the more forgiving material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAmerican Osage Wood Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the \/4 generation, the Master4 and Reference4 are housed in American Osage, one of the densest and hardest domestic hardwoods. The wood provides natural vibration damping without the added mass of synthetic materials, and its resonant properties complement the flux-bridger generator's output characteristics. Grado has refined the housing geometry for the \/4 series, improving cartridge stability during playback and simplifying alignment during installation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/master4-inline-02.jpg?v=1778523359\" alt=\"Grado Master4 cartridge close-up showing machined boron cantilever\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOsage's density (around 0.8 g\/cm³ at typical moisture content) is what gives the Master4 its housing character. The wood damps cartridge body resonances broadband rather than at any single peak, and its hardness allows for tight mounting tolerances at the threaded inserts. For installers, that means cartridge screws torque to a consistent stop without the housing creeping under load, which keeps azimuth from drifting between setup and final adjustment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eExplore the Full Grado Timbre Series\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Master4 is the second-highest model in Grado's Timbre Series, positioned between the Reference4 and the Sonata4:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-reference4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Reference4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - The Timbre flagship, with the tightest component selection in the series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-sonata4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Sonata4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in Mediterranean Olive wood, offering Timbre performance at a lower price point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-platinum4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Platinum4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in Mediterranean Olive wood, second-step in the line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-opus4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Opus4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in North American Maple, the Timbre entry point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove the Timbre Series, Grado's flagship \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-lineage-cartridges\"\u003eLineage Series\u003c\/a\u003e introduces nude Shibata diamonds and sapphire or boron cantilevers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Flux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre Series cartridge runs on Grado's flux-bridger moving iron generator, a patented design that sits between conventional moving magnet and moving coil topologies. In a moving iron generator, the coils and magnets stay fixed while a small, low-mass iron armature on the cantilever responds to groove modulations. Because the moving element is just iron, not a magnet or a coil pack, the system carries less moving mass than a standard MM and roughly comparable mass to many MC designs, which is what gives Grado cartridges their characteristic speed and transient detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe practical advantage is loading simplicity. Both high-output and low-output Timbre cartridges present an inductive load that any moving magnet phono stage can drive (high-output versions) or that any MC-capable stage can handle (low-output versions). There is no compromise on cartridge loading, no need for step-up transformers on the high-output models, and no exotic phono stage requirement. The flux-bridger architecture also makes Grado cartridges relatively tolerant of capacitance variation in the tonearm cable, which simplifies setup compared to some MM designs that depend on precise capacitive loading to flatten their response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eOCC Copper Coil Wire\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Timbre Series uses oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for the generator coil wire, the same OCC copper specification used across the entire \/4 generation. Continuous-cast copper is drawn through a heated mold in a single, unbroken process, producing long crystal grains aligned with the wire's length. The result is a wire with fewer grain boundaries per inch than conventional oxygen-free copper, which translates into more consistent electrical behavior across the audio band and improved channel-to-channel matching when paired coils are wound from the same batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoil wire matters more in moving iron designs than it does in many MM cartridges because the generator's output is directly tied to the coil's electrical characteristics. Grado specifies OCC across every Timbre model precisely because consistency at the coil is one of the cleanest ways to lock in repeatable performance unit to unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eHigh-Output, Low-Output, Stereo, Mono\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre cartridge ships in four configurations: high-output stereo (4.0mV), low-output stereo (1.0mV), high-output mono, and low-output mono. The high-output 4.0mV version pairs with any standard MM phono input, the same input that handles the vast majority of installed phono stages. The 1.0mV low-output version is intended for MC-capable phono stages or step-up transformers; the lower output trades some absolute gain for a potentially quieter noise floor and (depending on the phono stage's MC topology) more headroom on dynamic passages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mono configurations are true mono generators with the coils summed at the cartridge, not a stereo cartridge with a mono switch in the preamp. For collectors with significant pre-1958 mono LPs, a true mono cartridge eliminates vertical groove noise that a stereo pickup will reproduce as rumble or surface hash, and it improves apparent resolution on the playback of mono pressings. The mono variants are marked Special Order and No Returns, consistent with how most cartridge manufacturers handle true-mono SKUs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eTracking Force and Compliance\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll five Timbre models share the same tracking-force window of 1.6 to 1.9 grams, with most installations dialing in at 1.75 grams as a starting point. Compliance is specified at 20 µm\/mN, which places the Timbre Series squarely in the medium-compliance range that pairs comfortably with most modern tonearms. Effective mass between 9 and 14 grams at the headshell is the sweet spot. Cartridge weight runs 9 grams across the aluminum-cantilever models (Opus4 through Sonata4) and steps up to 10 grams on the Master4 and Reference4, so headshell weight is the main variable to balance during arm matching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor VTA, start parallel to the record surface and adjust by ear once break-in is past the first 20 to 30 hours. Cartridges in this category typically need that early use time before the suspension settles