Big thank you to OneOdio for sending the Studio Max 1 to review!
Full disclosure: This is a paid review but I made it clear to them that I do not guarantee positive reviews or recommendations – I make in-depth, honest evaluations based on my impressions and the ultimate value that the product may or may not provide.
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Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…
Video Review
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Today’s review will cover OneOdio’s Studio Max 1, a closed-back headphone made for… you guessed it: studio applications, mixing, reference, and general monitoring work.
Does it live up to its namesake? Can we say definitively that it works well in these instances? And is it a good value in terms of price-to-performance?
Finally, is it ultimately worth a purchase?
We’ll explore all of this and more.
So stick around like scotch tape, and let’s dive in.
All pricing, specifications, box contents, charging/function information, and phone controls toward the end!
Build
Like most of OneOdio’s products, the Studio Max 1 is built well.
It’s a bit bulky but also very lightweight and malleable.
You can quite literally stretch and contort it in almost any direction, and it’s happy to oblige, with an overall aesthetic that hearkens back to the ‘ol reliable Audio Technica ATH-M50x.
In other words, the cups rotate in a myriad of directions, functioning a lot like a DJ headphone and fitting the bill quite nicely.
It’s mostly plastic, but the headband adjustments are metal, and there are dual terminations on each cup: a 1/4″ on the left cup and 3.5mm on the right.
The package, therefore, contains a 1/4″ to 3.5mm coiled cable and a shorter 3.5mm – 3.5mm coiled cable for use with mobile devices and the like.
Aesthetically, it’s fairly low profile, with an all black physique and mostly utilitarian vibe. It won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s also not overly flamboyant or showy.
The inside of the cups presents the only real contrast in color, coming in a handsome-looking red with R + L indicators appearing in hollow block letters.
It also doubles as a Bluetooth headphone and comes with a transmitter. Just used the supplied USB-C to USB-A cable to charge.
There’s a button configuration containing a Multifunction button (Power, Play/Pause, Take Calls), Next track/Volume +/-, Function Button, Mic port, and on the left is a USB Type-C jack.
The M1 Transmitter contains a function button, power indicator, Charging & audio port, and a 3.5mm AUX jack.
Comfort
Comfort is very good overall.
The headphones clamp just enough to get a secure fit, but they don’t feel overly tight. The headband provides ample padding and doesn’t dig too hard, either.
The headphones are a bit bulky, but as mentioned previously, they’re light, and you won’t feel them too much over extended listening/mixing sessions.
Cup depth is nice, and they’re wide enough to envelop most ears. Because they’re round and not oval shaped, you’ll probably feel them touching your ears slightly.
Still, the faux leather padding is nice and plush, with a memory foam center and loads of softness.
Sound
The good news about OneOdio’s Studio Max 1 is that, unlike some of their other offerings, the bass is tuned much better.
There’s a bass shelf, but the crucial regions of 200-300Hz aren’t bloated or muddy for the most part.
Still, the elevation in the nether regions is a bit too much, even outshelving the FiiO FT1, which is already shelved a decent amount.
And while the FT1’s bass slams without getting obnoxious, the Studio Max 1’s sometimes borders on being too “hummy” if you will. In other words, it still needs a bit of fat trimmed away.
That said, I think for the most part, the bass is handled decently well (more on that in a sec), has good impact, and you’ll never feel like any song is simply unlistenable. This was a problem with some of their Bluetooth offerings (A5/A10 most notably) and thankfully the Max 1 mostly avoids those issues.
I would say overall separation of voices and instruments is pretty decent to very good on certain tracks (notably “Chittlins & Pepsi”, “2 Know U”, “Leisure Suite”, “La La La”, and “Plans”), but because of the closed-in, somewhat claustrophobic nature of the sound overall, it feels like there’s a thin layer of mud over the entirety of the signature, bass included.
The Max 1, because of that, ends up being very hit-and-miss. Voices, in particular, sound pushed back, as heard on Action Bronson’s “I Hate Everything.”
This in stark contrast to the more open-sounding FT1 that does a better job of spacing, separation, and even overall Soundstage to an extent.
With the FT1, there’s more air around the instruments, the bass is cleaner, and the sound as a whole is clearer and more detailed.
The Max 1’s resolution, by contrast, isn’t as good and sounds more blobby and spotty, if that makes sense.
A simple analogy would be a flower that’s closed vs. one that’s open. That’s the difference between the 2 headphones in a nutshell.
