## Drop+Grell OAE1 Headphones Get a Price Cut and a Few Tweaks: Are They Worth It?
Drop has just made its acclaimed Drop+Grell OAE1 open-back headphones more accessible with a significant price reduction. The new ‘non-signature’ version of these wired cans, crafted in collaboration with legendary headphone designer Axel Grell, now boasts an official price of $299, a $100 drop from the original Signature edition. But wait, there’s more! Starting November 13th, you can snag them for an even sweeter deal at just $249.
While the price has taken a dive, some changes have been made to the non-signature OAE1 to achieve this affordability. Don’t worry, none of these changes affect the core sound quality. The unique driver orientation, positioned in front of and away from the ears, remains the same. This design, according to Drop, “enables the sound field from the transducers to take advantage of the ear’s natural structure to direct sound into the ear canal,” resulting in a remarkably expansive soundstage and a remarkably natural sound field.
The impedance stays at 38 ohms, and the frequency response remains unchanged, claiming a range of 12Hz to 32,000Hz (-3 decibels) and 6Hz to 44,000Hz (-10db). The shape and materials are identical, but the new model sports a sleek all-black aesthetic with dark gray accents.
Drop has also addressed feedback regarding the clamping force, easing it up slightly for those who found the Signature edition a bit too tight. For better clarity, they’ve added left/right indicators inside the earcups to ensure you’re wearing them correctly. The 2.5mm cable connectors on each earcup also feature new indicators, as some owners struggled to line up the connectors due to the rubber gaskets covering the inputs.
The non-signature version does come with a few less bells and whistles. While the Signature edition shipped with a double-ended balanced cable, the new model only includes a single-sided, 6-foot cable. You can still get the balanced cable, but it’s now a separate purchase. The same goes for the Signature’s travel case, now an optional add-on.
Before striking out on his own, Axel Grell was a driving force behind some of Sennheiser’s most beloved wired headphones, including the HD580, HD600, HD650, HD800, and the HE-1. While Digital Trends didn’t review the Signature OAE1, reactions to the headphones among other reviewers have been mixed. Headphones.com felt the cans didn’t quite live up to their promise of superior audio quality, while reviewers at Head-fFi.org appeared to have had much better experiences.
If you’re looking for a high-quality pair of open-back headphones with a more affordable price point, the Drop+Grell OAE1 non-signature version might be worth a look. Just be aware of the trade-offs in accessories and consider the mixed reviews before making a decision.