into its working stiffness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Master4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMachined Boron (5-Piece OTL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV (High Output) \/ 1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAmerican Osage Wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.6 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e10 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHigh-Output Stereo, High-Output Mono, Low-Output Stereo, Low-Output Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"High-Output Mono","offer_id":42681431523424,"sku":"GRADMASTER4HOMO","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681433456736,"sku":"GRADMASTER4LOST","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Mono","offer_id":42681433489504,"sku":"GRADMASTER4LOMO","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"High-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681433620576,"sku":"GRADMASTER4HOST","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-master4-hero.jpg?v=1775507511"},{"product_id":"grado-sonata4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Sonata4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Sonata4 is the mid-point of Grado's Timbre Series, a moving iron cartridge pairing an elliptical diamond stylus with an aluminum cantilever in a Mediterranean Olive wood housing. It carries the Timbre Series' flux-bridger generator and OCC copper coils, bridging the gap between the entry-level Prestige Series and the boron-cantilevered models that sit above it in the Grado lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Sonata4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual-radius contact profile for balanced tracking and tonal accuracy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAluminum Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four-piece OTL design with 10% tip mass reduction over Prestige Series cantilevers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented design for low-mass, high-speed signal generation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for cleaner signal transmission than standard copper windings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMediterranean Olive Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm-toned hardwood body with natural damping characteristics, new to the \/4 generation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour Output Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-output (4.0mV) and low-output (1.0mV) in both stereo and mono.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Four generations of the Grado family have refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while maintaining the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is hand-assembled in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph Grado first began his work over seven decades ago, then tested and voiced before it ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAluminum Cantilever with OTL Technology\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sonata4 and Platinum4 use Grado's four-piece OTL (Optimized Tip-to-Link) cantilever, an aluminum design that achieves a 10% tip mass reduction compared to the cantilevers used in the Prestige Series. Lower tip mass means the stylus can respond to groove modulations faster, improving tracking of complex passages and recovering finer detail from the record surface. The aluminum cantilever provides a different balance of properties than the machined boron used in the Reference4 and Master4: slightly warmer tonal character with very good transient response, making the Sonata4 well-suited to extended listening sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/sonata4-inline-01.jpg?v=1778523348\" alt=\"Grado Sonata4 phono cartridge, Mediterranean Olive wood housing\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe four-piece OTL is also the highest aluminum cantilever in the Timbre line. Stepping above the Sonata4 means moving to machined boron in the Master4 and Reference4, a different material with different tonal trade-offs. Listeners who value the slight warmth and forgiveness aluminum provides on bright recordings often prefer to stay on the Sonata4 rather than chase the additional resolution of the boron-cantilevered models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMediterranean Olive Wood Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the \/4 generation, the Sonata4 and Platinum4 are housed in Mediterranean Olive wood, replacing the Australian Jarrah used in previous Timbre models. Olive wood's grain structure provides effective natural damping of mechanical vibrations, while its density contributes to stable tracking. The updated housing geometry refines the cartridge profile for easier installation and improved stability during playback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/sonata4-inline-02.jpg?v=1778523351\" alt=\"Grado Sonata4 cartridge profile showing four-piece OTL aluminum cantilever\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shared Olive housing between the Sonata4 and Platinum4 is intentional. Grado uses the same wood and the same cantilever architecture for both, then differentiates the two on component grading. The Sonata4 receives the tighter pairing of the two, with closer matching of the left and right channel coils and a stricter window on stylus profile inspection. From a buying standpoint, the Sonata4 represents the highest performance available within the aluminum-cantilever, Olive-housing platform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eExplore the Full Grado Timbre Series\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sonata4 sits in the middle of Grado's five-model Timbre Series:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-reference4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Reference4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Machined boron cantilever in American Osage, the Timbre flagship.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-master4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Master4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Machined boron cantilever in American Osage, sharing the Reference4's architecture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-platinum4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Platinum4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in Mediterranean Olive wood, sharing the Sonata4's architecture with looser grading tolerances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-opus4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGrado Opus4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aluminum cantilever in North American Maple, the Timbre entry point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to Grado? The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-prestige-cartridges\"\u003ePrestige Series\u003c\/a\u003e offers the same flux-bridger technology with user-replaceable styli starting at $140.