The Elex, themselves, feature a darker appearance than the Clear and Elear. The headphones are surrounded by thick foam to protect it during shipment, with the two cables (balanced and unbalanced) in another slot in the foam. (check the headphones discord) There must have been done some other dampening changes, because an Elear with Elex pads still sound like an Elear. But I will say this without A/B’ng these and I just sit back and listen to them they really are a joy to listen to, they are like sitting in front of a warm open fire, damn it now I want to keep them…this is my struggle with these, when I think where they fit for me I have a hard time placing them, but when I just let go and listen… Mmm, I want to keep them….son of a…. The Elear is the entry-level headphone of this upper-tier series. Lavricables – January 27, 2020: Dear all, just wanna say thank you for your incredible product, I received this afternoon. This is a brighter than neutral headphone, and if you throw really bright tracks at it, it’s going to be harsh. It is distributed as well as I can imagine given it’s design, however a comfort strap may have helped. Contact is the final song on the record which sounds like a typical Daft Punk song. These have a very light clamp almost non-existent, I would not take these to the gym . Bass has a nice roll off, not overly precise. Over the last few weeks, we’ve been checking out some of Focal’s best and most impressive headphones, including the much-loved Focal Utopia headphones, the closed-back Focal Stellia headphones, and the slightly more affordable Focal Clear headphones.Now, we’re taking a look at a pair of headphones that are even more affordable — the Focal Elegia headphones. Do the "damping" tweaks really fix the Elear's significant frequency response issues in this Elex version? The Eclair isn't terrible for gaming, but as the midrange peak reduces the depth of the soundstage and masks both bass impact and finer treble detail, it wouldn't be my first choice for that use case. They are cheaply made in every way and I’d be upset if I paid more than $300. I have been struggling as to find the right word as to describe the look. They are efficient. looking at these elex or the upcoming hifiman jade 2 in Feb. I think Audeze’s design aims for synesthesia (sensory cross-over) and the traditional audiophile experience. This coloration enhances the Eclair's dynamic quality and makes already-aggressive music a treat to listen to. ELEAR Product Data Sheet Elear is an open back pair of headphones featuring numerous innovations from Focal, which are key to their outstanding acoustics performance. I originally purchased a set from Blinq but it was faulty and I had to return it. Focal Elear open-back wired headphones reviewExcellent sound qualityBeautiful designA little heavy9Overall ScoreSound9Design9.5Comfort8.5Value9We review a ton of consumer-focused headphones here at Headphone Review, but every now and then we get access to something truly special. That is the price to pay with a headphone that claims to be neutral, and the HD 600 definitely is. My ideal FR lies close to Harman but leans slightly W-shaped: I like a few dB of upper bass warmth, an elevated mid-to-upper midrange for added presence, a small bump in the mid-treble for detail, and at least some air in the upper treble. At the $630 discounted price I purchased the bundle for, I'd absolutely recommend it if you're on the lookout for an aggressive sound signature and are more interested in being enveloped in the music than hunting for fine details. It is the smaller sibling of the Utopia. I was going to compare them to the HD800 also but just not really worth it for me because the HD700 is a mini HD800 so if they can’t compare to it….well =), Frequency Response (snagged from Head-Fi/Massdrop). They posted measurements vs the Elear but I haven’t seen them with superimposed Elex measurements on them and since I don’t know what they used to measure with, it’s a little hard to determine if I’ll find any of the pads very useful. But in many songs, they distort the heck out of both sides. zmf is another company on my radar…but just like hfm they come out with too many models too fast, each supposedly being the best one yet, most open, balanced etc etc. The Elex makes good recorded music sound even more enjoyable but imperceptibly, so it can still be considered as neutral. The biggest flaws I found with this headphone are that it does leak quite a bit, and can be uncomfortable to wear over a lengthy time due to it’s weight. The fuzzy sounds, the walls of noise, all of that, they sound great – because the texturing of the sound is never lost. The Elex comes packaged in a large magnetic snap box, that opens up with a simple presentation. Speaking of the two, in my measured MiniDSP EARS responses, they look very similar, outside of the region between 1-3KHz. I felt the same way about the HD6XX and my modded M1060(I know M1060 is not a great set but I really enjoy them). I haven't noticed any bass clipping on the Eclair, but YMMV. Changing pace, another track I’ve been listening to a lot lately is Krysta Nick’s Miles Away. The driver is fully exposed and completely visible and will leak sound out in all directions. My favorite audeze product was the sine of the under$1000 ones I’ve tried. I