DROP + GRELL OAE1

[JM Popaleetus]

Too much weight on his name.

I’d love to see your CV if you think designing the HD600, HD800, and Orpheus HE-1 is unimpressive.

I mean, surely fit should be sorted by now!

Grell’s new company has 2-10 employees (per his LinkedIn). The industrial design of the OAE1 was literally done by his wife.

Sennheiser has 2100 employees, and spends €46 million a year in R&D.

But yes, surely his first real solo project would be the first ever pair of headphones that fits everyone worldwide perfectly.

I returned my OAE1s, so theres’s no copium from me. I just think your “points” are rather obtuse.

 

[Skev]

I never said i was unimpressed by the HD800’s or his previous work. That’s your words, not mine. My CV has nothing to do with it.

Yes fitment should be fairly sorted out by now. Never said it would or should fit absolutely everyone but it should be better than it is.

I just think there’s way too much hype surrounding it based purely on his name, and if it wasn’t for his name more than half the people here interested in them wouldn’t have given them a second look.

Obtuse? Well maybe. True, also maybe

 

[Luckyleo]

Listening to this Ambient type album with the OAE1's balanced via V222. Great morning !

 

[gikigill]

After my first 15 minutes of listening, I'm keeping them. Thankfully a very different sound from almost anything we have today.

Trying them on a few different amps shortly to see what changes.

 

[FiGuY1017]

There will always be something that draws me to purchase a headphone I've never heard before, maybe hype, listening impressions, designer goal. So in a situation like mine where I basically have to buy blind everything the oae1 was a judgement call based on its reasonable price and design goal. To me they sound great, so was to me a good buy. Fortunately I don't have have to vindicate my impression before a jury, because this whole hobby is subjective. Even the greatest of the greats have decenters

 

[JM Popaleetus]

I just think there’s way too much hype surrounding it based purely on his name…

I’m going to quote a negative review of the OAEs:

To my mind, there isn’t a single headphone designer with more name recognition and a better track record than Axel Grell. His history leading up to now is one marked with high highs and low lows, but I don’t think anyone can deny his influence being among the most important forces to ever propel the creation of audiophile headphones.

You say too much credit and hype is given to his name? I disagree. Even if the experiment ultimately fails, he’s earned that attention.

…and if it wasn’t for his name more than half the people here interested in them wouldn’t have given them a second look.

And I ask again, what is your point? Your irrelevant what-if scenario doesn’t exist. Maybe people would care, maybe not. Who knows?

People like to hear confirmation that what they’ve just spent mega-bucks on is actually good and will defend it. You see it everywhere. (Not saying these are mega bucks)

Also, this whole Headfi industry (including YT reviews) etc is all skewed. If something is cheap and sounds better than expected people shrill the hell out of it. People then thinks it sounds better than a higher end product.. but it doesn’t … it’s just good for its price. Nothing more.

This point of yours is completely valid, lost on deaf ears, and I agree completely.

In the end I do believe the OAE1 sounds good for its price. It also could be a lot better, and I think it will be if the fitment issues are corrected.

And regarding fit, you believe someone so experienced shouldn’t be making these mistakes? I say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Fit is why I returned my pair, but I give leniency knowing Sennheiser’s massive budget isn’t behind the ergonomics. Plus the OAE1s objectively look cool, so there’s that.

In the end, Grell took a risk and I think we all can appreciate that.

 

[Skev]

I just think a lot of people had higher expectations of the headphone, and a lot would have bought them on merit of his name and past successes. That’s why I think there should have been a bit more time/care taken with basic fit/function. 90% of folk won’t buy or use a headphone if the fit/comfort is bad.

Just expressing my view, don’t mean to wind people up …

 

[Headphoneprobs]

Have to drop a note on these. Out of the box I was, frankly, confused. I was getting ear pain that's usually afforded by hifiman everything and Meze 109. Perhaps burn -in, perhaps the right amp selection, but I'm really, really enjoying these now.

When called for, bass feels like I've got a subwoofer shaking my earlobes with a nice feeling of distance, mids are maybe recessed but feels right, treble is articulate but not over the top. Sense of space is unique but not drastic or artificial to my ears.

