Grell OAE2 is available

[SSN757]

The Grell OAE2 has been officially released in North America. The OAE2 is an update to the original Grell/Drop OAE1. Bloom Audio and Audio 46 are selling them at 499.00 USD retail.

The OAE 2 looks and feels very similar to the OAE1 non signature version. The immediate differences are the headband has additional padding, and the earpads are softer compared to the OAE1. The frame on the OAE2 is silver, while the OAE1 has a black frame.

The OAE2 was modified based on feedback from listeners with the OAE1. Both have the forward angled driver configuration. The intent was to mirror the effect of listening to speakers, the sound coming from the front, vice direct injection to the ear like just about all other headphones. One needs to listen to them for a decent period of time to get adjusted to the sound being presented. Although it’s not exactly like listening to speakers, they do provide more depth, layering, and sound that is outside the head.

The OAE1 did generate some controversy, largely because they DO sound different. Some audiophiles didn’t warm up to them, but others, once they heard them for a period of time, really came to like them quite a bit. I’m in the latter camp, as I think they do many aspects of audio reproduction well. They especially come alive with music recorded live, as they do an excellent job of capturing the hall acoustics/reverb/echoes. The feedback on the OAE1 also indicated a darker/bass heavy tilt to the music. I would argue that this seems to be recording dependent.

The OAE2 seems to have addressed the comments regarding the dark/bass heavy playback successfully. The OAE2 still has plenty of bass, but not overly so. The occasional darker playback seems to have disappeared, the midrange is very neutral. The treble is more extended, crisp but not overpowering. The overall sonic signature is most pleasant and highly enjoyable. The detail level is moderate.

Here are some reviews, including one where the OAE2 is compared to the HEDD D1: (The German review is readable via Google Translate).

Review 1

Review 2

Review 3 (German)

Review 4

The more I listen to the OAE2, the more I like their sound. They sound quite natural overall. It’s like sitting in the hall in the front third of the venue. Anyone considering a Focal Clear or HEDD D-1 should also audition the OAE2 as well. IMHO, the OAE2 gets the midrange right, much like the HD600 does, but has better bass and a more open soundstage that often is outside the head. This effect is recording dependent.

[SSN757]

Updated the firmware on the Topping D900, which adds a cross-feed function. The cross-feed function has options for implementation and room size. Set the cross-feed for Convolution, and small room. Listening to the Grell OAE2 with cross-feed made a major difference in playback. The Grell OAE2 sounds quite different (more balanced/natural) when using cross-feed.

There was an observation made form another site that referenced the recommendation that the Grell OAE headphones should be used with cross-feed.

[AudioTool]

@SSN757

There was an observation made form another site that referenced the recommendation that the Grell OAE headphones should be used with cross-feed.

@AudioTool

I’ve also been trying the crossfeed built in to Roon with them. It doesn’t make them sound more like speakers in front of me. The center isn’t any further forward, but it brings the extreme sides around from either shoulder to more front angled. I definitely like it for live recordings. Studio recordings I turn it off for pop or electronic where I prefer the surround sound effect. For rock and metal, I prefer it on to keep the hard panned electric guitar from playing right in my ear. I’ve tried crossfeed many times before but I’ve never liked it enough to leave it on for more than a few minutes. I could leave crossfeed on with the OAE1 and be perfectly happy.

[SSN757]

The crossfeed with the D900 is excellent. The Convolution setting works well. The simple setting, not so much.

I use the small room setting for studio albums, and the large setting for live. It’s like the small room uses a limited amount of crossfeed, whilst the large setting has more crossfeed applied.

I also have been using the built in PEQ settings with the D900 for the Grell. The warm setting works quite well for most jazz and classical.

With crossfeed, the Grell OAE1 and OAE2 really come alive. No weird sound with the Grells here with crossfeed applied.

A couple of the PEQ settings also help out the ATH-AWKT nicely. Up to now, my feeble attempts at EQ with this headphone have been abject failures. I’ll look into the Topping Tune app to see about fine tuning some of the headphones in the stable.

I continue to be very impressed with the Topping D900/A900 setup. The latest firmware update allows me to take headphone listening to a entirely new higher level.