Oladance OWS Pro Review – Aural Sculptures

The $230 Oladance OWS Pro is an open-ear wearable stereo device that impresses by its natural, open presentation. Something completely different compared to the usual fare…and very well executed.

The Oladance OWS Pro was kindly and unsolicited provided by the company for my analysis – and I thank them for that. As always, no affiliate links and no kickback. And no silly YouTube videos either. Wir können auch anders.

Introduction

In 1726, Swiss mathematician Leonard Euler published his doctorate “dissertatio physica de sono” (physical dissertation on sound). In 1739 he followed up with the “tentamen novae theoriae musicae” (attempt at a new theory of music), hoping to eventually incorporate musical theory as part of mathematics. You may remember the Euler’s number from your math class: the mathematical constant e, approximately equal to 2.71828, which is the base of natural logarithms.

Oladance obviously adapted some of Euler’s sonic ideas. Their first syllable is based on the Cantonese pronunciation of his name. The company was established in the US in 2019, where the product and software designs are located.. Their goal is to bring the physical and digital world together with innovative audio products. They also have offices in Hong Kong and Shenzhen to target their biggest expansion markets. Their first-generation product was launched in 2021, but global sales only commenced in 2022.

OWS is short for “Open Wearable Stereo”. This concept, according to the company, stands for open and natural, comfort and health (avoidance of hearing damage), and stereo sound quality (through software innovations and hardware innovations). I have to admit, there is lots of interesting and innovative technology in these wearables.

Specifications Oladance OWS Pro

Physicals

In the box are the earpieces, a storage/charge case, a USB-C charge cable and the manual/other paperwork. These earpieces are made of titanium and skin-friendly silicone, the case of polycarbonate-polyacrylonitrile alloy. Both are “Chrome de la Chrome”, reminiscent of the Terminator II movie. Excellent haptic, a premium product…and a fingerprint magnet.

Battery life is up to 16 h per charge and 58 h for the case for continuous playback. Charge times are 2 h for the earpiece and 3 h for the case.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is amazing. The earpieces feel weightless…you really think you are sitting in a concert hall or recording studio. There appears to be a good balance between the battery in the back and the speaker module in the front that avoids any pulling. After a long listening session, I could not find the buds…they were still sitting on my ears.

Fit is another issue. The company relies on “on-size-fits-all” shape, but human ears differ in shape. The speakers have to somewhat aligned properly on the ear. While fit is good for most, people with very big or very small ears may have issues: the sound may be tinny and the maximum volume rather low.

This issue could be avoided if Oladance had made the earpieces bendable so that people could adapt them to their ear shapes. But, then they would not fit into the charging case easily anymore…unless it was flexible, too ;).

On the good side: glasses are no problem, I tried different ones with different temple geometries. Furthermore, these wearables sit secure like rocks. You can shake your head as you want, and bow in all directions…they do not move. Excellent!

Now you definitely know the difference between comfort and fit.

Features and Operation

The OWS Pro incorporates a lot of innovative ideas and technologies such as virtual bass and dynamic EQ. The virtual bass uses the ear as resonance and the dynamic IQ adapts automatically to the ambient noise (indoor, outdoor). Six microphones aim to cancel external wind sounds…which works actually very well for me in the Canadian fall.

The free app, available from Google Play and App Store, allows for selecting different sound profiles and offers even a basic customize eq.

Since an open wearable does not seal well, the app offers something similar to ANC, called “Focus Mode” (also displayed as “Zen Mode”), which works soso, depending on ambient noise. Since the wearables invite for lengthy listening sessions, a patented anti-hearing algorithm can be used to avoid hearing damage.

The OWS Pro are operated with one button on each earpiece (and also sport an on/off switch). The button is clickable and also swipeable, depending on functionality. Gestures can be customized in the app. I found these difficult to handle initially, but got used to them quickly.

Bluetooth Functionality/Performance

The OWS Pro deploys the latest Bluetooth version 5.3, but the older SBC codec. You may not hear much of a difference between lossy and lossless. Multipoint is supported: you can connect the OWS Pro up to two devices. The earpieces work within a distance of 20 m.

Tonality and Technicalities

While one size-fits-all accounts for the earpieces, it does not for the sound. Depending on how the earpieces are aligned in one’s ear, you get a different sound perception. And this varies as no ear is the same. But what’s in common for everybody is the polished and balanced, sparkly, clean, transparent, NATURAL quality of the reproduction and the fantastic soundstage (wide and tall, but limited in depth). You think you are sitting in the recording studio or a concert hall. A truly open sound.

If a V-shaped iem was a heavy French Bordeaux wine, the Oladance OWS Pro are like a bubbly fine champagne.

Some users and Oladance itself perceive a similarity to Bose earphones, but I would rather compare the their sonic qualities to Bang & Olufsen products. The sound goes perfectly with the wearing comfort.

Since on-ears are never very bassy (they may dig deep but do not have that punch of in-ears), you get a rather balanced, coherent sonic image. And yes, the OWS Pro has that good sub-bass extension, and midbass has this golden, full, soothing feel.

Treble is sweet and nicely extended (for a Bluetooth device) with a lot of pearly sparkle. Midrange is present and silky, voices are sculptured 3-dimensionally, they are reasonably forward and of natural richness (not too thick or too lean). Just as it should be.

Note definition is excellent, imaging and soundstage are marvellous and so are separation and layering…but I am repeating myself. Resolution and microdetail are also outstanding for the class. I was admiring the sound of my big stereo system until I realized the music actually came from the wearables. If NAD’s Paul Barton had designed the OWS Pro, one would speak of “room feel”.

The overall listening experience is cohesive, relaxed, ORGANIC, and laid back but also very disciplined and composed (no smearing notes). When turning the volume up high, the upper mids can get a bit grainy (but never shouty). The OWS Pro work best with (complex) natural sounds…but are a mixed bag when the music becomes more aggressive (because of the limited bass punch).

Phone/Microphone Quality

Listen yourself. Here is a sound sample recorded with the 6 built-in microphones:

Value

At $230, the Olandance OWS Pro don’t come cheap but fit with the pricing of comparable iems and in accordance with their (expensive) technology. They really are a quality product in terms of both haptic and sound.

Why Would We Want It (or Not)?

The main purpose of having these is relaxed, non-fatiguing, natural, home-theater-like listening over a longer period of time. For example, while writing some of this, I listened to a lengthy Vladimir Horowitz piano recital. And/or you want to be able to hear the ambient noise when on the job or in traffic…hey don’t do that. You can also enjoy these in the gym or doing sweaty outdoor sporting activities (IPX4 water resistance)…or simple when walking around in a hot, humid climate.

“Yes they [Oladance] have their shit together.” Loomis Johnson (famous audio blogger).

Concluding Remarks

The Oladance OWS Pro are a completely new and interesting concept with their perfect marriage between extreme comfort and relaxed, natural listening experience. They offer a balanced, cohesive sound with great note definition and accuracy and give you a realistic live experience. You can listen to them all day without fatigue and without running out of battery (while your phone does…)

Due to their nature as on-ears, they don’t have that driving, authoritative bass and are less suited for the more aggressive music. They target the more mature, discerned listener. I love these for piano, orchestral, and jazz…but also enjoyed listening to rock music like Queen, Dire Straits, and Pink Floyd.

The OWS Pro are truly fine dining. Oladance are a young and coming company that will make it big, I’m sure.

Leonard Euler would be pleased.

Until next time…keep on listening!