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Drop + Grell OAE1 Headphones

$99

~~$299~~

overview

specs

story5

reviews72

photos34

q&a20

discussions61

01 / 20

... / HEADPHONES / OPEN BACK HEADPHONES / DROP

Drop + Grell OAE1 Headphones

Name: Drop + Grell OAE1 Headphones
Brand: Drop + Grell
SKU: drop-grell-oae1-headphones
Price: 99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.951389 (72 reviews)

$99

~~$299~~

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Frequently bought together:

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth USB DAC/Amp

overview

specs

story5

reviews72

photos34

q&a20

discussions61

Paxman

956

Feb 10, 2026

So happy to have been in the inaugaral batch and to have paid three times what they sell for today. What a joke! Hindsight sure is 20/20/. I would buy another set but why? JFC!

Vote

nhamano

Feb 10, 2026

Paxman @Paxman Sorry to hear your dissatisfaction of being an early adopter. I purchased the Signature edition when it was up for pre-order ($350). Took a chance since it was new and an innovate design. I liked it so much I purchased the regular version when it went on sale ($299). These are my go to headphones and I daily them. Am I disappointed that they are on sale for 3X less than I initially paid for them? Sure, but it happens to all products when they have been out for a while. I understand your frustration, but it happens.

Perla2009

Feb 6, 2026

Mi sono arrivate ieri e sono soddisfattissimo, il suono è eccezionale ed è sufficiente cambiare la posizione avanti e indietro per modificare il sound a proprio piacere. La costruzione è ottima e i materiali ottimi, spero di riuscire a trovare i ricambi dei cuscinetti nel tempo senza svenarmi perché di dazi fra USA e Italia ho pagato 49$

nhamano

Jan 21, 2026

Anyone know where I can get a replacement 4.4 cable for the OAE1? Need a new as mine got damaged. If I could get the same one with the fabric, I would be happy. I don't like the plastic coated one.

koaris

Jan 8, 2026

Wow after playing around with EQ these are insane! I tried to open them up a bit Heres what i cooked up: Preamp: -6.0 dB GraphicEQ: 12 2.50; 15 2.80; 19 3.00; 23 3.20; 30 2.80; 37 1.90; 47 1.40; 64 1.10; 80 0.90; 102 0.70; 127 0.50; 161 0.20; 219 0.40; 275 0.60; 348 0.80; 436 1.00; 552 1.20; 692 1.40; 876 1.60; 1192 1.80; 1495 1.90; 1892 2.10; 2372 2.30; 3003 2.50; 4086 2.70; 5122 2.90; 6485 3.30; 8129 3.90; 10292 4.40; 12902 4.90; 16334 5.40

(Edited)

raansire7

1581

Dec 24, 2025

I thought I was cooking when I paid $149 for these. At $99 currently on sale, this is a no-brainer purchase and, dethroning the HD 6XX, the best value in audiophile headphones. I just ordered another one for $79 shipped after the $20 Christmas coupon (added a $5 cable) and $5 I had in points. The imaging and layering of the OAE1 is on another level. I'm currently listening to them on the Schiit Asgard X with the Forkbeard EQ disabled. I originally disliked these headphones with this amp, probably because they were new and not broken in, but now that the drivers have several hours of playtime, I think they're great with the Asgard X. Out the box, I loved them with my Chord Mojo 2 and my old Muse Research Receptor 1.0's headphone output. The sound signature is "muffled"...that is true, but not dark. I'm hearing every single detail, and gets brighter the further back you move the ear cups, so you have adjustability per track other headphones lack. The OAE1 don't sound muddy or bloated to me. What makes these headphones controversial is the unique design philosophy, not the driver capability. They sound how they sound because it was a conscious choice. The drivers are not directly facing your ears. They're literally tiny speakers shooting sound towards you ear lobes, not into your ear holes. Each head and ears are different, so you need to adjust the headphones on your head millimeter by millimeter. Find your sweet spot and suddenly...SPEAKER EFFECT. It's not that the soundstage is wide. Headphones with wide soundstages still sound like headphones. With the OAE1, sound is more natural, like you're hearing the recorded sounds instead of the headphones producing sound. Detail retrieval-wise, they're as revealing as my brighter, airier Focal Clear...AND...the bass is humongous and chest-rattling unlike any other open planar or dynamic headphone I own. The OAE1 are a daring demonstration of the science of physics in an industry that's too comfortable and afraid of changes. EDIT: History likes to repeat itself. One day in the future, I know the OAE1 will be sought after once people wake up to them. I am not the only one that identified them as diamonds from the get-go. For now, get them cheap while most people dismiss them. You might need some ear training to understand what makes them great, but your patience will be rewarded.

