Get the latest tech news

Grado Hemp headphones review: material science

Reece Bithrey's review of the Grado Reference Series Hemp open-back headphones, designed for audiophiles. Are they worth their high asking price?

The Hemps deliver some of the richest and most detailed audio available, especially if paired with high-quality recordings and a fantastic DAC or DAP such as the Chord Mojo 2 and mid-range FiiO M11S where they can really stretch their legs. Their high levels of detail and a marvellously wide soundstage provided some excellent width for hearing footsteps with fantastic accuracy, while heavy gunfire and grenade explosions offered brilliant immersion with the cans' robust low end. Switching over to Forza Motorsport, that wide soundstage and excellent imaging made it a joy to race other AI or people online as it helped with placing my car alongside others for overtaking, and worked well in tandem with the game's proximity arrows to give me a definite idea where the opposition were on circuit.

Get the Android app