{"product_id":"grado-signature-s550-open-back-headphones","title":"Grado Signature S550 Open-Back Headphones","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Signature S550 is the way into the Signature Line, and it is the wood one. Its 50mm S2 driver is tuned specifically to a housing made entirely from Brazilian Walnut, rather than a generic voicing dropped into whatever shell was available. At 335 grams it is the lightest headphone in the line, and its Signature Silver cable detaches at each cup through a four-pin mini XLR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features of the Grado Signature S550\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e50mm S2 Driver:\u003c\/b\u003e Tuned specifically for the all-wood enclosure it sits in, rather than carried over unchanged from a metal-bodied model.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAll Brazilian Walnut Housing:\u003c\/b\u003e Crafted entirely from walnut, individually made, so the grain differs on every pair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e335 Grams:\u003c\/b\u003e The lightest headphone in the Signature Line, on the narrower leather headband strap shared with the S750.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSignature Silver Detachable Cable:\u003c\/b\u003e Terminated in a 3.5mm mini plug with a 6.3mm adapter supplied, connecting to each cup through a four-pin balanced mini XLR.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e112 dB at 1mW:\u003c\/b\u003e Against a 38 ohm nominal load, which a phone or a laptop headphone jack drives to full volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e6Hz to 44kHz Quoted Response:\u003c\/b\u003e With distortion held below 0.2 percent at 100 dB.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e0.05 dB Driver Matching:\u003c\/b\u003e The two channels track within 0.05 dB of each other.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eB Cushions, and the Rest of the Range Fits:\u003c\/b\u003e Ships on the B cushion and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-accessories\"\u003eremains compatible with Grado's S, F, L and G cushions\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAssembled in Brooklyn, New York:\u003c\/b\u003e Built at Grado's own headquarters like every other model in the line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eA Driver Tuned to Its Own Housing\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe S550 runs Grado's 50mm S2 dynamic driver, and the interesting decision is what Grado did not do with it. Rather than chase a new driver architecture for a new price point, it took the S2 and optimized the interaction between that driver and the acoustic properties of an all-wood enclosure. The housing is part of the tuning, not a container for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado's description of the result is warmer and more forgiving, while still fast, detailed and spatially open. That is a specific claim about where this model sits: the Signature Line's other entry, the S750, uses the same S2 driver in aluminum, and the two sound different because the housings do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-s550-inline-01.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Signature S550 open-back headphones, front view of both Brazilian Walnut earcups with the Grado badge on each grille\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWhy Brazilian Walnut\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe S550's housings are crafted entirely from Brazilian Walnut, continuing a use of wood as an acoustic material that runs back decades at Grado. Walnut is valued for two separate things: its tonal character, and its structural stability. Its density is what Grado credits for the fuller, more balanced presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStability matters more than it sounds. Wood that expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes its acoustic behaviour with the weather; walnut moves very little, which is what holds the performance consistent over time. Each housing is individually made, and the natural grain variation means no two pairs are exactly alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-s550-inline-02.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Signature S550 open-back headphones, cups turned to show both B cushions and the walnut housings\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Detachable Cable and What Comes in the Box\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe S550 ships with Grado's Signature Silver detachable cable, designed to be lighter, softer and more flexible than Grado's older fixed cables. At the source end it is a 3.5mm mini plug, and a 6.3mm adapter is supplied, so it works with a phone and with a full-size headphone amplifier out of the same box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach housing terminates in a four-pin balanced mini XLR, the connector shared across the Signature Line. Alternative lengths and balanced terminations are built by Grado against that same socket, which means going balanced later is a cable purchase rather than a different headphone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-s550-inline-03.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Signature S550 open-back headphones, three-quarter view with the detachable cable at the cup\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eB Cushions, and Every Other Grado Cushion\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe S550 comes standard on Grado's B cushion: a flat surface that distributes pressure evenly across the ear, a smaller interior opening that adjusts the acoustic balance, and eight engineered slits that let air move through. Grado's stated aim for it is a wider stage without losing detail, on a pad that stays comfortable for hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also not the only option. The S550 is compatible with Grado's S, F, L and G cushions, each of which changes the driver-to-ear distance and with it the tonal balance and the spatial character. On a Grado the cushion is an adjustment you make, not a part that eventually wears out and gets replaced with the same thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-s550-inline-04.jpg\" alt=\"Grado Signature S550 cable, 3.5mm plug alongside the gold 6.3mm screw-on adapter\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:1000px;height:auto;border-radius:12px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eFit and the Signature Headband\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe S550 uses the Signature headband assembly, in the narrower leather strap the S750 also carries. Inside the leather is a flexible metal support, and the fit is adjusted by gently bending it: clamping pressure is set by hand to your own head rather than by a mechanism, which is how every Grado has worked for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hardware around it is built for the long term. Engraved metal gimbals, stainless steel height rods and reinforced junction blocks give the assembly its stability, and housing rotation is deliberately limited to reduce wear at the moving joints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n.tlr-cmp{margin:18px 0 6px;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-sub{color:#6b6b68;font-size:13.5px;margin:0 0 14px;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-row{border:1px solid #eee;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 14px;margin:8px 