Grado Hemp (2020) Measurements, Reviews, and Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by Vtory, Jul 22, 2020.

  1. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    This is what made me decide to sell the Hemp a little while back (I still own it, but am planning to sell). Compared to my other primary headphones HD820 and even HD700, I put on the Hemp and it sounds like a blanket is being thrown over the sound; and this is why I prefer it the least out compared to those two. I've tried to like it and convince myself it sounds different because it looks so good, but I just can't get over the fact that it sounds plain muffled or congested - whatever you want to call - it in a lot of ways. The soundstage is interesting at times because its smaller and more immediate than my other headphones, but in truth most of the time I don't like it. The only thing I really like about the hemp is that it is small, light, and good looking. But I don't think those are good enough reasons to keep it long-term given what I paid for it, as the HD25 works better as a small/portable headphone due to its durability. I am just going to wait it out until the LE run is sold through that way I get more of my money back, as right now I'd get a depreciated value since they are still available new - mine has 4 XLR connector so that might help me out a bit once grado's site is sold out for those who like that type of connection.

    Of course I will likely change my mind and end up keeping it, heh
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, sounds like GH4 might be an RS2 in a different cup.
     
  3. Raimei Templar

    Raimei Templar Friend

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    It is very possible! My person theory is that all of the Heritage (GH) line are using the same/extremely similar driver which is a variation of the RS2 driver. They are definitely also 44mm but they dont have the red backing the way the RS2e does, all of the GH line drivers are a black/bluish color. Based on the impressions I have read here and elsewhere I think the GH line sound very similar though not exactly the same due to the cup difference. I suspect the HF series is also using the Heritage driver as it looks the same and based on your measurements seems to be have friendlier treble and transients.

    Only measurements I could find comparing the RS2e and Gh4 was on RAA which you can see here:

    https://reference-audio-analyzer.pr...1&idhp=2191&idhp1=809&inset=&m72=72#gsc.tab=0

    Based on that it looks like the GH4 has considerably less energy from 5-8k then a bit more from 9-10k. They are very similar though. Looks extremely similar to the HF3. Think the HF3 was quite a killer deal considering how much cheaper it was than the others in the GH lineup!

    I have only gotten to try the GH3/Gh4 so I cant confirm how similar or different they are to the rest of the lineup personally but that is my guess based on the data I have seen and reading WAY too many impressions.

    As I side note I have now got a GH4 on the way as I found a nice used one for cheap (by Japan standards!). There were only 130 of them released here in Japan but there are still some for sale new so dont think it was a big hit. Not entirely surprising as it only exists thanks the the Beatles saying "Norwegian Wood, isn't it good?"

    I think the Hemps are a hit though as they seem to be selling out!
     
  4. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    Not surprising of all the "limited edition" headphones I've seen this year the Hemp are by far the coolest looking. Even for people that aren't into audio that much they would be cool to own just for the look.
     
  5. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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  6. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    Gippy’s review:
    https://www.head-fi.org/threads/grado-fan-club.530965/page-2891#post-15906899

    He described the Hemp as a less resolving RS2e when with same pads. Most noteable though is his description of a particular aftermarket pad: the Geekria ‘L’ pad. Basically a knockoff Grado ‘L’ pad including having the two distinct foam densities. If Geekria can make make the L then it can make the F. Ill send them a request and links to sbaf loves grado ttvj deluxe threads.

    Link to Geekria L:
    https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Repl...&keywords=geekria+grado&qid=1602119270&sr=8-3
     
  7. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    So has anyone decided to hold on to Hemp for long term?

    I have a new amp coming, but on my current one its not all that impressive on a lot of material, though it's small size is refreshing.

    Main issue I have is that the treble is too congested, and the bass sounds a bit boom-boxey best way to describe. This can be fun on some select material but I just don't like the way it sounds on a lot of stuff. I am almost wondering if I'd like the RS2e better if I wanted something in this form factor based on that. I love the way the Hemp looks, though, and that factors into why I haven't sold it yet - sometimes the less resolving nature works okay with very treble aggressive material, too.

    If I sell these I might be able to get something different like HD650/HD660S neither of which I've tried on my current gear, I find myself using Hemp less than my HD800S/HD820. But I think I'd prefer something with Hemp ergonomics as an alternative instead of another large-ish headphone.

    I do want to find an alternative less-resolving headphone to my HD800S/HD820 but I'm thinking there might be better options than Hemp; maybe something less congested than Hemp but not quite as treble-tilted as HD8xx.

    Still, curious if Hemp is going to be in anyone's permanent collection.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2020
  8. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I'm keeping mind long term when I want to have a Grado experience.
     
  9. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    Interesting. I have very little Grado experience so could be a chance I dislike everything else they make. I have to say I actually like the ergonomics that some complain about - the cord is stiff and looks bad, but it also makes it easy to untangle so functionally its good with me; the earcups while a bit sandpapery are also very small and functional and don't get hot like some other materials.

    I am very on the fence, I think I'm going to hang onto them to see how they sound on my new amp and re-evaluate at that point. There is some material that sounds better on the Hemp than my HD8xx but its pretty limited (basically some rock and metal). With my current amp tho even there the snare hits just sound blunted/congested or something on the Hemp, but I don't have that much experience with Grado so it may just be a bad amp match.
     
