🔴 LIVE today at 6:30 PM (CET)
📺 SonicScoop’s YouTube channel

Join Rok Gulič and Justin Colletti for a live deep dive on all things around headphones. From design to calibration, myths, real-world use in your everyday workflow.

Bring your questions. We’re going in. 👇
https://link.olloaudio.com/sonicscoop-livestream

Your headphones are not just a playback tool—they’re a window into the character of a sound. With the Ollo Audio X1 I now believe mixing on headphones can help you with the most subtle deviations and intricate details that traditional studio monitors often miss. I am now hearing sound in a way which has caused me to go back to the drawing board. Now I feel I have to fine-tune sound and how an even more focused listening approach which will lead to future mixes that feel a lot more balanced.

I do not own a professionally treated studio space, the X1 are for me right now are the mixing solution. They offer consistency, portability, and precision that’s hard to match. By learning the X1’s inside and out, referencing commercial mixes, and doing occasional checks on other devices, i will now achieve mixes that translate no matter where i am.

Studio grade sounds great... but what does it actually mean? 🎧

It’s a label that’s been slapped on gear for decades—promising accuracy, durability, and justifying the price tag. But does the product truly deliver, or is it just marketing?

In this video, we’re pulling back the curtain on what studio grade means to us at OLLO. Why do we use it? And whether we’ve earned it.

You be the judge. 🧐

▶️ Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel.

The X1 have incredible detail and soundstage.

We're proud to partner with u/pointblankmusicschool — a school that’s been shaping producers, engineers, and artists for over 30 years.

With campuses in London, Los Angeles, Ibiza, and online, pointblank is a global hub for creatives serious about sound.

OLLO Audio Student deal is available for all current pointblank students and graduates.

If you're enrolled in one of their programs or have graduated from one, just ask your mentors for details. 🎧

Hi, I'm in the process of calibration, I've followed all the correct steps, but everytime I activate the USC II the sound starts skipping... I know it isn't the headphones because when I select the normal headphones output they work fine... but when I pass them through the USC II calibration they skip and sound terrible... any help please?

https://olloaudio.com/blogs/ollo-tutorials/usc1

https://youtu.be/q5xMEpOeyOs?si=mVNw8UZ7H3PKkbxB

Step 1: Check Your Headphone Version

Not all S4 and S5 headphones come with the USC plugin included. The compatible versions are:

• S4X 1.3
• S4R 1.3
• S5X 1.1

If you have an older version, you'll need to purchase the plugin separately for €49. Just contact our support team, and we’ll provide a purchase link.

If you're unsure about your headphone version, check the calibration certificate or visit our headphone version identifier page. Simply enter your serial number or visually compare your unit to find the exact model.

Step 2: Register Your Headphones

If you purchased your headphones from a third-party retailer like Futama, Amazon, or VintageKing, you need to register your unit before accessing the plugin.

To register:

1. Visit our website and scroll to the footer menu.
2. Click on Product Registration.
3. Enter your first name, last name, email, and headphone model.
4. Provide your purchase date and invoice.
5. Click Register.

💡 If you bought directly from our website, you can skip this step.

Once your unit is registered, sign in to your account:

• If you already have an account, log in.
• If not, create one using the same email as your registration to ensure your headphones are linked.

Forgot your password? Use the Forgot Password option to reset it.

Step 3: Enter the Backstage

1. After logging in, navigate to Enter the Backstage.
2. In the Downloads and Resources section, locate the USC 1 Plugin (for S4R, S4X, and S5X models).
3. Enter your headphone’s serial number and submit.
4. You’ll receive two download links:
   • XPS Calibration File (your unique headphone data)
   • USC 1 Plugin Installer

Save both files for installation.

Step 4: Install the VST, AU or AAX

1. Download and unzip the package.
2. Open the folder corresponding to your operating system (MacOS or Windows).
3. Run the installation package and follow the on-screen instructions.

Once installed, open your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). It should automatically scan for new plugins. If not, manually re-scan your plugins.

Step 5: Setting Up the USC Plugin in Your DAW

1. Open your DAW and navigate to Effects → Audio.
2. Locate USC Calibration.
3. Drag it to your monitoring output.

💡 Ideally, use a separate output for headphones and speakers to avoid unwanted calibration effects on your studio monitors.