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Flux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre Series cartridge runs on Grado's flux-bridger moving iron generator, a patented design that sits between conventional moving magnet and moving coil topologies. In a moving iron generator, the coils and magnets stay fixed while a small, low-mass iron armature on the cantilever responds to groove modulations. Because the moving element is just iron, not a magnet or a coil pack, the system carries less moving mass than a standard MM and roughly comparable mass to many MC designs, which is what gives Grado cartridges their characteristic speed and transient detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe practical advantage is loading simplicity. Both high-output and low-output Timbre cartridges present an inductive load that any moving magnet phono stage can drive (high-output versions) or that any MC-capable stage can handle (low-output versions). There is no compromise on cartridge loading, no need for step-up transformers on the high-output models, and no exotic phono stage requirement. The flux-bridger architecture also makes Grado cartridges relatively tolerant of capacitance variation in the tonearm cable, which simplifies setup compared to some MM designs that depend on precise capacitive loading to flatten their response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eOCC Copper Coil Wire\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Timbre Series uses oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for the generator coil wire, the same OCC copper specification used across the entire \/4 generation. Continuous-cast copper is drawn through a heated mold in a single, unbroken process, producing long crystal grains aligned with the wire's length. The result is a wire with fewer grain boundaries per inch than conventional oxygen-free copper, which translates into more consistent electrical behavior across the audio band and improved channel-to-channel matching when paired coils are wound from the same batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoil wire matters more in moving iron designs than it does in many MM cartridges because the generator's output is directly tied to the coil's electrical characteristics. Grado specifies OCC across every Timbre model precisely because consistency at the coil is one of the cleanest ways to lock in repeatable performance unit to unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eHigh-Output, Low-Output, Stereo, Mono\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre cartridge ships in four configurations: high-output stereo (4.0mV), low-output stereo (1.0mV), high-output mono, and low-output mono. The high-output 4.0mV version pairs with any standard MM phono input, the same input that handles the vast majority of installed phono stages. The 1.0mV low-output version is intended for MC-capable phono stages or step-up transformers; the lower output trades some absolute gain for a potentially quieter noise floor and (depending on the phono stage's MC topology) more headroom on dynamic passages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mono configurations are true mono generators with the coils summed at the cartridge, not a stereo cartridge with a mono switch in the preamp. For collectors with significant pre-1958 mono LPs, a true mono cartridge eliminates vertical groove noise that a stereo pickup will reproduce as rumble or surface hash, and it improves apparent resolution on the playback of mono pressings. The mono variants are marked Special Order and No Returns, consistent with how most cartridge manufacturers handle true-mono SKUs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eTracking Force and Compliance\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll five Timbre models share the same tracking-force window of 1.6 to 1.9 grams, with most installations dialing in at 1.75 grams as a starting point. Compliance is specified at 20 µm\/mN, which places the Timbre Series squarely in the medium-compliance range that pairs comfortably with most modern tonearms. Effective mass between 9 and 14 grams at the headshell is the sweet spot. Cartridge weight runs 9 grams across the aluminum-cantilever models (Opus4 through Sonata4) and steps up to 10 grams on the Master4 and Reference4, so headshell weight is the main variable to balance during arm matching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor VTA, start parallel to the record surface and adjust by ear once break-in is past the first 20 to 30 hours. Cartridges in this category typically need that early use time before the suspension settles into its working stiffness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Sonata4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAluminum (4-Piece OTL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV (High Output) \/ 1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMediterranean Olive Wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.6 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHigh-Output Stereo, High-Output Mono, Low-Output Stereo, Low-Output Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"High-Output Mono","offer_id":42681431556192,"sku":"GRADSONATA4HOMO","price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681433522272,"sku":"GRADSONATA4LOST","price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Mono","offer_id":42681433555040,"sku":"GRADSONATA4LOMO","price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"High-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681433653344,"sku":"GRADSONATA4HOST","price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-sonata4-hero.jpg?v=1775507514"},{"product_id":"grado-platinum4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Platinum4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Platinum4 is the second model in Grado's Timbre Series of wood-bodied moving iron phono cartridges, sharing the Sonata4's Mediterranean Olive housing and four-piece OTL aluminum cantilever but with tighter component tolerancing and more refined voicing. It sits between the entry-level \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-opus4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eOpus4\u003c\/a\u003e and the mid-range Sonata4, offering a meaningful step up in selection grading within the line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Platinum4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual-radius contact profile for balanced tracking and tonal accuracy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAluminum Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four-piece OTL design with 10% tip mass reduction over Prestige Series cantilevers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented design for low-mass, high-speed signal generation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for cleaner signal transmission than standard copper windings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMediterranean Olive Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm-toned hardwood body with natural damping characteristics, new to the \/4 generation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour Output Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-output (4.0mV) and low-output (1.0mV) in both stereo and mono.