I have these headphones and I'll have to say that these are very good out of the box an also you can mod them very easily if you're keen on experimenting.
Great review of a product that’s been on my radar for some time. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into the design, not only quality of the sound, but also the ability to replace just about every part with little more than a screwdriver.
Great review. I have owned my Ollo S4X for almost 8 months now and whole heartedly agree with your feedback. I find them wonderful to use as I enjoy many genres but have discovered that to my ears they have come to life when powered by my Xduoo XD-05 plus in high gain at 1000mw at 32ohms and seem to excel when receiving more power despite being easy to drive. They sound amazing when watching movies from a portable device as well picking out fine details in sound to enhance the experience. Absolutely recommend them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, James. I agree too that they're quite at home on a mobile setup, but definitely have more to give with quality amplification. It's not at all that they're power hungry, but they have the level of quality needed to reveal a better quality source chain.
@@PassionforSound that is reassuring to hear looking to purchase the Schiit Jotenheim 2 to pair with my S4x paired with ethier the Gustard X-16 or su-9 DAC for my first desktop set up
Thank you being a huge fan of yours it was your review that made the decision easy. Plus that set up will allow me to eventually grow my headphone collection
Thank you for making this review! I teach intro audio production, and although we have decent headphones on hand, when they inevitably break I'd love to look for even better replacements. This helps a bunch!
My pleasure, Jeff. Depending on your needs you might also want to check out the closed version, S4R, which have had a v1.1 released and improved on the tuning of the S4X V1. I don't know if the S4X have a V1.1 out yet or coming soon, but the tuning improvement is quite marked on the S4R with no price increase. I've reviewed the S4R v1.1 and compared to the S4X V1 if you're interested.
@@PassionforSound Oh my goodness, that is SO helpful, thank you! I will definitely go watch that. This is my first time hearing of these headphones and and I'm really curious. I appreciate you taking the time for that reply. Cheers!
There are also a number of Hifiman headphones that do (or did) use 2.5mm connectors. 2.5s are readily available from Hart Audio and the like or probably on Amazon or your favorite Chi-fi source.
Glad to hear, Oren! I know another reviewer questioned the measurement target for these, but based on my positive experiences mixing my review audio with these, I think Ollo have done a good job regardless of the measurement target chosen.
I haven't tried the S4 so I can't really say. I do think the v1.1 tuning is excellent so the S4R 1.1 or S4X 1.1 (if there's an S4X in v1.1) are definitely a good upgrade.
I think there are other headphones I'd choose for pure enjoyment, but they're certainly not unenjoyable if you want one headphone that does both production and listening duties.
For pure enjoyment, I'd go for something like the HiFiMan Sundara, Sennheiser HD650 / HD6XX or Sivga Phoenix. I think, off the top of my head, they're all in roughly the same price range as the S4R. Keep in mind that none of them are neutral like the S4R as that's what makes them better for enjoyment listening.
I haven't tried the HI-55 so can't comment - sorry! I can say that the S4X isn't super strong on imaging. It's good and perfectly acceptable, but it's not a standout feature of the sound.
I think I compared those two in my LCD-1 review. Going from memory, the LCD-1 sounds more open, but not quite as balanced tonally - it's a bit drier and leaner sounding which can result in an overly warm mix if you don't account for it.
Christos, I just saw your question about the Austrian Audio x65. Unfortunately, AA didn't respond to my email to them when I asked about review units some time ago.
I wished every company just used 3.5mm connectors and not the flimsy 2.5mm or some stupid proprietary ones (looking at you all Audeze, Sennheiser, Dan Clark.....).
Thanks a lot for another excellent review, Lachlan. I have been watch/listening to a lot of your reviews of late in a short period of time and I appreciate your presentation style , pace, the clarity and thoroughness of your information, and your reasoning for your subjective opinions and judgements. The other products you choose to compare to the one being reviewed are well chosen and you explain why you made that choice. Well done. I feel I am learning a lot. Re the headphones in this review, the Ollo Audio S4X: I think I might like these very much . In my case they would be for listening not mastering. Do you think this Geshelli Labs pairing , theJ2 digital audio converter with the Erish Balanced headphone amplifier would complement the Ollo S4X well or would they be much better served by higher-end (much more expensive) components? I take it, but am not sure, that these headphones could be used with balanced cables and termination types that the Erish amp would accept?
