Disclaimer: I would like to formally thank Jasia from Drop.com for providing us with a unit in exchange for an impartial and honest review. On behalf of the team at the Headphone List, we thank her for her generosity and trust in THL.
Summary:
The Grell OAE1 is a revolutionary exploration of novel driver positioning to mimic what former Sennheiser engineer cum legend, Axel Grell, touts as “front-oriented diffuse field equalization”. The final product is a slick and svelte headphone that presents sound in an unorthodox manner that is bound to polarise.
The OAE1’s bountiful sub-bass cliff, by function of its volume, is impressive in girth and note weight; a quality that subverts expectations of traditional open-back headphones, alongside its unique staging performance. However, the noteworthy upper-midrange suckout and artificially ‘brittle’ treble may prove to be distracting limitations.
Pros:
+ Aesthetically Germanic design that harkens back to his Axel’s HD800 days
+ Deep and dense, sub-bass texturing and rumble that’s guttural as it is satisfying
+ ‘Dark’, laid back tuning
– Uncomfortable clamp force limits long-term wearability
– Over-handed upper-midrange suckout
– Artificially metallic treble sheen comes across as low-res
Introduction
Axel Grell is the Steve Jobs of the audiophile space. The brains behind the venerated HD (HD600, HD650, HD800, HD800s) series in the Teutonic powerhouse of a brand, Sennheiser, Mr Grell’s years of dedicated service have built the fledgling foundations of our globe-spanning hobby.
When Mr Grell opens a brand named after his namesake, every audiophile is bound to take notice. Grell Audio is Mr. Grell’s laboratory for unorthodox ideation; an unbridled expression of Mr Grell’s contemporary ideas.
The Grell TWS-1, a TWS IEM, was his debut venture into consumer audio outside of the Sennheiser umbrella. It was a polarising release. The OAE1 is the polar opposite (pun not intended) of the TWS-1. The OAE1 is Grell’s challenge to the Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) status quo. It was just as polarising.
Despite the even split amongst his most diehard fans, everyone still accorded him the same level of respect for being bold enough to innovate in a space where preference-curve chasing has percolated deeply into every fiber of this beautiful hobby.
The OAE1 is priced at $299 (at the time of writing, $249) and can be purchased directly from Drop.com.
Technology
Biocellulose dynamic drivers
Biocellulose (also known as biodynamic drivers) is a natural-derived driver material that is typically known for its rigidity and pliability, enhancing control over the diaphragm and reducing unwanted distortion from driver flutter.
Novel driver positioning
The OAE1 headphones take a unique approach to sound delivery by positioning its biocellulose drivers in front of the ear, angled to send audio to the pinna in a more natural way.
This design purportedly reduces unwanted reflections and listener fatigue while improving overall fidelity. Unlike previous attempts, the OAE1 maintains a strong bass response, thanks to an onboard acoustic baffle that ensures impressive low-end reproduction.
Unboxing
The Grell OAE1 Signature Edition is a cheaper iteration of the previous OAE1, but it comes with a few bells and whistles. Firstly, the box still retains its Sennheiser-coded charm, with a black foreground and an oversized, embossed image of the actual Grell OAE1 headphones.
Removing the outer sleeve and removing the top lid, you’ll be greeted by a very spartan interior:
- Grell OAE1 Signature Edition
- 2.5mm to 3.5 single-ended unbalanced cables with a detachable threaded 6.35mm jack
The original OAE1 came shipped with a carrying case. It appears that the carrying case has been foregone in a bid to save money. Because of the OAE1’s non-portable, open-back nature, this is a minor grievance that doesn’t bother me. The only thing I would’ve liked to see was a 4.4mm balanced cable.
Design
The OAE1 is unmistakably, a Axel headphone. The satinised silver accented trims circle the driver’s chambers, followed by a PVD-deposited black headband channels minimalist, Germanic design that decries superfluous design elements. Dieter Rams would be proud.
The felted or velour earpads are soft and breathable for humid environments, where sweat won’t lead to degradation over time. The protein leather headband is plush and soft. However, we’ll discuss comfort later in the next section. Each channel is terminated with a 2.5mm, twist-and-lock female end.
They are single-ended terminations that allow users to connect the OAE1s to their preferred side. The OAE1, shocking no one, is fully open-back with semi-exposed grills that allow audiophiles to peak into its innards.
The high-quality metal build, paired with an understated and conservative aesthetic, makes this is a pleasing headphone to look at and use for the long term.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The Grell OAE1 Signature Edition was designed to address a concerning complaint about the previous OAE1: its clampforce. Sadly, I find the OAE1 to still exercise too much of a strain on the temples of my head. As an audiophile afflicted with TMJ, the OAE1 is a pair of headphones that I cannot wear for longer than two years without developing tenderness or soreness.
The velour earpads offer a moment’s respite from the OAE1’s clamping force, but the earpads’ diameter could be larger to accommodate odd-sized shapes and offer more breathing room for our precious ears. The protein leather headband, conversely, is quite comfortable, with little to no hotspots developing at the top of my head.
It’s a shame the OAE1 is more stylistic than it is wearable. However, your mileage may vary (YMMV). I happen to have a natural aversion towards clamp.
Cable Quality
There’s nothing much to say for me here, so I’ll keep it short. The OAE1’s included 2.5mm twist-to-lock, single-ended to 3.5mm unbalanced cable is sheathed in a cloth jacket. Despite its stiffer exterior, the entire length of cable is flexible and pliable, with little to no proneness to memory or tangle.
There is an adequate length for mobility around the desk, and the 6.35mm screw-on jack is a welcomed addition to my desktop setup (xDuoo XA-02). More importantly, the cloth sheathing is surprisingly non-microphonic — even when it rubs against the fabric of my tee, it doesn’t create that aggravating ‘fabric noise’. This is a no-frills cable that does the job well with no tangible complaints (save for the lack of a balanced option).
Turn to the next page for Sound
