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What You Need to Know
The Hemp Classic — Grado’s Most Distinctive Mid-Range Headphone
Grado Labs has been making headphones in Brooklyn, New York since 1953. The company is still family-owned, now in its third generation. They are known for open-back, wired headphones that put you close to the music with an immediate, vivid presentation.
The Hemp Classic is the most unusual headphone in the Classic Series. It sits in the middle of the lineup — above the SR325 and below the RS1 — but it isn’t simply the next step up the ladder. It uses a completely different housing material from every other model in the range: a bi-wood construction combining hempwood and maple. That material choice gives the Hemp a distinct sonic character that Grado describes as “fuller and more grounded” — a departure from the leaner, faster reputation the brand is often known for.
This was true of the Hemp in its previous generation, and it carries forward in the Classic version with the updated 44mm X2 driver and Signature Silver headband assembly.
Open-Back Design — What That Means
The Hemp Classic is an open-back headphone. The rear of the driver housing vents freely to the outside air. This allows sound to breathe in both directions, producing a wider and more natural-sounding soundstage than closed-back designs can achieve.
The trade-off: open-back headphones leak sound. People near you will hear your music, and ambient noise will come in. The Hemp Classic is a home listening headphone. It is not suited to offices, commuting, or shared spaces. In a quiet room, that open design is a genuine advantage.
The 44mm X2 Driver — Tuned for the Hempwood Housing
The Hemp Classic uses Grado’s 44mm X2 dynamic driver — the same driver size as the SR325 and SR80, but tuned specifically for the hempwood and maple housing rather than simply shared across models. The X2 is built around a Mylar diaphragm, copper voice coil, and rare earth magnetic system. Grado developed the X2 platform across the entire Classic Series through extensive listening and refinement, and the key phrase for the Hemp is that “the tuning favors a fuller and more grounded presentation.”
This is meaningful. Grado headphones are often described as bright, fast, and immediate. The Hemp is something different within that family: warmer, denser, and more physical in the low-end without losing the clarity and openness that defines Grado’s character. Driver-to-driver matching is held to 0.05 dB for precise stereo balance across every pair.
Hempwood and Maple Housing — Two Materials, One Purpose
The Hemp Classic’s housing is constructed from two woods: hempwood and maple. This is what Grado calls a bi-wood design, and it is unique within the Classic Series — no other model uses this combination.
Hempwood is made from compressed hemp fibers. It is not hemp plastic or a synthetic composite — it is a structural wood-like material produced from hemp, a plant that grows significantly faster than conventional hardwood trees. Grado notes this reflects a more sustainable approach to material sourcing: hemp fibers can be cultivated and replenished far more rapidly than traditional hardwoods like mahogany or cocobolo. Acoustically, hempwood contributes natural damping and tonal warmth, helping shape the fuller, more grounded character that makes the Hemp stand apart from the rest of the Classic range.
Maple provides structural stability at the driver interface — a harder, denser wood that anchors the driver mounting point and supports the overall rigidity of the housing. The two materials work together: hempwood for tonal character and damping, maple for structural integrity where it matters most.
F Cushions — Close-Coupled and Immediate
The Hemp Classic ships with Grado’s F cushions, which bring the driver closer to the ear than the larger G cushions used on the GS1000 and GS3000. This closer coupling reinforces the Hemp’s immediate, engaging character — the sound arrives with more directness than the more distant G-cushion presentation. Grado notes that F cushions also act as a tuning element, and experimenting with other cushion types will shift the tonal balance and spaciousness of the presentation.
Signature Silver Headband Assembly
The Hemp Classic uses the Signature Silver headband assembly — a refined headband platform that shares the same engineering foundation as the Signature Gold system used on the GS1000 and GS3000. The assembly includes:
- Improved gimbal mechanism for controlled rotation and precise driver alignment
- Updated height rods and junction blocks for structural reliability and long-term durability
- Genuine leather headstrap with contrasting white stitching for comfort during extended sessions
- Internal steel spring band for easy, tool-free clamping pressure adjustment
This headband represents a meaningful step up from the standard headbands used on the SR60 and SR80, without reaching the premium engraved aluminum Signature Gold system found on the GS models and RS1.
Cable — Fixed, Updated, Flexible
The Hemp Classic includes an 8-conductor fixed hard-wired cable, engineered to be lighter, softer, and more flexible than previous Grado cables while maintaining signal integrity. The standard termination is a 3.5mm plug with a 1/4” adapter included — making it compatible with both portable sources and dedicated headphone amplifiers out of the box. Optional XLR termination is also available for listeners with balanced systems.
Like all Classic Series headphones, the cable is fixed and non-detachable. Grado maintains this traditional hard-wired construction throughout the Classic range by design. Detachable cables are reserved for the Signature Line.