Hi Clarke, so glad to hear you're enjoying the channel! The S4X with the Geshelli gear would be a great match, particularly with the newly announced Erish 2 (or E2). The S4X can give you a little more performance with higher end gear, but they're not a headphone that demands it so the Geshelli stack will do great. As for running balanced, you will need an aftermarket cable, but there are lots of good options. I've actually got a review of the Hart Audio and Apos Flow cables coming up pretty soon so that might help too
@@PassionforSound Thanks heaps for the prompt and detailed reply. Really helpful. I will keenly watch your upcoming reviews on the cables and will look into the new Erish amp. May I ask another question? I get that Ollo headphones were primarily designed for production and/or recording rather than "enjoyment" and I note the on the Ollo Audio website one is guided to choose the S4X rather than S4R for "enjoying". You have recently reviewed the latest S4R (2021 version) and it seems you judge it to be improved as compared to the S4X ( pre 2021 version). Do you reckon this improvement takes the sound in a direction that makes it less enjoyable ? I have been doing a lot of listening to music through Sony MDR 7506 headphones which I think are a closed /sealed design. Although I live in a fairly quiet house I do enjoy the music being isolated / unaffected by external noise. This is probably a big plus. The Sony's are unobjectionable, they are good, but I would say they are not all that lively nor all that resolving.
That's an interesting question! I probably prefer the S4R in all ways, but it's not quite as smooth or slightly warm sounding as the S4X so it will depend on your tastes. If I had to choose one though it would be the S4R which brings some additional transparency and resolution without getting harsh or overly analytical
I have these headphones and I'll have to say that these are very good out of the box an also you can mod them very easily if you're keen on experimenting.
That's a great point about modding - I hadn't even thought of that! Glad you're looking the cans
How would you mod them please ?
Great review of a product that’s been on my radar for some time. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into the design, not only quality of the sound, but also the ability to replace just about every part with little more than a screwdriver.
Thanks Aynsley. Yes - I certainly found the user serviceability appealing, particularly with the elastic headband!
Good timing on dropping this review. I just dropped mine last night.
Oh, cool! I'll go check it out!
Thanks for the effort you've put in this great video. Appreciate it!
My pleasure. Thanks for a great product!
Great review. I have owned my Ollo S4X for almost 8 months now and whole heartedly agree with your feedback. I find them wonderful to use as I enjoy many genres but have discovered that to my ears they have come to life when powered by my Xduoo XD-05 plus in high gain at 1000mw at 32ohms and seem to excel when receiving more power despite being easy to drive. They sound amazing when watching movies from a portable device as well picking out fine details in sound to enhance the experience. Absolutely recommend them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, James. I agree too that they're quite at home on a mobile setup, but definitely have more to give with quality amplification. It's not at all that they're power hungry, but they have the level of quality needed to reveal a better quality source chain.
@@PassionforSound that is reassuring to hear looking to purchase the Schiit Jotenheim 2 to pair with my S4x paired with ethier the Gustard X-16 or su-9 DAC for my first desktop set up
Very nice! You'll love what you hear I think. The Jot 2 is super fun, rich and still detailed.
Thank you being a huge fan of yours it was your review that made the decision easy. Plus that set up will allow me to eventually grow my headphone collection
Thank you for making this review! I teach intro audio production, and although we have decent headphones on hand, when they inevitably break I'd love to look for even better replacements. This helps a bunch!
My pleasure, Jeff. Depending on your needs you might also want to check out the closed version, S4R, which have had a v1.1 released and improved on the tuning of the S4X V1. I don't know if the S4X have a V1.1 out yet or coming soon, but the tuning improvement is quite marked on the S4R with no price increase. I've reviewed the S4R v1.1 and compared to the S4X V1 if you're interested.
@@PassionforSound Oh my goodness, that is SO helpful, thank you! I will definitely go watch that. This is my first time hearing of these headphones and and I'm really curious. I appreciate you taking the time for that reply. Cheers!
My pleasure! Good luck in the search
There are also a number of Hifiman headphones that do (or did) use 2.5mm connectors. 2.5s are readily available from Hart Audio and the like or probably on Amazon or your favorite Chi-fi source.
Good point! Thanks for sharing!
Good one, thank you!
Yes, I own a pair. Yes, they are my best audio production phones.
Glad to hear, Oren! I know another reviewer questioned the measurement target for these, but based on my positive experiences mixing my review audio with these, I think Ollo have done a good job regardless of the measurement target chosen.
@@PassionforSound
Agreed, sir. I'm eagerly awaiting their closed-back version.
Fantastic. Enjoy!
You can get studio headphone amplifiers that give you wider sound stage and depth no expensive about $130 fully adjustable
That's good to know, John. My understanding is that speakers (studio monitors) would still be preferable, no?
Will you be reviewing the S5X ?
I'll see what I can arrange with the local distributor
Worth upgrading from the original Ollo S4s ??...great review by the way.
I haven't tried the S4 so I can't really say. I do think the v1.1 tuning is excellent so the S4R 1.1 or S4X 1.1 (if there's an S4X in v1.1) are definitely a good upgrade.