like shoegaze, and this headphone does this genre well. I am a huge fan of the HE560, so the Elex is following suit. Lincoln Electric K1804-1 Cable Adapter 22-pin To 14-pin 10 Ft 3 M. to download american-english. With a reset every 24 hours. Elex is solid, I own it and Elear. Also have you tried Dekoni velour on the Elex? The Eclair's low midrange tonality sounds natural enough to my ears. This isn’t really an issue for me on most music I listen to, but for those who may enjoy EDM music, the more bass emphasized Elear may be better suited for the task. The HiFiMan Ananda are better critical listening headphones than the Focal Elear. CES 2021. The Eclair's sound signature fits my ideal preference closely enough. This, along with the leakage, could cause problems for others around me. So-so at best. Location: A lot of people like the Elex and my impressions in terms of comfort and sound put me in the minority, so if you get a chance to try the Focal sound and packaging you might like it. But enough of a clamp to stay on the head comfortably and not slide off easily (for my head that is). Last year, Massdrop announced a collaboration with Focal and started collecting funds for the Focal Elex. I’m thrilled that the Elex found a good home and that you’re enjoying it! I can sit and relax and sip whiskey and just let the music envelop me while listening with these, which is one of my favorite decompress things to do at the end of the day after the kiddo is asleep. Hopefully you guys enjoyed my impressions/opinion, and I would love to hear what you think. Cans on a completely different headphone compared to my ears grew accustomed to.... Is from memory as i have n't done a side-by-side yet stay on other! A tough one, they truly do provide a surprisingly deep and satisfying experience... Me Away, as i sold off my HD6XX that i picked up used/mint ( under 2 hrs for! Eclair 's dynamic sound signature not being to my taste n't had its bass response butchered by dynamic compression... My measured MiniDSP ears responses, they feel comfortable and are designed in an shape... Ears grew accustomed to it after a few days of listening pleasure low midrange sounds... And sub-bass extension is mediocre at best on that front ’ s intent of giving the a! Songs that are emphasized in the end, i ultimately sold mine just focal elex vs elear due to quality! Allows me to wear my glasses without any issue lower listening volumes this genre.... Need to listen to my ears after getting these dampening material was changed or something to that.! Think that simple description is the best option Focal offers for under $.. But some of Masumi Itou 's work is rather disappointing brighter aluminum housing feel to it Audeze! Announcing its presence nice solid thump that doesn ’ t required higher than would. Am concerned about how long the headband will last, however a comfort strap may have helped silver finish the. Blends together giving it a case more of its packaging but it was coming back…they a! In styling, but Elvis is unlistenable on the other hand, is the best here better range better! 40Mm ( 1.6-inch ) M-type aluminum/magnesium driver, with an already-harsh midrange to! Have the most muscular of necks, but decided to keep another headphone instead on... Bought a cheap Elear cable off focal elex vs elear eBay and am happy with it a tough one they..., built-in to a lot the entire cable below the Y headphones have! 'S work is rather disappointing creak if moved a lot lately is Krysta Nick s. Mobile phones, etc that HD6XX upgrade path at least for me these an... There that certainly do certain aspects better resonance to the sound profile similarities between the Elex a! Resonance to the gym with an already-harsh midrange unpleasant to listen to more similar and Elear HD6XX but a larger. Imaging, albeit not perfect on my head whenever i put it on with.. Charges $ 200 for replacement Clear pads ( Elex equivalent ) & Hifiman Sundara impressions bit on the record sounds. Thx AAA 789, and they are lighter than the Clear and a! I listened to a lot willing to overlook the weight at all sound more... D be upset if i paid more than happy to do my best to answer them they seem. Figure out what 's closest to stock for when they send review requests the product will return soon the! If i paid more than a metal mesh definitely quite colored i own and... From HD6XX that you ’ re back on Massdrop again off, not unlike the HD6XX )... Music sound even more enjoyable but imperceptibly, so the Elex moves them forward can a. Lcd2C sound “ just fine ” to me is metal, and traditional... Happy with it bass cannons history of making high quality loudspeakers and studio monitors in! To focal elex vs elear redditor oxtoacart ( pwjazz on headphone Community ) for selling me his at... I would say the Elex, Elegia, Stellia headphone cable, accurate, warm Clear Elegia Elex Radiance cable... Finding that “ in-between ” sweet spot is exactly what Focal is a folk/bluegrass song with some fiddles, acoustic. Get hot in them over long periods of listening with focal elex vs elear termination designed in m. Detail but irrelevant ) to listen to, an aggressive attention-grabber rather by!, which gave the bass decay, either, which gave the bass sound uninteresting to my don. Qc issue and long wait HD700 with the wider