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DROP + Grell OAE1 Wired Open-Back Headphones – Black

  • Based on 68 reviews
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Availability: In Stock.
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Arrives Thursday, Oct 15
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Features

  • FRONT-FIRING DRIVER DESIGN FOR NATURAL SOUND: Innovative driver placement in front of the ears mimics real-world listening, creating a more natural, speaker-like presentation with improved imaging and realism
  • OPEN-BACK DESIGN FOR WIDE SOUNDSTAGE: Open-back earcups allow air and sound to flow freely, delivering an expansive, airy soundstage with enhanced spatial depth and immersive detail
  • BIOCELLULOSE DRIVERS FOR HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO: Precision-tuned dynamic drivers provide rich bass, clear mids, and smooth highs for a balanced, detailed listening experience across music genres
  • DESIGNED BY AXEL GRELL: Created by renowned headphone engineer Axel Grell, known for iconic audiophile designs, bringing advanced acoustic innovation to a modern listening experience
  • IDEAL FOR HOME AND CRITICAL LISTENING: Wired, open-back design is optimized for home use, offering accurate, immersive sound for audiophiles, music enthusiasts, and studio-style listening sessions

Description

Experience a new approach to personal audio with the Drop + Grell OAE1 Open- Back Headphones. Designed to replicate how we naturally hear sound, the OAE1 features a unique front-firing driver geometry that positions audio in front of the listener rather than inside the head. This innovative design works with the natural shape of your ears to create a more realistic and speaker-like listening experience. Combined with an open-back structure, the result is a wide, airy soundstage with impressive depth and spatial accuracy. At the core of the OAE1 are biocellulose dynamic drivers, engineered to deliver balanced, high-fidelity sound. Enjoy controlled bass, detailed mids, and smooth highs across a wide range of music genres, from acoustic recordings to complex mixes. Developed by renowned audio engineer Axel Grell, the OAE1 reflects decades of expertise in headphone design and acoustic tuning. Every element is crafted to provide clarity, precision, and immersion. Ideal for home listening, these wired open-back headphones are best suited for quiet environments where you can fully appreciate their expansive sound and natural presentation. Tech Specs: Headphone type: Open-back, Ear coupling: Over-ear, Drivers: Biocellulose dynamic drivers, Sound characteristic: Front oriented diffuse field equalization, Adaption to the individual hearing curve: Soundfield pinna interaction, Nominal impedance: 38 ohms, Frequency response: 12 - 32,000 Hz (-3 dB), 06 - 44,000 Hz (-10 dB), Sound pressure level (SPL): 106 dB (at 1 kHz 1 VRMS), Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.05% (at 1 kHz 100 dB), Weight (without cable): 375 g

Brand: DROP


Color: Black


Ear Placement: Over Ear


Form Factor: Over Ear


Impedance: 38 ohm


Brand Name: DROP


Model Number: MDX-37960-1


Model Name: Drop GMR-54X-ISO


Built-In Media: User Manual


Age Range Description: Adult


Warranty Description: 1 Year Manufacturer


Number of Items: 1


UPC: 810116905645


Manufacturer: Drop


Color: Black


Impedance: 38 ohm


Noise Control: None


Audio Driver Type: Dynamic Driver


Specific Uses For Product: Gaming


Antenna Location: Gaming


Compatible Devices: Gaming Consoles, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets


Headphone Jack: 3.5 mm Jack


Connectivity Technology: Wired


Headphones Ear Placement: Over Ear


Headphone Folding Features: Over Ear


Earpiece Shape: Over-ear


Item Weight: 13.28 ounces


Unit Count: 1 Count


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Thursday, Oct 15

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

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View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • a not so great first product launch from Grell
i've think about supporting the crowdfunding campaign of OAE1 in the beginning but (luckily) i didn't. the price was adjusted so significantly now so that it's hard to resist the temptation to buy one. the design is very tasteful and generally well made - mostly made in metal components. my main complaint is the yoke extension is too limited and clamped too tight on my big head. there should be at least a few cm more extension to be usable. i think this is not going to work with most adult head sizes. probably one of the reason for the low sales volume. the cable entry design is very clever. it's single entry but connection could be made to either side of the cans and still the correct polarity will be kept!!! don't know how they manage to do this but this is really clever and great design. sound quality is decent and a bit bass heavy. many complaints the tuning was odd. i think this is not a natural tuning but with good sense of space. quite a lot of power is required to drive - i need to dial up the vol on my hpa4 a few dB higher than with ADX7000. OAE1 has a lot shortcomings but i think it's well worth the sale price it's asking for now. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2026 by Derek

