Grado's all-new S150 wired headphones are the most affordable in the
Signature Series and I spy a few subtle design tweaks that'll make them a huge hit

Date:
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Description:
When this Brooklyn-based family firm releases a set of cans, it's worth
giving them a moment of your time and I spy a winning formula here.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Grado's new S150 are the most affordable in the Signature Series Newly developed 44mm S driver derived from the firm's higher-end S950 $295 / 295 (which is around AU$420, taking the US figure as a guide) Regular readers (and anyone who adores audiophile-grade open-back wired headphones) will likely remember our largely glowing review
of the Grado Signature S750.

But, at $1,695 / 1,695 (about AU$3,400), it's fair to say those Signature Series cans are aimed at a very specific type of buyer. However, the new S150
billed as the "most accessible entry point into Grado's expanding and award-winning Signature Line" will set you back less than one fifth of that asking fee. And Grado assures us that you're still getting the Grado goods. It's all thanks to the S150's newly developed 44mm S driver, which is derived from the family-run firm's much higher-end HP100 SE (yours for a cool $2,495
/ 2,795, or in the region of AU$4,230) and Signature S950 headphones (which
go for $2,195 / 2,495 or about AU$4,900. And do remember that your audio-curious ears deserve the best your budget can stretch to). Latest
Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: I love Grado's aesthetic, but this toned-down set might have even broader appeal (Image credit: Grado)
Let's get into the slight style change, shall we? Grado calls the earpieces
an "all-new single-piece housing design", noting the "modernized Grado
styling with unmistakable identity". I say and I think a lot of people might agree I really like it. They're just slightly less brutalist than what we're used to aesthetically from Grado; see the high-end Hemp or the more
affordable SR80x for further reference.

The new driver (they're still open-back headphones; this is Grado we're talking about) incorporates a paper-composite diaphragm, based on the technology found in the larger 52mm S drivers from the HP100 SE and S950. So you're getting a smaller 44mm driver unit, but it uses the same tech that makes much pricier cans great. And I think it shows that Grados committed to distilling its expertise down to more accessible levels. You may like The
best wired headphones, all tested by TechRadar's audio experts Technics EAH-A1000 initial review: Technics just updated its superb EAH-A800 headphones, and I got them in advance here's my early verdict Audio-Technica just launched its first wireless open-back headphones

Also, despite that more palatable price point of $295 / 295 or equivalent,
you still get the detachable Signature Bronze cables (a standard perk within Grado's Signature Series) plus what Grado calls a "comfortably padded leather headband" for those long critical listening sessions.

The S150 features 3.5mm connections at each ear cup, and the included cable terminates in a 3.5mm plug at the source end, but is supplied with a 6.3mm adapter to provide compatibility with a wide range of the best portable audio players , headphone amplifiers, and assorted home audio kit. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Grado also tells us that the S150 can also be ordered with alternative cable terminations should you prefer, allowing listeners to select the connection that best suits their system.

Do I want to test them? Oh, you betcha I do. Watch this space The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones 1. Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6 2. Best mid-range: Bose QuietComfort Headphones 3. Best under $100/100: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 4. Best under $60/50: Soundcore Q30 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/headphones/grados-all-new-s150-wired-headphone s-are-the-most-affordable-in-the-signature-series-and-i-spy-a-few-subtle-desig n-tweaks-thatll-make-them-a-huge-hit


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)