Grado Labs
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Grado Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Grado Labs
- Legal name
- Grado Labs
- Website
- https://gradolabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Grado Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- High-End Audio Equipment
- SIC
- Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wired Headphones & Earphones (CRACANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wireless Headphones (Over‑Ear & On‑Ear) (CRACANAB), Hearables (True Wireless Earbuds & Smart Headphones) (CRACAIAD), Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF), Studio / Pro Monitoring Headphones & Reference Speakers (CRACANAK)
Keywords
Where Grado Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Grado Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Headphone Sales: Grado Labs generates primary revenue through selling headphones across multiple product lines: Signature ($995-$2,495), Classic ($125-$1,995), Prestige ($125-$350), Reference ($550), and Wireless ($275). All wired headphones are hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY.
- Phono Cartridge Sales: Secondary revenue stream from phono cartridges across Lineage ($3,500-$9,995), Timbre ($300-$1,500), Prestige ($140-$260), and Specialty ($200) series. Built using proprietary moving iron design.
- Accessories and Replacement Parts: Sales of headphone cushions ($9-$60), detachable cables ($220), extension/adapter cables ($25-$99), cases ($19.95-$59.95), headphone stands ($199), wood storage boxes ($165), and replacement parts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Prestige Series - Entry-level headphones ($125-$350) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reference Series - Mid-range audiophile headphones ($550) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Classic Series - Premium headphones ($495-$1,995) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Signature Series - Flagship headphones ($995-$2,495) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wireless Series - Wireless headphones ($275) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Timbre Cartridge Series - Premium phono cartridges ($300-$1,500) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lineage Cartridge Series - Flagship phono cartridges ($3,500-$9,995) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Prestige Cartridge Series - Entry-level phono cartridges ($140-$260) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Grado Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Grado Labs manufactures and sells premium hand-assembled headphones (across Signature, Classic, Wireless, Reference, and Prestige lines, priced $125–$2,495) and phono cartridges (Lineage, Timbre, Prestige, and Specialty series, priced $140–$9,995), along with replacement cushions, cables, cases, and stands. All wired headphones are hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY, with proprietary moving iron cartridge designs and wood acoustic housings.
Product overview
Grado Labs is a family-owned American company (Brooklyn, NY) producing audio products since 1953, inventor of the moving coil stereo phono cartridge. The product portfolio consists of two core categories: headphones (organized into Signature, Classic, Wireless, Reference, and Prestige lines) and phono cartridges (Lineage, Timbre, Prestige, and Specialty series), plus accessories including cushions, cables, cases, and stands. Signature Line represents the premium tier with detachable cables and new industrial design. Classic and Prestige lines offer wired headphones at various price points from $125 to $1,995. Wireless products include Bluetooth headphones and true wireless earbuds. Cartridges range from entry-level Prestige ($140-$260) through Timbre ($300-$1,500) to flagship Lineage ($3,500-$9,995). The company emphasizes hand-assembly in Brooklyn, wood as an acoustic material, and proprietary moving iron cartridge design.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Signature Line Headphones Premium flagship headphone line featuring detachable cables, updated industrial design, and proprietary S2 dynamic drivers. Includes HP100 SE, S950, S750, and S550 models aimed at audiophile consumers.
- Classic Series Headphones Foundation headphone lineup built around Grado's X2 driver platform prioritizing musical engagement and clarity. Models range from SR60 ($125) to flagship GS3000 ($1,995), including wood-housed Hemp, RS1, GS1000, and GS3000.
- Prestige X Series Headphones
Quantifiable outcome
- 80+ years in business as a family-owned company
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Grado Labs
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Grado Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Grado Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Moon AudiocoreNorth Carolina-based authorized dealer and audio equipment retailer specializing in high-end audio products. Featured at Florida International Audio Expo for Grado product demonstrations.
- Turntable LabcoreBrooklyn-based authorized dealer specializing in turntables, cartridges, and audiophile equipment. Located in same city as Grado headquarters.