Perhaps Senn 6 series haze (aka not sharpest sounding) and some bass bleed (busy tracks with heavy bass lines can sound a bit blurry/congested) but whatever. The bass issue could have to do with my amp which causes some bass bloom with other sets.

I've got...too many headphones at various price ranges and I find I'm grabbing these day in, day out. They're easy and interesting to listen to.

Regarding fit. Yes, an unfortunate one. I've got a big ole' head around but not a particularly long one (weird description) and I can wear them at max length (most other headphones I wear near the smallest setting). For someone with a long...or long and fat head...then there's no way these would work.

Maybe in future models make the cups removable and sell an aftermarket headband in the same way audeze sells long yokes...I don't know.... And I don't care! Sound and fit are great for me.

 

[Evshrug]

Axel Grell is also well aware of all of this, and I had a long chat with him about it in Munich this year. The choice to bring this product to market, is in my view a way of him trying to test the boundaries on some of these concepts, and see how the market responds. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, because it's not just tuning things at random or by ear, but by a unique concept that in a way tests the more well-established norms on these things.

Here are Grell’s own words about the goal of the OAE1:
Hi Mariant, I'm sorry, that we haven't explained it better. The placement of the driver in front of the headphones is nothing that is meant to create "in-front-of-head-localisation". We do it to use the geometry of the indidiual pinna to shape the frequency respose at the ear-drum in a way that it would have been shaped when the sound comes from an angle of incidence of 60° or (300°) to the rear front middle axis of the head. The first wave front from perfectly reproduced stereo signals with loudspeakers appears from this angle. The direction of the first wavefront defines where we localize sound sources (Haas Effect) (this works with just one ear as well - the other one blocked, by the way . The second more important reason is the right individual "tonality" in the frequency range above 1.5 kHz as our Ear related transfer functions (ERTFs) are very different in that range. A headphone sounds completely different to a listener with a different ear geomety than the headphone designer when the driver placement is done in the traditional 90° (270°) position. One article that is very ineresting in this context is: "Møller, H., Jensen, C. B., Hammershøi, D., & Sørensen, M. F. (1995). Design criteria for headphones. Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 43(4), 218-232." http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=10274 When the "walls" of an earcup are designed in the right way there are no reflections or they are that small that they cause no resonaces (very low Q-factor). I hope that helps to understand better why we have designed the OAE1 the way it is designed. If you have more questions: please ask!
Best regards
Axel

https://drop.com/talk/137429/the-driver-geometry-of-the-grell-headphones/2951453

I noted that he explicitly stated that it wouldn’t create “in-front-of-head-localization” either.

@Rob80b if you go back to the message that Axel wrote about the HD 600… yes he was suggesting some time to allow for the brain to accumulate, but vs early HD 600 and especially all original HD 580 that are over 20 years old, the membranes would produce less bass as they aged, widening the gulf between the OAE1 and those old samples.

Been playing Death Stranding on PC with OAE1, it’s a fantastic match. Immersive sound for an immersive game!

I also recently started this game as a way to test the OAE1 with gaming and agree the overall immersion makes it really fun and pulls you into the world of the game.

Okay, YES Death Stranding! Definitely an atypical game, not an espionage or action game, but it’s a sci-fi game with something to say. The musical queues are AMAZING, the first time a Low Roar song cued up as I created a hill floored me – that mood is what the game was about for me, not the fear of ghosts. The sequel trailer looks delightfully weird… glad to see Guillermo del Toro making another appearance.

For non-gamers, I still recommend the two soundtrack albums for the game regardless:

 

[tommo21]

I do think the fit is really important for these....it's almost like my head was the model for these as they fit both my head and ears. Even with glasses there's no problem....and I absolutely love them. On the bass bleed/issue they sound best on high power amps that can control the bass it feels like. Also as mentioned previously they don't replace anything, but I enjoy the music in these for what they are...something different than everything else. They've been my only headphone used for the last two weeks, and at the moment is used quite successfully with the Aune S17 Pro.

 

[Rob80b]

I’m going to quote a negative review of the OAEs:

Very much so, just to quote a tiny part.....