(Edited)

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raansire7

1581

Dec 28, 2025

Hey Asgard twinsie! 🤭 Interesting what you said about the soundstage layering. I didn't mention it, but that has been my experience. When I take them off and wear my pricier headphones, the image is noticeably flatter and elements lose their place depth-wise. I'll keep an eye on pad wear and eventually compare my two OAE1 when the new one arrives. 😎

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Evshrug

4216

Feb 27, 2026

I think the OAE1 has more bass than were using to hearing in open headphones… despite being one of the most open headphones, if might have THE most sub bass I’ve ever seen. Granted, I have two Signature pairs, but the elevated bass was still tight bass (with a nice amp, low output impedance Ω, plenty of current). They do sound muffled to me if I put them on backwards, but I thought the bass would mask the lower mids more than I perceive. But no… for me, these are like AKGs with more bass. I use mine with Questyle and Cavalli amps. It’s not as good on my $2400 Sennheiser HDV 820 DAC/amp because the HDV has a 40 Ω output impedance.

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mbw1

Nov 1, 2025

How long is the warranty for these? Many thanks 😊

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ciber

250

Oct 11, 2025

I wish Alex can make a wireless super light on ear clip-on headphone similar as koss ksc75, all current headphones are too heavy.

MartyM

Oct 8, 2025

Are the 6XX better buy than the Drop + Grell OAE1 ? And why thx guys

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searchingforthesound

Oct 27, 2025

MartyMI have both. The 6XX is a classic, a standard by which to compare all others, for a reason. I'm using them with fenestrated leather pads, which improved the comfort and maybe the sound. The QAE1 is quite good, in my opinion. It's different. If you're only going to have one, the 6XX is the way to go because it works well on all types of music and you can just enjoy them. The QAE1 is a good choice for when you buy more headphones to explore advancements and differences without breaking the bank.

Vote

Evshrug

4216

Feb 27, 2026

MartyMAxel Grell designed the HD 650 (6XX), and the 600 and 580 that it was based on. It’s a more intimate sound; it’ll sound pretty clear and balanced for new audiophiles, but with more comparisons it’s revealed that the 650 has darker highs and more forward (slightly louder) vocals. It has a touch more midbass than is strictly “studio,” but it still sounds “right” during playback (not boosted). It’s a staple for comparisons, and an almost compulsory required point of reference for reviewers. Axel Grell designed the OAE1 with several changes meant to improve on his old designs. The tilt of the driver is supposed to engage with your ear shape to improve timbre and realism. The earcups and resulting sound are EXCEPTIONALLY open; there’s almost no sense of resonance. I don’t know how, but the OAE1 also manages to have elevated bass, perhaps the most sub bass that doesn’t seem to roll off at all. Tracks like “Angel” by Massive Attack showcase really subwoofer-like bass, but also sublime decay and reverb prominent in “Unfinished Sympathy.” Fit and comfort, YMMV, for me I prefer the HD 650 headband, but the clamp and earpads of the OAE1.

Cyclone

Apr 5, 2025

Hello, how are the earpads removed? Im trying to remove them but I dont want to break them.

Rob80b

131

Apr 19, 2025

CycloneThe pads are on there rather securely so do not pull on the felt, near the edge where the felt meets the cup get your finger nails if you can, into the tight space from each hand and and pull firmly in opposite directions to separate the plastic ring inside the pad and the cup edge. To reinstall line up the inner contour of the pad with the offset driver and press firmly around the circumference to engage the tabs. see photo

sleepydiabetic

Jan 20, 2025

So for those who ended up with the first release of the headphones, will you guys be releasing a single side cable for those as well?

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Rob80b

131

Jan 22, 2025

sleepydiabeticCan't speak for Drop but if you can find a 3.5mm - 2.5mm Aux Cable Cord for Bose Headphones, these work without modification, plug and play, they're less than $10 https://www.amazon.ca/Replacement-Compatible-QuietComfort-Soundlink-Headphones/dp/B0B2R711KN