- Audio AdvisorminorUS-based authorized dealer for Grado products.
- Music DirectminorUS-based authorized dealer with locations in Chicago.
- Upscale AudiominorCalifornia-based authorized dealer specializing in high-end audio equipment.
- Armour Home ElectronicscoreUK-based distributor covering United Kingdom and Ireland markets for Grado products.
- ANRUNcoreChina and Hong Kong-based authorized distributor for Asian markets.
- CanJam NYCminorAudio industry trade show where Grado demonstrates new products including Signature S950 and HP100 SE at Booth E11.
- Florida International Audio ExpominorAudio industry trade show featuring Grado product demonstrations through Moon Audio in Suite 350.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Grado Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shure: American audio company offering audiophile headphones (SRH1540, KSE1500) and historically strong in phono cartridges, with comparable premium positioning and brand recognition among audio enthusiasts.
- Audio-Technica: Japanese audio equipment manufacturer offering both audiophile headphones (ATH-R70x, ATH-AWKT) and a comprehensive line of phono cartridges, making it a direct competitor across both of Grado's core product categories.
- HiFiMan: US-headquartered planar magnetic headphone maker serving the same high-end audiophile market as Grado, with comparable flagship pricing (Sundara, Susvara) and a focus on critical listening.
- Focal: French premium audio maker with high-end audiophile headphones (Utopia, Stellia) priced comparably to Grado's Signature line, competing for the same discerning customer segment.
- Sennheiser: German premium headphone and pro-audio maker offering high-end audiophile headphones (HD 800 series) at price points comparable to Grado's Signature line, with an overlapping customer base among critical listening enthusiasts.
- Ortofon: Danish phono cartridge specialist with a comparable tiered lineup (Concorde, 2M, Quintet, Cadenza, MC Windfeld) covering entry-level to flagship, directly competing with Grado's Prestige, Timbre, and Lineage cartridge series.
- Koss: American heritage headphone maker founded in 1958 with audiophile-focused products (KSC75, Pro4S, ESP/95X) and a similar family-influenced brand history, making it a direct US-based peer in both heritage and market positioning.
- Audeze: California-based premium planar magnetic headphone maker competing directly with Grado in the high-end audiophile segment, with similar price points and a focus on studio and audiophile customers.
- Beyerdynamic: German premium headphone maker (T1, DT 1990 PRO) with an overlapping audiophile and studio customer base, offering open-back designs at price points similar to Grado's Reference and Signature series.
Broad incumbents
- Sony: Global consumer electronics giant offering audiophile headphones (MDR-Z1R, IER-Z1R) as part of a much broader portfolio, competing for premium audiophile mindshare with significantly larger R&D and marketing resources.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Grado Labs social profiles
Digital presenceGrado Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Grado Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Grado Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Grado Labs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Grado Labs
What does Grado Labs do?
Grado Labs manufactures and sells premium hand-assembled headphones (across Signature, Classic, Wireless, Reference, and Prestige lines, priced $125–$2,495) and phono cartridges (Lineage, Timbre, Prestige, and Specialty series, priced $140–$9,995), along with replacement cushions, cables, cases, and stands. All wired headphones are hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY, with proprietary moving iron cartridge designs and wood acoustic housings.
Is Grado Labs a public or private company?
Grado Labs is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Grado Labs founded?
Grado Labs was founded in 1953. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Grado Labs based?
Grado Labs is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Grado Labs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Headphone Sales are the primary driver. The others are phono Cartridge Sales and accessories and Replacement Parts.
Who are Grado Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shure, Audio-Technica, HiFiMan, Focal, Sennheiser, Ortofon, Koss, Audeze and Beyerdynamic. Sony is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Grado Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Grado Labs.
What industry is Grado Labs in?
Grado Labs's product category is High-End Audio Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACANAC, Wired Headphones & Earphones, with a secondary code of CRACANAB, Wireless Headphones (Over‑Ear & On‑Ear). Its SIC code is 3670.