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Focal Pads for Elex Headphones - 2020 Version

Focal Pads for Elex Headphones - 2020 Version

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525 Sold
Product Description
Need a replacement for the pads on your Massdrop x Focal Elex headphones? Pick up a pair of these Read More

Customer Reviews

1.7
(51 reviews)
5star
(7)
4star
(0)
3star
(2)
2star
(4)
1star
(38)
5% would recommend to a friend
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PolygonBronson
195
Sep 20, 2018
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I don't own the Elex but I do own the Elear. So this review is from the perspective of using these on the Elear. I bought these because I was curious how the Elex sounds (from what I understand the Elex is the Elear in a different color and with different earpads) and to have some spare pads around since these are a third the price of the regular Elear pads. The results were a mixed bag but more positives than negatives.
Comfort: These are more comfortable than the stock Elear pads. The foam is more dense (yet still very soft) and because of the way that the Elear clamps on the head these pads hold the headphone more secure because the foam gives more resistance. This is a huge bonus to me. I was always worried about them sliding off my head but this is less of a concern with these new pads.
Build: These are very well made pads. Premium materials and a perfect fit on the headphone. I really like the feel of the Alcantara/Microsuede they are made from. However, they are lint magnets.
Bass: This is one of the negative points in my review. These substantially reduce the bass in the Elear. Thankfully they don't reduce the dynamics or punch quality of the bass just the quantity. I will agree that the Elear has crazy amounts of bass but these reduce it a little too much I would have preferred about ~2db more bass. There is always EQ but it's still a bummer to me.
Mids: Here is the biggest improvement. Full discloser: I have a mids sensitivity. Harsh mids tend to bother me more than any other frequency. The mids with the stock pads can be very shouty/honky. There are certain genres that are unlistenable with the stock pads simply because of this shouty midrange. These pads, however, smooth out the midrange significantly. They are full of detail and have a great presence but are smooth and even. Female vocals are now a joy to listen to. Adele and Sia gave me goosebumps the other night when I was listening to them with these pads.
Highs: These Elex pads sharpen up the treble quite a bit. They have better detail than stock but can be a bit much for some music. I tried listening to the Mad Max: Fury Road soundtrack with these pads and it was just too much treble. However, micro details in calmer music are phenomenal. I finally understand the comparisons to the Elex and the Utopia micro detail retrieval. These aren't on quite the same level but it really shows how capable these drivers are.
Soundstage: Imaging and soundstage are about the same as stock. However, some of the weird/different sound placements that made the Elear really unique have been removed with these Elex pads. As a result the Elear with Elex pads sounds much more "normal" be that good or bad.
Conclusion: I thought I would keep these pads as a backup but I think they are my new default. I will try out some other amp parings and EQ options to see if I can bring back some of that bass. These Elex pads make the Elear a much better all-rounder and as a result my Elear has gotten way more head time than they used to. So I guess I call that a win.
FrankFeng
33
Sep 21, 2018
PolygonBronsonThank you @PolygonBronson ! I have the almost exact same experience as your. I also bought these Elex pads for my Elear. The new Elex pads feels more supportive. The best effect bringing by Elex pads is the vocal part. It brings human voice in the music clearer and closer to the listener (instead of the far off distance feeling from original Elear pads). The bass has been tuned down to a level I quite enjoy. The original pads' low end quantity is so much that it becomes quite unique comparing with any other pair of headphones. The Elex pads also brings better detail and never fatigue in lower-high frequency (4000 ~ 8000 Hz). Previous Elear pads somehow "hide" some details in this band. If I turn up volume for those details on Elear pads, the higher frequency(> 8000 Hz) would be a little too much. In conclusion, I love my new Elex pad. I think it turns Elear from a very stylish headphone (the goods to be too good, the bads to be too offensive) to a much better balanced, high performance in almost every aspect experience. (Of course, nothing can help with its weight. We pay for these elegant piece of metal :-)
kjling
144
Sep 23, 2018
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Thanks for getting these made Massdrop. I hope they will continue to drop periodically for many years to come, as I'm definitely keeping my Elex. Just in case they become scarce, I bought 2 sets for safekeeping in the meantime. lol
Frogmeat
562
Feb 29, 2020
kjlingDid you actually get two pairs? Or two orders with a single pad each??
Lalinkumarl
14
Feb 17, 2021
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drop had supply issues with these but got sorted. Would like to see these again on drop
Recommends this product? Yes
semtexxl
57
Jun 4, 2020
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Absolute scam on so many levels