  • Great value but poor comfort. Good sound, but proprietary design limits DIY.
5 stars because it’s a steal at $47. The headband is a bit tight out of the box and needs to be taken apart to adjust. Also, the included 3.5mm cable is pretty mediocre and doesn't do the sound quality justice. However, finding a replacement cable with the right connector is quite a challenge. I ended up using a custom cable made for the Sennheiser HD620S—I had to shave down the plastic around the 2.5mm end until the diameter was 6.5mm so it could plug in perfectly. Running it balanced with a 4.4mm custom cable is the only way to truly bring this headphone to life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2026 by 劉政錡

  • There was an attempt...
I have been holding off reviewing these, as I wanted to give them a chance. Sometimes you need to let the brain adjust, as well as break them in a bit before coming to final conclusion. I have been using them every day for a few hours at a time since ordering, plugged into a Liquid Spark amp. Well, here's the rough of it: Pros - Build Quality is top tier. Can't get any better here. - Large sound stage, with great imaging. - Non fatiguing. - Great low end (dat bass). - Price (current) - Unique sound. Cons - Clamp force and pads are out right evil. They can be very uncomfortable at times. - Veiled sound, often distance feeling as though the music is playing in another room (this was apparently done intentionally by Axel Grell to simulate the sensation you get at a concert) - Unique sound Conclusion: If I had to listen to these or a $20-$30 pair of Koss headphones, I'd pick the Koss nearly every single time. The Grells are nice to have to have for the collection, but they would definitely not be the first pair of cans I reach for. The worst offender is the comfort, it's just not something you can listen to comfortably for long periods of time. That followed by that distant veiled sound makes it harder to like. Don't get me wrong, the sound still has some magic to it that is strangely appealing at times. In short, due to how polarizing these are I can't really love it or hate it, and it won't be even the first or second headset I instinctively reach for. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2026 by UberTechie2000

  • Best bang for your buck and a unique piece.
I don’t often leave reviews, but the Grell OAE-1 warrants it in this case. In short, these are essentially in “clearance sale” territory — and when they debuted, they were more than 10x the cost. ($499) The guy behind them, Axel Grell, is a Sennheiser audio engineer who created two of their most successful and well respected headphones. He opted to go a totally different direction here, with drivers oriented towards the front, replicating the experience of speakers coming at you head-on during a concert. I was surprised and impressed by these, where some took issue. I don’t think I’d have loved them at their original debut price, but at the present pricing, you simply won’t find more bang for your buck anywhere else. A lot of popular headphones will feel incredibly cheap compared to these, as they really do feel and look premium. And compared to these Sennheiser traditional sound, these will surprise you with their bass presence and warm sound profile. The only caveat I’ll offer, you really need to spend time with them to appreciate their unique sound presentation, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to adjust them several times during your first few listening sessions. You’ll know the “sweet spot” when you hit it, and that’s when the sound goes from “not bad” to “oh okay, NOW I get it.” I think I own 7 pairs of headphones at this point, and on some level, this will go down as my favorite investment. Especially since they’re an endangered species, and before too long, they’ll be unavailable for sale. If you were on the fence, and you made it this far, don’t hesitate any longer. These are the price of an inexpensive dinner for two, not even a full tank of gas. Pull the trigger and enjoy the creation of someone who dared to be different. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2026 by Sanjeron

  • Great sound, but clamping is no joke
Sound quality is impressive and they have a solid build quality. Big bass, but also well balanced at the same time. Ear pads are also super comfortable. Can’t beat the price. Only cons are they are super tight fitting. I had to really stretch and bend them to make it work. Maybe use a stack of books for several days to try and stretch them out? They also need an amplifier. Without an amp they need full volume on a iPhone or computer to reach a decent listening level and have no soundstage. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2026 by Anahola

