DROP + GRELL OAE1
- Thread starter SHAMuuu
- Start date
Haha that’s very funny
Rob80b
Headphoneus Supremus
Not sure where to start, best to just read through the thread...and my impressions are just that, my impressions...and as the OAE1 do perform quite differently depending on head/ear interfacing you may not know until you try them.
.....relatively speaking, in the mega buck headphone era we are in today, they are rather affordable so not a huge gamble going in blind and there is an affordable pair nearby.
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650211179-drop-grell-oae1-headphones/
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They’re definitely headphones you gotta try and spend some time with them, there is nothing quite like them. The OAE1’s are headphones I find shine with time. I personally love trying out unique and novel headphones.Not sure where to start, best to just read through the thread...and my impressions are just that, my impressions...and as the OAE1 do perform quite differently depending on head/ear interfacing you may not know until you try them.
.....relatively speaking, in the mega buck headphone era we are in today, they are rather affordable so not a huge gamble going in blind and there is an affordable pair nearby.
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650211179-drop-grell-oae1-headphones/
Interestingly the OAE1 remind me the most of the HD 600 and HD 650 in many ways. Of course bass and spatial presentation is quite different, but the general sound character gives me a similar vibe. I basically found they filled in the role of the HD 650 for me and I find them easier on my ears as well.
I realized over time my ears don’t tend to like the HD 6xx platform with greater amounts of bass presence than the HD 600 from a listening fatigue standpoint. So if I want more bass I have to look elsewhere. Funnily enough I seem to be one of only people that seem to have that problem, it really shows how individual ears, etc. can definitely influence how one reacts to headphones.
It’s honestly hard to rank the OAE1 amongst my other headphones not because they’re different but honestly I like many of my other headphones a similar amount for different reasons, I have like 5 or so headphones I like a similar amount and it’s honestly hard to place them, it’s rather whichever one I’m listening to currently or in the mood for is my favorite.
I used to have more defined favorites but either I changed my approach to headphones or I simply have many headphones I truly love the sound of now.
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Rob80b
Headphoneus Supremus
Not too sure exactly what Axel and Sennheiser had in mind with the HD600 but my initial understanding was to make a headphone as an alternative to listening to a good pair of correctly tuned small monitors, similar maybe to the coveted BBC Rogers LS3/5A.
And like the Rogers monitors, bass, at least deeper bass, was not on the agenda, it was really the advent of Home Theatre in the late 80s and the introduction of sub-woofers to augment the bottom end that heralded in the HD650 and by today's standards they're rather still anemic at that to many head-fiers.
The HD600 were also pre digital so the average music lovers hi-fi systems were also deficient in deep bass so it wasn't really missed.
Today that has all changed and we demand it or the audio system is considered sub par and I guess what I am trying to say is that as much as we like deep base it throws the HD600's original tuning off.
And as you've noted "Interestingly the OAE1 remind me the most of the HD 600 and HD 650 in many ways." so the OAE1 could be seen as an evolution addressing those concerns.
...and just to quote myself with ref to the a BBC monitor....
Can’t quite put my finger in it, but I always really enjoy the OAE1 when listening to live performances on the BBC 3.
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The Bard
New Head-Fier
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Owning a pair of Sennheiser HD600’s, I always wondered the difference between the Sennheiser HD 650 and its predecessor. Some argue the latter may be better than the former based on a non-fatiguing sound profile and better bass. If that is the case, I treat the OAE1 as a supercharged 650. Therefore, no need to splurge on something that may have a similar sound signature.
I don’t really rank my headphones and like most individuals on this forum, I own more than 4+ (unfortunately). I try to highlight the use case for each. Lately I have been using the OAE1 for tracking/playback thinking they could replicate studio monitors in a headphone format. I may not jump the gun and use them for mixing just yet.
