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Handmade Headphones:

Recently, Ollo Audio sent the HPS-S4 headphones all the way from Slovenia for us to take a look at. The S4 model is an open back design studio headphone. The fit and finish is quite good and meets my expectations at this premium price. Comprised of wood, leather, and simple hardware. The Ollo team says these materials were chosen based on continued global availability. If you need a closed back model for tracking or live work, the S4R may be for you. Options for custom logo graphics are also available.

The S4 design features no proprietary fasteners and no plastic fittings. Each part can be repaired or replaced using standard parts and common tools. I like this approach and the forward thinking. Repair rather than replace is smart design and we need more of that throughout the industry.

Lots of folks reached out after my Sony 7506 Rebuild video, to say how happy they were to find out replacement parts were available. A number of folks fixed up their old pair and messaged to share their success. Clearly, the repair culture is making a comeback.

Repairability is excellent, but having used the S4 for a number of weeks, I would love to see a quick release of some type added to release the headband from the ear-cups for travel. While I liked the fit and finish of the S4, I couldn’t afford to dedicate so much space in my travel kit to a pair of headphones that are a bit heavier and don’t fold nearly as small as my everyday carry Audio Technica ATH-M50x and if you’re used to carrying the industry standard, sub $100 Sony 7506, these are quite a different situation indeed.

Check out the S4 Video HERE

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Ollo also has a complete studio monitoring solution, the Play 2 Me system. The system includes the HPS-S4 headphones, a tactile subwoofer pillow & an amplifier to drive both.The concept is interesting and I appreciate the ambition and intent in the design. With a €1400 ($1585) price tag currently direct from Ollo it may be sometime before we see widespread adoption of the technology for home laptop producers.

If you have any questions about the HPS S4 headphones, or any of the Ollo gear, technology or what they have planned for the future, submit a question. to Info@dcsoundop.com If there are enough questions, I’ll setup a Q&A with the Ollo team and get you some direct answers.