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Four generations of the Grado family have refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while maintaining the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is hand-assembled in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph Grado first began his work over seven decades ago, then tested and voiced before it ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMediterranean Olive Wood Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the \/4 generation, the Platinum4 and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-sonata4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eSonata4\u003c\/a\u003e are housed in Mediterranean Olive wood, replacing the Australian Jarrah used in previous Timbre models. Olive wood's grain structure provides effective natural damping of mechanical vibrations, while its density contributes to stable tracking. The Platinum4 and Sonata4 share the same housing material and cantilever type, with the primary difference being component selection and voicing tolerances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/platinum4-inline-01.jpg?v=1778523340\" alt=\"Grado Platinum4 phono cartridge, Mediterranean Olive wood housing\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOlive's natural grain pattern means no two Platinum4 housings look identical. Grado treats this as a feature of the hand-built character of the line. The wood is sourced as billet and shaped to the \/4 generation's revised housing geometry, which carries flatter mounting surfaces and slightly tightened stylus-to-mounting-hole tolerances compared to the previous Timbre series. The result is easier alignment with most modern protractors and less rocking at the headshell interface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eTimbre Series Positioning\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Timbre Series spans five models across two wood types and two cantilever materials. The Platinum4 and Sonata4 use aluminum cantilevers in Olive wood, while the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-master4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eMaster4\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-reference4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eReference4\u003c\/a\u003e step up to machined boron cantilevers in American Osage wood with five-piece OTL construction. The boron cantilever in the upper models provides greater stiffness and a 5% reduction in tip mass over the aluminum design. All five Timbre models share the same flux-bridger generator, OCC copper coils, and elliptical diamond stylus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/platinum4-inline-02.jpg?v=1778523344\" alt=\"Grado Platinum4 cartridge profile showing four-piece OTL cantilever assembly\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Platinum4's position in the line is a tier above the entry: it carries the same four-piece OTL aluminum cantilever as the Sonata4 and the same Mediterranean Olive housing, so the differences upstream of the boron-cantilever models come down to component tolerancing rather than architecture. For listeners weighing the jump from the Opus4, the Platinum4 brings denser wood, a more complex cantilever, and a quieter signal floor at the cost of $100. For listeners weighing the Platinum4 against the Sonata4, the difference is tighter grading within the same architecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Flux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre Series cartridge runs on Grado's flux-bridger moving iron generator, a patented design that sits between conventional moving magnet and moving coil topologies. In a moving iron generator, the coils and magnets stay fixed while a small, low-mass iron armature on the cantilever responds to groove modulations. Because the moving element is just iron, not a magnet or a coil pack, the system carries less moving mass than a standard MM and roughly comparable mass to many MC designs, which is what gives Grado cartridges their characteristic speed and transient detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe practical advantage is loading simplicity. Both high-output and low-output Timbre cartridges present an inductive load that any moving magnet phono stage can drive (high-output versions) or that any MC-capable stage can handle (low-output versions). There is no compromise on cartridge loading, no need for step-up transformers on the high-output models, and no exotic phono stage requirement. The flux-bridger architecture also makes Grado cartridges relatively tolerant of capacitance variation in the tonearm cable, which simplifies setup compared to some MM designs that depend on precise capacitive loading to flatten their response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eOCC Copper Coil Wire\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Timbre Series uses oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for the generator coil wire, the same OCC copper specification used across the entire \/4 generation. Continuous-cast copper is drawn through a heated mold in a single, unbroken process, producing long crystal grains aligned with the wire's length. The result is a wire with fewer grain boundaries per inch than conventional oxygen-free copper, which translates into more consistent electrical behavior across the audio band and improved channel-to-channel matching when paired coils are wound from the same batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoil wire matters more in moving iron designs than it does in many MM cartridges because the generator's output is directly tied to the coil's electrical characteristics. Grado specifies OCC across every Timbre model precisely because consistency at the coil is one of the cleanest ways to lock in repeatable performance unit to unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eHigh-Output, Low-Output, Stereo, Mono\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre cartridge ships in four configurations: high-output stereo (4.0mV), low-output stereo (1.0mV), high-output mono, and low-output mono. The high-output 4.0mV version pairs with any standard MM phono input, the same input that handles the vast majority of installed phono stages. The 1.0mV low-output version is intended for MC-capable phono stages or step-up transformers; the lower output trades some absolute gain for a potentially quieter noise floor and (depending on the phono stage's MC topology) more headroom on dynamic passages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mono configurations are true mono generators with the coils summed at the cartridge, not a stereo cartridge with a mono switch in the preamp. For collectors with significant pre-1958 mono LPs, a true mono cartridge eliminates vertical groove noise that a stereo pickup will reproduce as rumble or surface hash, and it improves apparent resolution on the playback of mono pressings. The mono variants are marked Special Order and No Returns, consistent with how most cartridge manufacturers handle true-mono SKUs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eTracking Force and Compliance\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll five Timbre models share the same tracking-force window of 1.6 to 1.9 grams, with most installations dialing in at 1.75 grams as a starting point. Compliance is specified at 20 µm\/mN, which places the Timbre Series squarely in the medium-compliance range that pairs comfortably with most modern tonearms. Effective mass between 9 and 14 grams at the headshell is the sweet spot. Cartridge weight runs 9 grams across the aluminum-cantilever models (Opus4 through Sonata4) and steps up to 10 grams on the Master4 and Reference4, so headshell