As anticipated since its October announcement, Grado Labs has officially commenced U.S. shipments of the Signature S750, the third and most accessible model in its rapidly expanding Signature Line. Priced at $1,695, the S750 arrives as a compelling evolution of Grado’s house sound, introducing an all-new driver architecture and the brand’s innovative “B” cushion design while preserving the Brooklyn-made craftsmanship that has defined the company for over seven decades.
Positioned below the flagship HP100 SE and the wood-housed S950, the S750 serves as the entry point to Grado’s premium Signature collection—yet it compromises nothing in terms of engineering ambition. Early adopters who pre-ordered in October are now receiving units, with stock appearing at authorized dealers and directly from Grado’s website.
The Heart of the S750: The Ground-Up S2 Driver
At its core beats Grado’s newly developed S2 50mm dynamic driver, engineered entirely in-house. The transducer pairs a carbon fiber and paper composite diaphragm with a lightweight copper-plated aluminum voice coil, delivering what Grado describes as a “natural musical presentation” characterized by exceptional definition, wide dynamic range, and an effortlessly engaging character.
With a frequency response extending from 6 Hz to 46 kHz (some measurements suggest even lower), an impressively high sensitivity of 115 dB @ 1 mW, and distortion below 0.2% at 100 dB, the S750 promises class-leading transparency and headroom. Drivers are matched to within 0.05 dB, ensuring perfect channel balance straight from the factory.
Introducing the Revolutionary B Cushion
Perhaps the most intriguing addition is Grado’s B cushion—a completely new earpad design making its debut on the S750. Unlike traditional Grado foam pads, the B cushion shortens the driver-to-ear distance, employs a smaller interior opening for refined acoustic tuning, and incorporates eight precision vent slits to expand perceived soundstage while improving airflow. The flat contact surface distributes pressure more evenly, dramatically reducing listener fatigue during extended sessions.
Grado emphasizes compatibility: the B cushion fits all current wired Grado models and will be sold separately, while owners can swap in classic F, G, L, or S cushions to tailor the sound signature to personal taste.
Premium Build and Modern Conveniences
The S750’s hand-machined all-aluminum housings contribute to a featherweight 460 grams—more than 10% lighter than the HP100 SE—while engraved gimbals, stainless-steel rods, and reinforced junction blocks ensure legendary Grado durability. The updated Signature Gold headband assembly adds 50% more padding beneath a narrower leather strap for all-day comfort.
Detachable cables, now a Signature Line hallmark, reach new heights with the Signature Gold braided cable: softer, lighter, and more flexible than before, terminating in a 6.3 mm plug and connecting via robust 4-pin mini-XLR sockets. Balanced and custom-length options are already in development.
Key Specifications at a Glance:
- Transducer: 50 mm dynamic (S2 carbon-fiber/paper composite)
- Operating Principle: Open-air
- Frequency Response: 6 Hz – 46 kHz
- Sensitivity: 115 dB @ 1 mW
- Impedance: 38 ohms
- THD: <0.2% @ 100 dB
- Driver Matching: 0.05 dB
- Weight: ~460 g
- Cable: Detachable Signature Gold (4-pin mini-XLR to 6.3 mm)
- Included: B cushions; 1-year full warranty (2-year limited on drivers/cables)
For purists who have long cherished Grado’s unapologetically forward, detailed presentation, the S750 represents a meaningful refinement rather than a radical departure. The combination of the new S2 driver and B cushion reportedly delivers a wider, more forgiving soundstage with smoother treble extension—addressing occasional criticisms of earlier models—while retaining the visceral midrange magic that has earned Grado its cult following.
With the Signature S750 now in customers’ hands, Grado Labs continues to prove that true high-end headphone performance remains very much alive in wired, open-back form. At $1,695, it stands as one of the most sophisticated “entry-level” flagship headphones money can buy.
