This product is available to pre-order with an ETA of early January.
High-quality headphones provide an exceptional listening experience without the influence of room acoustics distorting the pure sound. However, modern headphones still cannot reproduce sound as naturally as it occurs in real life, such as at a concert or in a recording studio with high-grade studio monitors.
The OAE2 moves closer to the ideal of natural sound reproduction. We add nothing artificial and leave nothing out. The OAE2 transmits music without coloration because music should sound exactly as it was created.
TECHNOLOGY
The sound of the OAE2 is shaped by the listener’s individual ear anatomy rather than being radiated directly to the eardrum. The reason is our innovative Front-sided Sound Field Modulation (FSFM). This technology, developed by Axel Grell thanks to decades of experience, makes the finest nuances in the midrange and treble audible in a natural and detailed way.
Together with the Institute of Communication Technology at Leibniz University Hannover (IKT) and supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Grell continues to research how the angle of sound incidence affects frequency response depending on individual ear geometry.
Developing headphones means researching materials that influence acoustics. From this work emerged a completely new damping concept. It lowers the resonance frequency to 40 Hz, whereas most conventional dynamic headphones reach 70 Hz. This means a much more impactful bass response for the discerning listener.
SOUND
The OAE2 delivers sound in its purest form. The natural tonal balance across all frequencies results from the deliberate selection and fine-tuning of every acoustic component.
Through the interaction between the ear’s natural shape and the front-sided transducers, the OAE2 achieves a natural, fatigue-free yet highly detailed reproduction of the upper midrange and treble. The finest nuances become audible, and the midrange remains clear.
The carefully balanced mids and open soundstage allow every detail to be heard. Bass reproduction makes low frequencies not only audible but also physically perceptible through psychoacoustic effects, creating a sense of real impact.
The housing’s large, acoustically open surfaces give the OAE2 its spacious and airy character.
COMPONENTS
The transducer and the baffle form the technological heart of the OAE2.
Transducer
Unlike traditional headphones, the grell OAE2 uses a transducer positioned at an angle to the baffle. The 40 mm diaphragm utilizes a cone made from bio-cellulose, allowing for a particularly large radiating surface with substantial excursion. The result is a perfect balance between finely resolved treble and punchy bass.
Baffle
The baffle is the area around the transducer. In most headphones, there are large reflective surfaces embedded which serve structural purposes but distort the sound. The open surface area of the OAE2’s baffle is twice as large as that of comparable headphones and is covered with a precision-engineered stainless steel mesh made in Germany. This mesh accurately defines the acoustic impedance, ensuring the perfect balance between low and high frequencies.
Headband
The head padding is made from breathable velour filled with high-quality memory foam. A combination of flexible polymer and a steel sheet spring precisely defines the clamping force. Inside the headband, two die-cast zinc sliders allow for size adjustment. A rotating joint connects to the yoke that holds the earcup, and allows the headphones to fold flat for easier transportation.
Housing
A support structure made from high-grade polyamide ensures that the acoustic components are held firmly in place, mitigating unwanted vibrations. The construction is encased by a perforated steel sheet with 60 percent open area, protecting the baffle and transducer while avoiding resonances.
Earpads
The earpads are made from premium velour stretched over an acoustic foam with specifically defined openness. As acoustic elements, the earpads help prevent resonances and improve overall tonal balance. Uniquely for the OAE2, the transducers extend into the earpads to make the extreme frontal orientation possible.
Connectors
The OAE2 features a 4-pole 2.5 mm socket on both sides, allowing for either single-sided connection (left or right) or dual-sided connection.
Cables
The OAE2’s cables are made from four ultra-fine, silver-plated OFC copper strands for optimal signal transmission. They are low in microphonics and easy to handle. One cable is supplied with a 3.5 mm connector and 6.3 mm adapter, a second balanced 4.4 mm cable is also included. Additional configurations are available as accessories.
SUSTAINABILITY
For Grell, innovation without sustainability is unthinkable. Environmentally certified production facilities, plastic-free packaging, and replaceable wear parts such as head padding and earpads are a given for us. The high quality of the components ensures long product life.
The OAE2 can be completely disassembled and reassembled, which makes replacement of every component possible. In cooperation with distributors and retailers, Grell ensures comprehensive spare part and repair service.
COMFORT
The OAE2 is ergonomically optimized for a wide variety of head shapes. The extendable sliders adjust smoothly for both large and small heads. The clamping force is tuned to provide a secure fit without pressure points. The headband and earpads flexibly adapt to the user’s head, while the wide, large contact surfaces guarantee excellent comfort during long listening sessions.
DESIGN
Grell’s brand design philosophy follows a technical, simple, and harmonious design language. In the OAE2, ergonomic and acoustic principles come together. The contrast between delicate elements (sliders, yokes) and more substantial ones (head padding, earcups, earpads) defines its character. The aligned curves and round shapes create a sense of harmony.
The OAE1 signature, largely identical in design to the OAE2, received the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2025, an internationally recognized award of excellence for outstanding design and quality.
