OLLO S5X Headphone Review

[Mulder]

The new X1 raises an interesting question for ASR in terms of a possible review. Should it be measured and assessed as it is, i.e. without EQ. Or should it be measured with the included Harman curve activated? Since Harman is the target value for Amirmn's measurements, shouldn't it also be measured with that target curve activated? According to OLLO, you achieve a much higher accuracy with an individual curve than you could ever achieve with the "hardware" alone. As far as I know, this is the only headphone that comes with individual eq curves for several different target curves. This leads to another question I think. What is the ideal headphone? The one that is best suited to adapt to different target curves, or one that is already tuned beforehand to correspond to a certain target curve (which is then not flat) in the initial position.

 

[solderdude]

This leads to another question I think. What is the ideal headphone?

Comfortable fit, not warm on the ears, no seal issues, low clamping force, easy to drive from all sources (lowish and flat impedance), lightweight, flexible cable that is non microphonic, multiple connectors that fit on a small connector so all sources can be used, low distortion even at high SPL, adjustable target frequency response to taste or known references. Sturdy build, nice looking.

Does not exist yet but at least we can dream.

As far as I know, this is the only headphone that comes with individual eq curves for several different target curves.

I thought Sonarworks also sells headphones with individual EQ for headphones they sell or get sent in.
It just isn't Harman target nor on an industry standard fixture.

 

[rank]

Thanks a lot for your review. Because it takes time and energy, especially with clients like that.
I voted poor.
If I may ask, it would be to correlate the "performance", which is deficient here, with the price. I have 4 headphones, but they rarely exceed $15 (in major brands like Philips).

 

[solderdude]

Thanks a lot for your review. Because it takes time and energy, especially with clients like that.
I voted poor.
I have 4 headphones, but they rarely exceed $15 (in major brands like Philips).

In that case all headphones are poorly rated that exceed $15.-... at least for you.
One can ask the question if a headphone is poor if it exceeds $ 15,- or that you are merely judging a headphone to your perception of VFM (value For Money) ?

 

[Smaestro]

The new X1 raises an interesting question for ASR in terms of a possible review. Should it be measured and assessed as it is, i.e. without EQ. Or should it be measured with the included Harman curve activated? Since Harman is the target value for Amirmn's measurements, shouldn't it also be measured with that target curve activated? According to OLLO, you achieve a much higher accuracy with an individual curve than you could ever achieve with the "hardware" alone. As far as I know, this is the only headphone that comes with individual eq curves for several different target curves. This leads to another question I think. What is the ideal headphone? The one that is best suited to adapt to different target curves, or one that is already tuned beforehand to correspond to a certain target curve (which is then not flat) in the initial position.

I don't think it changes much actually. ASR reviews for consumers, and the mass of consumers can't be expected to be running Sonarworks or AutoEQ.

Professionals are expected to understand the FR and distortion measurements and make up their own mind whether headphones suit their needs or not. For a subset of professionals, the ideal professional headphone would indeed be the smoothest FR curve and lowest distortion, because of the ability to get to any curve you need. But I will say that for also many pro's prefer an ideal curve (for them, Harman or otherwise) out of the box so that they can take their headphones to any studio, or simply buy what everybody else around them has. Practicality matters.

So this Ollo approach is only relevant to the (I believe) small set of consumers and professionals who do run Sonarworks/AutoEQ/PEACE.

 

[solderdude]

It is aimed at professional usage. (production)

 

[rank]

In that case all headphones are poorly rated that exceed $15.-... at least for you.
One can ask the question if a headphone is poor if it exceeds $ 15,- or that you are merely judging a headphone to your perception of VFM (value For Money) ?

The VFM is important of course. Heard a lot of expensive headphones, well... It's like for speakers.
The sound is a little different, not better and far from night vs day.
Probably my hearing, which I measured last year and has deteriorated a little. But even when I was young, I had questions...
But no doubt you have some experience that you could share with us?
I have recorded and worked a bit in studios and radio stations, I can assure you that apart from the transmitters or consoles and tape recorders, for the rest if there was a way to get something cheaper (if still vaguely solid), they didn't bother!

