The new X1 - Reverse Unboxing from the factory floor

Reverse unboxing starts with an idea and motivation to create flat-sounding studio headphones. It's followed by multiple audio engineers banging their heads against the wall in the prototyping and sourcing stage and then reverse unboxing ends with the quality control and boxing so that you can joyfully unbox them.

00:44 The perfect baby 
01:33 We listened - 4 things you asked for:
02:15 Sound
06:30 Individual calibration
09:00 Comfort
11:33 Price-to-Performance
14:25 Durability and Serviceability
15:23 Unboxing of the X1 studio headphones

X1 are like a baby. A perfect baby, born from the union of two incredible predecessors: the S4X (released in 2019) and the S5 (released in 2021). But how did this idea come about? How did these two headphones come together to create something even better?

The answer lies in listening—truly listening. We didn't just hear your feedback; we actively sought it out, considering both the praise and the criticism, from all corners of the audio community. The X1 isn’t just another product; it’s the result of a collective effort, co-created with you.

What Did You Ask For?

When it came time to design the X1, we identified core four key elements that would form the foundation of these headphones:

1. Sound: A flat, neutral response with an improved soundstage.
2. Comfort: For those long studio sessions, comfort was a priority.
3. Durability and Serviceability: Studios can be tough on gear, so these headphones needed to last.
4. Price-to-Performance Ratio: High-end sound doesn't have to break the bank.

Let’s dive into how we tackled these.

1. Sound: The Heart of the X1

Sound is everything, right? Based on the feedback from you guys the X1 has have to deliver on the flat frequency response similar or basically the same way that the S4 and s5x did. So we wanted to craft headphones that hit the sweet spot between two very different worlds: the S4X was built for stereo mixing, and the S5X was fine-tuned for immersive audio. So, how did we merge these two worlds into one headphone?

The answer lies in balancing the frequency response. For immersive audio, more high-end presence is needed. This helps with 3D sound localization—essential for virtual audio. But for stereo mixing, you don’t need as much of that high-end. So, we created the X1 to deliver a flat frequency response while allowing for adjustments to suit both needs - by including software.

Each pair of X1 headphones is individually calibrated. With our USC II, power by Realphones, you can customize the sound to your specific needs, whether you’re mixing in stereo, immersive audio, or using a specific target like the Harmon curve.

But sound isn’t just about software; it's also about acoustics. The X1’s speaker unit is designed with precision, slightly eccentric to one side and angled for optimal sound. The ear pads also play a critical role, using a specific foam that acts as a flow resistor to shape the sound, particularly in the low-end frequencies.

When everything is put together, we get the frequency response of the X1, which is a mix between the S5 and the S4. It works really well straight out of the box, providing a nicely tuned pair of headphones. For the final touches, for the final 1-2dB, you can activate the calibration, and, of course, use room emulation and different target curves for further adjustments.

Individual calibration

The calibration for the headphones actually starts with the target curve. The target curve is something we’ve been developing for the past five or six years. We went to a really good studio, the Synchron Stage in Vienna, and captured a Dolby-certified room, which was recently certified, so it was perfect to 1dB. We captured that with the ear simulator, the full head and torso, to derive a target curve that would work for immersive mixing. Then, we did AB testing with human subjects to weigh it out and make it work in a headphone scenario.

Then, we have an ear simulator. That’s not the one used for target curves, but it is used for calibrating headphones. To not get too technical, we are using the DRP device to calibrate every single headphone. It’s part of the quality control process where we check that the headphone sounds as we want it to. We then run some software to compare the pink noise on one side with the pink noise from the D and compare them until they match. There’s an AI tool that does a gazillion measurements and comparisons in a split second to derive a calibration file for that individual unit.

I’m inviting you to check the measurements of these headphones objectively, in comparison to many other headphones. They are all published in a measurement report that we update about once a year with new models. You can objectively see how they stack up against all the Sennheisers, Beyerdynamics, and other brands in the world. This might help you make a better, more educated decision about whether they are for you or not.

Measurements here: OLLO Audio Measuremets of headphones

2. Comfort: Designed for Long Sessions

When you’re mixing for hours, comfort matters. That’s why we designed the X1 with a focus on ergonomics. The stainless steel headband is durable yet flexible, ensuring a comfortable fit for various head sizes. We’ve also kept the strap from the S4X, offering self-adjusting functionality, so you can just pop them on and go. No fiddling with adjustments.

The ear cups rotate for a personalized fit. With 57-58mm ear pads they comfortably fit around your ears, providing an excellent seal for both sound isolation and comfort. These headphones may not be the lightest, but they are balanced and won’t weigh you down during long sessions.

3. Durability and Serviceability: Built to Last

In a studio, gear takes a beating. That’s why durability and serviceability were key in the X1’s design. These headphones are made to withstand the rigours of daily use, and should anything break, you can easily replace individual parts—no fancy tools required. You can order the parts directly from us and fix them yourself, keeping your X1s going for years.

4. Price-to-Performance: The Secret Sauce

Now, the big question: How can we offer headphones with top-tier sound, individual calibration, and quality materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and actual wood in EU for 500 EUR?

The secret lies in efficiency. We’re a small team, just five full-time employees and two outsourced workers. That’s it. We keep the focus on one product line, the X1, and we keep our processes lean. By sticking to a niche market and carefully controlling every step of the production process, we can deliver exceptional value without the overhead costs of larger companies.

And since we don’t mass-produce a whole lineup of headphones, we can focus all our resources on making the X1 the best it can be. This allows us to pass the savings directly to you without sacrificing quality.

Final Thoughts

The X1 headphones are more than just a product; they’re a culmination of years of listening, learning, and refining. We’ve created something that’s not only built for the pros but is also accessible to anyone who demands the best. So when you open that box, know that you’re unboxing a headphone born from your feedback, engineered for your needs, and crafted to deliver an unparalleled listening experience.

Ready to take your studio experience to the next level?