Grado Labs has introduced the Grado X2 driver platform in its Classic Series headphones, representing refined tuning drawn from decades of listening and customer feedback. This is not a minor tweak—it is a fundamental reimagining of models that audiophiles have relied on for years, now paired with refreshed cables, headbands, and premium materials like Brazilian walnut. At the same time, Grado is expanding downmarket with the Signature S550, which brings the same high-end driver technology to a price point that undercuts the company’s own pricier models.
Key Takeaways
- Grado X2 driver upgrades beloved Prestige Series models including the SR80x and RS2e with refined tuning and new materials.
- Signature S950 premium open-back headphones feature upgraded drivers, Brazilian walnut earcups, and 50% more headband padding at £2495/$2195.
- Signature S550 delivers the same 50mm S2 dynamic driver as the pricier S750, launching at $995/£995 with 4-pin balanced connectors.
- Reference Series models like RS2x combine maple and hemp wood construction with 14-28,000 Hz frequency response and 99.8 dB SPL at 1mW.
- Detachable cable ecosystem expanding with 4-pin balanced XLR and 4.4mm termination options for future flexibility.
What the Grado X2 driver actually changes
The Grado X2 driver represents a departure from incremental updates. Rather than simply swapping in new transducers, Grado has rethought the driver platform itself—tuning it through the lens of what listeners have told the company over decades. The upgrades touch every part of the chain: the drivers themselves, the cables, the headbands, and the materials that shape how sound resonates through the earcups. Prestige Series models like the SR80x and RS2e, which have been favorites for two decades, now receive this refresh. These are headphones that users have held onto for 20+ years; the question is whether the upgrade justifies replacing them.
The Reference Series RS2x exemplifies the engineering shift. Grado paired maple with hemp wood construction—an unusual combination that the company describes as exploring “new territory” for the Reference Series. The driver itself delivers a frequency response of 14-28,000 Hz with 99.8 dB SPL at 1mW and 38 ohms impedance, matched to 0.05 dB across units. These are not marketing numbers; they are engineering tolerances that matter for consistency when you are paying premium prices.
Signature S550 challenges Grado’s own pricing logic
The real news is the Signature S550, launching at $995/£995. This model uses the same 50mm S2 dynamic driver found in the pricier Signature S750, meaning Grado has essentially halved the price without cutting the core transducer. The S550 features Brazilian walnut earcups tuned for an all-wood enclosure, 4-pin balanced mini XLR connectors, and an included cable with 3.5mm mini plug and 6.3mm adapter. For comparison, the Signature S950 costs £2495/$2195 and adds Brazilian walnut construction, a headband with 50% more padding, stainless-steel band reinforcement, and a 6-foot cable with 6.3mm connector and 4-pin balanced mini XLR plugs. The S950 also promises future detachable cable options including 4-pin balanced XLR and 4.4mm terminations.
The S550 undercuts not just Grado’s own lineup but also competitors offering similar open-back driver technology. Wood earcups from brands like Sivga Oriole, FiiO FT1, and Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG promote warmth and clarity through natural resonance. Grado’s advantage is decades of tuning expertise and a driver matched to its enclosure design. Whether that justifies the S550’s price over cheaper alternatives depends on whether you value the Grado house sound—detailed, lively, and uncolored—or prefer the warmer signatures that some competitors emphasize.
The cable ecosystem matters more than it sounds
Grado is quietly building a detachable cable ecosystem that addresses a long-standing frustration with high-end wired headphones. The Signature S950 and S550 both ship with balanced connectors—mini XLR on the S950, mini XLR on the S550—and Grado is committing to future options including full-size 4-pin balanced XLR and 4.4mm terminations. This matters because balanced cables reduce noise and allow users to match their headphones to different amplifiers and DACs without buying entirely new headphones. It is a small detail that separates headphones designed for long-term ownership from disposable fashion items.
The Grado X2 driver refresh also includes refreshed cables and headbands across the Classic Series. Headbands are where cheap headphones fail first—they crack, they stretch, they become uncomfortable. Grado’s emphasis on padding and materials suggests the company understands that comfort is not a luxury feature; it is a prerequisite for actually using the headphones.
Should you upgrade from older Grado models?
If you own a Prestige Series model like the SR80x or RS2e, the Grado X2 driver upgrade is worth considering if your headphones are showing age—worn cables, stretched headbands, or driver issues. The refined tuning and premium materials justify the refresh for daily users. However, if your headphones still sound good and feel comfortable, there is no urgency. Grado’s own advice acknowledges this: some users have held the original Prestige models for 20+ years without needing replacement.
The Signature S550 is the more compelling story. At $995/£995, it delivers high-end driver technology without the premium price tag of the S950. If you are new to open-back headphones or upgrading from closed-back models, the S550 offers a genuine entry point to Grado’s sound character. The trade-off is simpler aesthetics and fewer cable options at launch, but the core driver and tuning are identical to the pricier S750.
Are Grado X2 driver headphones worth the price?
Yes, if you value consistency, build quality, and a tuning philosophy that prioritizes detail over bass boost. Grado’s house sound is not for everyone—it rewards good recordings and punishes poorly mastered tracks. But for classical, jazz, and acoustic music, the Grado X2 driver delivers clarity that closed-back and bass-heavy alternatives cannot match. The Signature S550 especially offers strong value at its price point.
Can you use Grado headphones with any amplifier?
Yes. Grado headphones work with any audio source—smartphone, laptop, dedicated DAC, tube amplifier. The 38-ohm impedance of Reference Series models like the RS2x is low enough that even portable devices can drive them adequately. Balanced connectors on the Signature S950 and S550 simply reduce noise when paired with balanced amplifiers, but unbalanced single-ended use works fine.
What is the difference between the Signature S550 and S750?
Both models use the same 50mm S2 dynamic driver tuned for Brazilian walnut earcups. The S750 likely includes premium headband materials, additional cable options, or cosmetic refinements that justify the higher price. However, the core transducer and tuning are shared, making the S550 an exceptional value for listeners who prioritize driver performance over premium aesthetics.
Grado’s Grado X2 driver refresh signals that the company remains committed to wired audio at a moment when wireless dominates the market. The Signature S550 proves that premium sound does not require premium pricing, while the RS2x and Signature S950 cater to listeners willing to invest in materials and tuning refinement. Whether you choose the entry-level refresh or the flagship experience, Grado is betting that some listeners still value detail, consistency, and the ability to hold onto their headphones for decades. In a world of disposable audio, that is a genuinely contrarian stance.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: What Hi-Fi?
