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Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones
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Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones
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Product Description
Made with Focal’s brilliant engineering and extraordinary attention to detail, the Elex headphones take a fundamentally different approach to dynamic drivers—and deliver a better measured performance across the board than headphones several times their price. A refinement of the $1,000 Elear with elements of the $1,500 Clear, they boast several improvements to the sound, build, and aesthetic, too Read More
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SDK1
220
Sep 22, 2020
Can I get a show of hands from people within EU and UK that are interested in this product?
Maybe worth contacting them direct if the numbers stand up, I don’t mind putting in a little work...
CyAuzen
62
Jun 11, 2021
Is this supposed to be a new item (factory sealed) or an open-box item (broken factory seal)?
CyAuzen
62
Jun 18, 2021
Answering my own question: I received my Elex with a broken factory seal which had been taped over. I got very concerned given bad past experiences in the past with retailer like B&H selling open-box items as new. The QC issues reported here didn't help either (I really didn't want an Elex that has been returned by someone else).
It turned out the fulfillment person is breaking the factory-seal to insert a packing slip!
I really think Drop should reconsider doing this. Just stick the packing slip in a sleeve on the outside of the box. Or even better, just forgo packing slips (at least for orders containing just one item). But please do not break the factory seals of new items for this!
esong2022
55
Mar 4, 2020
I’ve tried them both. These are much more dynamic & faster, but the HD800 takes the win for comfort and soundstage. The sound signature is completely different on these two headphones - the elex is an “upgrade” from the hd650, and the hd650 and Hd800 are built for different purposes (casual listening and monitoring, respectively). So if you are trying to choose between the two I’d say trial the 650 and 800 first, and if you prefer the 650 just go for the elex.
FISTDEYUMA
64
Jun 11, 2020
esong2022I have both the HD800s and the ELEX. (Along with about 10+ other cans running from 600 to 1000 dollars.) There is no doubt as to the winner. The ELEX has great value for the money but the hd800s is clearly better. It was just last night when I put the two to a test, not knowing I would be writing this today.
The ELEX is the first cans to come close to the hd800. It was like having a slightly smaller sample of what I love about the hd800s. For the price that is an amazing deal. Combine that with the savings of not having to buy a balanced cable put them at an even better price point.
I would never abuse a set of cans bit the ELEX have the feel of tank. They are solid and well made. The ELEX has a far better seal than the hd800 but the hd800s is more comfortable.
If you are on a budget, even a reasonably large budget you should get the ELEX. With a good dac and amp you would have a setup that would put a millionaire's 100k system to shame 40 years ago.
The hd800s is clearly better but at twice the cost. I was able to pick up mine used for 1k but they run 1.7k retail. Drop is selling them for less, I think $1500. Like the ELEX they come with a balanced cable. So if a better sound for $800 more is appealing to you, get the hd800s. The ELEC will give you great sound and will never disappoint you.
So it comes down to what you are willing to spend. If you love music like I do, get the hd800s, even if you really should not be spending that much money. It will save money in the long run because someday you will get get the hd800s. Think of it as saving 700 bucks. I have a lot of cans I got just because I could afford them. I ended up with cans I never use because I always use the hd800s.
The ELEX is used on my den setup, which has a lot off different uses; gaming, skype, music from the computer and videos. I also use them with my ibrasso 220 if not going were there is noise.
The hd800 is used just for music and has the best dac and amp I own.
95% of the people will use the ELEX with pure joy and will never hear anything better. The hd800 is for the top 5% who want the very best.
Yes, there are more costly and likely far better cans on the market. However I have never been able to listen to one, let alone test/compare them. Until I do the hd800s is the best there is, with the ELEX a good budget high-end while you save for the hd800s.
I love the price of the new hd 820 and wish I had the money to buy them. I have a good set of closed cans that I use when there is noise. Needless to say they cannot touch the ELEX, let alone the hd800. My step father died last year and I expect to get some money. Paying my credit card come first and some diamond earings to replace the lost ones my wife second. If there is something left, the hd820s will be mind.
However, I have an opened mind. If someone believes there is something better than either the hd800s or the hd820, I'll be happy to listen to your advise.
Kwonmunsu
5
Jun 14, 2020
FISTDEYUMAThank you for sharing. I couldn't decide between Elex and 800s. Now I decided to go for Elex after I read your story. I will be able to enjoy Elex because it is my level. Sometime in the future, I'm sure I will get into 800 level:)
By the way, tell your wife that she comes first over anything and anyone else. That is why you will pay off the credit card first for the financial stability for the family. I found that some political approach is necessary between family members:)
professor_x11
0
Aug 17, 2020
KwonmunsuThe 800s have a exaggerated sound sound while the elex have a neutral dont know why people hype up the 800s so much and you need so much power to drive them to make them good whilst the focals you dont. Even the hd600/660s can sound better than the hd800s
FISTDEYUMA
64
Aug 20, 2020
professor_x11If you can afford the HD800s then you likely have a system that will power them with ease. There is a reason the most listened to system has the HD800s attached. Others are great for other reasons. Some are so easy to drive that you could use them with just a phone. Some are well priced but you need a good amount of power to use them, such as the HD600/650. The key is to listen to all you can afford and get the one that fits your use. There are also some great earbuds that are great for traval or working around the home.
