Grell has officially launched its OAE2 open-ear headphones worldwide, bringing a distinctive “front-of-stage” style presentation beyond its earlier availability in Germany. Designed by Axel Grell, a former Sennheiser engineer known for his work in high-end audio, the OAE2 focuses on a listening experience that feels closer to a real musical performance rather than the typical “sound in your head” effect many headphones produce.
Most traditional headphones position their drivers so sound arrives from the left and right sides of your head. That approach can deliver excellent clarity and detail, but Grell argues it often misses an important part of how we naturally hear live music. In a real venue, sound generally comes from in front of you and interacts with the outer ear (the pinna) before it’s perceived by the brain. That interaction plays a big role in spatial cues and realism, and it’s something standard driver placement doesn’t always recreate convincingly.
To address this, the Grell OAE2 uses Grell’s Front-sided Sound Field Modulation (FSFM) technology. In simple terms, the headphones employ 40 mm angled transducers intended to simulate sound arriving from the front, helping music feel more like it’s being performed in front of you. Grell describes this as the missing “je ne sais quoi” that can make headphone listening feel less like a live performance—an attempt to add that extra touch of natural staging and immersion.
On the technical side, the OAE2 features bio-cellulose diaphragms and is rated for a frequency response of 12 Hz to 34 kHz (-3 dB). Total harmonic distortion is listed at 0.05% at 1 kHz, aiming for clean playback with minimal coloration. The headphones weigh 378 g (13.3 oz.) and are made in Germany.
For connectivity, Grell includes both 3.5 mm unbalanced and 4.4 mm balanced cables, making the OAE2 an easy match for a wide range of audio sources—from standard devices to more audiophile-focused gear.
The Grell OAE2 open-ear headphones are available now with an MSRP of $499 through select audio retailers and the brand’s own sales channels, offering an alternative for listeners who want a more speaker-like, performance-forward presentation without leaving the openness and comfort that open-ear designs are known for.