  • A spectacular bargain at closeout prices
These are oddballs, but absolutely brilliant if you give them the chance. It seems like most headphones today are made to conform to the Harman 2018 and similar frequency targets. You can find a lot more than 31 versions of the Harman target. There are a lot of people on the internet now who listened to these for a few minutes at a show or put on for a few songs and returned because they don't sound like the Harman 2018 target and then wrote a negative review. The Harman target is just a popular preference. Lots of people like Coke. It is a preference. It turns out that there is a whole world of things that are not Coke. The OAE1 does not blast sound from a 90 degree angle like most headphones. Its drivers fire from the front. The sound is more relaxed. It is not as detailed as a Sennheiser 600-series but no less enjoyable. The OAE1 has a lot more bass than most headphones. Its frequency response is peculiar...if you are used to the Harman 2018 target or similar. You have to listen to the OAE1s to retrain your brain. When you switch back and forth with traditional headphones, they now sound thin. These started out at $300 on Drop but negative reviews from people who desperately wanted them to be another 2018 Harman (or a 600/650 with bass) and were bitterly disappointed by the fact that designer Axel Grell did not want to design the same thing again. Listen to them for a few days or a week exclusively. Whatever weirdness you first perceived in the frequency response will be largely gone (no headphone is perfect). They sound natural and balanced, with a decided warm tilt, but not as warm as you first thought, but warm in a very nice way. There is a little hardness around 8k that can show up on women's vocals if you really listen. That is the worst of it. They are spectacular for jazz, folk, and Americana. They are weirdly good for old music (I'm looking at you Al Bowlly) because of their great bass response. If you like the tone of instruments, especially in the lower registers, you will love these. When Drop closed it looked like the end...until they showed up on Amazon for $68. They need an amp. If you have an amp and an open mind, these are an easy, easy, easy recommendation. $68 does not go far at the grocery store these days but it buys a great pair of headphones ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026 by Chuck

  • Speaker-like sound, perfect for for movies
I truly enjoyed this headphones. Initially, the headband is slightly tied. After some adjustments, it is comfortable. Placement is important for this headphones as the driver is in front. The further you move the back of the ear cups to the back of your ears, the more speaker-like it sounds. The soundstage is in front instead of in-between your ears. It is a truly unique headphone. It is one of my most used headphones now, especially for movies. It is immersive and sounds closer to my hifi setup, rather than other headphones I have. There is an emphasis on the bass, which is perfect for movies. It is enjoyable listening to Classical music on this headphones. Headphones used: Sennheiser HD6XX / HD820, Audeze LCD 2 Closed / LCD-i3, Sony MDR-Z7, Stax SR-L500 / SRS-002 / 003, Audioquest NightHawk Carbon, B&O H9, B&W PX8 ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2026 by Amazon Customer

  • Not great
I bought these because Axel Krell designed them ( Senhiser developer of 600-800 series. First the position of the drivers are new. Very hard to drive luckily I have amps that can do it. but you can tell why he went to aversion too very quickly and I’ve seen a version two was very highly rated compared to these. These only cost me 67 bucks so it wasn’t like I was out a lot of money and I’ll just add them to my collection, but I don’t think I’ll ever use them very often and I may look into buying the version two of this, but I’m not sure I had kind of decided I was done with headphone buying after I bought my Meza 109. I have both the classic 99 and the 109 pros and I’ll be honest for 99.9% of the people in America. The mazes are the best headphones. There are the classics you can get for anywhere from 150 250 the 109 stay pretty consistent about $800 but they really are good headphones. They’re easy to drive. They have great space and they sound they sound perfect but I still since this audio file bug bit me I will experiment with different things at times if you want to spend 70 bucks and try the way these fire because they fire kind of from behind the ear I do it, but don’t count on them. You have an app you can drive them. You’re not gonna drive with your phone or a goggle and be happy. . ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2026 by charles d rockhold

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