This is possibly the worst ever deal of my entire life in regards with sales over internet. Why you might say?! Well, first of all not only you can wait half the year for your new pads to came there are also some multiple little sweet surprises inside packed as huge middle finger from both Focal and Drop combined. Half of the ordered package is pretty unheard of a miscomunication in the history of co-op but on the top you'll NOT get the pads that ships with original Elex. “Identical to the pads that ship with the Elex, they’re also compatible with the Elear, Clear, and Utopia models.” Pictures below will show you how identical they are. Just check how thin and low quality is the supposedly new pad on the right side. For fun I combined one original pad (left side) with one shipped here (right side). Look how hilariously it looks side by side. (you can see it nicely in contrast with orange wall behind) If you think this is some sort scream from the dark review just check other satisfied customers out there. The only positive point for Drop here is the quick money back (like 5 minutes) procedure. I was thinking about 3 stars rating... however the combinations of misteps from both sides are just unreal. Stay away from this as far as you can till somebody brave can confirm the new bunch is not only COMPLETE but also ORIGINAL pads as advertised....if you can get them anyway in upcoming century....
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(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
semtexxl
57
Jun 9, 2020
No this was purchased mid november for the first bunch and mid december 2019. Delivered around 10 of march 2020 if it helps. If the quality of the pad you already have is lousy as showed on pics above definitely ask for TWO ORIGINAL NEW PADS. Don't let them fool you. You may end up with different preassure levels from each pad resulting in very loose fit on your head....not even talking about insufficient amounts of foam lasting much less than original pads..
(Edited)
jaxtrauma
2104
Jul 2, 2020
Thanks for the link, I just got a few ;-)
max1337
64
Feb 29, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
What a joke. Fire the Drop Copywriter. False Advertising.
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Is this a joke? Did the Copywriter go to grammar school? Packing Slip says "Pads", Product Page says "Pads", Product photos shows A PAIR OF PADS. HOW IS IT HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO SHIP "O N E" PAD? Can't the Warehouse Staff not read "Pads"? PLURAL? SCAM. LIES. BETRAYAL. REFUND. Either way the consumers like us get screwed in the end when companies screw up. These companies are just going to push the cost of "making it right" to the consumers in the end one way or another.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
jlordo
23
Mar 1, 2020
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I have two ears edit: And Drop has realised as such. Updated rating. Note this rating is only for Drop's handling of the situation; Focal is being idiotic.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
Swan86
44
Mar 1, 2020
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They delivered ONE pad. Instead of a pair. Also I'm holding it side by side with my original Clear pad. The elex pads are TERRIBLE. When I press against it, you can immediately tell there is inadequate amount of foam inside, it goes flat easier than a $5 pair of pad from aliexpress. How do you know when there is not enough foam inside? Well if you pinch the fabric, you can grab A LOT of fabric and separate it from the foam inside. Like A LOT! I cant believe I was charged $60 for this SINGLE piece of sh**. Not to add there is some weird odor and fabric texture is terrible. Complete scam!
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
Ayohell
109
Jun 15, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
Poor quality and only one pad!
I was going to wait for Drop to rectify this situation and give the 'pair' of pads a proper try before writing this review but strangely they keep pestering for a review, I am sure eventually I will receive the other pad but in the meantime I can only look at the one and comment that they seem thinner, less filled with the foam and have a distinctive crinkle to them on depressing them. No resemblance to the quality of the Elex or clear pads at all. I do hope that between Drop and Focal they opt to do the right thing and replace with a new pair of pads of the quality of the original pads but the chances of that......... 21st July edit I felt I should add this because today Drop refunded the cost of the pads and agreed to send out the pads they have. I am sure Drop, as well as the customers have been banging their heads against the wall trying to sort this out with Focal but maybe as a pointer for the future more communication could be placed in these comments rather than months at a time with no updates. Kudos to Drop though for eventually taking a hit on this one and drawing a line. Still one star and I would not recommend this product of course.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
gyroscopics
185
Feb 27, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
Buyer Beware
Received only one piece of earpad contrary to product description. Ordered on December 2019. Delivered today Feb 27, 2020.
Recommends this product? No
iPAINTCODE
20
Feb 28, 2020
I ordered a few sets for backup and I received the first order today with a single pad, and I'm betting it will be a single pad for the second order that was shipped 2 days after the first (we will see on Monday).
semtexxl
57
Feb 29, 2020
iPAINTCODEI'm in the same situation as you because I am expecting one additional set. ...Now I am definitelly prepared for disappointment in both cases based on increasing numbers of reports with only one pad. Instead of 4 full sets I may end up with only two pairs. The logic behind this is beyond my understanding. I guess I should use only one half of my headphone. The other side will have even more open back design for better imaging and soundstage. I can't wait to try it....
(Edited)
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