weight is the main variable to balance during arm matching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor VTA, start parallel to the record surface and adjust by ear once break-in is past the first 20 to 30 hours. Cartridges in this category typically need that early use time before the suspension settles into its working stiffness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Platinum4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAluminum (4-Piece OTL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV (High Output) \/ 1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMediterranean Olive Wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.6 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHigh-Output Stereo, High-Output Mono, Low-Output Stereo, Low-Output Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"High-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681461407840,"sku":"GRADPLATINUM4HOST","price":400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"High-Output Mono","offer_id":42681461440608,"sku":"GRADPLATINUM4HOMO","price":400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681461473376,"sku":"GRADPLATINUM4LOST","price":400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Mono","offer_id":42681461506144,"sku":"GRADPLATINUM4LOMO","price":400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-platinum4-hero.jpg?v=1775507516"},{"product_id":"grado-opus4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Opus4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Opus4 is the entry point to Grado's Timbre Series, the first step up from the Prestige line into wood-bodied cartridges with OCC copper coils. It pairs an elliptical diamond stylus with a three-piece OTL aluminum cantilever in a North American Maple wood housing, and it's available in four output configurations to match any phono stage. The most affordable way into Grado's wood-body construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Opus4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual-radius contact profile for balanced tracking and tonal accuracy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAluminum Cantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Three-piece OTL design, a step up from Prestige cantilevers in assembly precision.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented design for low-mass, high-speed signal generation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOCC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free continuous-cast copper, the same coil wire used across the entire Timbre Series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorth American Maple Wood Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light, resonant hardwood body new to the \/4 generation, replacing the previous series' plastic housing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour Output Configurations:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-output (4.0mV) and low-output (1.0mV) in both stereo and mono.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. Four generations of the Grado family have refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while maintaining the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is hand-assembled in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph Grado first began his work over seven decades ago, then tested and voiced before it ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eNorth American Maple Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Opus4 introduces wood construction at the Timbre entry level, housing the generator in North American Maple. Previous entry-level Timbre models used the same plastic housing as the Prestige Series. The \/4 generation's move to Maple gives the Opus4 natural resonance damping properties that plastic cannot replicate. Maple is lighter and less dense than the Mediterranean Olive used in the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-platinum4-phono-cartridge\"\u003ePlatinum4\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-sonata4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eSonata4\u003c\/a\u003e, or the American Osage used in the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-master4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eMaster4\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-reference4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eReference4\u003c\/a\u003e. Each wood choice contributes a different character to the final sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/opus4-inline-01.jpg?v=1778523332\" alt=\"Grado Opus4 phono cartridge, North American Maple housing\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaple's role on the Opus4 is to introduce wood-body construction at the lowest price point in the Timbre line. Previous entry-level Timbres relied on a plastic shell shared with the Prestige Series, which kept costs down but limited how much the housing could contribute to damping. Moving to Maple at $300 closes that gap and is the single biggest structural change between the Prestige Series and the Timbre entry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThree-Piece OTL Cantilever\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Opus4 uses a three-piece OTL (Optimized Tip-to-Link) cantilever, one step below the four-piece design used in the Platinum4 and Sonata4. Both are aluminum, and both reduce tip mass compared to the Prestige Series. The difference is in assembly precision: the four-piece design adds an additional joint that further decouples the stylus tip from mechanical noise. For the price difference between the Opus4 ($300) and Platinum4 ($400), the jump to four-piece OTL and Olive wood housing is a meaningful upgrade for listeners who want the best the aluminum cantilever platform can offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- inline image --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/opus4-inline-02.jpg?v=1778523336\" alt=\"Grado Opus4 cartridge close-up showing aluminum cantilever and elliptical stylus\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the Opus4 itself, the three-piece OTL is matched to the cartridge's positioning: it carries the same flux-bridger generator, OCC copper coils, and elliptical diamond stylus as every cartridge above it in the Timbre line, but uses the simpler cantilever assembly to hit the $300 price point. Listeners who later step up to a four-piece OTL cartridge on the same turntable will hear the cantilever's contribution clearly, the rest of the signal chain stays the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch5\u003eStepping Up From Prestige\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost Opus4 buyers arrive from the Prestige Series, often from the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-gold4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGold4\u003c\/a\u003e at the top of that line. The jump from Gold4 to Opus4 is the structural change from a polymer housing with a user-replaceable stylus to a wood-bodied cartridge with OCC copper coils and a three-piece OTL cantilever. Performance gains come from the cantilever architecture and the wood damping, not from stylus shape, which stays elliptical across both products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Flux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre Series