Name: Hemp
Brand: Grado
Price: 695.0 EUR
Availability: BackOrder

Grado Hemp: An Open Hi-Fi Headphone in Limited Edition

The Grado Hemp is a limited edition open hi-fi headphone designed by the American manufacturer Grado Labs. It stands out for its original use of a blend of maple and hemp wood in the design of the speakers.

Design and Construction

Innovative Materials

The uniqueness of the Grado Hemp lies in the choice of materials used to make the speakers. Grado has opted for an unprecedented combination of maple and hemp. Maple, a wood already used in other models by the brand, is appreciated for its acoustic properties. Hemp, a more atypical material, brings a unique coloration to the sound.

The speakers feature a natural wood appearance with visible grain. Each pair is unique, with the wood’s hue and streaks varying from one unit to another. This distinctive look gives the headphones a certain charm and an appreciable artisanal touch.

Textured wooden headphones with black ear pads on a curved wooden stand, side view, black background

Comfort and Ergonomics

The Grado Hemp adopts the typical Grado headphone design with a padded leather headband and foam ear cushions covered in fabric. It is relatively lightweight, which is appreciated for comfort during long listening sessions.

The headband is not adjustable but fits well to the head’s shape. The cushions comfortably encompass the ears without pressing too much. They are replaceable in case of wear.

Like most Grado headphones, the Hemp is a wired model. It is equipped with a thick braided cable with 8 conductors that descends from each earcup. This 1.77 m cable ends with a 3.5 mm mini-jack plug, and a 6.35 mm adapter is provided.

An Open Headphone

The Grado Hemp is an open headphone, meaning the speakers are equipped with grills that allow air and sound to pass in both directions. This design offers several advantages in terms of sound:

A more natural, airy, and precise sound
Better perception of the soundstage, wider and deeper
A listening experience akin to studio monitors

On the downside, sound isolation is almost non-existent. Sound escapes from the speakers and can be heard by those nearby. Similarly, ambient noise is not attenuated. An open headphone like the Hemp is therefore best suited for listening at home in a quiet environment rather than in transit or noisy surroundings.

Technical Specifications

The Grado Hemp is equipped with specially designed 44 mm dynamic drivers for this model. They offer an extended frequency response from 13 Hz to 28 kHz, covering the entire audible spectrum and beyond.

The impedance of 38 Ω is fairly standard for an open hi-fi headphone and allows it to be connected to most portable sources (players, smartphones) without requiring special amplification. However, it is recommended to use a quality source to get the best out of it.

The drivers in each earcup are matched to within 0.05 dB to ensure balanced reproduction between the two channels. This is a guarantee of precision and fidelity.

Sound Quality

A Grado Signature

The Grado Hemp headphone continues the brand’s sound signature, with an open, lively, and engaging sound. It is characterized by:

Detailed and precise highs, without aggressiveness
A natural, textured midrange, rich in micro-details
Fast, punchy bass with very good impact

The balance between the registers is good, with no part of the spectrum overshadowing the others. The sound reproduction is coherent and homogeneous across the entire frequency range.

Soundstage and Dynamics

Thanks to its open design, the Hemp delivers a very wide soundstage, with a great sense of space and airiness. Instruments are well separated and localized, offering a delightful immersion.

The dynamics are also impressive, with clear power surges and excellent management of contrasts between calm and more energetic passages. Distortion is very low, even at high volumes.

Musical Versatility

The Grado Hemp demonstrates remarkable versatility. Its sound signature suits many musical styles:

Classical: The generous soundstage and respect for timbres highlight orchestras and small ensembles.
Jazz and Acoustic: The clarity of the midrange and precision of spatialization enhance vocals and acoustic instruments.
Rock and Electric: The energy and impact of the basses serve more rhythmic styles well. Electric guitars are sharp without being shrill.
Electronic: The headphones accurately reproduce the depth of kicks and the openness of synthetic pads.

Whatever music is played, the Hemp retains its warmth and lively character without excessive coloration. It is a faithful and engaging transducer.