Grado’s walnut headphones look warm and inviting – and they’re tuned to sound that way too

If you’re on the hunt for some of the best headphones, have a healthy budget, and a passion for Brazilian walnut, Grado’s new Signature S550 open-back headphones might be worth a look.

While we have yet to take them for a spin ourselves, Grado states that the cans are aiming for a warmer take on the brand’s classic sound.

At the heart of the S550 sits a 50mm S2 dynamic driver, which Grado says has been specifically tuned to work with the acoustic properties of the wooden enclosure. Rather than designing an entirely new driver, the company focused on refining how the existing unit interacts with the housing.

The result, according to Grado, is a tuning that leans slightly warmer and more relaxed than some of its previous headphones, while still delivering the speed and detail the brand’s open-back designs are known for. The S550 is designed to offer a wide soundstage with precise imaging – the sort of presentation aimed at longer, fatigue-free listening sessions.

Like most of Grado’s headphones, the S550 uses an open-back design, allowing sound to pass through the earcups for a more spacious presentation – though it also means sound leaks in and out.

That means they’re definitely not the best choice for a commute or drowning out the noise of a busy office. But if you’ve got the luxury of time on your hands, an at-home listening session in a comfy chair with a wee dram or two of whisky is precisely where the S550 is likely to shine.

Design fans will also appreciate the fact that each walnut earcup is individually crafted, with unique grain patterns to make them stand out from the crowd. Grado says the density of walnut helps contribute to a fuller, more balanced sound, and that the wood is sourced with sustainability in mind.

Elsewhere, a welcome practical change comes in the form of detachable cables. Each earcup uses a 4-pin mini XLR connection, allowing the supplied Signature Silver cable to be swapped for alternatives. 

The included cable has a 3.5mm plug on one end, with a 6.3mm adapter bundled for use with traditional Hi-Fi gear. Additional cable options with balanced terminations will also be available, if needed, and the headphones themselves have a 38-ohm impedance rating, making them relatively easy to drive from most Hi-Fi gear.

Comfort tweaks are also part of the package. The S550 ships with Grado’s new B cushions, while remaining compatible with the company’s wider range of earpads if you want to tweak the fit – or subtly adjust the sound. 

The leather headband has a built-in flexible metal support for fine adjustments, while stainless-steel height rods and metal gimbals should help you dial in your ideal fit.

Interested? The Grado Signature S550 will begin shipping later in March with a price of $995 / £995.

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