cartridge runs on Grado's flux-bridger moving iron generator, a patented design that sits between conventional moving magnet and moving coil topologies. In a moving iron generator, the coils and magnets stay fixed while a small, low-mass iron armature on the cantilever responds to groove modulations. Because the moving element is just iron, not a magnet or a coil pack, the system carries less moving mass than a standard MM and roughly comparable mass to many MC designs, which is what gives Grado cartridges their characteristic speed and transient detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe practical advantage is loading simplicity. Both high-output and low-output Timbre cartridges present an inductive load that any moving magnet phono stage can drive (high-output versions) or that any MC-capable stage can handle (low-output versions). There is no compromise on cartridge loading, no need for step-up transformers on the high-output models, and no exotic phono stage requirement. The flux-bridger architecture also makes Grado cartridges relatively tolerant of capacitance variation in the tonearm cable, which simplifies setup compared to some MM designs that depend on precise capacitive loading to flatten their response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eOCC Copper Coil Wire\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Timbre Series uses oxygen-free continuous-cast copper for the generator coil wire, the same OCC copper specification used across the entire \/4 generation. Continuous-cast copper is drawn through a heated mold in a single, unbroken process, producing long crystal grains aligned with the wire's length. The result is a wire with fewer grain boundaries per inch than conventional oxygen-free copper, which translates into more consistent electrical behavior across the audio band and improved channel-to-channel matching when paired coils are wound from the same batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoil wire matters more in moving iron designs than it does in many MM cartridges because the generator's output is directly tied to the coil's electrical characteristics. Grado specifies OCC across every Timbre model precisely because consistency at the coil is one of the cleanest ways to lock in repeatable performance unit to unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eHigh-Output, Low-Output, Stereo, Mono\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Timbre cartridge ships in four configurations: high-output stereo (4.0mV), low-output stereo (1.0mV), high-output mono, and low-output mono. The high-output 4.0mV version pairs with any standard MM phono input, the same input that handles the vast majority of installed phono stages. The 1.0mV low-output version is intended for MC-capable phono stages or step-up transformers; the lower output trades some absolute gain for a potentially quieter noise floor and (depending on the phono stage's MC topology) more headroom on dynamic passages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mono configurations are true mono generators with the coils summed at the cartridge, not a stereo cartridge with a mono switch in the preamp. For collectors with significant pre-1958 mono LPs, a true mono cartridge eliminates vertical groove noise that a stereo pickup will reproduce as rumble or surface hash, and it improves apparent resolution on the playback of mono pressings. The mono variants are marked Special Order and No Returns, consistent with how most cartridge manufacturers handle true-mono SKUs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eTracking Force and Compliance\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll five Timbre models share the same tracking-force window of 1.6 to 1.9 grams, with most installations dialing in at 1.75 grams as a starting point. Compliance is specified at 20 µm\/mN, which places the Timbre Series squarely in the medium-compliance range that pairs comfortably with most modern tonearms. Effective mass between 9 and 14 grams at the headshell is the sweet spot. Cartridge weight runs 9 grams across the aluminum-cantilever models (Opus4 through Sonata4) and steps up to 10 grams on the Master4 and Reference4, so headshell weight is the main variable to balance during arm matching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor VTA, start parallel to the record surface and adjust by ear once break-in is past the first 20 to 30 hours. Cartridges in this category typically need that early use time before the suspension settles into its working stiffness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Opus4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAluminum (3-Piece OTL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV (High Output) \/ 1.0mV (Low Output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOCC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eNorth American Maple Wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.6 - 1.9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e9 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfigurations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHigh-Output Stereo, High-Output Mono, Low-Output Stereo, Low-Output Mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"High-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681461538912,"sku":"GRADOPUS4HOST","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"High-Output Mono","offer_id":42681461571680,"sku":"GRADOPUS4HOMO","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Stereo","offer_id":42681461604448,"sku":"GRADOPUS4LOST","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Low-Output Mono","offer_id":42681461637216,"sku":"GRADOPUS4LOMO","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-opus4-hero.jpg?v=1775507518"},{"product_id":"grado-gold4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Gold4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Gold4 is the top model in Grado's Prestige Series, pairing an elliptical diamond stylus with the most refined flux-bridger generator and coil winding in the Prestige lineup. It represents the best Grado offers in a standard-mount cartridge with a user-replaceable stylus, and serves as the natural stepping stone for listeners who want to hear Grado's moving iron technology before committing to the wood-bodied \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-timbre-cartridges\"\u003eTimbre Series\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Gold4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e User-replaceable, dual-radius contact profile for balanced tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented design, with the tightest component grading in the Prestige Series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOFC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free copper windings, hand-wound at Grado's Brooklyn facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e4.0mV Output:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard moving magnet level, compatible with any MM phono input.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUser-Replaceable Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snap-in stylus assembly for easy replacement without sending the cartridge in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1\/2\" Mount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fits any standard headshell or tonearm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/gold4-inline-01.