DROP + GRELL OAE1

[zilax002]

I’m not comparing Grellphone to Immanis or anything. I’ve experienced plenty of headphones in every price category.

If you want to talk about how it compares to its peers, HarmonicDyne Eris for example is better in every way.

Now I'm curious about the Eris

 

[ApertureSilence]

Now I'm curious about the Eris

It’s a really good implementation of a bass-head soundstagey relaxation headphone. Not muddy, no weird treble, and great comfort.

 

[zilax002]

It's honestly the reason I don't pay that much attention to these threads, once they turn into an "I know best" party. Folks can have different experiences with different things. We're allowed to say a thing isn't great, and provide the justifications for it, just as much as someone else is allowed to say they like it in spite of that.

This 100 times.

It's 100% expected that people will have different opinions and experiences with headphones. To treat anyone who has a different experience as if they have some agenda is irrational, unfair and, frankly, conspiracy theory crap.

I checked Head-Fi and Instagram weekly for months in anticipation of the OAE1. It was the most exciting audio release of the year by a mile for me.

I don't like it. The comfort is bad, the tuning is bad, the technical qualities are incredibly average at best.

No agenda. That's just what I hear.

Crazy that someone might feel differently without being paid for it, huh.

 

[gikigill]

I largely agree but in this case I don’t have to trust them, as I’ve also heard the Grellphone.

The cope in this thread is absolutely out of control.

Everyone not agreeing with you or your opinion is not cope. I keep headphones that are not perfect but still very interesting.

As per my previous post, Campfire Audio would be a perfect example actually, panned by reviewers but successful with consumers.

 

[Cocosan]

there is the ignore button

Nice suggestion.

It's a shame that there are people couldn't enjoy OAE1 as much, but situation and preference is different for each so let's respect that. However, at the same time, there are people who enjoy OAE1, so respect that too.

Anyway, I see there are playlist shared by people but its too much work going through this long thread again. Any good suggestion?

 

[gikigill]

He has a ferrari, a lamborghini, a zr06, and some other sports cars, one fine day he wanted to have a car that was better than the ones he owned, and then he chose to buy a g63, he cursed the seller that the g63 was not like a lamborghini ))))))

I'm a Mercedes fan and even I don't like the new G-Wagens circa 2010s.

 

[zilax002]

It’s a really good implementation of a bass-head soundstagey relaxation headphone. Not muddy, no weird treble, and great comfort.

How's the texture on the bass?

I was initially offended by the bass levels of the OAE1 but found I could adjust and have some fun with it. There's just no texture or quality to the bass to make the tuning rewarding in the end.

I might flirt with nabbing the Eris the next time Linsoul has a sale or their "spend $50 for a $100 coupon" thing.

 

[ApertureSilence]

Everyone not agreeing with you or your opinion is not cope. I keep headphones that are not perfect but still very interesting.

As per my previous post, Campfire Audio would be a perfect example actually, panned by reviewers but successful with consumers.

Maybe if there was an actually cogent defense of the Grellphone that didn't amount to accusing anyone who doesn't like it of not knowing how to plug it in, having a sinister agenda against Axel Grell, being anti-innovation, or being a snob, then I could take y'all more seriously.

 

[ApertureSilence]

How's the texture on the bass?

I was initially offended by the bass levels of the OAE1 but found I could adjust and have some fun with it. There's just no texture or quality to the bass to make the tuning rewarding in the end.

I might flirt with nabbing the Eris the next time Linsoul has a sale or their "spend $50 for a $100 coupon" thing.

The texture is really nice! It's kind of a baby version of what the Atrium Closed or Modhouse Argon do. And best of all, even though there's a lot of bass, the rest of the FR is relatively normal and unsullied.

 

[ThEvil0nE]

Getting a little too personal and serious in here for a "novelty" phone. That's what I'm getting at when comparing to what has been advertised vs everyone's take on here, a novelty piece of gear.

 

[pr0l0w]

Indeed, this is how OAE-1's driver orientation utilizes the input directivity of the outer ear to transform the incoming sound. What I aimed to point out in my article is that, while the frontal frequency response cue might be mimicked, the rest of the cues necessary for localization are not simulated (because passive headphones cannot do this) and thus the brain is likely to get confused—as it does with most headphones—and just perceive the frequency response as tonal color, and not as something related to localization.

