(Blaze it!) Grado Hemp - Headphone Highlight 

I personally love the Grados and the comfort they provide. I hate the over ear cups that drive my glasses into my head that basically every other company uses. I find the on ear so much comfortable when you have the clamp force adjusted correctly (they should fall off your head when you look down). Their 'cheap' build makes them super lightweight so the headband pressure is nonexistant. Only headphone I can wear for hours and hours and not feel any physical stress or pain, they breath well and don't get sweaty, etc. Just goes to show different people like different things. I am happy Grado doesn't change what they are doing because some people don't like it. I also love the stock pads, you don't need much squish zone when the clamp force is adjusted correctly. You have to bend them out.

This was such a rollercoaster of a highlight. Loved being there or it and seeing your frustration live!

Hahahaha! The only expensive part of this product is the ink used to write "made in USA" lol! Grado seems to make their headphones for maximum 30mins of usage at a time only. But they are cool when left hanging the neck. lol!

Great review... I also owned a pair, and I'm on the same boat....Lol... What I added for extra comfort is Dekoni nuggets to the headband. Just a suggestion... keep it up.

lol, i like the permanently attached cable. It's nice and beefy and you dont have to worry about shotty cable connectors coming loose (every single headphone I've had issues with in terms of cabling have been removable cables btw, ie mmcx, etc...) If the cable ever does actually break, it's pretty easy to solder on a new one. I suck at soldering and I've successfully done it. Also, the pads get MUCH more comfortable with time. Brand new, yeah, they're kinda 'abrasive' but I can wear mine all day at this point w/ no discomfort. ..

Yeah, love my SR80x.., I tolerate the build because they sound so great for the $125. I tried other models and as far as I could tell they were kind of the same with different cup materials and colors. It seems like just make one thing and if you are looking for a reason to spend another $300 they are happy to give it to you. Pads that move the driver away from the ear change the sound in a way I don't like.

My Grados comfort is just fine they weight nothing but yes I had to swap to G cushions, small ones are terrible pain. Unique sound for sure but far from best in any regard, build quality like you said is proper shit even more expensive models. Yea I forgot to mention that nasty cable 🤣🤣 from 70'

Im agree with you, sound its amazing, but i dont agree about comfort... i have hd600, hifiman Arya, i i feel the grados ok, not great, not bad, just fair.. cable could have the possibility to be removed for security if it fail, also yes feel week about materials, the base of pads i feel than can be broken soon.. But the most important, the sound are 10/10... , very dynamic and foward (in your face), dont know if are any better grado than hemp.

I can understand the criticisms regarding workmanship, comfort and the firmly connected and somewhat stiff cables, even if I don't find it that extreme myself. At least the cables are of high quality - in contrast to what some other well-known manufacturers supply. I myself had no problems with the original ear pads. And in warmer temperatures you don't sweat as much underneath. Incidentally, I also tested alternative ear pads; you may gain some space and air, but you also lose a lot in the lower midrange and especially in the bass. And what characterizes the headphones - namely the feeling of being there live - you no longer have with them. In any case, I like the headphones best in their original condition with their fantastic direct and high-resolution sound.

/s I really love the squeaks....

Hello friend, how will this model compare to the Grado GH3, better or worse? Thank you.

the highest of highlights...

There are some 3rd party suppliers for replacement parts. Grado doesn't want to ruin their business.

The SR-225 class drivers are quite versatile drivers that surprised me quite a bit lately. I sort of get why I never really felt the Hemp was that up to it's price point when I first heard it and pretty much hate it when compared with my Grado GH2. Yeah, it was overpriced from my personal view then and I would rather just buy a SR-325 or RS-2 series and have a better experience instead at that time. The price for Hemp was awkard from my opinion then and I never got what the hype was about. I might be the only guy out there at the time who was constantly crapping on the Hemp for being an overpriced downgrade in the limited line of Grado headphones. But earlier when I was modding my 16-year-old 1st gen SR-80 with SR-225i drivers, I was surprised to learn that Hemp was actually sharing the same driver as the SR-225x and everything clicked on why I was so critical of it once I replicated a first gen SR-225 out of a first gen SR-80 and listened to it. If it was priced at $200-$300, the driver was excellent and even jaw dropping for what it is and I won't even be complaining about it. But the Grado's $400 and above line have such personalities of their own, the Hemp really sound overpriced compared with the other big guns. It's not bad, it's just the other higher end Grado headphones show such strong personalities that made the Hemp look like the weak link in the family. Ironically, I feel that the SR-225 class drivers sounds better when paired with a plastic housing and everything just sounds sharper and punchier and balanced then using hemp fiber. I completely get why everyone was so hyped up with the Hemp once I tried on my phony SR-225 replica and sort of understand why Grado choosed this driver for the Hemp. Even for Grado fans, the SR-225 class was something we tend to skip due to it's awkward position in the lineup, so it can be refreshing even for Grado fans when first listening to the Hemp. This particular class of driver is a ton of stupid fun with little to complain about, but lacks personality if you are familiar with Grado's higher end products. If you guys asked me if one should buy the Hemp......Just get a SR-225x instead. The SR-225x is made out of plastic and is piss ugly, but it's way cheaper and it is still a really fun headphone. And I'm going to make statement that will really piss off everyone: My phony 1st gen SR-225 replica that's modded from a first gen SR-80 actually sounds better than the Hemp and I genuinely love it. The SR-225 class drivers is one of the rare drivers that I don't have a problem with if it was slotted at the $200-$300 price point. It's perfect and have it's charm that you don't get from high-end Grados, it's the only Grado headphone that's so balanced out that makes your music just stupidly fun. I completely agree everything you guys have on the Hemp if it dropped at least $100. This class of driver is amazing for what it is, but for the insane price of $469? Either you get a SR-225x and get blowned away with it or get a SR-325x instead.

You want to be up a mountain in the Alps operating a secret radio in a log cabin while snowing and nazis on skis search for you. Don't they do a $1000+ headphone with that design?

yeah they wont last long

lol you're blowing fuses. I can see you blowing fuses easily and you spent 75% of the video on the built and 25% on the sound. lol. Yes i agree with you. Not the most comfort. But Grado are famous for their sound and that's what you buy. So would you rather have a Hifiman or a Grado all things considered? Grado for me

Has Grado ever addressed their shit build quality? Like have they gave a public statement as to why they INSIST on non detachable cables and crummy plastic? I have pair of SR80E'S that, by some Voodoo magic, haven't broken over the years. But those were $100. If I spent over $420, I need assurance my headphones won't snap or break from normal use. Ridiculous.

Grado....hmm....never.