My thinking is to get the best you can afford. I went budget and ended up with cans/earbuds I never use. Read what users think and take any professional writing with a grain of salt. Some are known for their objectivity, others are just fan boys and will lie their ass off.
On the good side I have some music loving family who have gear they cannot afford at this time. Sadly I also have a ticked off wife for not running it by her first. She will always say no and it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
I really wish I had gotten the HD800 from the very start. It would have saved me a lot of money. Someday I'll get around to selling some outstanding mid-priced cans that cannot touch my HD800s.
YatesDupoint
0
Jun 13, 2021
professor_x11When you don't know about something you shouldn't talk about it, saying that you need so much power to drive a 800s makes you look really bad to us 800s owners and to anyone who dare to research a little. You lost all credibility and it is obvious you never had a 800s can.
Jeezz what I don't understand is your need to look like you are somebody on a forum... pay attention to you before others...
FISTDEYUMA
64
Jun 21, 2021
FISTDEYUMAThe shocking reduction in the drop price makes the HD800S a better deal. At 1100 dollars it is just too good to pass up.
I hope they still include the balanced cable but mine fell apart, forcing me to upgrade. So ideally they included a better cable, as I really cannot imagine they were proud of those. The poor durability along with the extremely tight fit, meaning you hold your breath as you remove them, was a black eye for them. Pictures of broken headphones can make you cry.
The replacement cable was much better and would slide on and off with no strain or worry.
FISTDEYUMA
64
Aug 13, 2021
YatesDupointStrange, the cans I use everyday claim to be HD 800s. I think I'll go with that and ignore your snipe. I attached my HD800S to an Ibasso DX220 and was not pleased with the sound when compared with my good DAC and AMP.
I have it. How about you find someone with a good DAC and AMP and let them show how your HD800s should sound. Then I expect an apology.
FISTDEYUMA
64
Sep 27, 2021
KwonmunsuShe will be mad at me regardless. She is now retired and has no one to show the earrings off to.
I'm really excited about the audio 64 U12T EMI. It will be my biggest investment yet but will give me my end game EMI. I find I use my Noble EMI more than anything else, so getting the best here make sense.
FISTDEYUMA
64
Sep 27, 2021
professor_x11If you lack the power to run the HD800s then you should not buy them. However there is an amp sold by drop for 200 bucks that would drive a truck. I agree there are few if any portable DAPs that can do the job, but I use my HD800s at home with a desktop system.
For its intended use, you would spend a lot more to beat the HD800s. There is a new set of cans for 1500 that have impressed the reviewers. The name excapes me.
cpo.usn.retired
6
Nov 17, 2021
YatesDupointWhy don't you try helping people navigate one of the most variable hobbies in the world of being an "audiophile" rather than posting your negative replies? Help the person out that plugs a pair of Focal Utopias into an iPhone and expects audio bliss. "Audiophile" has a different meaning to every individual no matter how much they think they know about audio gear. You can use the exact same pair of headphones and they will sound completely different to everyone depending on all the variables such as amp used, type of DAC, source signal, personal taste in music, etc. In other words, if you don't have anything good to say...
tkyc
63
Aug 17, 2020
The 800 are a much more open, detail version of the Massdrop X Focal Elex headphones and Focal Clears. They are worth the price differential but I have kept my Elex headphones and ultimately sold the Sennheiser 880s. They cost a lot, too much as did the Clears. After 70 headphone purchases I am preferring more musical headphones like the Sony mdr-z7 and z7m2. Also love my Fostex Mahogany and E-mu Teaks. They are not as correct and a little colored but so great to listen to, lush. The Denon 9200's are similar and the best I have listened to. Been an audiophile for 35 years and this is where I am.
(Edited)
Reader
9
Oct 1, 2020
The HD800s is lean and clean, while Elex is warm and full sounding. Elex has much stronger and better bass. HD 800s is better at mid, imaging and sound stage. HD800s is also more detailed. Overall HD800s is better with EQ period, without EQ Elex wins by a tiny margin. Also sound wise Elex would be a speaker replacement, but if you already have a pair of good speaker, HD800s got more character and it's lean and clean sound seems just not found in any speaker, as all good speakers are full sounding.
Lastly, for gaming, HD800s is the best for competitive FPS period.
(Edited)
totoloope
11
Feb 23, 2022
ReaderTo much sound stage is a night mare for fps . The best are akg 701 and audio technica i forget the modèle sorry
Ryan.Clarin
1
Mar 10, 2020
How do you take out the ear pads? Mine are like super stuck in place and I feel like I’d need to apply a ridiculous amount of force to do so.
Okeer
110
Mar 17, 2020
They are held on with clips, you reach in and get your finger on the plastic back to help with leverage.
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