Grado Labs, the Brooklyn-based headphone maker, introduces the Signature S750, the third model in its acclaimed Signature Line, following the HP100 SE and S950. The S750 features a new ground-up driver design and updated cushions, representing the first genuine addition to the premier lineup in years. While pricing positions it firmly in the high-end wired headphone market ($1,500–$2,500), the launch underscores Grado’s intent to capitalize on growing interest in luxury headphones without compromising its tradition of meticulous craftsmanship.
The first two models in the Signature Line—the HP100 SE and S950—have been slightly polarizing, with some longtime Grado fans bristling at the subtle tonal shift. But for those of us who spend time with a broad spectrum of high-end headphones daily, the upgrades are unmistakable: build quality has improved, comfort has taken a major leap, cables are now detachable, and the treble is smoother while resolution climbs to new heights. These changes make the Signature headphones more versatile and refined, proving Grado can evolve without losing its character.
Grado S750 Features All-New S2 Driver and Lightweight Brooklyn-Built Chassis
At the core of the S750 is Grado’s all-new S2 50mm driver, built from scratch to deliver a sound signature that’s just different enough to make purists squirm. The carbon-fiber-and-paper diaphragm combined with a copper-plated aluminum voice coil promises natural musicality, crisp definition, and solid dynamic range—essentially, all the details of the performance without any of the old familiar hand-holding.
The all-aluminum housing, handcrafted in Brooklyn, keeps the S750 rugged yet surprisingly light at 460 grams—more than 10% lighter than the HP100 SE—so you get the feel of a premium headphone without the sense that your skull is about to be dissected. Grado’s Signature Line has always been about durability and sonic precision; the S750 keeps that promise while tipping its hat to modern comfort and engineering.
Grado B Cushion: Comfort and Sound Reimagined for the S750
Grado’s B cushion makes its debut with the S750, offering a new take on comfort and acoustics that makes your old earpads feel like medieval torture devices. Standard on the S750 and available separately for other wired Grados, the B cushion shortens the gap between driver and ear and uses a smaller interior opening to subtly adjust the tonal balance.
Eight precisely cut slits manage airflow, opening the soundstage without letting detail leak out, while the flat surface spreads pressure evenly across the ear, sparing you from the “why is my head screaming after 20 minutes?” effect.
“The B cushion gives listeners another way to experience Grado headphones,” said Richard Grado, Chief Operating Officer at Grado Labs. “We’ve always engineered our drivers to achieve the best sound possible, but we understand that every listener enjoys a slightly different sound signature. With the S750, we’re giving users the flexibility to listen the way they want.”
S750 Upgrades Detachable Cable System for Flexibility and Durability
The S750 keeps Grado’s Signature tradition of detachable cables alive, first introduced with the HP100 SE, but now more refined than ever. It comes with a 6-foot cable ending in a 6.35mm single-ended plug. The Signature Gold braided design is softer, lighter, and tougher, with improved insulation that actually lets it bend without threatening your sanity.
Cables attach via a 4-pin balanced mini XLR, keeping doors open for future Grado options. Users can choose from a variety of lengths and balanced terminations like 4-pin XLR or 4.4mm, letting you customize your setup instead of getting stuck with the cable equivalent of medieval manacles.
Improved Comfort and Durability with Upgraded Headband Assembly
The S750 headband borrows from the Signature HP100 SE and S950 but adds a few subtle upgrades. Slightly narrower yet with 50% more padding than older Grados, it keeps your skull from filing a formal complaint during long listening sessions.
Built to last, the assembly features engraved aluminum alloy gimbals, stainless-steel height rods, and reinforced aluminum junction blocks. With a limited 105-degree rotation, the headband stays flexible without flopping around, cutting down on wear while keeping the headphones stable and rugged enough to survive daily use.
Grado S750: Technical Highlights and What They Mean for Listeners
The S750 is a dynamic, open-air headphone built for those who appreciate a wide, airy soundstage. Its 50mm S2 driver, precisely matched within 0.5 dB, covers an impressive 6 Hz to 46 kHz frequency range while keeping distortion extremely low, under 0.2% at 100 dB. With a nominal impedance of 38 ohms and a sensitivity of 115 dB per milliwatt, the S750 is not a particularly difficult headphone to drive, but based on our experience with the HP100 SE and S950, it definitely benefits from a more powerful source than your standard Grado.
Connections are handled via a detachable Signature Gold 12-conductor cable, terminating in a 4-pin mini XLR to interface with the headphones and a 6.3mm plug for the source. The new B cushion comes standard, combining comfort with subtle acoustic tuning, shortening the driver-to-ear distance while helping open up the soundstage. The S750’s combination of refined materials, precision engineering, and thoughtfully designed ergonomics ensures that both casual listeners and high-end headphone enthusiasts will appreciate the detail and build quality that the Signature Series has become known for.
The Bottom Line
The Grado S750 is a clear statement that the Brooklyn family business isn’t stuck in the past. With its newly engineered S2 driver, redesigned B cushion, upgraded detachable cable system, and refined headband assembly, it’s the most forward-looking model in the Signature Line to date. The build quality, comfort, and engineering are all noticeably improved, and for those who’ve wanted a more refined, less fatiguing Grado sound, the S750 looks like the right move.
That said, this kind of progress doesn’t come cheap. With a price north of $1,500, the S750 will appeal primarily to those willing to invest serious cash in a pair of high-end wired headphones. Grado is stepping into a ring already crowded with heavyweights like Meze Audio, Audeze, Dan Clark Audio, and HiFiMAN—brands that have spent years carving out this exact slice of the market. Whether the S750 can hold its own against that competition remains to be heard, but on paper, Grado’s latest effort looks like a serious contender.
For more information: gradolabs.com
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- Grado Signature HP100 SE Review: Does A World Class Headphone Grow In Brooklyn?
Anton
October 15, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Definitely warming up to the new Grado “house” sound but not in love with the look of these with the logo on the grille covers. Certainly not at this price.
I tried the S950 at CanJam SoCal and really liked them.