@PassionforSound hi!
Between the s4r and the s4x which one is flatter?
Thank you
I don't know if the S4X has been updated to a v1.1 and that might change things, but the S4R v1.1 is definitely flatter than the S4X v1 that I own.
@@PassionforSound you think is flatter also than the hd560s ?
Thank you !
Definitely. The 560S has noticeably peaky treble.
So would you say this is good for NORMAL relaxing listening 🎶??
I think there are other headphones I'd choose for pure enjoyment, but they're certainly not unenjoyable if you want one headphone that does both production and listening duties.
@@PassionforSound which ones for pure enjoyment ???
For pure enjoyment, I'd go for something like the HiFiMan Sundara, Sennheiser HD650 / HD6XX or Sivga Phoenix. I think, off the top of my head, they're all in roughly the same price range as the S4R. Keep in mind that none of them are neutral like the S4R as that's what makes them better for enjoyment listening.
Hi
Please which have more better imaging s4x or hi-55 ?
I haven't tried the HI-55 so can't comment - sorry! I can say that the S4X isn't super strong on imaging. It's good and perfectly acceptable, but it's not a standout feature of the sound.
Nice review, and kudos to your son, be grateful it was just water 😬
Thanks Das. This time it was... 😉
How would you compare this to the LDC-1's
I've got a pair but it's starting to fail on me.
I think I compared those two in my LCD-1 review. Going from memory, the LCD-1 sounds more open, but not quite as balanced tonally - it's a bit drier and leaner sounding which can result in an overly warm mix if you don't account for it.
@@PassionforSound hello!
What about the Avantone Planar and the Austrian audio x65?
Hello, did you try the ollos4x?
@@ChrisKeyman No but I no longer use my LCD 1's anymore.
Christos, I just saw your question about the Austrian Audio x65. Unfortunately, AA didn't respond to my email to them when I asked about review units some time ago.
Are these the S4X 1.1 ?
These are the original S4X. I have a review of the S4R v1.1 coming soon
@@PassionforSound very much looking forward to that. Thanks
I wished every company just used 3.5mm connectors and not the flimsy 2.5mm or some stupid proprietary ones (looking at you all Audeze, Sennheiser, Dan Clark.....).
It would certainly make things easier
Thanks a lot for another excellent review, Lachlan. I have been watch/listening to a lot of your reviews of late in a short period of time and I appreciate your presentation style , pace, the clarity and thoroughness of your information, and your reasoning for your subjective opinions and judgements. The other products you choose to compare to the one being reviewed are well chosen and you explain why you made that choice. Well done. I feel I am learning a lot.
Re the headphones in this review, the Ollo Audio S4X: I think I might like these very much . In my case they would be for listening not mastering. Do you think this Geshelli Labs pairing , theJ2 digital audio converter with the Erish Balanced headphone amplifier would complement the Ollo S4X well or would they be much better served by higher-end (much more expensive) components? I take it, but am not sure, that these headphones could be used with balanced cables and termination types that the Erish amp would accept?
Hi Clarke, so glad to hear you're enjoying the channel!
The S4X with the Geshelli gear would be a great match, particularly with the newly announced Erish 2 (or E2). The S4X can give you a little more performance with higher end gear, but they're not a headphone that demands it so the Geshelli stack will do great.
As for running balanced, you will need an aftermarket cable, but there are lots of good options. I've actually got a review of the Hart Audio and Apos Flow cables coming up pretty soon so that might help too
@@PassionforSound Thanks heaps for the prompt and detailed reply. Really helpful. I will keenly watch your upcoming reviews on the cables and will look into the new Erish amp.
May I ask another question? I get that Ollo headphones were primarily designed for production and/or recording rather than "enjoyment" and I note the on the Ollo Audio website one is guided to choose the S4X rather than S4R for "enjoying". You have recently reviewed the latest S4R (2021 version) and it seems you judge it to be improved as compared to the S4X ( pre 2021 version). Do you reckon this improvement takes the sound in a direction that makes it less enjoyable ?
I have been doing a lot of listening to music through Sony MDR 7506 headphones which I think are a closed /sealed design. Although I live in a fairly quiet house I do enjoy the music being isolated / unaffected by external noise. This is probably a big plus. The Sony's are unobjectionable, they are good, but I would say they are not all that lively nor all that resolving.
That's an interesting question! I probably prefer the S4R in all ways, but it's not quite as smooth or slightly warm sounding as the S4X so it will depend on your tastes. If I had to choose one though it would be the S4R which brings some additional transparency and resolution without getting harsh or overly analytical
@@PassionforSound O.K. , great, thank you for that answer Lachlan.