Max 1 is clammier and woolier overall, which makes it less reliable for tracking, mixing, etc.
- Required Reading: The Best Studio Headphones For Mixing, Mastering, And Music Production
That said, in no way is this sound “bad.” It’s just not on the level of the FT1. It’s scratchier and less refined. This can be heard very clearly in “Hell And High Water” by Alina Baraz.
The Max 1’s rendition simply sounds congested by contrast. Imagine you’re sick and close your nose with your fingers. That’s the Max 1 vs. the crisp, snappy nature of the FT1.
Treble presents another issue, coming across somewhat significantly darker than the FT1’s and not as crisp. Max’s treble is almost muted by contrast. In terms of a color analogy, think of a muted gray vs. a vibrant orange. In other words, Max could use more sparkle and liveliness. Still, it’s never going to be sibilant or overbearing, so points there.
The best way to think about the Studio Max 1 is that its resolution isn’t quite where it needs to be, but the overall sound is decent.
I chose the FT1 for comparison because I frequently use it for tracking and recording hip-hop vocals. Max serves a similar purpose, making it a logical choice for a side-by-side evaluation. They’re also priced similarly.
Amplification
At 32 Ohm Impedance and 98dB Sensitivity, these aren’t hard to drive at all. At most, I would recommend something under $100 if you choose to go with an Amp/DAC. Fosi Audio’s DS2 is a great option.
Final Verdict
The OneOdio Studio Max 1 is a solid effort, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
The build is durable, comfort is great, and the tuning is better than some of OneOdio’s past offerings, but the sound doesn’t quite hit the mark for serious studio work.
The bass, while improved, can still get a little sloppy, the overall resolution is lacking a bit, and the treble feels muted compared to the more open and refined FT1.
It’s not a bad headphone, but it’s also not the first one I’d reach for when tracking or mixing. If you’re on a budget and need something versatile, it’s worth a look—but if extreme pinpoint accuracy is the goal, there are better options out there.
In terms of a good closed back for mixing, I think OneOdio is close to excellence. For now, their open back Monitor 80 is a fantastic choice.
OneOdio Studio Max 1
Price
>>Check OneOdio (Use code HomeStudioBasics for 15% OFF)<<
>> Check Amazon (Use code HOMESTUDIO for 15% OFF)<<
In The Box
1x OneOdio Studio Max 1
1x Transmitter M1
1x USB Type-C Charging Cable
1x User Manual
1x Travel Pouch
1x 3.5-6.35mm Audio Cable
1x 3.5-3.5mm Audio Cable
1x 6.35mm Adapter
Specifications
- Brand: OneOdio
- Product Name: Studio Max 1
- Model: SX1
- Operating Frequency: 2402 MHz – 2480 MHz
- Battery Specifications: DC 3.7V, 1000 mAh, 3.7 Wh
- Sensitivity: 98dB ± 3dB
- Frequency Range: 20Hz – 40kHz
- Battery Type: Lithium-ion Battery
- Driver: 50mm
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Input: 5V ⎓ 800mA
- Wireless Range: ≥ 10m
- Charging Time: ≤ 2.5h
- Usage Time: ≥ 120h
- Standby Time: ≥ 500h
- Mic Sensitivity: -42dB ± 3dB
Charging
- Charging: Red indicator light on
- Fully Charged: Red indicator light off
- Charging Time: ≈ 2 Hrs
Note: Please use a charger with a voltage not exceeding 5V to avoid damaging the headphones
Function (Bluetooth Mode)
- Press and hold the MFB for 2 seconds: Power on
- Press and hold the MFB for 3 seconds: Power off
- Single click the MFB: Play/Pause
- Double-click the MFB: Heavy bass mode
- Single click “+”: Volume Up
- Single click “-“: Volume Down
- Press and hold “+” for 1 second: Next track
- Press and hold “-” for 1 second: Previous track
- Press and hold the button “B” for 1 second: Switch modes
Power button on the M1
- Press and hold the power button for 2 seconds: Power on/off
- Single-click the power button: Display battery level status
Pairing (M1)
After the headphones and M1 power on, the M1 will automatically connect to the headphones within 1 meter.
Function (M1)
Notes
- Low Latency mode: Only button “B” can be used to switch modes; other buttons do not work
- Low latency Mode: Does note support calls
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this OneOdio Studio Max 1 Review and came away with some valuable insight.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
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Would you take a chance on the Max 1? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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