The friction shaft mechanism for adjusting the headband is no less agricultural, although familiar in terms of Grado headphone designs. And while the detachable cable is somewhat more flexible than some of Grado’s older models, that’s not the same as saying it’s usefully flexible. If there’s a deliberately useless cable length throughout the headphones, I haven’t encountered it yet.
On the subject of cable: Grado offers 180cm of it with a 6.3mm end at the end. When you’re charging that kind of money for headphones, it’s not unusual to imagine that your customer might have a device that accepts a balanced connection. Why there isn’t an option for cables in the package is, frankly, beyond me. It’s something the vast majority of Grado’s competitors offer as a matter of course, and although the company’s website notes there are upcoming cable options “including a variety of lengths, as well as balanced terminations like 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm,” these have been “coming” for some time now, and will have a cost associated with them.
Photography: Simon Lucas
I am not in a position to doubt the effectiveness of the ‘B’ earbuds in terms of sound quality. After all, the Signature S750 sounds great, and Grado points out that the pad design is a contributing factor. However, what I feel qualified to say is that the rough-feeling foam of the ear cushions isn’t particularly comfortable, and that it retains and returns the wearer’s body heat with something approaching pleasant. “Premium” and “luxury” are not words that apply.
In the end, it depends on your priorities. There’s certainly no arguing with the way the Signature S750 sounds. It’s uncomplicatedly impressive and very interesting to listen to periodically, depending on the mix. But unless you’re one of those hi-fi purists from the past, and one of those listeners who somehow doesn’t believe that premium sound quality is valid unless there’s some suffering associated with it, there may be a lot of shortcomings to overlook when it comes to the Grados. Although “hand assembled in Brooklyn, USA”.