Quick answer

If you own a Grado Prestige Series cartridge, the Stylus 8MZ is the flexible upgrade: it is the stylus from the Joseph Grado Signature 8MZ cartridge and fits all Prestige Series cartridges. The Stylus Green4 is the direct replacement for a Green4 cartridge, while the Statement4 stylus serves the Statement4 cartridge. Match the stylus to your cartridge first, then decide whether an upgrade is worth it.

Choosing a replacement stylus can feel like a maze when model names mix numbers and colors. The Grado Stylus 8MZ, Stylus Green4, and Statement4 each belong to a different part of the Grado line, and they are not interchangeable across every cartridge. Before you buy, confirm which cartridge you actually have and what role the stylus plays in your setup.

This comparison focuses on the practical differences the catalog facts support: compatibility, replacement approach, and the trade-offs you accept with each option. It will help you answer the question 'which Grado stylus to buy' without overspending on a stylus your cartridge cannot use, or settling for a replacement when a compatible upgrade exists.

Compatibility: the first thing to check

The Stylus 8MZ is user replaceable and is the stylus from the Joseph Grado Signature 8MZ cartridge; it is compatible with all Grado Prestige Series cartridges. That makes it a broad-fit option if you own a Prestige cartridge and want a genuine Grado stylus without changing the cartridge body. The Stylus Green4 is the stylus for the Green4 cartridge, so it is the natural replacement when your Green4 stylus wears out. The Statement4 stylus belongs to the Statement4 cartridge and is not listed as compatible with Prestige models.

Because these styli serve different cartridge families, the comparison is less about which sounds better in the abstract and more about which one your cartridge can accept. If you are unsure of your cartridge model, check the markings on the body or the packaging before ordering. Buying the wrong stylus is the most common and most avoidable mistake in this category.

  • Confirm your cartridge model before comparing stylus options.
  • The Stylus 8MZ fits all Grado Prestige Series cartridges.
  • The Green4 and Statement4 styli are tied to their respective cartridges.

Replacement approach and ownership trade-offs

All three options are stylus replacements rather than cartridge replacements, which means you keep your existing cartridge body and swap only the wear part. The Stylus 8MZ is explicitly user replaceable, so you can do the swap yourself without sending anything in. The catalog facts for the Green4 and Statement4 styli do not list a user-replaceable note, so treat installation as a step to confirm with your dealer or Grado support if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

The trade-off is straightforward: a lower-cost replacement stylus keeps your current cartridge performing as intended, while an upgrade stylus like the 8MZ can change the character of a Prestige cartridge. Neither path is automatically better. The right choice depends on whether you want to restore performance or explore a different voicing.

  • Replacement styli keep your cartridge body in service.
  • The Stylus 8MZ is user replaceable; confirm installation for others.
  • Upgrading a stylus changes voicing, not just wear status.

Where the Statement4 stylus fits

The Statement4 stylus is part of the Statement4 cartridge system, which sits in a different part of the Grado range than the Prestige Series. If you own a Statement4 cartridge, this is the stylus that belongs on it. If you own a Prestige cartridge, the Statement4 stylus is not the correct fit, and the Stylus 8MZ is the compatible upgrade path within the Prestige family.

This is why a replacement stylus comparison has to start with your cartridge, not with a ranking of styli. A stylus that cannot mount on your cartridge is not a bargain at any price. Once compatibility is settled, the remaining question is whether you want a like-for-like replacement or a step up within your cartridge's family.

  • Statement4 stylus serves the Statement4 cartridge.
  • Prestige owners should look at the Stylus 8MZ for an upgrade.
  • Compatibility beats price when choosing a stylus.

Practical fit guidance for your setup

If you own a Green4 cartridge and want to keep the sound you already know, the Stylus Green4 is the direct replacement. If you own any Prestige Series cartridge and want a genuine Grado stylus with a broader fit, the Stylus 8MZ is the practical choice. If you own a Statement4 cartridge, the Statement4 stylus is the correct match, and the 8MZ is not a substitute.

Budget also matters, but only after compatibility. A replacement stylus is a wear item, so plan for it the way you plan for any consumable. Buying the correct stylus once is cheaper than buying the wrong one and starting over.

  • Green4 owners: Stylus Green4 for a like-for-like replacement.
  • Prestige owners: Stylus 8MZ for a compatible upgrade.
  • Statement4 owners: Statement4 stylus only.

Trade-offs at a glance

  • Stylus 8MZ: Fits all Grado Prestige Series cartridges and is user replaceable, so it works as both a replacement and an upgrade within the Prestige family. Best if you own a Prestige cartridge and want a genuine Grado stylus you can install yourself.
  • Stylus Green4: The stylus for the Green4 cartridge, keeping your existing Green4 performance intact. Best if you want a like-for-like replacement and already like your Green4 sound.
  • Statement4 stylus: Belongs to the Statement4 cartridge system; it is not listed as compatible with Prestige cartridges. Only choose this if you own a Statement4 cartridge.

Product facts

  • Stylus 8MZ: User replaceable stylus. This is the stylus from the Joseph Grado Signature 8MZ cartridge and compatible with all Grado Prestige Series cartridges. It is the broadest-fit upgrade stylus in this comparison for Prestige Series owners, and you can install it yourself.
  • Grado Headphone Replacement G-Cushions: Consumer replaceable genuine Grado ear cushions. Standard equipment on all series of the following headphones: PS1000, PS2000, GS1000, GS2000, GS3000, WHITE HEADPHONE. This cushion will also fit all Prestige, Reference, Statement, Professional and Limited Edition Headphones. If you are refreshing your listening setup alongside a stylus change, these are the replacement cushions for a wide range of Grado headphones.

Which stylus should you buy?

Best for

  • Prestige Series cartridge owners who want a compatible upgrade stylus
  • Listeners who prefer to replace the stylus themselves
  • Green4 owners who want a direct replacement

Not for

  • Statement4 cartridge owners, who need the Statement4 stylus
  • Listeners who are unsure of their cartridge model and have not confirmed compatibility
  • Anyone expecting a stylus to fit a cartridge family it is not listed for

Match the stylus to your cartridge first, then decide between a like-for-like replacement and a compatible upgrade. For Prestige Series owners, the Stylus 8MZ is the flexible, user-replaceable choice; Green4 and Statement4 owners should stay with their cartridge's dedicated stylus.