OneOdio Max 1 Review: €179 Wireless Headphones With LDAC

For the wider field, our Best Budget Headphones guide ranks 4 rivals in this class. This one is not among them.

Here's a pair of headphones that throws a lot of features into the package - the OneOdio Max 1. They boast wireless connectivity, support for Hi-Res Audio, multiple wired and wireless connection options, a lot of codecs and a whole list of other tech specs. But the big question is at 180 euro, do they deliver?

A solid plastic build that stays comfortable

First impression? These are definitely a substantial pair of over-ear headphones. You pick them up and notice the weight - around 350 grams, so they have a certain heft to them that often suggests decent build quality inside. They don't feel flimsy or toy-like, which is a good start.

Visually, they have a look that clearly nods towards their DJ heritage, co-branded with DJ Arianna. But it's not overly aggressive or flashy. There's a gloss finish on the earcups, with a kind of vinyl-record-like texture around the OneOdio logo which catches the light nicely without being distracting. And all that neatly contrasted by the red stitching.

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These are primarily made of plastic, which is pretty standard for headphones. It's worth noting that they are still feeling quite high quality overall. During my testing, there wasn't anything that would suggest any possible breakages or issues in the future, so I wouldn't worry about the longevity.

Despite being big headphones, I have to praise them for how comfortable they are - which makes sense when you consider that crazy battery life they are rated for. The earcups have thick, plush padding covered in a soft leatherette material, and the headband uses a good amount of memory foam cushioning. I have worn these for hours without ear fatigue or discomfort on the top of my head, which is fantastic news.

These things are incredibly adjustable. The earcups rotate inwards 90 degrees for flat storage or transport, then they pivot and swivel. This is great for DJs who need to listen with one ear. But it also helps in getting a really good fit on different head shapes and makes them easy to fold down, even if just into the included fabric carry bag.

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They haven't gone for a super minimalist design here. There are multiple buttons for controls, and you've got the USB-C port for charging, plus both a standard 3.5mm audio jack AND a larger 6.35mm (or quarter-inch) jack built right in. This might take a little getting used to compared to simpler headphones, figuring out which button does what. But the inclusion of both audio jack sizes is a definite plus for versatility, especially if you're plugging into audio interfaces or mixers.

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And speaking of versatility, the included accessories are pretty generous. You get the USB-C charging cable, a standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, and importantly for that pro audio connection, a coiled 3.5mm to 6.35mm cable plus a separate little adapter. There's that fabric carrying pouch I mentioned, and uniquely, you also get the separate M1 wireless transmitter box in the package, which is key for that ultra-low latency connection they advertise.

Features from LDAC to a 120-hour battery

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You've got your standard Bluetooth 5.3 - a modern standard and that's very nice. What's really key here for audio quality enthusiasts is the support for the LDAC codec. If your phone or player supports LDAC, you can stream higher-resolution audio wirelessly, which ties into their Hi-Res Audio certification for wireless listening.

Then we get into the wired options. There's the standard 3.5mm jack that you find everywhere, so you can plug them in like any traditional headphones. But, they also have a built-in quarter-inch jack.

Now, the really unique part is the fourth mode: the dedicated Wireless DJ mode. This uses the separate M1 Transmitter box that comes included. You plug this transmitter into your audio source, and it connects to the headphones using "RAPID WILL+" technology with just 20 milliseconds of latency. This is incredibly fast. Such low latency is imperceptible.

The drivers are 50mm in size. Typically, bigger drivers like this can mean a more powerful sound with better bass reproduction, the potential for detailed audio is definitely there.

The battery life is just... wild. Up to 120 hours of playback time in Bluetooth mode. That is days, potentially weeks of listening depending on your habits, absolutely demolishing the battery life of most other wireless headphones on the market. There's also fast charging - just 5 minutes plugged in can give you around 2.5 hours of playtime.

Punchy bass, recessed mids and crisp treble

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The first thing that hits me is the bass - it's definitely a presence. There's a real impact and depth to it, a proper punch that makes electronic tracks and anything with a strong low-end really come alive. It's the kind of bass you can feel, which I can appreciate. However, pushing the volume does seem to introduce a bit of muddiness, and it can bleed a little into the lower frequencies where the mids should be sitting. It's not the tightest or most controlled bass I've heard, but it's got that satisfying slam that can be quite enjoyable for certain genres - I feel like ultimately this was the goal here. It's not a boring headphone with surgically clean, yet non-existent bass. The texture in the low frequency range is decent - you get a sense of the different layers, but it's not the most refined.

Moving into the mids, they definitely take a backseat in the tonal balance. Vocals and instruments in this range feel a little pushed back, lacking some of that forward presence and clarity - but this avoids mid forwardness and allows the edges of the frequency spectrum to shine through. It's like some of the finer details and the natural texture of instruments in the midrange get not quite lost, but hidden. You can still hear pretty much everything, but it's not coming at you right away.

Complex arrangements still sound rather well defined here, which was a surprise with this amount of bass. For casual listening it's really good, but if I'm really trying to pick apart a track, I find myself wanting a bit more presence from this region for a more balanced presentation. But then, we wouldn't have so much of that fun DJ aspect.

The treble, on the other hand, is quite noticeable. There's a definite crispness and sparkle up top that adds a sense of airiness and detail. Things like the attack on a snare drum or the shimmer of cymbals come through nicely, and I can see how the LDAC support helps preserve some of that high-end information wirelessly. It's not consistently harsh, but its extra amount is something I'm definitely aware of. The texture in the treble is there - you can hear the bite of a guitar string or the breathiness in a vocal - but again, it's not overly aggressive which I appreciate so much.

A wide soundstage for closed-back wireless

Technically speaking, the detail retrieval is okay for the price, and considering it's wireless - it's great. With LDAC, I can definitely pick out some of the finer elements in tracks, but they're not going to compete with higher-end, much more expensive headphones in terms of sheer resolution across the board, especially given that recessed midrange.

The soundstage feels oddly wide to me - the music doesn't feel completely trapped inside my head, which is a plus. I'm not sure if they're doing some DSP magic to make it this wide, but it's truly amazing - it instantly stands out. I didn't expect that.

Imaging is also reasonably accurate - I can generally place different instruments in the stereo field. However, that V-shaped sound signature sometimes makes it harder to clearly separate multiple string instruments that occupy that quieter midrange. But then again, it was not made for it.

The cable edges out wireless LDAC

What's interesting is the difference between wired and wireless. Going wired, especially through the 3.5mm or even the quarter-inch jack, seems to clean things up a bit. The sound feels a touch more balanced, and I think there's a slight improvement in detail retrieval, with maybe a little less emphasis on the bass. LDAC definitely helps close the gap wirelessly, but there's still a sense that the wired connection offers a bit more refinement.

A mixed verdict, best for casual bass lovers

So, overall, my impression of the sound quality is that it's fun and engaging, with that strong bass and lively treble being the dominant characteristics. It's definitely geared towards a more energetic listening experience. The massive punch and slam in the low end are enjoyable for certain genres. However, that recessed midrange is a noticeable characteristic that you might like or not, and the treble can rarely lean towards sharpness, but the detail more than compensates for that. If you're after a powerful, bass-forward sound for casual listening, these could definitely be in the running.