  10. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    You don't keep Grados as your only headphone. You keep it as part of a collection since it doesn't do everything. I mean if you don't like it you can always get rid of them and go back to the HD700.
     
  11. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    HD700 gone :eek: After I got HD800S I couldn't justify keeping them as Hemp was better as a smaller/portable headphone and HD800S sounded better (which I expected based on past exp with HD800, but it dawned on me then HD700 basically pointless since its use case was bettered by Hemp+HD800S combined)

    My main headphones are usually HD820 & sometimes HD800S when I actually can get some peace and quiet in my house. I just wanted a third with an alternate sound sig and right now that's Hemp which I'm on the fence with.
     
  12. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I guessed the HD700 did ruined your ears.

    Looks, if you not feeling it with the Hemp them get rid of it.
     
  13. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    I think still not sure yet, I've only tried with one amp, want to give a bit more of a chance. If I still am not feeling it w/ new amp will get rid of then.
     
  14. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    @Raimei Templar my GH1 has a red-backed driver. I've not heard any of the other heritage models.
     
  15. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    A short update after roughly three months of hemp experience.

    1. I still rank grado comfort higher than raal (because my both temples seem more sensitive to pressure and pain). But f-cushion could be the least comfortable experience for my ear skin particularly beyond a certain cumulated head time amount. Thus Hemps couldn't be the daily driver for me but so couldn't many other products either. Not too shameful. Yeah, they keep deserving to my collection.

    2. Speaking of other pads and other grado products, I don't quite think any pads other than f-cush do enough justice to my darkness preference. Also thought of some GH/RS a little bit but I still doubt if they could have as smooth mid-upper treble and dark tilt as hemps. A long term use of hemps proved even any geekria pads in my collection couldn't cut in even when equipped on hemps (inherently darker and more recessed than -- supposedly -- any other grados).

    3. To me Magnius is just nuts in driving Hemps (at its 0.5x gain). They together create a beautiful synergy. Demotivate me to think of any other amps to pair with hemps.
     
  16. Hammy

    Hammy Friend

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    LOL! and you're now selling them. :punk::p
    I understand.
    I've managed to keep my 325is for 10 years. I keep them so I can refamiliarize myself with the Grado experience. I've learned to somewhat unhear the housing ringing. I should maybe consider swapping the old 352is out for the Hemp.
     
  17. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    And there's a reason why I never edit my review posts. ;)

    I think I'm at the point that I don't need it to know the Grado. The Hemp is pretty different, but I think it's the F-Cusion pad that makes most of the difference.
     
  18. Hammy

    Hammy Friend

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    And respect for that.
    The flats vs the bowl pads do make a difference with other Grados. I haven't heard the Hemp yet. If/when I ever do I'll experiment with flats vs comfy vs bowls. I've got comfy and bowl pads on hand to swap.
    A reason I keep my 325is is so I can check how well an amp drives Grados and to remind myself what the Grado headstage and imaging is like. They don't get any regular listening time.

    An issue I have with Grados is that I've become an imaging junkie. I crave headphone imaging that fills in the center and the body of the headstage while being able to precisely position instruments and sounds within the headstage bubble. Grados throw the imaging out to the skin of the headstage bubble without filling it in. Grados are capable of throwing the sound out there to the skin of the bubble but cannot really do sounds that are supposed to be inside the bubble in 3D. It's neat to have sounds swimming around your head out at the skin of the bubble. But that ain't right. Neat, but ain't right. I don't expect the Hemp to be a Grado that manages to fill in the headstage imaging the way I like.
     
  19. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    A bit of a headache after first listen. These are quite sensitive and I kept wanting to turn it down but it was difficult dealing with amp channel imbalance near start of Vali2 volume knob (low-gain, computer/preamp set to minimum) Also, wanted to turn down because Ive gotten used to smoothness of 6XX????? 6XX was sleepy and Hemp would’ve been the solution, but not with modded 6XX (KISS, no vent foam, extra+ dynamat, and light headband clamp). Thats just immediate impression within 10min in slightly noisy environment. My first thoughts were darkish, forward, and possibly the 10kHz peak might actually be NOTICEABLE after using 6XXm exclusively for months. I’ll adjust. Measurements later.
     
  20. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I'm thinking it not quite '10k peak'. The peak indeed exists slightly out of 10khz and products with real 10khz peak sound much much much brighter in my experience.

    The way I look at the problem is rather NOT having 9k dip. I've recently realized those without proper amount of narrow dip in this region sound a little piercing and maybe sibilant to annoying extent.

    And gain .. yeah. Totally agreed. Hemp (and grado in general) really needs higher grade pots that behave nice around 7:30-8:30 o'clock. Otherwise, separate attenuators would be must. Still loving my magnius no matter how trashy it was regarded in the forum.


    I thought similarly, then changed my mind a bit recently. Yes F-cush attributable to most changes, but without hemp drivers, normal grados' (225i, 325e) rougher and livelier highs were much less likable to me. Yup that's a preference thing, but I do want to emphasize driver-level delta meaningfully exists there.
     

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