"I’d go as far as saying this headphone is one of the best examples I’ve come across regarding why headphone consumers shouldn’t care nearly as much about “soundstage” as they currently do"
.
"Treble The treble of this headphone is upsetting enough that it compelled me to shoehorn in an entire separate article’s worth of educational content in the back half of this piece just to talk about how this treble tuning doesn’t make sense for any headphone.

Midrange The midrange in isolation could actually be a lot worse here, but it’s still got some important downsides to touch on. Before we even talk about the midrange proper though, it must be reiterated that the bass near-completely overshadows most of the midrange, such that almost everything is lacking in intelligibility.

Bass. The bass of the OAE-1 swamps the midrange near-entirely, but this being a good or bad thing depends on your perspective. Personally, this is the exact kind of bass that I try to avoid, both in personal use and in recommendations to others. It is overly bloomy and causes a noted imbalance towards a kludgy and slow presentation. For anyone who wants something balanced, OAE-1’s bass takes it out of that conversation immediately.

So after giving their extremely subjective opinions we are then subjected to their definitive long winded reasoning about sound stage and headphones...

Thus, the long answer is needed. No one else is telling consumers how actually nuanced the idea of “headphone soundstage” actually is, so it falls upon me to explain exactly why this line of thinking is so flawed, and why you shouldn't buy Grell OAE-1—or any headphone—tuned explicitly to the sound of a speaker directly in front of the listener."

Such optimism... with thinking like that we'd still be in the stone age. : (
....but the long winded diatribe could have been avoided if more attention was given the Axel's explanation...."The placement of the driver in front of the headphones is nothing that is meant to create "in-front-of-head-localisation"


But when it come to negative reviews..Chat GPT is your friend. : )

"Rewrite the previous as a positive review of Axel Grell OAE1 headphone..."

Certainly! Here’s a positive review of the Axel Grell OAE1 headphones that focuses on their unique characteristics:


Soundstage and Overall Presentation

The Axel Grell OAE1 headphones offer a distinctive and immersive listening experience that stands out from traditional designs. They provide a sound profile that is designed to deliver an engaging and dynamic audio experience, aligning with the innovative approach that Axel Grell is known for.

Treble

The treble performance of the OAE1 is exceptionally unique, featuring a bold and lively presentation. The tuning introduces a pronounced 4-5 kHz peak that adds a vivid clarity to high-frequency elements, creating an energetic and engaging sound. This peak emphasizes detail and presence, which can be particularly exciting for those who enjoy a more pronounced high-end.

Following this peak, the treble transitions into a dip that offers an intriguing tonal balance. This characteristic creates a distinctive listening experience, adding a unique flair to the sound signature. The upper treble maintains a textured and dynamic quality, which some listeners may find refreshingly different from more conventional treble presentations.

Midrange

The midrange of the OAE1, while influenced by the prominent bass, offers its own unique strengths. The distinctive tuning provides an interesting contrast to the bass, creating a sound profile that many may find captivating. This approach adds a rich and immersive quality to the listening experience, highlighting the innovative design behind the headphones.

Bass

The bass of the OAE1 is robust and engaging, providing a deep and immersive low-end that many listeners will appreciate. Its pronounced presence creates a powerful foundation for the audio, delivering a dynamic and impactful sound. This bass profile adds a sense of depth and excitement to the overall experience, making it a standout feature for those who enjoy a more bass-forward sound.

Overall, the Axel Grell OAE1 headphones offer a distinctive and innovative sound profile. Their bold treble, unique midrange, and powerful bass come together to create a truly immersive listening experience. For those seeking a headphone that breaks away from traditional designs and offers a fresh perspective, the OAE1 is an intriguing choice."

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

I'll write some impressions later just wanted to post a quick note that to me it's working, it's working to the point I might end up selling my HD800.
I'm still on the evaluation time and want to wait to avoid new toy syndrome, but till now everything is working excellent.

 

[Rob80b]

I can't wait for my modular cable as I love hopping amp to amp.

Not the modular but my 9' XLR Hart showed up today, running off the Bryston BHA1 so shouldn't be any sonic gains except in increased voltage so I can match my other phones with regards to volume.