 

[solderdude]

But no doubt you have some experience that you could share with us?

already did a year ago....

S5X (1.0)

back to OLLO Audioback to measurementshome published: Feb-03-2023, updated Feb-25-2023 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons fl…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

and some other experiences too:

measurements

home back to headphones updated: Sept-09-2024 A set of measurements is just a tool which can be part of an evaluation of a headphone. My measurements are made with imperfect (and cheap) microphones…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

 

[Mulder]

I don't think it changes much actually. ASR reviews for consumers, and the mass of consumers can't be expected to be running Sonarworks or AutoEQ.

Professionals are expected to understand the FR and distortion measurements and make up their own mind whether headphones suit their needs or not. For a subset of professionals, the ideal professional headphone would indeed be the smoothest FR curve and lowest distortion, because of the ability to get to any curve you need. But I will say that for also many pro's prefer an ideal curve (for them, Harman or otherwise) out of the box so that they can take their headphones to any studio, or simply buy what everybody else around them has. Practicality matters.

So this Ollo approach is only relevant to the (I believe) small set of consumers and professionals who do run Sonarworks/AutoEQ/PEACE.

According to OLLO Audio, the EQ are not provided for Sonarworks etc only. The settings are provided and can be used in any EQ,. The settings are provided and can be used in any EQ, for example in ROON or Equalizer APO. So it should not be any more complicated than any equalizing suggested by for example amir.

From OLLOs website:

"The plugin comes in AU, VST and AAX format for Mac and Win users and is also available in standalone version. The calibration data file is in XPS format that enables manual export of exact EQ values to any 3rd party EQ plugin or DSP enabled hardware; for example: RME TotalMix, Neumann Mission Control, UA console and others.

Calibration includes:

• OLLO USC II plugin (AU, VST, AAX)
• OLLO USC II standalone app (Mac and Win)
• USC II calibration data file compatible with Realphones and Waves Nx
• Open data file for easy export to any 3rd party EQ or DSP enabled hardware"

 

[Smaestro]

According to OLLO Audio, the EQ are not provided for Sonarworks etc only. The settings are provided and can be used in any EQ, for example in ROON or Equalizer APO. So it should not be any more complicated than any equalizing suggested by for example amir.

You’re right, I thought it was hidden. But you can simply open the file in notepad and see what settings it has. Good news, and in that case the point stands

 

[Mulder]

Yesterday I put on my Dan Clark AEON Closed X. These used to be my absolute favorite headphones, but since I got the OLLO S5X I've been using these almost exclusively instead. But yesterday I thought I'd listen to music with my AEONs again as a change. I lasted three songs before switching back to OLLO. I now actually have a hard time understanding what it was that I liked so much about AEON. If the X1 is properly tested by someone and if it is a significant improvement, I will almost certainly get this new OLLO. However, the AEON is much more comfortable on the head. I have to admit that, although I never perceived OLLO as directly uncomfortable.

 

[isostasy]

New X1 headphone from Ollo, not sure when these were announced

 

[Sacha]

Manufacturer's measurements are here

 

[Mulder]

Manufacturer's measurements are here

It seems S5X and the new X1 will sound very similar. I wonder if the difference will be noticeable at all.

 

[khensu]

It seems S5X and the new X1 will sound very similar. I wonder if the difference will be noticeable at all.

If it is, I’d expect it to be minimal. If there was a noticeable (i.e. non-trivial) difference, that would imply that at least one of them is not that useful for its intended purpose.

 

[Mulder]

I was just on DIY-AUDIO-HEAVEN (https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com) and read solderdude's review of the new OLLO X1. Thanks @solderdude for the review. As one might suspect, the difference in sound between this and the predecessor S5X appears to be minimal to non-existent. However, if I understand it correctly, it is a clear improvement in terms of comfort and of course the calibration files that come with it. Those who want Harman-tuned sound can now easily get it. I would love to have this headphone, but doubt whether it's worth the price to upgrade from the S5X.

 

[Sacha]

Looks pretty similar to the HD490 with producer pads which I really like so that is cool / makes me feel like I don't need more headphones