In my reading of this quoted section above, he describes how the driver orientation shapes the FR, and then points to how a sound source's angle of incidence affects localization. If he meant for these two sentences to be digested completely independently, unfortunately I think people may misinterpret him; they may end up thinking that the latter is describing the effect of the former. It is important to state clearly that the frequency response effect of the headphone's driver orientation will not engender any such localization of the sound source in headphones, and he does in the beginning... but the website says something else.

The marketing copy on the website—which is what most consumers will see—could also be interpreted to be claiming that the frontal orientation of the driver will engender a sense of realistic externalization. Bolded/italicized for clarity below.

The above bolded/italicized claim likely holds weight to people who are interested in purchasing, thus it is worth understanding why this is unlikely (though not impossible) to create the effect that one might assume from the language used.

Great paper! Indeed, it's incredibly important to acknowledge how important the differences between people and rigs are; each having individual anatomy means that possibly huge deviations between listeners and rigs are almost certain to occur.

I did read your review. Then just out of curiosity I went to your Webshop, clicked on the first headphones that appeared there, and the description of those 800 bucks phones stated "best soundstage" o.O

Now I am confused, since I interpreted, part of your OAE1 bash, tried to tell people that there cannot be soundstage with headphones at all?

Mate really - your reviewer should have stopped at the point where he stated that the phones don't fit him. Maybe some curves added for those who think they can pre judge by that, instead of listening open mindet.

Honestly the soundstage thing is what makes me never again even consider reading or watching your stuff.

Another guy that made me laugh here in this thread was the one writing, that he EQ'ed the Grells to the very same he listens normally to, then saying he sent them back, because they just sounded as what he normally listens to and are nothing special because of that XD

 

[AsciiJC]

I don't think this is a novelty headphone at all, the concept in theory is really good and I can see working with better resources. HOWEVER the application itself and the headphones I think need a lot more work to be really where it needs to be. Hearing this headphone in London Canjam during the quiet sessions...im sorry to say but it was bad. Reminded me of a decent gaming headset.

That isn't saying Grell did a bad job at all, I actually think he did the best he could for the setup and so with the time he had, but there is a lot that could have been improved upon. I do have my fair share of what could be changed in the headphones but I do believe these changes are too late to be acted on.

If you enjoy the headphones, that is wonderful! Everyone likes things and everyone dislikes things. I just personally think there's a lot that can be made better in this headphone.

 

[gikigill]

How's the texture on the bass?

I was initially offended by the bass levels of the OAE1 but found I could adjust and have some fun with it. There's just no texture or quality to the bass to make the tuning rewarding in the end.

I might flirt with nabbing the Eris the next time Linsoul has a sale or their "spend $50 for a $100 coupon" thing.

What's the Eris?

 

[ThEvil0nE]

I don't think this is a novelty headphone at all, the concept in theory is really good and I can see working with better resources. HOWEVER the application itself and the headphones I think need a lot more work to be really where it needs to be. Hearing this headphone in London Canjam during the quiet sessions...im sorry to say but it was bad. Reminded me of a decent gaming headset.

That isn't saying Grell did a bad job at all, I actually think he did the best he could for the setup and so with the time he had, but there is a lot that could have been improved upon. I do have my fair share of what could be changed in the headphones but I do believe these changes are too late to be acted on.

If you enjoy the headphones, that is wonderful! Everyone likes things and everyone dislikes things. I just personally think there's a lot that can be made better in this headphone.

In theory and paper maybe not but we all know how all that changes in practice and real world. Even Axel have to explain how for us to interpret the marketing material and claims. So until it delivers what's on theory and paper it will stay as a novelty piece to me. Yes I have not heard of it yet but in following this thread and reading through, it's far from what's promised. It's a step away from having disclaimers and instruction on how to listen to it and novelty items usually come with a handy how-to instruction booklet. I too am rooting for the OAE1 to mature in future iterations and will not be a one shot try and call quits.

And before anyone here will raise their pitch fork at me.. NO I am not bashing or hating. I am more intrigued and interested to get in on the experience of hearing the marketed effects.

 

[fidgeraldo]

once they turn into an "I know best" party.

Don't you do the same when you say how you speak "The truth"?
Mister...there is never one truth...there are always at least two...and more.
I do basically the same thing as you. I never pay much attention to the reviewers who "speak the truth."

Cheers!