🔶 Grado Ltd Edition Hemp

A_COC0NUT · May 29, 2021, 2:54pm

There are two things I would recommend.

The first is to try and shape the headband to fit the curve of your head. To do this, you’ll need to kind of “fold” the headband, bending it tighter in the middle and wider towards the ends. Basically the exact opposite of what Zeos does with his headband. If you can get it to fit right the contact patch should be much larger, hopefully helping with the hot spot.

The second is to either get this headband (or the XL one if you want). This requires you kind of “break” a rod block off the headband, so if that is not a risk you want to take, you can also try a Dekoni Beyer headband.

Kate_Ang · May 29, 2021, 5:46pm

Steve Guttenburg has just reviewed the sr325x. Though he didn’t do a comparison with Hemp, he was a lot more excited when he reviewed the hemp as compared to this sr325x review. The way he described the sr325x sound signature, doesn’t sound like what I’ve heard when I demo the hemp. I guess we’ll have to wait for dms’s review on sr325x.

I’ve just ordered the hemp yesterday, either way it’s too late for me to change my mind.

Chifiguy · May 31, 2021, 9:31pm

Just thought I’d stop by and say these still somehow sound amazing running out of… a Shure MV7 mic with input from the USB. They’re not quite loud enough for maximal enjoyment, but the actual quality of the sound? It’s not just good considering- it’s just great- period. And it is “loud enough”, so add it to your list of DAC/Amp combos to consider for the Hemp! (kidding obviously about the consideration part- not about the quality of the sound)

hit_the_right_note · June 13, 2021, 6:53pm

Well Andrew:

He’s definitely right about one very specific thing

But why is it like that

Well, these, with all the frequency curves fetishists , so “oblique” and “wrong” measurement data, make absolutely sense , – because exactly these headphones (and the most GRADO’s in particular) have in common:

An extremely stress-free reproduction of purely acoustic music, this type of music is presented in such a natural, precise, airy and wide manner that even the Susvaras, Utopias and T&A Solitair’s of this world have problems to convey this sound quality. (tried them all on a Audiovalve Solaris)

Even the deepest note of a bass guitar, drums, timpani or wind instrument is reproduced precisely

So the talk is of the fact that these cans cannot reproduce bass perfectly, actually stupid stuff. (we still taking about acoustic music)

Instruments and voices, fade out in the room, just as it has to be.

They present the whole thing with such a “sound authenticity” that for lovers of THIS music genre it doesn’t even make sense to pay 3-6 times the price, especially since Planar Drivers just can’t manage this kind of naturalness with such music genres .

However, as soon as any electronic instruments come into play, the music recordings are relatively cheap (the case in 70% of the mainsteam productions), and these should also represent an overloaded and fast sequence of vocals and instruments. –

I can / must confirm, that the critics of these headphones are right, the headphones are stinging in the high frequencies at times and / or are overwhelmed .

Well, that’s why the Focal’s, Hifiman’s, Audeze’s … exist .

Until a price structure in areas in which I could buy a small car .

And with so many mainstream recordings, it makes a lot of sense to buy a DSP-controlled bluetooth headset anyway, as they are then able to put a decent portion of icing over what is presented, making the whole thing bearable.

PS .: there are special headphones for almost all genres of music but no “Jack of all Trades” (not even for $ 7000) at least not in my eyes / ears.

Happy listening everyone

A_COC0NUT · June 13, 2021, 8:14pm

Grados really are something special with acoustic music. I find the depth of the soundstage to be what gets me. It’s not “wide” by many people’s standards but does a great job of making things sound like they fade off into infinity. DMS said in his review of the SR325x that way they present is somewhere inbetween headphones and speakers and I totally agree.

With the stock F-cush pads I never find the Hemps to be too bright. I think that is just because of the Geekria G pads since they boost the treble and make it a bit peaky.

The Hemps are imo really specifically tuned for the F pads. Most other pads I’ve tried lose something from the original sound and often gain very little.

You can really see this in the Hemp’s treble. I actually found the Hemps to be a touch brighter than the GH-2 when they both had the same pads (either F or L cush). This is probably because they needed a bit more treble to compensate for the relatively darker sound that the F-cush pads have (darker relative to other Grados) so when you switch to another pad, the treble gets boosted more than you might expect.

hit_the_right_note · June 13, 2021, 9:32pm

To be honest, I’m not fixated on an partiqular ear pad.

As a rule, I like to experiment, depending on the album and recording.

But as a soundstage junkie, however, if the recording quality allows it, I often use the G-cushions, as they open up the stage and airiness significantly.

I use the model from Yuhtech, as these are considerably softer and flatter than the originals from GRADO or Geerika, and they are also somewhat larger-pored than the other models, so the cushion “absorbs” the sound like a sponge, so to speak, then dribble it on a large area over the entire ear surface.