A More Sustainable Choice
The hempwood housing is not just acoustically interesting — it reflects a deliberate material decision. Hemp grows significantly faster than hardwood trees and can be cultivated and replenished far more rapidly. Grado specifically notes this as part of the Hemp’s appeal. If you care about where your materials come from, the Hemp Classic offers something the rest of the Grado lineup does not.
Hand-Built in Brooklyn, New York
Every Hemp Classic is assembled by hand at Grado’s facility in Brooklyn, New York. The company has built headphones there since 1953. Every pair passes through multiple workbenches before it ships.
What the Experts Say
ecoustics described the Hemp as “the material outlier in the lineup,” noting its hemp and maple housing sets it distinctly apart from other models. They highlighted Grado’s own positioning of the tuning as “fuller and more grounded,” which ecoustics noted “separates it a bit from the leaner, faster reputation some buyers associate with the brand.” They also noted the Hemp receives nicer trim than the lower SR60 and SR80 models, keeping it from feeling like a side experiment. The X2 driver update was praised as a meaningful refinement across the entire Classic lineup.
Best of High End described the Hemp’s dual-wood construction as delivering “a warm, natural sound signature,” specifically highlighting the combination of maple and hemp as a deliberate choice to shape the Hemp’s distinct tonal character within the Classic Series. They noted the Classic Series overall reflects Grado’s philosophy of “steady evolution — building upon proven designs, refining where it counts.”
Grado describes the Hemp Classic’s tuning as favoring “a fuller and more grounded presentation,” and notes that hempwood contributes “natural damping and tonal warmth” that shapes a presentation “that feels grounded and physical.” The F cushions are described as reinforcing its “immediate and engaging presentation.” Grado also highlights hempwood as a more sustainable material choice given the rapid cultivability of hemp versus traditional hardwoods.
Building Your Listening Setup? Here Are Some Great Companions.
- Headphone Amplifier. The Hemp Classic is easy to drive at 38 ohms, but scales noticeably with a quality dedicated headphone amp. Given its warmer, fuller character, it pairs especially well with transparent, detailed amplification that lets that fullness come through without smearing. Browse Headphone Amplifiers.
- DAC. A quality outboard DAC improves what the Hemp Classic has to work with. You’re at a price point where source quality starts to matter meaningfully. Browse DACs.
- Alternative Grado Cushions. F cushions (included) give you the closer, more immediate character Grado tuned the Hemp for. Swapping to G cushions will create more distance between driver and ear, widening the soundstage but softening the directness. Both are available separately — ask us which types are compatible.
- Step Up: Classic RS1. The RS1 takes the bi-wood concept further with a tri-wood construction using maple, hemp, and cocobolo. If you love the Hemp’s character and want more of it, the RS1 is the natural next step. Browse Grado headphones.
- Step Down: Classic SR325. If the Hemp is slightly above budget, the SR325 is an aluminum-housed model with a more neutral, precise character. Genuinely different in flavor — but a strong performer at its price.
Features & Specifications
44mm X2 Dynamic Driver — Tuned for Fuller, More Grounded Presentation
Grado’s X2 driver platform uses a Mylar diaphragm, copper voice coil, and rare earth magnetic system. In the Hemp Classic, the 44mm X2 is specifically tuned to work with the hempwood and maple housing, favoring warmth and body over the leaner, faster character some smaller Grado models are known for. Driver-to-driver matching is held to 0.05 dB across every pair.
Open-Back Design — Natural, Spacious Soundstage
The open-back architecture vents the driver housing freely, producing a wider and more natural-sounding presentation than closed-back designs. Designed for home listening in a quiet space — not for shared or mobile environments.
Hempwood and Maple Bi-Wood Housing
Hempwood provides natural damping and tonal warmth, contributing to the Hemp’s fuller, more grounded character. Maple provides structural stability at the driver mounting interface. Together they create a housing that is tonally distinctive within the Classic Series — and made from a more rapidly renewable material than conventional hardwoods. No two hempwood housings will have identical grain characteristics.
F Cushions — Close-Coupled for Immediacy
F cushions position the driver closer to the ear than G cushions, reinforcing the Hemp’s direct, engaged character. Like all Grado cushions, F cushions are a tuning element as well as a comfort feature — swapping to alternative cushion types will shift the tonal balance and soundstage width. Grado cushions are interchangeable across the lineup.
Signature Silver Headband Assembly
Shares the same engineering foundation as the Signature Gold system used on the GS1000 and GS3000. Improved gimbal mechanism, updated height rods and junction blocks, genuine leather headstrap with contrasting white stitching, and an internal steel spring band for tool-free clamping adjustment.