 

[Rob80b]

I'll write some impressions later just wanted to post a quick note that to me it's working, it's working to the point I might end up selling my HD800.

That has crossed my mind. : )

I'm still on the evaluation time and want to wait to avoid new toy syndrome, but till now everything is working excellent.

Ditto. : )

 

[Luckyleo]

Very much so, just to quote a tiny part.....

"I’d go as far as saying this headphone is one of the best examples I’ve come across regarding why headphone consumers shouldn’t care nearly as much about “soundstage” as they currently do"
.
"Treble The treble of this headphone is upsetting enough that it compelled me to shoehorn in an entire separate article’s worth of educational content in the back half of this piece just to talk about how this treble tuning doesn’t make sense for any headphone.

Midrange The midrange in isolation could actually be a lot worse here, but it’s still got some important downsides to touch on. Before we even talk about the midrange proper though, it must be reiterated that the bass near-completely overshadows most of the midrange, such that almost everything is lacking in intelligibility.

Bass. The bass of the OAE-1 swamps the midrange near-entirely, but this being a good or bad thing depends on your perspective. Personally, this is the exact kind of bass that I try to avoid, both in personal use and in recommendations to others. It is overly bloomy and causes a noted imbalance towards a kludgy and slow presentation. For anyone who wants something balanced, OAE-1’s bass takes it out of that conversation immediately.

So after giving their extremely subjective opinions we are then subjected to their definitive long winded reasoning about sound stage and headphones...

Thus, the long answer is needed. No one else is telling consumers how actually nuanced the idea of “headphone soundstage” actually is, so it falls upon me to explain exactly why this line of thinking is so flawed, and why you shouldn't buy Grell OAE-1—or any headphone—tuned explicitly to the sound of a speaker directly in front of the listener."

Such optimism... with thinking like that we'd still be in the stone age. : (
....but the long winded diatribe could have been avoided if more attention was given the Axel's explanation...."The placement of the driver in front of the headphones is nothing that is meant to create "in-front-of-head-localisation"


But when it come to negative reviews..Chat GPT is your friend. : )

"Rewrite the previous as a positive review of Axel Grell OAE1 headphone..."

Certainly! Here’s a positive review of the Axel Grell OAE1 headphones that focuses on their unique characteristics:


Soundstage and Overall Presentation

The Axel Grell OAE1 headphones offer a distinctive and immersive listening experience that stands out from traditional designs. They provide a sound profile that is designed to deliver an engaging and dynamic audio experience, aligning with the innovative approach that Axel Grell is known for.

Treble

The treble performance of the OAE1 is exceptionally unique, featuring a bold and lively presentation. The tuning introduces a pronounced 4-5 kHz peak that adds a vivid clarity to high-frequency elements, creating an energetic and engaging sound. This peak emphasizes detail and presence, which can be particularly exciting for those who enjoy a more pronounced high-end.

Following this peak, the treble transitions into a dip that offers an intriguing tonal balance. This characteristic creates a distinctive listening experience, adding a unique flair to the sound signature. The upper treble maintains a textured and dynamic quality, which some listeners may find refreshingly different from more conventional treble presentations.

Midrange

The midrange of the OAE1, while influenced by the prominent bass, offers its own unique strengths. The distinctive tuning provides an interesting contrast to the bass, creating a sound profile that many may find captivating. This approach adds a rich and immersive quality to the listening experience, highlighting the innovative design behind the headphones.

Bass

The bass of the OAE1 is robust and engaging, providing a deep and immersive low-end that many listeners will appreciate. Its pronounced presence creates a powerful foundation for the audio, delivering a dynamic and impactful sound. This bass profile adds a sense of depth and excitement to the overall experience, making it a standout feature for those who enjoy a more bass-forward sound.

Overall, the Axel Grell OAE1 headphones offer a distinctive and innovative sound profile. Their bold treble, unique midrange, and powerful bass come together to create a truly immersive listening experience. For those seeking a headphone that breaks away from traditional designs and offers a fresh perspective, the OAE1 is an intriguing choice."

Well done!