On another note, my eyes may be deceiving me, but it seems Mr. Hans Zimmer uses the 650 for on the go music production (refer below)
jamesjames
500+ Head-Fier
I think your points about the evolution of expectations are very well made - and not often enough recognized. The evolution of what counts as 'music' has also been important (not to mention gaming and AV more generally). I really do feel it's pointless to think in terms of phones that will meet with general approval - and I applaud Grell for following an interesting idea. Ironically, invective against particular components on this site and others like it seems to grow as the chance of meeting all expectations shrinks ...Not too sure exactly what Axel and Sennheiser had in mind with the HD600 but my initial understanding was to make a headphone as an alternative to listening to a good pair of correctly tuned small monitors, similar maybe to the coveted BBC Rogers LS3/5A.
And like the Rogers monitors, bass, at least deeper bass, was not on the agenda, it was really the advent of Home Theatre in the late 80s and the introduction of sub-woofers to augment the bottom end that heralded in the HD650 and by today's standards they're rather still anemic at that to many head-fiers.
The HD600 were also pre digital so the average music lovers hi-fi systems were also deficient in deep bass so it wasn't really missed.
Today that has all changed and we demand it or the audio system is considered sub par and I guess what I am trying to say is that as much as we like deep base it throws the HD600's original tuning off.
And as you've noted "Interestingly the OAE1 remind me the most of the HD 600 and HD 650 in many ways." so the OAE1 could be seen as an evolution addressing those concerns.
...and just to quote myself with ref to the a BBC monitor....
Agreed
That's exactly my experience with the OAE1. The mids have HD650's DNA in them for sure.Yeah, honestly I just don’t like the different variants of the HD 6xx as much as the HD 600 so that’s the one I kept in the end. I guess I don’t really mind the bass roll off on the HD 600, the bass is still satisfactory but it does become obvious when I compare it to a headphone with more deep bass and the deep bass definitely adds another dimension to the sound. But like you said adding more bass extension on the HD 600 does seem like it would take away from the original tuning. I like and appreciate the headphone for what it is. I do think the OAE1 is an evolution of the HD 6xx line, particularly the HD 650/6XX. Whereas the HD 660S2 for instance was a different animal altogether to me.Not too sure exactly what Axel and Sennheiser had in mind with the HD600 but my initial understanding was to make a headphone as an alternative to listening to a good pair of correctly tuned small monitors, similar maybe to the coveted BBC Rogers LS3/5A.
And like the Rogers monitors, bass, at least deeper bass, was not on the agenda, it was really the advent of Home Theatre in the late 80s and the introduction of sub-woofers to augment the bottom end that heralded in the HD650 and by today's standards they're rather still anemic at that to many head-fiers.
The HD600 were also pre digital so the average music lovers hi-fi systems were also deficient in deep bass so it wasn't really missed.
Today that has all changed and we demand it or the audio system is considered sub par and I guess what I am trying to say is that as much as we like deep base it throws the HD600's original tuning off.
And as you've noted "Interestingly the OAE1 remind me the most of the HD 600 and HD 650 in many ways." so the OAE1 could be seen as an evolution addressing those concerns.
...and just to quote myself with ref to the a BBC monitor....
The OAE1 is an excellent compliment to my HD 600, I hear a familiar resemblance but they excel at different things. The OAE1 definitely addresses the lack of sub bass extension and presence without question.
I also own the HD 600, the HD 650 to me was pretty different yet fairly similar to the HD 600 at the same time. In a lot of ways the OAE1 is a supercharged HD 650 but it’s also of course its own thing.
If I was forced to pick a single favorite headphone, I’ll probably pick my T1.3; but I have 4 or so headphones I like a similar amount and which I like the most is very mood oriented so which I like the most may just depend on the day. Honestly just having one headphone doesn’t work for me and my ears and mood vary which I like for a variety of reasons. I find having three or so different headphones you really like works the best in my experience.
Agreed
They definitely do, it’s one of my first thoughts when I listened to them, they reminded me of a traditional HD 6xx series headphone in many ways. It’s nice to see I’m not the only one who finds the OAE1 quite HD 6xx-ish.
