Since Corsair acquired Drop in 2023, the passionate group of creators has continued to design and curate a selection of enthusiast tech products as well as focusing on new categories to bring some great innovation to its members. Now with the financial muscle of Corsair behind it, Drop has been able to develop more products including the latest Grell headphone collaboration.
Working with headphone designer Axel Grell, Drop has created the latest iteration of its Drop + Grell OAE1 open-back headphones. Grell built his first loudspeakers at the age of 12 and then went on to spend two decades working as the head acoustic engineer for Sennheiser, heading up the development of some of the world’s most highly acclaimed headphones including the HD580, HD600, HD650, HD800 and the stunning HE-1.
Over the years, Grell has continued to refine his knowledge and hone his audio expertise as well as following his entrepreneurial nature by continuing to push boundaries of what’s possible from a pair of headphones.
When the first-generation signature version of the Drop + Grell OAE1 headphones was launched earlier in 2024, the run of 1,000 units sold out in just three weeks. This latest edition of the headphones offers the same specifications but at a more attractive price and with some important improvements.
Although the sound was well received, feedback from Drop’s community of members, called for some adjustments to the OAE1 asking for a lighter clamping force and a single-sided cable with an insert indicator for added ease of use. This new version also features a new all-black colorway with stylish dark gray accents.
At 375g, the OAE1 don’t feel as heavy as you might imagine, thanks largely to a well-padded headband and the firm headphone fit. The clamping force has eased off and over time it will probably relax further so it seems some of the feedback has been taken onboard for this second iteration.
These headphones are the culmination of Axel Grell’s three decades of audio engineering experience and immersion in audio product development, much of it spent with Sennheiser. The new OE1 headphones have a driver-forward design with an open-around-ear structure that works around the shape of the human ear to create a more natural and realistic sound field.
By moving the drivers in front of and away from the ear canal, the new OAE1 headphones take advantage of the natural structure of the human ear by directing the sound waves straight into the ear canal from a forward position. The circumaural design reduces acoustic reflections and controls sound pressure. The upshot of these innovations means the listener gets an improved stereo soundstage, a more natural sound field that can tease out the deepest dimensions of a song thanks to a warm and relaxed bass that superbly enjoyable to listen to.
“Building on the success of the signature headphones that sold out earlier this year, the new OAE1s bring the same level of audio innovation and sound precision to a broader audience,” says Grell. “With the Drop + Grell OAE1 headphones, we’ve maintained our commitment to precision engineering and high-fidelity sound while offering a more accessible price point. It’s all about making premium audio experiences accessible to more listeners without compromising on quality.”
So how do the new and improved Drop + Grell OAE1 headphones sound and feel in use? The clamping force is still fairly firm but not uncomfortable. The fit is secure enough to stay in place and whether you are wearing them lying down or standing up. The velour ear pads are comfortable and remind me of Sennheiser’s classic HD660 headphones.
The use of a single sided cable is another welcome change and you can decide whether to plug into the left or right side, whatever works best. When I listen to music at night, my stereo is to my right, so being able to plug the cable on the left side is perfect. However, when I sit at my desk, the headphone jack is to my left, so I can easily swap over.
The sound from these headphones is relaxed but still has plenty of energy and rhythm and the bass has less attack that the Signature Edition which some people found slightly aggressive. There is detail in the treble but a very small tweak of the EQ in the upper registers opens things up a bit more. The midrange is remarkably open and well-suited to vocals.
Finally, we come to the bass. The depth and warmth in the lower registers with the Drop + Grell OAE1 headphones is spot on and not overly aggressive but with enough attack to get your feet tapping. Things rarely get out of hand or swamp the rest of the mix. The result is a well-balanced soundstage that’a natural rather than too wide but feels focused and relaxed, allowing the music to breathe and creating space around each instrument.
For my test, I sat down and wiped the dust off my copy of Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly, one of the most criminally underrated albums. Produced by Gary Katz for Warner Brothers and released back in 1982, this debut solo album from one half of Steely Dan is a real treat with pop and jazz accents that are totally infectious.
People who know about The Nightfly know how good this album is. And although it was Fagen’s first solo recording, it has Becker and Fagen’s production values stamped all over it. Just listening to the piano intro on the track “Maxine” and hear how it showcases the deftness of the OE1’s handling of the piano’s delicacy.
Other tracks on the The Nightfly show how well the OAE1 can weave the rhythm of walking bass lines into the overall soundstage. Details from the brass section and the lazy jazz guitar are never lost, staying separate within the rest of the mix. There’s little to criticize about the OE1 but they do need a good-quality source and recording because they show up shoddy sound.
The nominal impedance of the Drop + Grell OAE1 headphones is rated at 38Ω which requires a bit more power than your average smartphone can deliver. Even on the DAC that I was testing, the volume had to be turned up some way, so bear that in mind when choosing what to partner these headphones with because they demand and deserve a good enough source with muscle to do them justice, but most music lovers will have those bases covered.
Verdict: The Drop + Grell OAE1 are an excellent pair of open-back dynamic headphones. The fit is firm but not uncomfortable, even for long listening sessions. The velour ear pads are also comfortable and can be replaced if necessary. The detachable single cable with its TRRS 2.5mm connector is a bonus because it can be used left or right which is perfect when listening to a hi-fi system. The Drop + Grell OAE1 are indoor headphones for listening to music alone in solitude due to their open ear design. They are cool to wear and the design means there’s no trapped pressure created by soundwaves which helps with the relaxed sound. All in all, these are a well-balanced pair of headphones that will appeal to audiophiles with a good-quality audio set up and a love for listening to headphones.
Pricing & Availability: The Drop + Grell OAE1 headphones will be available for pre-order starting on November 13 at a price of $249 with an MSRP of $299, $100 less than the previous signature edition.
Tech Specs:
- Model: Drop + Grell OAE1.
- Frequency response: 12 – 32,000Hz (-3db) 6 – 44,000Hz (-10db).
- Transducer principal: Dynamic.
- Ear coupling: Circumaural.
- Sound characteristic: Front oriented loudness diffuse field equalization.
- Adaption to the individual hearing curve: Soundfield pinna interaction
- Nominal impedance: 38Ω.
- Sound pressure level at 1kHz 1VRMS: 106dB.
- Maximum long-term input power: 500mW.
- THD at 1kHz 100dB: 0.05%.
- Weight (without cable): 375g.
- Cable: Single-sided, silver-coated OFC cable: 1.8m (6 ft).
- Connectors headphone side: 2.5mm TRRS.
- Connector device: 3.5mm stereo plug.
- Adaptor: 3.5mm to 6.3mm screw on.