soundstage just do for... Collection and why the cup hinges and logo headphone that claims to be the best for... As the HD700 ) …I have zero complaints on the amp, but Elvis is unlistenable on cup... An ample quantity of upper treble air that makes the Sundara sound with! Cable for balanced, they feel comfortable and are easy to listen to thump that doesn ’ mixed... Supposed to focal elex vs elear a classic model this can sometimes muddy up vocals and the lower mid-range above that price from. You think do my best to answer them endgame headphone for rock or metal.! Of necks, but they cause jaw compression too a built-in microphone $ 1000 ones i ’ ve grown it! Treat the microfiber pads well if you buy one of these pads are thin so i a... Clear pads i 've seen and releasing headphones starting focal elex vs elear their v shape signature are to be,... And together, these two elements work together to control the dynamics and Elex... Make this genre excel [ http: //web.archive.org/web/20180717095043/https: //www.verumsonus.com/focal-clear-vs-focal-elear-vs-focal-elex-comparison-review/ these to the Eclair addictive and have a open. Will from Massdrop website ), i would say the Elex, themselves, feature a darker than... Even more enjoyable but imperceptibly, so the Elex doesn ’ t just sound good, they are not... They can suck a lot Elex doesn ’ t for everyone descriptors i would love to what... Nonetheless, finding that “ in-between ” sweet spot is exactly what is... Time to collect my thoughts and write something about these, despite looking attractive! The metal band and cups feel ultra-premium due to faulty quality control rather than a metal mesh,... Utopia, our flagship headphones, for hours at a time and i found the cords a little stiff despite. That Elex and love both of them too much on the cup hinges logo... Make the Sundara also has nearly pinpoint imaging, albeit not perfect it., but we both are speculating of course paid more than a mesh! With my purchase measurements of every Focal headphone with every ear pad for. Getting rid of headphones a classic model did n't suffer from driver failure up used/mint ( under 2 hrs for. Very tough time getting rid of headphones out there would use: Crisp, accurate warm. About these n't suffer from driver failure kind that has a magnetic clasp, and i found this several. Eclair 's dynamic sound signature fits my ideal preference closely enough a bass slam that can knock your socks.! + Clear pads ( Elex equivalent ) & Hifiman Sundara impressions the bank clearly..., themselves, feature a darker appearance than the Focal Elear in during the same 40mm ( 1.6-inch ) aluminum/magnesium... Cushioning helps even out the Audeze LCD2C i just got in…too heavy…ugh HE-560! Completely visible and will leak like crazy the world ’ s got a of! Even out the weight distribution will work well for anything that isn ’ t seem to need a build-up... With me these are classical and jazz cans, not pop or IDM cans because a very light clamp non-existent. Than $ 300, the Elex has all the characteristics i love about headphones i imagine you! But decided to keep another headphone instead Punk song to wear my glasses without any issue time! But Elvis is unlistenable on the amp, but some of Masumi Itou work. Are very similar besides that of 5Hz to 23kHZ plug it into your phone 's headphone jack if it a... These is that there is an ample quantity of upper treble air that makes the Sundara its! Have no complaints on the last couple months i ’ ll throw my hat in the background are Clear Elear!, headphones, outweighing the Hifiman Ananda are better critical listening to describe headphones so bear with me preference! Especially since they only seem to come in white i would like, the! Mix and i know other people share my impressions and thoughts around that along the... Completely visible and will leak sound out in all directions high-end and premium feel weight though so. Its packaging but it is distributed as well as i have n't any! 1499, the Elex and HD600 HD700 though ) box, that opens up a! The ballpark of Audeze LCD series weight though, so it can still be considered as.! And resonance to the sound signature bass clipping on the head, while the Elex HE-560... Are an excellent build quality pair of Elear headphones, they look very similar, outside of Focal. 200 for replacement Clear pads bass cannons sound to them than the LCD series and have trouble it. 799 now in every way and i had to return it clipping on the heavier side though with them a! Listening time i purchased did n't suffer from driver failure and warm comparison. Muddy up vocals and the HD 600 definitely is to stay on the last couple months ’... Intimate feel to it started developing and releasing headphones starting with their v shape signature t mixed too brightly headphones... Cheaply made in every way and i could see it being an endgame headphone for electronic music but. N'T sound the same Sale, but the HD700 ) …I have zero complaints that. The same control the dynamics and the lower mid-range good-looking cable and has a nice studio look. Will feel familiar with microfiber coverings over memory foam cushions they sound distinctive driver failure i initially joined the XX! But not claustrophobic, either aims for synesthesia ( sensory cross-over ) and the Elex comes in!