Drop + Grell OAE1 Signature Headphones Reviews | Drop

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Drop + Grell OAE1 Signature Headphones

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

tawebb

Aug 2, 2024

Activities:Casual Listening, Critical Listening

Music Genres:Classical, Country, Electronic, Jazz, Metal, Pop, R&B, Rock

Verified Buyer

Different and Enjoyable

I have bought a number of items from Drop over the years and never felt compelled to offer up a review of anything I’ve purchased. I broke with my tradition in this case because I do feel that as one of the earliest users of this headphone that initial impressions may “make or break” this product. Many of the folks that purchased the OAE1 did not get an opportunity to listen to it in any of its trade show iterations. Our decision to purchase them was likely a mixture of familiarity with their designer and his prior creations and the thought that the novel driver placement in his latest design might offer an experience that was something different and hopefully enjoyable. To provide some context, I purchased the OAE1 following earlier purchases of the HD6XX and the Audeze LCD-X (2021 version). For amplification I am using the iFi Signature Zen Can HD6XX with my DAC source being a Okto Research DAC 8 Stereo. I use balanced connections across all of these units. When using the OAE1, I am not engaging the iFi’s bass or spatial enhancement features. OAE1 build quality (5) – I was thoroughly impressed with the presentation of this unit and its quality of construction keeping in mind its price point. When I evaluate things in this category I’m always contemplating how much thought and care was likely needed in the design and planning process to achieve the end result. I find the option for a single sided cable connection on this headphone to be particularly innovative and practical. OAE1 comfort (4.5) – I find the headband used for this headphone to fit my head shape well with the padding providing a reasonable level of comfort. I like that once you set how far out you choose to extend each earpiece, it stays at that setting and doesn’t slowly sink back into the headband forcing readjustments. The ear cup openings are circular and my ears fit entirely inside the cup without touching the ear pads. My score in this category would have been lower if forced to review this set in my first week of use. Clamping force was originally high but has eased with continued use. I still find myself occasionally readjusting the OAE1’s placement over my ears while listening. Once I became accustomed to situating my ear at the center of the ear opening so that my ear was not touching any part of the ear pad, I now consciously adjust the headphone’s placement if I feel the ear pad touching my ear. OAE1 sound (4.8) – The OAE1’s offer something different in their sonic presentation. The openness I’m perceiving from them is an outside of the head presentation that I would not use the word soundstage to describe. As someone who often listens to loudspeakers, I don’t detect the same type of soundstage cues a properly set up stereo speaker system delivers in the OAE1. That said, the OAE1’s do deliver a sort of “spatial layering” of the different parts and pieces of a recording that I find truly enjoyable. I am not one to experiment with EQ to “remedy” a certain part of my system’s sonic performance. I often encounter recordings that make me question if the OAE1 has a major frequency response issue that I might be ignoring only to find the next thing I listen to excels in the area I was ready to question. My advice to those considering the OAE1’s as a purchase, either used or if another production run becomes available, is to be prepared to meet them where they are and be open to something that, by design, are meant to sound different than other headphones you have experienced. Many, including myself, have found them to have a unique sonic presentation that has added to their music listening enjoyment.

Recommends this product? Yes

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searchingforthesound

Oct 23, 2024

tawebbMy experience is similar to yours. On many recordings, this pulls me into the experience more than any other, and isn't that what it's all about? (But it isn't a great pair of speakers, of course.)

Oct 23, 2024

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