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tzonglee
10
Mar 3, 2020
For those who received one pad of 2, does the one pad feel about a 1/8th inch smaller (less thicker, shorter?) than the pads that came stock with the Elex? Or will the pad expand to fill that volume when mounted?
tzongleeFunny you say that. These new pads indeed seem to be smaller in height and inner ear diameter. It's very very slight so I'm assuming just manufacturing tolerances. But it is noticeable now that you brought it up. Tried to get some photos on my phone so excuse the quality. New pad is on the left, OG pad on the right.
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NaraukoFNH
29
Mar 4, 2020
jaydunndidditWell that could certainly be a little concerning, I wonder if it is all of them or just manufacturing tolerances as you said. I'd like to see more examples with original Elex pads and these new ones. I have an Elear, so cant compare on that front. Any insight on this Drop?
NaraukoFNHI have an Elear, Elegia, and Utopia pads. I sadly don't have my Clears any longer. I could measure those as well but even eye balling them, they do seem taller, albeit slightly.
(Edited)
schmick0
34
Mar 4, 2020
jaydunndidditIt feels like a different foam inside. Does the new one feel less firm, easier to press down on to you?
Defvayne
79
Mar 4, 2020
tzongleeI spent a week with an Elex on loan. I noticed one pad was 1/8 thicker than the other. I noticed this while they were mounted. I now have an Elear and guess what? One pad is slightly thicker than the other. I'll have a set of Elex pads tomorrow and a set of Clear pads on order. I'm curious to see if the Clear pads have the issue while costing $200.
NaraukoFNH
29
Mar 4, 2020
schmick0I am mildly concerned that in addition to only manufacturing half the order according to Drop, that Focal is further impeding these Elex pads to make people want them less. It does seem Focal is generally not a huge fan of the Elex for some reason. Could just be a wild conspiracy theory though.
S0undJunk1e
19
Mar 4, 2020
NaraukoFNHNot a wild theory. This is a very convenient problem for Focal to be having. They make us wait more than 3 months and then screw up the order? The most valuable ear pad in their inventory is the clear / pro pad because it helps to fix the Elear's FR issues. My guess is that also explains why Dekoni doesn't make a fenestrated suede pad. This stinks to high heaven of a cash grab. Wait to see if the Clear pads see a sales increase and then fix the problem. And I wouldn't be surprised if they hated the Elex because it is probably ruining sales of the Clear.
(Edited)
Defvayne
79
Mar 4, 2020
S0undJunk1eI ordered an Elear bundle with Clear pads at the first of the year. They are still backordered and have yet to be shipped to North America. I've been told it is due to the labor strikes that occurred in France. They had trouble bringing materials into the country. I don't think Focal is doing this to drive more sales on the Clear pads. If they are, they have done a terrible job. They may have mixed feelings on the Elex, but I'm sure this collaboration has gotten them a few sales they wouldn't have otherwise. I certainly never planned on buying a Focal until I tried the Elex. Stock Elear has received a mostly negative reception. The Clear is priced way too high for me to ever consider purchasing.
themuna
142
Mar 5, 2020
DefvaynePersonally, I would never have bought the Clear because of the color scheme. Those pads get dirty way too easily. And I don't like the look of the Clear pro at all.
Defvayne
79
Mar 5, 2020
themunaI like the appearance of the Clear. Not so much the Pro. I've seen what some used Clears look like it's a deal breaker.
tzonglee
10
Mar 5, 2020
jaydunndidditThanks for the responses. I hope that the 2nd pad of the pair will match the current one when it gets fullfilled. It'll suck to have one side slightly larger than the other. 1/8th of an inch is a lot to chalk up to manufacturing tolerances.
schmick0
34
Mar 9, 2020
tzongleeI have two of the new pads now, 1 from one drop, one from another. They are both the same height, both feel much softer/squishier than the stock pads. I'll try them out this week and see if I can hear a difference.
schmick0
34
Mar 18, 2020
NaraukoFNHSounds different than the original pads, most noticeably the bass doesn't sound as "tight". The foam inside the earpad seems to be made of a different material, it is much softer/squishier than the pads that come with the Elex. The pads are also thinner, resulting in less clamp force on the head. It could be either or both of these that is causing the sound change. This really has the feel of a cheap(er) knockoff.
tzonglee
10
Apr 5, 2020
schmick0Thanks for the feed back. That's too bad...
robo24
130
Apr 13, 2020
tzongleeYou're correct. No actual Elex pads were shipped. No idea what they are, but they're junk and not what was advertised.
Rocket58
42
May 12, 2020
robo24I had also received one and I can confirm that they are identical to my original Elear pads. The only difference is that they are perforated (with little holes all the way around). Same size same fabric same thickness. I had never seen the one that came at first with the Elex. But from photos around they seems the same as the recent one. Are we sure that the original one were exactly like the Clear ?
robo24
130
May 15, 2020
Rocket58Yikes, then that would mean everyone gets to downgrade to an Elear once they need new pads.
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