Grado Hemp Classic Headphones

The Material Outlier in Grado's Classic Series

The Grado Hemp Classic uses a completely different housing material from every other model in the Classic Series: a bi-wood construction combining hempwood and maple, tuned specifically for a fuller, more grounded sound overall throughout the range.

A 44mm X2 driver is tuned specifically for this housing rather than simply shared across models, favoring warmth and body over the leaner, faster character some smaller Grado models are genuinely known for elsewhere.

Hempwood is made from compressed hemp fibers, cultivated far more rapidly than traditional hardwoods, contributing natural damping and tonal warmth that shapes the Hemp's genuinely distinct character within the entire lineup overall.

Where the Bi-Wood Housing Earns Its Keep

Hempwood and Maple, Working Together

Hempwood contributes natural damping and warmth, while maple provides structural stability at the driver mounting interface, and together they create a housing that's genuinely tonally distinct within the entire Classic Series lineup overall.

Driver-to-driver matching is held to 0.05dB across every pair, keeping left and right channels genuinely well balanced no matter which specific Hemp Classic unit you actually end up receiving in your order.

F Cushions, Tuned for Directness

F cushions position the driver closer to the ear than the G cushions on the GS models, reinforcing the Hemp's immediate, engaging character with genuinely direct coupling throughout every listening session.

The Signature Silver headband assembly shares the same engineering foundation as the Signature Gold system on the GS1000 and GS3000, a genuinely real step up from Grado's more basic standard headband design.

What Reviewers Are Saying

ecoustics.com called the Hemp "the material outlier in the lineup," noting it "separates it a bit from the leaner, faster reputation some buyers associate with the brand."

Best of High End described the dual-wood construction as delivering "a warm, natural sound signature," specifically highlighting maple and hemp as a deliberate tonal choice.

Who Is the Hemp Classic Best For?

• You find typical Grado headphones too bright or lean: the Hemp is deliberately tuned warmer and fuller than the rest of the lineup
• You value genuinely sustainable materials: hempwood grows and replenishes far faster than conventional hardwood trees
• You want a step up from the standard headband: the Signature Silver assembly is a real upgrade over the SR60 and SR80
• You appreciate a distinctive, one-of-a-kind housing: no two hempwood grain patterns look exactly alike
• You want a warmer, more grounded character — hemp and maple housings give the Hemp Classic its tone

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The fixed 8-conductor cable terminates in a 3.5mm plug with a 1/4" adapter included, connecting easily to phones, laptops, and dedicated headphone amplifiers right out of the box.

Optional XLR termination is also available for listeners running a balanced headphone amplifier setup, though the Hemp's warmer character benefits from genuinely clean, transparent amplification.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a Hemp Classic:

• Headphone amplifiers — clean, transparent amplification lets the Hemp's warmth come through without smearing
• Digital-to-analog converters — a clean digital source feeding your amp matters as much as the amp itself
• Headphone cables — optional XLR termination is available for balanced amplifier systems
• Headphone stands — a proper resting spot for genuine hempwood craftsmanship

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Hemp different from other Classic Series models?

The material. Every other model uses plastic, aluminum, mahogany, or cocobolo, while the Hemp's bi-wood housing gives it a distinctly fuller, warmer, more grounded acoustic character.

What is hempwood, exactly?

A wood-like material made from compressed hemp fibers, machined similarly to natural hardwood but grown and replenished considerably faster than conventional trees.

Do I need a headphone amplifier?

Not strictly — the Hemp plays from a phone or laptop at 38 ohms, though a dedicated amplifier brings out noticeably more dynamics and fuller bass.

Can I use this at the office or while commuting?

Not really. The Hemp is open-back and leaks sound significantly in both directions, so it's built for a quiet room rather than shared or mobile spaces.

Can I change the cushions?

Yes. F cushions ship installed for the closest, most direct presentation. G cushions push the driver farther away, widening the soundstage considerably.

Where is the Hemp Classic made?

By hand, in Brooklyn, New York, in the same facility where Grado has assembled headphones since 1953.

See It in Action

The Headphone Show presents Grado Hemp Review - High on Mt. Grado, but still Grados.

Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac presents Comparison Review: Grado HEMP and Audeze LCD1, Sennheiser HD6XX, and Hifiman Sundara headphones.

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