[Heyyoudvd]

I'm also in Canada and trust me the Hemp are worth $600 CAD. The RS2e are often available on the used market for $500 CAD.

I bought my pair from Baybloorradio in Toronto. https://baybloorradio.com/grado-the-hemp-headphone-limited-edition

It’s funny you mention that, as I booked a listening session with BBR. I put a deposit for them to hold onto a Hemp (apparently it’s their last unopened box in stock) and I’m going in for a listening session next week.

The gentleman on the phone was really trying to sell me on a Meze 99 Classics. He was passionately promoting it hard. I thought that was funny because the 99 Classics is another headphone I’m really interested in, so I appreciated his passion. Alas, I can’t afford both at the moment, so I’ll have to pick one.

My current wishlist is:

Grado Hemp
Grado RS2e
Meze 99 Classics
Focal Clear
Abyss Diana V2

The Clear and especially the Diana V2 are both way above my budget at the moment, so they’ll have to wait a while. But I’m eyeing those first three, with the intention to buy one of them now and one maybe in a few months. But I’m not sure which should take priority.

 

[Joaquin Dinero]

It’s funny you mention that, as I booked a listening session with BBR. I put a deposit for them to hold onto a Hemp (apparently it’s their last unopened box in stock) and I’m going in for a listening session next week.

The gentleman on the phone was really trying to sell me on a Meze 99 Classics. He was passionately promoting it hard. I thought that was funny because the 99 Classics is another headphone I’m really interested in, so I appreciated his passion. Alas, I can’t afford both at the moment, so I’ll have to pick one.

My current wishlist is:

Grado Hemp
Grado RS2e
Meze 99 Classics
Focal Clear
Abyss Diana V2

The Clear and especially the Diana V2 are both way above my budget at the moment, so they’ll have to wait a while. But I’m eyeing those first three, with the intention to buy one of them now and one maybe in a few months. But I’m not sure which should take priority.

If it helps, I doubt that they are down to their last unopened box of Meze 99s.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Thx, that is sort of what I had in mind. They want a 5% non refundable deposit to loan you something for two weeks. Which is probably about the hit you would take if you bought something and decided to sell it off right away. I was hoping for an $X-a-month for six months kind of thing.

I agree about loaning my own stuff. No way. But a dealer with enough stock, who can build some expected losses into their pricing formula could do it.

I suspect that's why they charge what they do. Average out that one out of every 20 will break the headphone or otherwise ruin it.

 

[elvergun]

Grado sound is like ear candy when it comes to string instruments to me. They are so much fun. I have a pair right now and I think that is part of why I am hesitant. If I was Grado-less then I think the Hemp would've already been mine. Fyi my highest fidelity headphone is a Denon D5200 but those do not replace the airy and fun sound that I get from my MS2i. Maybe my brain just can't fathom the difference being THAT big between the Hemp and MS2i

I owned an MS2i for ten years. I loved it.

I would not say that there is a night and day difference between the Hemp and the MS2i, but the Hemp is a much better headphone.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

It’s funny you mention that, as I booked a listening session with BBR. I put a deposit for them to hold onto a Hemp (apparently it’s their last unopened box in stock) and I’m going in for a listening session next week.

The gentleman on the phone was really trying to sell me on a Meze 99 Classics. He was passionately promoting it hard. I thought that was funny because the 99 Classics is another headphone I’m really interested in, so I appreciated his passion. Alas, I can’t afford both at the moment, so I’ll have to pick one.

My current wishlist is:

Grado Hemp
Grado RS2e
Meze 99 Classics
Focal Clear
Abyss Diana V2

The Clear and especially the Diana V2 are both way above my budget at the moment, so they’ll have to wait a while. But I’m eyeing those first three, with the intention to buy one of them now and one maybe in a few months. But I’m not sure which should take priority.

On that list the Clear is the one I honestly would be the least enthused about. Not because it's not great (it's probably the most technically proficient of all of them), I just found them to be one of those products I sort of nod and tap my chin and say "yes these are very good" about and then swap to something else when I want to listen to music. I put hours and hours into those because Tyll raved about them and I just didn't quite find myself quite so smitten.

 

[Gippy]

It’s funny you mention that, as I booked a listening session with BBR. I put a deposit for them to hold onto a Hemp (apparently it’s their last unopened box in stock) and I’m going in for a listening session next week.

They should have the whole entry-level and mid-range Grado lineup to demo up to the RS1e. Unfortunately, when I last visited them to pick up my Hemp, they told me that they sold off their high-end demo models.

I actually live in the area, so if it weren't for COVID-19, you could try out my rig!

 

[Heyyoudvd]

They should have the whole entry-level and mid-range Grado lineup to demo up to the RS1e. Unfortunately, when I last visited them to pick up my Hemp, they told me that they sold off their high-end demo models.

I actually live in the area, so if it weren't for COVID-19, you could try out my rig!

Hah, I appreciate that hypothetical.

I believe the famous BBR wall is gone due to Covid and remodeling. It’s still possible to have them hook up certain headphones to try, but I believe the ability to try dozens of headphones on the wall is no more.

I’m curious, did the Hemp you picked up from BBR have black stitching or white?
They couldn’t confirm for me as they can’t open the box, but the open models they have are black stitching, so they assume the box is as well.

 

[Joaquin Dinero]

I suspect that's why they charge what they do. Average out that one out of every 20 will break the headphone or otherwise ruin it.

Yup, plus once they loan it out they cant sell it as new anymore. You're covering the price gap between an Open Box Return and brand new.

 

[Gippy]

Hah, I appreciate that hypothetical.
I’m curious, did the Hemp you picked up from BBR have black stitching or white?
They couldn’t confirm for me as they can’t open the box, but the open models they have are black stitching, so they assume the box is as well.

Black.

And yeah the idea to demo would be to rent out a room at a library to do it, because I'd rather not do it at my home. But COVID-19 prevents that.

 

[reivaj]

Why is there so much hate for Grado products? I went on a discord a couple months ago and saw a ton of hate for just even the mention of Grado. I just went into another audiophile discord and the same thing happened. I don't quite get it

 

[Bernard23]

Why is there so much hate for Grado products? I went on a discord a couple months ago and saw a ton of hate for just even the mention of Grado. I just went into another audiophile discord and the same thing happened. I don't quite get it

Discord? It's for game chat, and I doubt Grado are high up on gamers wish lists?

 

[TooFrank]

Why is there so much hate for Grado products? I went on a discord a couple months ago and saw a ton of hate for just even the mention of Grado. I just went into another audiophile discord and the same thing happened. I don't quite get it

Don’t worry - be happy we are a bunch of Grado loving fans - hating nobody

 

[Bernard23]

Friday evening after a difficult week, relaxing into some Hemp.
These things are smokin'

Sorry, I'll get my coat...

 

[Okrelayer]

Friday evening after a difficult week, relaxing into some Hemp.
These things are smokin'

Sorry, I'll get my coat...

Did you install the brown band, or is there yet again another headband variation in the hemp line?

 

[TooFrank]

Friday evening after a difficult week, relaxing into some Hemp.
These things are smokin'

Sorry, I'll get my coat...

Looks really comforting & comfortable. Wish you a pleasant and relaxing weekend.....don’t smoke the hemps....