How likely are the Grado Hemp to feature in ourbest wired headphonesbuying guide?
Very, with just a few caveats.
In many ways certainly aesthetic its Grado business as usual.
Striking wooden ear cups in an otherwise so-very-Grado build
Happily, its also business as usual where sound quality is concerned.
Because they sound like it, and then some.
The layout is explicit, and the distance in the front/back and left/right planes is significant.
Grado has now fitted a 3.5mm termination with a 6.33mm adapter supplied – good to see
As far as creating a big picture goes, these Grado are vivid and confident.
Its their sense of energy and drive, well-supervised attack and simple musicality thats where their fundamental talents lie.
The established design cues are all here.
Grado is sticking with its ‘friction pole’ design principle, but it means you may experience wearer fatigue after a while
Thin metal headband, modestly padded and covered with stretched leather?
Prosaic friction pole headband adjustment mechanism?
Check, check and check again.
The cable is chunky and 1.7mm long, but it’s prone to tangles…
No pair of headphones stays comfortable indefinitely.
Grado Hemp review: Value
you’re free to look at this one of two ways.
You will very much make your own mind up…
Should I buy the Grado Hemp?
These drivers are incredibly talented, but the open-air (read: open-back) design means sound leakage…
In fact, functional is about as flattering as its possible to be.
Grado’s rudimentary yoke doesn’t allow for much cup adjustment
Striking, but the metal mesh won’t keep your tunes private