0;cursor:pointer;transition:border-color .2s ease;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-row:hover{border-color:#d9c6b3;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-cur{background:#f7f1ec;border:1px solid #ecdcca;border-left:3px solid #a3704d;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-cur:hover{border-left-color:#a3704d;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-name{font-weight:700;color:#2a2b2a;font-size:15px;}\n.tlr-cmp a{text-decoration:none!important;opacity:1!important;color:#2a2b2a;padding-bottom:2px;\n  background-image:linear-gradient(#a3704d,#a3704d),linear-gradient(#cbb9a6,#cbb9a6);\n  background-position:left 100%,left 100%;background-size:0% 2px,100% 1px;background-repeat:no-repeat;\n  transition:background-size .35s ease;}\n.tlr-cmp a:hover{opacity:1!important;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-row:hover .cmp-name a,.tlr-cmp .cmp-name a:hover{background-size:100% 2px,100% 1px;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-youre{font-size:10px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#9a8e74;font-weight:700;margin-left:7px;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-price{color:#a3704d;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;margin:2px 0 3px;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-diff{color:#555;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-verdict{margin:16px 0 4px;font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.5;color:#2a2b2a;}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-verdict a{color:#a3704d;font-weight:700;\n  background-image:linear-gradient(#a3704d,#a3704d),linear-gradient(#d8c3ac,#d8c3ac);}\n.tlr-cmp .cmp-verdict a:hover{background-size:100% 2px,100% 1px;}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWhere the Grado Signature S550 fits in the Grado Signature Line\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tlr-cmp\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"cmp-sub\"\u003eThe Signature Line, priced low to high. Grado also builds the hard-wired Classic Series and the wireless GW100x.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-row cmp-cur\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-name\"\u003eGrado Signature S550 \u003cspan class=\"cmp-youre\"\u003eYou're viewing\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-price\"\u003e$995\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-diff\"\u003eThe entry to the Signature Line. The 50mm S2 driver tuned to a housing made entirely from Brazilian Walnut, 335 grams, on the Signature Silver detachable cable with a 3.5mm plug and a 6.3mm adapter in the box. Quoted 6Hz to 44kHz at 112 dB. B cushions.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-name\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-signature-s750-open-back-headphones\"\u003eGrado Signature S750\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-price\"\u003e$1695\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-diff\"\u003eThe same 50mm S2 driver in an all-aluminum housing at 460 grams, on the Signature Gold detachable cable with a 6.3mm plug. Quoted wider and louder at 4Hz to 48kHz and 115 dB. B cushions.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-name\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-signature-s950-open-back-headphones\"\u003eGrado Signature S950\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-price\"\u003e$2195\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-diff\"\u003eSteps up to the 52mm S driver, a paper composite cone on a high-flux rare earth magnetic circuit, in a Brazilian Walnut housing at 395 grams. Quoted 3.5Hz to 51.5kHz at 117 dB with distortion under 0.1 percent. G and F cushions both supplied.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-name\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/grado-signature-hp100-se-open-back-headphones\"\u003eGrado Signature HP100 SE\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-price\"\u003e$2495\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmp-diff\"\u003eThe same 52mm driver in a precision-machined aluminum housing with the model name engraved on the face, which Grado describes as the more analytical of the two. The model that introduced the detachable cable to the range. G and F cushions both supplied.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"cmp-verdict\"\u003eThe Signature Line is where the detachable cable and the largest drivers live. Stepping up the line buys driver size and lower distortion, and swaps the housing between Brazilian Walnut and machined aluminum, which is the choice Grado frames as warmth against analysis. Browse the range in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado-headphones\"\u003eGrado Headphones\u003c\/a\u003e, or see the cartridges in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grado\"\u003eGrado\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\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 Signature S550 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\u003eTransducer Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eDynamic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOperating Principle\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eOpen air\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDriver Size\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e50mm S2\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%;\"\u003e6Hz - 44kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHD\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eBelow 0.2% at 100 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSPL at 1mW\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e112 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNominal Impedance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e38 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDriver Matching\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e0.05 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e335 g (without cable)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHousing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eBrazilian Walnut, individually made\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeadband\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eSignature assembly, narrower leather strap, engraved metal gimbals, stainless steel height rods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCushions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eB cushions (compatible with S, F, L and G)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCable\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eSignature Silver detachable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeadphone Connection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e4-pin balanced mini XLR per cup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSource Connection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003e3.5mm with 6.3mm adapter supplied\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:12px;width:34%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAssembly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:12px;width:66%;\"\u003eBrooklyn, New York\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43121917526112,"sku":"GRADS550","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/grado-s550-side-hero.jpg?v=1788536613","url":"https:\/\/listenroom.com\/products\/grado-signature-s550-open-back-headphones","provider":"The Listening Room","version":"1.0","type":"link"}