8-Conductor Fixed Cable — 3.5mm with 1/4” Adapter
The Hemp Classic ships with an 8-conductor hard-wired cable — lighter, softer, and more flexible than previous Grado cables. The 3.5mm plug and included 1/4” adapter make it compatible with both portable sources and dedicated headphone amplifiers without additional accessories. Optional XLR termination available for balanced systems.
Specifications
- Driver: 44mm X2 dynamic (Mylar diaphragm, copper voice coil, rare earth magnetic system)
- Design: Open-back, over-ear
- Frequency response: 13 Hz–28 kHz
- Impedance: 38 ohms
- Driver matching: 0.05 dB
- Cushions: F cushions (included)
- Housing: Bi-wood — hempwood and maple
- Headband: Signature Silver assembly (improved gimbals, height rods, junction blocks, leather strap)
- Cable: 8-conductor, fixed hard-wired
- Termination: 3.5mm plug (1/4” adapter included); optional XLR available
- Series: Classic Series
- Made in USA (Brooklyn, NY)
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Hemp different from the other Classic Series models?
The material. Every other model in the Classic Series uses conventional housing materials — injected plastic, aluminum, mahogany, or cocobolo. The Hemp uses a bi-wood construction of hempwood and maple, which gives it a distinctly different acoustic character: fuller, warmer, and more grounded than the rest of the lineup. Grado tuned the 44mm X2 driver specifically for this housing, rather than simply sharing a driver spec across models. If you’ve tried other Grado headphones and found them too lean or bright for your taste, the Hemp is worth hearing.
What is hempwood, exactly?
Hempwood is a wood-like material made from compressed hemp fibers. It is not hemp plastic, synthetic foam, or a composite resin — it behaves like a dense, fine-grained wood and is machined similarly to natural hardwood. Grado uses it for its natural damping properties and warm tonal character. It is also more sustainable than conventional hardwoods: hemp grows much faster than trees and can be cultivated and replenished more rapidly.
Is this a good choice if I find Grado headphones too bright?
Possibly yes. Grado has a reputation for a bright, forward sound signature in many of their models. The Hemp is the exception in the Classic Series. Grado specifically positions it as “fuller and more grounded,” which is a deliberate departure from the leaner character associated with models like the SR80 or SR325. It’s not a completely different brand — it’s still open, immediate, and Grado in character — but the tonal weight sits lower. If you want confirmation before buying, call us and we can help you decide.
Do I need a headphone amplifier?
Not strictly — at 38 ohms, the Hemp Classic will play from a phone, laptop, or portable DAC. The 3.5mm termination with included 1/4” adapter makes it immediately compatible with most sources. That said, a dedicated headphone amplifier will bring out more dynamics, better control, and fuller bass. The Hemp’s warmer character benefits particularly from amplification that is clean and transparent.
Can I use this at the office or while commuting?
No. The Hemp Classic is an open-back headphone. It leaks sound significantly in both directions — people near you will hear your music, and all ambient noise will come through. These are home listening headphones.
What’s the difference between the Hemp and the RS1?
The RS1 takes the Hemp’s bi-wood concept one step further with a tri-wood construction using maple, hemp, and cocobolo. The cocobolo adds another layer of tonal richness and grain complexity. Both share the Signature Gold headband and L cushions on the RS1 (vs. F cushions on the Hemp), which creates a slightly more spacious presentation on the RS1. The Hemp is the more accessible entry into Grado’s natural wood sound; the RS1 is the more refined version of that approach.
Can I change the cushions?
Yes. Grado cushions are interchangeable across the lineup. F cushions (included) bring the driver close to the ear for the Hemp’s characteristic direct, engaged character. G cushions will push the driver farther away, widening the soundstage. S cushions create the most intimate, on-ear presentation. Experimenting is encouraged — each type shifts the tonal balance and soundstage noticeably.
Is the cable detachable?
No. The Classic Series uses fixed, hard-wired cables by design. If you want a detachable cable, Grado’s Signature Line is where that lives. The Hemp Classic ships with an 8-conductor cable terminated in 3.5mm with a 1/4” adapter included. Optional XLR termination is available.
Where is it made?
By hand, in Brooklyn, New York. Grado Labs has assembled headphones at their Brooklyn facility since 1953.
What’s in the Box
- Grado Hemp Classic open-back headphones
- F cushions (installed)
- Fixed 8-conductor cable (hard-wired)
- 1/4” (6.35mm) adapter
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Wondering how open-back headphones compare to closed-back, or how to build a great home listening setup at any budget? Visit our Audio Advisor Learning Center for guides on headphone types, amplifier pairing, and getting the most from your music at home.
