OLLO Audio Introduces X1 Studio Headphones
by OLLOAudio   28th October 2024

I'm surprised that X1 is even clearer than S5X in the highs. It's best to try them out because opinions on headphones are very subjective.

Thanks!

One thing to add is that the X1 has a distinctly brighter frequency. I am not judging it to be more detailed, influenced by its characteristics. I found it clearer than the S5X even when EQ'd in a way that suppressed the high frequencies.

As you say, best to find out for yourself

OLLO / Rok

Sorry to insist because it is something I already requested, but would it be possible to do a graphic comparison of the tone between S4X, S5X and X1?

Have you tried APL’s Virtuoso? It does room modeling , I use it together with Realphones (only headphone correction)

Yes. One of the features I like with Realphones is using it as the system audio driver, instead of as a plugin. So, when using headphones, I'm _always_ listening to corrected audio. I don't want to give that up and dont want to load a modelled space into a VST slot whenever I'm working in a DAW - I want consistency.
Virtuoso doesnt offer a system driver option, despite requests.

I suppose i should use a virtual driver which can load plugins, but it's fiddly and not always stable IME.


When I'm mastering, I'm not very interested in different speakers or spaces like cars. I want minimal distortion, not the ability to try lists of different speaker/room combinations derived from static measurements.

Hi all.

I was just about to buy a pair of S5X's when I saw this thread. Would there be any benefit of one over the other, I'm specifically asking re. the atmos/spatial/binaural rendering side of things.

Many thanks,
Tony

Gotta love Ollo!

Considering the latest improvement in Ollo's driver's and their tuning. How would these compare to a similarly priced set of planars ?

There are no (really) good planars in that price-range.

Used higher range Hifiman or Dan Clark if you´re lucky.

So their , supposedly , faster transient attack with minimal distortion and the advertised bass clarity does not compare with the dynamic drivers of the Ollos?

I don't want to derail this thread into a Dynamic Vs Planar debate. I just want to understand where these new improvements stand compared to the other technology's competition.

I didn´t hear the latest Ollos (the S4x weren´t my cup of tea), just saying that a good pair of planars is more expensive new

Some people might prefer the Ananda Nanos over dynamics, though.

Hi,
You can download the report here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/02...f?v=1732531387

Thank you very much! I see that the profile of X1 is more similar to S5X than S4X and I don't see significant differences between X1 and S5X in the headphone profile, for now, I'm going to wait to see reviews, I'm waiting for my favorite reviewer ( diyaudioheaven ) to publish his review, he told me it will be within 1 month.

This review may just be hype, but the guy is literally raving about them. https://youtu.be/AEERKvTljoo?si=53xrkB0WpJ_uzbwz

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com...ments/ollo/x1/

Solderdude posted his review on his blog, I was looking forward to it, as an S5X owner I don't see enough reasons to switch, but I will recommend X1 to all new users, OLLO has become my favorite headphone brand, good job Rok!

I used S4X and still do. Despite it's a little bit dark on HF but still a fantastic set!
I ordered and tried the S5X when it came out. Very disappointed. WAY too much high end! It goes to the level that I can't listen to it for more than 5 mins without fatigues. I understand that it was designed for ATMOS but still.. too bright.
Now the X1. Pre-ordered it without any review online and I am glad that I did. It's an excellent balance between S4X and S5X. It's all clear from sub to air. Absolutely love it with or without the new plugin.

According to the review I posted in my previous comment, the difference in the highs is practically zero as you can see in this graph.

I have S5X and maybe you didn't give it enough time to adapt, since you were used to the darker S4X. Personally, I appreciate those extra highs on the S5X, they are not fatiguing and help to get more detail out of things, they are very much in line with what I hear on my Focals.

I rather trust my ears than any graph. All I can tell you is they are very different to my ears. I tried the S5X for a whole week and did my best to convince myself but I just couldn't stand it, while the X1 was instantly in love with.

You don't need to change it if S5X satisfies you, but you don't need to proof that X1 is the same with S5x neither. Everyone's hearing are slightly different so I rather not to debate about it. It's alright as long as you're happy with what you have.

In anyone is interested in behind the scenes, this "reverse unboxing" of the X1might be interesting and open specific questions...


Rok

I've been using Realphones and AKG K712 Pro's for the last few years and decided it was time for an upgrade. I initially went for the NDH 30 but after a week I decided they just didn't work for me so I sent them back and got a pair of these and they arrived this morning. It's a massive difference in terms of comfort and sound compared to the NDH 30 as far as I'm concerned. Even without the Realphones correction they are very nice just for pleasure listening, Not had a proper chance to test on a mix session yet but I have loaded the correction file into Realphones and adjusted all my snapshots and I was impressed with the quick tests I did. I think I'll be keeping these, Great work Ollo!

Thanks. What's the genre you're mixing mostly?

I produce Electro, Techno and Disco stuff mostly,
I also do mastering for various other genre's.

After you give them a proper test drive, I'd love to hear your feedback on the club emulation as well as the harman target that's boosting the low end. If you'll feel like sharing that with us...

Thanks,
Rok

Has anyone compared it to the HD800?
I'd like the same kind of open-air headphones but with a more present and accurate bass,

Hello,

I already own a pair of Neumann NDH-30 which I quite like.

But Will the Ollo Audio would be better ? I am ,using headphones for mixing, mostly Dance and EDM music styles.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Regards

Sergio

Try them if you get a chance, I personally think they are much nicer than the NDH-30 I tested before getting the Ollo's

I don't have experience with the Neumann's, and have only auditioned higher end headphones briefly. I'm coming from Grado's, which I regard as the headphone equivalent of NS-10s, and got quite comfortable with for mixing.
I've had these X1's for about 2 months now. It has made my mixing both easier and harder. Easier, because I can hear things so clearly and 'factually', I almost instantly know what each situation needs. Harder, because I'm relearning all my tools, finding new weaknesses and strengths in how I solved problems in the past.
Overall, a very positive experience, and one I would be hard pressed to replace any time soon.
FWIW: I mix mostly jazz, acoustic, folk, but during the honeymoon phase when I was listening to everything I could think of with these, the low end clarity was amazing on electric, techno and dance music.

I've had the NDH30 for a year, currently using the Ollo S5x, and yesterday I received the X1. In my opinion, the Ollo is better overall.

Much more comfortable.
More detailed and defined in the bass. The NDH30, for me, had too much information in the subs and not enough in the lows.

The highs on the NDH30 were decent, but they had a significant peak, and I had to use EQ to correct them. With the Ollo, I don't use any kind of EQ; they're great out of the box.

If you have the chance, try them out.

After spending a few days with the X1, I think it's a step up from the S5X overall, and I recommend everyone try them.

For me, the biggest leap is in the bass. According to reviews, the frequency response between the two is quite similar. However, I feel more weight in the X1's bass and considerably more detail. For example, a 0.5 dB increase in the low end of a kick is easily felt on the X1, while on the S5X it's practically imperceptible, perhaps because the X1 offers a better seal.

As for comfort, for me, the S5X was already comfortable, but the X1's adjustable, fixed fit is better than the S5X's.

Overall, I feel the X1 represents a step up in detail compared to the S5X, and everything that could have been improved has been improved.

Great work, OLLO!

i just ordered the Ollo X1 , this is the most expensive Headphone i've ever bought . beside the Slate VSX i own for almost 2 years now , but there you pay more for the Software developing than you do for the Headphones.
Really curious how they gonna sound and how to mixes will translate , i was drawn to the asthetics Because they look beautiful ! , but when i read the story of the Team and vision behind it , and all the postive reviews , cant wait !!