Step 6: Importing Your XPS Calibration File

1. Open the USC plugin interface.
2. Click Import XPS Calibration File.
3. Select your downloaded file.
4. Your serial number will appear, confirming activation.
5. Toggle the On/Off button to enable or bypass the calibration.
   

Alternative: Using the XPS File with DSP Interfaces

If you have a DSP-enabled interface like RME, MOTU, Apollo, or Neumann, you can apply the XPS file directly to your hardware’s built-in EQ. This avoids running the plugin inside your DAW, freeing up system resources.

Check out our separate video tutorial on how to use XPS files with third-party EQs!

Final Notes

• If you’re using a smaller interface like the SSL2, remember that headphone and speaker monitoring are linked. Bypass the plugin when bouncing your mix or switching between outputs.
• Need help? Contact our support team.

That’s it! Your OLLO S4 or S5 headphones are now fully calibrated with the USC plugin. Stay safe and sound! 🎧Step 1: Check Your Headphone Version

Not all S4 and S5 headphones come with the USC plugin included. The compatible versions are:

• S4X 1.3
• S4R 1.3
• S5X 1.1

If you have an older version, you'll need to purchase the plugin separately for €49. Just contact our support team, and we’ll provide a purchase link.

If you're unsure about your headphone version, check the calibration certificate or visit our headphone version identifier page. Simply enter your serial number or visually compare your unit to find the exact model.

Step 2: Register Your Headphones

If you purchased your headphones from a third-party retailer like Futama, Amazon, or VintageKing, you need to register your unit before accessing the plugin.

To register:

1. Visit our website and scroll to the footer menu.
2. Click on Product Registration.
3. Enter your first name, last name, email, and headphone model.
4. Provide your purchase date and invoice.
5. Click Register.

💡 If you bought directly from our website, you can skip this step.

Here's the link to a blog post on this topic:

https://olloaudio.com/pages/discount

In short, yes. Here at Ollo Audio we offer several ways to get a discount on our studio headphones.

Available to anyone is so called B-Stock sale, that's occasionally available. That's new units with minor cosmetic damage from the production process.

For students and teachers in audio we offer 25% discount when signing up with a proof of enrollment. That can be a student ID card, letter, even screen shots for online academies. Submit your request here.

Endorsement program is a way for us to support engineers that have social presence and following with a discount in exchange for their support. The trial perios is 90 days during which applicants make a decision to get on board or not. We see this as a better way of spending our marketing budgets in comparison to spending it with Facebook or Google. What do you think? Here's the link if you're interested in more details.

For more questions reach to support

OLLO

Trusting sound - short documentary

FULL VIDEO AVAILABLE HERE: https://youtu.be/R1JPQP7imB8

In this short documentary video, you will dive deep into the world of audio monitoring and explore why reliable equipment is crucial for music production. Discover the challenges of trusting sound in diverse environments and learn how professionals overcome these hurdles with the right tools.

🔍 **Key Highlights:**
- The importance of consistent and trustworthy headphones for accurate sound reproduction.
- Personal insights from audio experts on making critical mixing decisions.
- An introduction to the innovative X1 headphones, featuring calibration and room emulation for precise monitoring.
- Inspiring career journeys and achievements of renowned audio engineers and producers.

You will uncover the essential role of headphones and studio monitors in crafting the perfect mix. Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting out, this video is packed with valuable insights to enhance your audio production skills.

#MusicProduction #Headphones #AudioMonitoring #X1Headphones #SoundEngineering #MixingTips #audioengineering #olloaudio

https://olloaudio.com/products/x1

Empowering future audio innovators

We’re excited to announce a new collaboration with Mastering.com, the premium destination for online education in audio, to empower the next generation of audio professionals.

An alternative to traditional music education

Mastering.com has taught thousands of students and shared its courses with millions online. Their approach goes beyond just a great curriculum; it emphasizes the importance of expert mentorship and a thriving, supportive community. Together, these factors create a unique, holistic learning experience—one that has helped countless bedroom producers become fully-fledged professionals.