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Gold4 phono cartridge\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. The company was founded by Joseph Grado, and four generations of the Grado family have since refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while keeping the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is still assembled, tested, and voiced in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph first began his work over seven decades ago. Nothing about the operation has been outsourced, automated, or moved offshore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003ePrestige Series Hierarchy\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/gold4-inline-02.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Gold4 cartridge detail\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three Prestige cartridges share the same body, stylus type, and flux-bridger generator. The difference between the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-green4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGreen4\u003c\/a\u003e ($140), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-red4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eRed4\u003c\/a\u003e ($190), and Gold4 ($260) is in component selection and grading tolerances during hand-assembly in Brooklyn. The Gold4 receives the tightest tolerancing in the series, resulting in wider channel separation, lower distortion, and more refined frequency extension. All three use user-replaceable styli, so upgrading from Green4 to Gold4 later is as simple as swapping the stylus assembly. No need to send the cartridge in, no need to change loading on your phono stage, no need to alter tracking force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eWhy Flux-Bridger Matters\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado's flux-bridger generator pairs the low moving mass associated with moving coil cartridges with the 4.0mV output and standard MM loading of a moving magnet. The Gold4 works straight into the phono input on any integrated amplifier, receiver, or basic phono preamp. No step-up transformer, no specialized loading, no MC-capable phono stage required. For listeners running a budget or mid-range phono stage who want moving-coil-class transient speed without the loading complications, this is the most refined option Grado makes in a standard-mount, user-stylus-replaceable cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eUpgrading from Prestige to Timbre\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gold4 is the natural last stop before the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-timbre-cartridges\"\u003eTimbre Series\u003c\/a\u003e. Moving to the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-opus4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eOpus4\u003c\/a\u003e ($300) gets you a wood housing (North American Maple), OCC copper coils (vs. OFC), a three-piece OTL cantilever, and four output configurations to match any phono stage. The Timbre styli are not user-replaceable, but Grado offers a trade-in program for their wood-bodied cartridges so you're never stuck when the diamond wears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Gold4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond (User-Replaceable)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAluminum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOFC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003ePolymer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.5 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e5.5 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42681461669984,"sku":"GRADGOLD4","price":260.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-gold4-amazon-front.jpg?v=1775506997"},{"product_id":"grado-red4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Red4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Red4 is the mid-range model in Grado's Prestige Series, offering tighter component grading than the entry-level Green4. Like all Grado cartridges, the Red4 uses the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator, which provides the transient speed of moving coil designs with standard moving magnet output levels. It's a plug-and-play upgrade for any turntable with a standard 1\/2\" mount headshell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Red4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e User-replaceable, dual-radius contact profile for balanced tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented design, with mid-tier component grading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOFC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free copper windings, hand-wound at Grado's Brooklyn facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e4.0mV Output:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard moving magnet level, compatible with any MM phono input.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUser-Replaceable Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snap-in stylus assembly for easy replacement or upgrade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1\/2\" Mount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fits any standard headshell or tonearm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/red4-inline-01.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Red4 phono cartridge\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. The company was founded by Joseph Grado, and four generations of the Grado family have since refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while keeping the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is still assembled, tested, and voiced in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph first began his work over seven decades ago. Nothing about the operation has been outsourced, automated, or moved offshore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eWhy Flux-Bridger Matters\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado's flux-bridger generator pairs the low moving mass associated with moving coil cartridges with the 4.0mV output and standard MM loading of a moving magnet. That means the Red4 works straight into the phono input on any integrated amplifier, receiver, or basic phono preamp. No step-up transformer, no specialized loading, no MC-capable phono stage required. Plug it in, set tracking force to 1.5 grams, and the rest of the system can stay as it is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003ePrestige Series Grading\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/red4-inline-02.