New Drop + Grell OAE1 Signature Headphones Unveiled at High End 2024

Nearly three years after debuting the Drop + Grell TWS1X IEM earphones, Drop has teamed up again with renowned headphone designer Axel Grell for his newest project, the Drop + Grell OAE1 Signature Headphones. The new open, circumaural headphones are a perfectly symmetric design that somehow is described as inspired by “the natural structure of the human ear”, and intended to reproduce a “realistic sound field that closely resembles a speaker listening experience.”

Elgato, a Corsair brand, announced a new hardware line, called Neo, that merges high-end performance, plug-and-play simplicity at affordable prices. That includes a new version of its Stream Deck buttonmicrophone controller and the Wave Mic, a nicely designed desktop microphone with built-in USB-C audio interface and metal stand. Two outstanding consumer design examples. In total, Elgato introduced five new Neo products, including also a webcam, LED light, and capture card.

Haptic motors are finding applications in gaming, music, VR/AR, and therapeutic/wellness. The Transporter is a patented transducer that delivers faster more accurate bass and is designed to work with the main audio driver in headphones. It subtly vibrates against the user’s skin to produce an extra dimension that can be described as a high-fidelity extension. Silmon J. Biggs and John Steinberg, the two masterminds behind Taction Technology share the story of this development. This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2023.