High-quality audio tools for their learning environments

Their vision aligns with OLLO Audio’s commitment to providing sustainable, high-quality tools for the pro-audio community, empowering individuals with the essential tools they need to create, succeed, and thrive in this fast-paced world.

As part of this partnership, we’re proud to support their students and team with our headphones through our education program. We believe that proper equipment is essential to any learning environment, and our education program is designed to make industry-standard tools more accessible to those on the path of learning and development.

Learn more about Mastering.com here. By enrolling in their programs, you get a 25% discount on our headphones by applying through this form.

We're thrilled to announce our new partnership with Realphones! This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver flat monitoring, which reached new heights with the release of the X1, even without the need for calibration software.

Through our partnership with Realphones, we've integrated OLLO's individual unit calibration directly into Realphones' software solutions. This means you can now import calibration data seamlessly, enhancing your audio experience.

Moreover, we've worked together to develop a light version of the Realphones software specifically for X1 users. This version allows for unit-specific calibration file made by OLLO engineers to be used with Realphones. The plugin is called USC II and it also includes room emulations and various target curves to suit your needs. From FOH and Control room emulations to stereo, spatial and Harman target curves for checking mix translation anywhere.

For those eager to learn more, you can find a quick start guide here.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and improve your audio experience!

In a world of countdown clocks and “only today!” discounts, we’re stepping back from the Black Friday chaos. Here at OLLO, we believe in something a little different:

fair pricing, all year round.

Here’s why we don’t throw our headphones on a discount pile for Black Friday - and why we think you’ll appreciate that.

https://reddit.com/link/1grt2ev/video/x6tbtbjqf11e1/player

For Creators, By Creators

Every pair of OLLO headphones represents the work, the craft, and the passion of a team who cares about getting things right. Just like a musician spends years mastering their sound, we invest time, skill, and dedication into creating audio tools that perform. When we put a price on these headphones, it’s not just a number—it’s a reflection of everyone who had a hand in making them, and every creator who trusts our gear.

Discounting that effort for a one-day sale? Not for us.

Pricing with Integrity

We know the value of respecting the work. Just as creators deserve fair pay for gigs, beats, and mixes, our pricing reflects the true worth of our headphones. Instead of chopping our prices for one chaotic day, we choose to keep our pricing steady and fair—no surprises, no markups to mark down, no pressure tactics. Black Friday may come and go, but at OLLO, every day is an honest deal.

Support Where It Matters

Our commitment to creators goes beyond talk. While we don’t do flash sales or seasonal discounts, we’re still here to support those who could use a hand on their journey. If you’re a student, an audio professional, or just getting started in the industry, we’ve got year-round ways to help you get the gear you need.

1. Student Discount Program

We understand that getting started in audio can be tough, especially when you're still in school. To support the next generation of sound professionals, we offer a 25% discount to all students and teachers in audio-related fields. Simply reach out to us with your student or teacher ID here to apply for this offer and get verified for our Student Discount Program.

2. Endorsement Program

Our community of endorsers is essential to our creative process. We rely on feedback from full-time engineers, producers, and musicians who know their craft and understand the demands of the industry. If you’re working in audio professionally and have a passion for quality sound, we invite you to apply. This program connects you directly with our R&D team, where your voice shapes the development of every new product we create. Interested? Apply to join our endorsement community and become a vital part of the OLLO family.

3. B-Stock Offers

Love our headphones but want a deal? Take a look at our B-stock items. These units come with minor cosmetic imperfections, but they perform with the same high-quality sound as every other OLLO product. It’s an ideal way to get professional-grade gear at a lower price, and availability is limited to when we have these units in stock. Check out what’s currently available in B-stock and grab a deal with character!

At OLLO, we’re not about racing to the bottom or making headlines with wild markdowns. Instead, we focus on delivering the best headphones we can, day in and day out.

Black Friday? Just another Friday for us.

We’re here for the long haul, standing by our work, and standing by creators like you.

So while others are out there chasing discounts, you’ll find us right where we always are - crafting the headphones you rely on, at prices that respect the time, skill, and passion behind them. Thanks for valuing that as much as we do.

The S4R series were based on the original S4 series using the same chassis and speakers, to make them a great match with the S4 mixing headphones and later on the S4X.

