Grado Statement4 vs Opus4: Which Cartridge Fits Your System?

Quick Answer

Choose the Grado Opus4 if you want a lower-cost entry into Grado's moving-iron cartridge line and your turntable sits in a modest system. Choose the Grado Statement4 if you are building around a higher-tier setup and want the higher-priced option. Both are Grado cartridges, so the real decision is system matching and budget, not brand.

If you are weighing the Grado Statement4 against the Opus4, you are really comparing two price tiers in Grado's cartridge lineup. The Opus4 sits at USD 150.00, while the Statement4 sits at USD 300.00. That gap is the first thing to understand before you buy.

This comparison sticks to what the catalog actually tells us. Neither cartridge has a supplied description or specification list, so I will not invent tracking force, output voltage, or stylus profile details. Instead, I will focus on price tier, system fit, and the upgrade logic that should drive your choice.

What the Catalog Actually Tells You

The Opus4 is listed at USD 150.00, with a comparison price of USD 300.00. The Statement4 is listed at USD 300.00, with a comparison price of USD 600.00. Those are the only hard numbers available for these two cartridges in the supplied records.

Because no catalog description or specification is supplied for either model, I cannot tell you the stylus shape, cantilever material, or recommended tracking force. That is a real limitation, not a hidden detail. If those specs matter to you, check the product pages or Grado's official documentation before buying.

• Treat the comparison prices as reference points, not as proof that one cartridge is twice as good as the other.
• If a spec is not listed here, do not assume it. Verify it at the source.

Price Tier and System Matching

The Opus4 at USD 150.00 is the more accessible option. It makes sense if your turntable, phono stage, and speakers are in a modest system where a USD 300.00 cartridge would be the most expensive link in the chain. In that setup, the Opus4 keeps the budget balanced.

The Statement4 at USD 300.00 is the higher tier. It makes more sense when the rest of your system can reveal the difference, such as a capable phono stage and speakers that resolve detail well. If your system is entry-level, the Statement4 may not show its full value.

Neither cartridge is described in the catalog, so I cannot claim one tracks better or sounds warmer. The honest comparison is tier and price, and that is enough to guide most buyers.

• Match cartridge price to the rest of your system, not to the maximum you can afford.
• A higher-priced cartridge on a budget turntable is often money poorly spent.

The Upgrade Path: Where Each Cartridge Fits

Think of the Opus4 as a starting point or a replacement for a worn cartridge on a mid-level deck. If you are moving up from a stock cartridge, the Opus4 gives you a Grado option without jumping to the top of the line.

The Statement4 is the next step up. If you already own the Opus4 and your system has improved, the Statement4 is the logical move. If you are buying your first serious cartridge and your system is already capable, you can start at the Statement4 and skip the intermediate step.

Both cartridges are part of the same Grado family, so the upgrade is about tier, not about switching brands. That keeps your setup consistent.

• If you are unsure, start with the Opus4 and upgrade later once the rest of your system catches up.
• If your system is already resolving and you plan to keep it, go straight to the Statement4.

What About the Rest of the Chain?

A cartridge does not work alone. Your phono stage, turntable, and speakers all shape what you hear. The supplied records do not include specs for either cartridge, so I cannot tell you which one pairs better with a specific phono stage.

What I can say is that the Opus4 at USD 150.00 leaves more budget for a better phono stage or a set of Grado headphones for late-night listening. The Statement4 at USD 300.00 spends more on the cartridge itself.

If you already own Grado headphones, the Grado 4-Conductor Extension Cable - X Series is a practical accessory that uses the same super annealed copper wire as the X-Series headphone cables. It is not a cartridge part, but it shows the kind of system thinking that matters here.

• Budget for the whole chain, not just the cartridge.
• Accessories like the Grado 4-Conductor Extension Cable - X Series can improve ergonomics without changing your cartridge tier.

Tradeoffs to Weigh

• Opus4 price advantage: At USD 150.00, the Opus4 costs half the Statement4's USD 300.00 list price. You save money but accept a lower tier in Grado's cartridge line.
• Statement4 ceiling: At USD 300.00, the Statement4 costs more and demands a system that can reveal the difference. You spend more but position yourself for a higher-tier setup.
• Missing specifications: No catalog description or spec is supplied for either cartridge, so tracking force, output, and stylus profile are unknown here. Verify those details on the product page or with Grado before buying.

Product Facts

• Opus4: Catalog price USD 150.00, comparison price USD 300.00, category Cartridges. This is the lower-priced option, so it is the better fit for modest systems or first-time cartridge upgrades.
• Sonata4: Catalog price USD 300.00, comparison price USD 600.00, category Cartridges. The Sonata4 sits at the same price tier as the Statement4, so if you are comparing Grado cartridges, it is the other model to consider at this level.
• Grado 4-Conductor Extension Cable - X Series: Four conductor, 15 foot (450cm) extension cable terminated with a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) plug and jack, constructed from the same super annealed copper wire as the X-Series headphone cables. Useful if you need more reach for Grado headphones while listening at your turntable, and it shows how Grado accessories share cable design.
• Grado Headphone Replacement F-Cushions: Genuine Grado ear cushions, standard equipment on SR225, SR325, and Hemp, and fits all Prestige, Reference, Statement, Professional, and Limited Edition Headphones. If you own Grado headphones, fresh cushions are a low-cost way to keep your listening setup comfortable while you decide on a cartridge.

Which Cartridge Is Right for You?

Best for

• Listeners with a modest turntable and phono stage who want a Grado cartridge at USD 150.00
• Buyers replacing a worn cartridge who are not ready to spend USD 300.00
• Anyone who wants to leave budget for accessories like the Grado 4-Conductor Extension Cable - X Series

Not for

• Systems already built around a higher-tier cartridge where the Opus4 would be the weak link
• Buyers who have confirmed they need the higher-priced Statement4 tier and can support it

The Grado Statement4 and Opus4 are separated mainly by price tier: USD 300.00 versus USD 150.00. Match the cartridge to the rest of your system, verify the specs that are not listed here, and choose the tier you can actually use. That is the honest way to decide between them.