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Red4 cartridge detail\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red4 shares its body, stylus type, generator design, and coil material with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-green4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGreen4\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-gold4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGold4\u003c\/a\u003e. The difference is in how tightly components are matched during hand-assembly in Brooklyn. The Red4's mid-tier grading produces measurable improvements in channel separation and distortion over the Green4, while the Gold4 pushes tolerancing further still. All three accept the same replacement styli, so you can upgrade from Red4 to Gold4-level performance with just a stylus swap, no cartridge return required. When you've outgrown the Prestige Series, the wood-bodied \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-timbre-cartridges\"\u003eTimbre Series\u003c\/a\u003e adds a wood housing and OCC copper coils with a three-piece OTL aluminum cantilever. The Gold4 is the natural last stop in Prestige before that jump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Red4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond (User-Replaceable)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAluminum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOFC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003ePolymer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.5 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e5.5 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42681461702752,"sku":"GRADRED4","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-red4-amazon-front.jpg?v=1775506996"},{"product_id":"grado-green4-phono-cartridge","title":"Grado Green4 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Green4 is the entry point to Grado's cartridge lineup, delivering the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron technology in a standard-mount design. It outputs 4.0mV into any standard moving magnet phono input, tracks at 1.5 grams, and weighs 5.5 grams, making it compatible with virtually any medium-compliance tonearm. If you're buying your first quality cartridge or upgrading from whatever came bundled with your turntable, the Green4 is where Grado starts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Green4\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElliptical Diamond Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e User-replaceable, dual-radius contact profile for balanced tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grado's patented design, the same core technology used in their $9,995 flagship.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOFC Copper Coils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxygen-free copper windings, hand-wound at Grado's Brooklyn facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e4.0mV Output:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard moving magnet level, compatible with any MM phono input.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUser-Replaceable Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snap-in stylus assembly for easy replacement or upgrade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1\/2\" Mount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fits any standard headshell or tonearm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, NY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembled and voiced at Grado's Sunset Park facility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Grado Labs\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/green4-inline-01.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Green4 phono cartridge\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado Labs has been building phono cartridges and headphones by hand in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. The company was founded by Joseph Grado, and four generations of the Grado family have since refined the company's patented flux-bridger moving iron generator system, which delivers the speed and detail retrieval associated with moving coil designs while keeping the higher output and simpler loading requirements of moving magnet cartridges. Every Grado cartridge is hand-assembled in the same Sunset Park facility where Joseph first began his work over seven decades ago, then tested and voiced before it ships. Nothing about the operation has been outsourced, automated, or moved offshore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eWhy Flux-Bridger Matters\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado's flux-bridger generator is the technology that separates the Green4 (and every other Grado cartridge) from conventional moving magnet and moving coil designs. It pairs the low moving mass associated with moving coil cartridges with the 4.0mV output and standard MM loading of a moving magnet, so the Green4 works straight into the phono input on any integrated amplifier, receiver, or basic phono preamp. No step-up transformer, no specialized loading, no MC-capable phono stage required. Plug it in, set tracking force to 1.5 grams, and play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Upgrade Path\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/green4-inline-02.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Green4 cartridge detail\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three Prestige cartridges share the same body and the same flux-bridger generator with OFC copper coils. The Green4 sits at the entry of the series. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-red4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eRed4\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-gold4-phono-cartridge\"\u003eGold4\u003c\/a\u003e step up with tighter grading tolerances during hand-assembly. Tighter tolerances translate to wider channel separation and lower distortion. Frequency response also gets more linear at the top of the line. Because all three accept the same replacement stylus assemblies, you can start with the Green4 and move up to Red4 or Gold4 performance later by swapping styli, without sending the cartridge in. The natural step beyond the Prestige Series is the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-timbre-cartridges\"\u003eTimbre Series\u003c\/a\u003e, which adds a wood housing and OCC copper coils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eGrado Green4 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eMoving Iron (Flux-Bridger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eElliptical Diamond (User-Replaceable)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCantilever\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eAluminum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Voltage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4.0mV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoil Wire\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOFC Copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBody Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003ePolymer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTracking Force\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e1.5 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCartridge Weight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e5.5 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e20 µm\/mN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMount\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eStandard ½\" Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eHand-built in Brooklyn, NY, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42681461735520,"sku":"GRADGREEN4","price":140.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-green4-amazon-front.jpg?v=1775506996"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/collections\/grado-epoch4-hero.jpg?v=1775509010","url":"https:\/\/listenroom.com\/collections\/grado.oembed","provider":"The Listening Room","version":"1.0","type":"link"}