Rob80b
Headphoneus Supremus
Ok..we might be on to something!...I've owned the HD580/HD600 and then the HD650 four times, if you can believe
(one was the Drop HD6XX) and although I loved the tonality, due to the driver placement the intimacy was never to my liking or preference and I always ended up relinquishing them, the HD660S and HD660S2 were slightly better in this regard but I also let those go...The OAE1 on the other hand with their forward offset drivers resolves this problem for me, and yet the overall aural presentation, while still reminiscent relative to the HD600 series, is more out the head with increased bass presence to boot.
Rob80b
Headphoneus Supremus
Strange Bedfellows.
Interesting comparison…two very different technologies, tonal sound signatures, overall looks and construction.
The Stax L700MKII obviously having the blacker background, more distinct imaging and expansive sound-stage, the OAE1 with an overall tonal tint connecting the players is a warmer signature.
Interestingly enough the sound-stage is very similar, the Grell (if the phones are properly placed*) is just smaller all round and imaging is not as clear and distinct as on the Stax.
For critical listening L700 works extremely well and wins hands down, Steve Reich's piece "Drumming" for a small percussive ensemble for example,
https://tidal.com/browse/album/16111389?u
it's almost the Stax forte, and one can focus on individual players and distinctly hear the individual instruments as the music gets busy, although IMHO they do work at everything.... still the OAE1 though are more than adequate, just not as clear of a window, more homogenized if I may say.
But we are talking a rather large price gap, here in Canada the Stax L700MK with the SRM 400S Energizer will set you back over $4K while the OAE1, if caught on sale at $199 US, landing at just $300 Canadian and can basically be plugged into anything with a headphone jack.
Thing is, once on my head I’m content to listening to either or.
* Placement of the OAE1 is critical, pushed too far back and all the ear receives is an abundance treble, no forward imaging and in between the ear sound-staging and not at all what the OAE1 are about...while many may find that pushed forward works just fine.
Interesting comparison…two very different technologies, tonal sound signatures, overall looks and construction.
The Stax L700MKII obviously having the blacker background, more distinct imaging and expansive sound-stage, the OAE1 with an overall tonal tint connecting the players is a warmer signature.
Interestingly enough the sound-stage is very similar, the Grell (if the phones are properly placed*) is just smaller all round and imaging is not as clear and distinct as on the Stax.
For critical listening L700 works extremely well and wins hands down, Steve Reich's piece "Drumming" for a small percussive ensemble for example,
https://tidal.com/browse/album/16111389?u
it's almost the Stax forte, and one can focus on individual players and distinctly hear the individual instruments as the music gets busy, although IMHO they do work at everything.... still the OAE1 though are more than adequate, just not as clear of a window, more homogenized if I may say.
But we are talking a rather large price gap, here in Canada the Stax L700MK with the SRM 400S Energizer will set you back over $4K while the OAE1, if caught on sale at $199 US, landing at just $300 Canadian and can basically be plugged into anything with a headphone jack.
Thing is, once on my head I’m content to listening to either or.
* Placement of the OAE1 is critical, pushed too far back and all the ear receives is an abundance treble, no forward imaging and in between the ear sound-staging and not at all what the OAE1 are about...while many may find that pushed forward works just fine.
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That’s awesome. Honestly looks very intriguing just to experience
Did the headband mod today, took all of 15 minutes and can't imagine anyone taking any longer than me.
Comfort level much improved, the headband is tolerable now at any angle, barely noticeable.
Clamp force also much reduced, but... somehow there's more pressure on the back of the ear pad than before (maybe weight distribution?), and the way it presses behind or on the ears is kinda tiring.
So, mostly very good - but at a somewhat annoying cost.
Comfort level much improved, the headband is tolerable now at any angle, barely noticeable.
Clamp force also much reduced, but... somehow there's more pressure on the back of the ear pad than before (maybe weight distribution?), and the way it presses behind or on the ears is kinda tiring.
So, mostly very good - but at a somewhat annoying cost.
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