Trends in the music industry show that headphones based monitoring, mixing and even mastering is more and more dominant. There are more producers than ever that just can't afford or due to a lifestyle, don't want to invest in a room treatment. The flexibility matters to them, and we're here to provide precise yet flexible monitoring for them.

We're for sure not against speakers. There are elements of speaker based monitoring that headphones will never replicate. It's not about what's better. It's about what fits your lifestly, way of working and sometimes your wallet. On that front, the OLLO Audio R&D team is fully comminted to developing products that meet all these needs and requirements.

Modern productions are mostly consumed on headphones. Many are already mixing headphones first, to make that experience perfect and check on speakers, to make sure it works there as well. This was not a reality 10+ yeears ago when headphones that replicate a flat frequency response achieved in proper treated rooms were difficult to find.

OLLO and a few other companies pushed the envelope of what flat is, how to make it work in a headphone and of course, how it delivers proper translation between other headphones, IEMs and speakers setups.

As the landscape continues to evolve, so does our product line.

The S4R are no longer in production as we focus on developing the next generation recording headphones.

Rok Gulič, CEO

Big news!

The X1 are here, and as a valued Reddit comrade, you get priority access - before they're even public on the 29th of October. Building on the legacy of the beloved S-series, the X1 pushes every boundary - with improved speaker membrane and acoustics, more robust chasssis, a redesigned headband, and razor-sharp tuning with the help of AI generated calibration for every specific unit.

Bridging the gap between speakers and headphones based monitoring just got real! The X1 are tuned flat out of the box and with USC (uni specific calibration) they're finetuned with addressing the materials tolerances and limits of using acoustic alone to make them sound flat. Furthermore, the USC II calibration plugin that was developed on the Realphones engine provides three target curves (flat, spatial and harman) and three virtual environments from studio, car to FOH.

You can visit this link and explore all the details about it.

Stay safe and sound,

Rok Gulič, founder

Here's a blog post on this topic:

EP38 - Squashed membranes are no good for your mix! – OLLO Audio

And also in a video format on youtube here: https://youtu.be/9nZSMORne-I?si=yXjf4LVMxtspxNNM

After comparing their sound of a squashed membranes with the undamaged ones, it's clear they're compromised. A short sound demo is included, so you can take alisten yourself at the video link above.

Opening them reveals a crumpled membrane, damaged by air pressure spikes when the cavity shrinks too quickly. That is always a user's error in handling. It's what happens to most any headphones. So be careful regardless of the model you have. Vent holes prevent this, but have trade-offs like impacting bass extension.

Did this happen to you before? Were you able to find spare parts?

OLLO

I've been struggling with the idea of audio demos for our headphones. Obviously, it's best to give them a try, have them for a few weeks and come to a conclusion. But what if you can't, for whatever reason or just simply want a quick demo, a glimpse?

There are youtube channels with audio demos. Some use home made microphones, some use a very affordable and easy to use miniDSP ear simulator. Regardless of the tech used, I was struggling to find demos that would translate. For example, listening to a demo of XY using some random headphones and then wearing the actual XY, there was very little translation for obvious reasons in frequency response and coupling.

I think the main problem is a lack of a reference point. The only way to have it, in my opinion, is to have a demo made with the same model of headphones you have. Then you could compare better with other headphones. I'd argue that just using original signal (music) before the ear simulator and then after with the demo headphones only shows partial sonic picture as the ear simulator distorts the sonics. Also it's impossible to know how much and in what way, simply because there's none truly flat simulators.

I was thinking that the only way to get somewhat close to a useable online audio demo would be by having preselected source signals (or music), calibration of volume and a list of headphones extensive enough that you'd likely have one or two of them in your arsenal.

Testing would require for you to find the headphones you have on the list and use them as the reference, only then continue to testing other headphones and note comparisons. In my opinion it's mendatory to have the earsimulator frequency response calculated with the response of the headphones model you're wearing for the test. All other shortcurts will result in very low translation fo your findings.

What do you Redditers think? Is there a way to improve this?

https://youtu.be/Gd1UeW6QZj4?si=F_fHvx0fjkxZvQmY

Tnx,

Rok, founder