Because the ear pads can be changed quickly and easily, I am very happy to use the variety of sounds available.

CarpentersFan · June 14, 2021, 9:17am

That picture with the clear, blon b20, ananda, hd800 etc, are those your headphones?

hit_the_right_note · June 14, 2021, 9:54am

CarpentersFan · June 14, 2021, 10:29am

Nice! Which one is your fav out of interest?

hit_the_right_note · June 14, 2021, 2:35pm

For me, THAT ONE very special favorite headphone doesn’t exist.

But there are genre-specific headphones that I prefer to use.

Classical, live concert recordings and acoustic music = HD800s;

I usually enjoy pure acoustic recordings such as blues, jazz, folk and pure rock recordings on my GRADO collection, with more or less different acoustic sound configurations, depending on the model and ear pads (i really them);

Well-mastered pop and electronic music, I prefer to listen to the Focal Clear or Hifiman Ananda (paired with my ifi iDSD signature & activated xBass + 3D = hmmm);

For terrible studio recordings that I want to hear for whatever reason, I then use simple Bluetooth headphones to make this DSP-controlled, bearable;

The there are the more or less all-rounders who don’t do much wrong, but also nothing outstanding, I use these when I don’t feel like constantly changing the cans, the 6xx series from Sennheiser, the iBasso SR2 and some of my Beyer 's;

Then there is the DT880 600 Ohm, my analysis machine;

The Denon AH-D9200, I have a looooot of fun with it;

The BLON has something of its own, it sounds like the artists are performing at a tunnel entrance, this hollow reverberation phase has something of its own and I kind of like it;

I have been using my Dan Clark Aeon2 since I and my wife have been in the home office very often, connected to the Rebellamp, it sounds excellent.

The Koss‘es, simple, easy to use and outstanding for the price.

And my very personal surprise candidate, the Hifiman Sundara, connected to the Rebellamp, in high gain mode, the volume-control pulled up until it starts to hum, then turn back about an hour (about 1:30 p.m.), the volume is then controlled on the DAC, WOW , the Sundara performs, so set, well above its price range.

Kate_Ang · June 15, 2021, 7:29pm

Hemps are sold out on Grado’s website. I wonder if they’ll restock or this marks the end of production for this limited edition model.

A_COC0NUT · June 15, 2021, 8:36pm

I’ve seen people on head-fi mention that it is listed under the “Reference Series” on the UK or EU version of the site. There have also been conflicting reports from Grado staff about wether or not it is sticking around.

I hope they keep it around, but it IS a “limited edition”, so it not like it will be a surprise if they end production.

Kate_Ang · June 16, 2021, 5:49am

I prefer mine on hybrid amp to solid amp! Try it out!

elementze · June 17, 2021, 5:43am

Looking for opinions on a portable DAC/Amp that pairs well with the Hemp. Not looking to break the bank, just something basic for taking the Hemps on vacation. <$200 is ideal. For example, is the iFi Hip DAC a good pairing? Others?

Jammies · June 17, 2021, 6:55am

Hi, Great write up!

I was wondering if I could get your opinion on the differences between the ananda and the focal clears as I was considering purchasing one of them. Ive read that the clears were more mid focused and a lot of people have compared them to a better 650 and that the anandas were a more neutral overall.

Are the ananda very close in characteristics to the sundara? I liked the sudaras but found the 560s to be so close in terms of its characteristics (minus some bass and that “airyness”). I personally ended up returning them as they cost me roughly double the price I paid for 560s.

Thanks for any help!

Kate_Ang · June 17, 2021, 7:27am

I actually do like my pair on hip dac! Worth the try. But don’t take my word for it since I’m pretty new to all these. Perhaps wait for a couple more response before biting the bullet

hit_the_right_note · June 17, 2021, 11:25am

I just tested around a little for you.

If you can go a little higher in price, the xCan would be the first choice, if it has to be below 200, I would personally put the BTR5 at 1, then the Hip-Dac, followed by the Q3 and only at the end the EarStudio, because this one makes the hemp too „peaky“ tonally.

The others differs Not to much about playback quality.

With a Bluetooth dongle you are also even more flexible.

Jose_G · June 17, 2021, 12:58pm

I might have a hiby r5 that I can sell to you for 200 if ur interested. Lol

elementze · June 17, 2021, 2:06pm

Thanks for taking the time to do a quick compare! This is helpful.

Comparing xCan with BTR5, can you elaborate more on the differences you hear? How significant of a step up is it on the Hemps? Especially given it’s more than 2x the price…

El_Nagual · June 17, 2021, 10:21pm

I am using my Hemps with FiiO BTR5. I love it.