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Showing 1 of 920 conversations about:
LordBorg
331
Dec 26, 2017
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After giving it MUCH thought, I decided to drop out. I can't justify paying $800 for this based on what's out there at similar or lower prices. Focal, Massdrop: you need to offer better value on these! Yes, they're probably great headphones (I own the Clear and Elear and love them!), but you're asking too much for the untested Elex. Add the case, a shorter cable, and drop the price to $599 on the first drop. That's a Massdrop-consistent value.
djfluffkins
157
Dec 26, 2017
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LordBorgWhat other cans do you have? I don't have the Clear or Elear and am trying to get a sense of whether these are worth it for someone who has some other mid to high end cans. Would love to hear any comparison to some planars.
Really debating dropping out of the drop too...
Really debating dropping out of the drop too...
elbebe1000
17
Dec 26, 2017
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djfluffkinsDrop out. I did it.
I have some hi ends too. But I better go for Focal Clear after Tyll reviewed them.
LordBorg
331
Dec 26, 2017
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djfluffkinsI have the Focal Clear and Elear, MrSpeakers AEON Flow and AEON Flow Closed, Audeze LCD-2 Classic, E-Mu Teak, and others (HiFiMAN HE04XX, AKG K7XX, Sennheiser HD 6XX, etc.). I love the Focals, but with the AEONs ($799) and the new LCD-2 Classic ($599), the competition got really tough. IMO, Massdrop will have a lot more work coming up with good deals when working on joint projects with manufacturers than they did in the past.
LordBorg
331
Dec 26, 2017
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elbebe1000Yeah, I dropped out too. The Focal Clear did not disappoint me and should not disappoint you either.
kevinh
75
Dec 26, 2017
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LordBorghow are the AEON Flow Opens in comparison to the Clear and Elears? Ideally if I could compare them to the Elex's that would be the best but that's been a question floating around everywhere. I've heard that they are weak on bass but good on mids and highs? In my mind they're sort of like Andromeda IEMs (not sure if that's an apt comparison).
JTCPingas
90
Dec 27, 2017
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LordBorgAt $800, you really don't want to be waiting on blind faith on what is just a pad swap and change in damping. Most people who spend top dollar on a pair of headphones want them very soon. I'm almost thinking about cancelling my drop too. But I can't deny that stealth black on the Elex would look pretty sick.
LordBorg
331
Dec 27, 2017
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kevinhThe AFOs are awesome. I have all three because IMO they complement each other. I would place the AFOs in between the Clears and the Elears in terms of bass and clarity. Someone on Head-Fi asked me which headphones I would keep if I had to choose just one, and I have to say it would be the AFOs. Not that they're the best of the three, but they are the most comfortable (to me), the less fatiguing (to me), and the ones that score high on ALL genres I've thrown at them.
Vayne_Aurlias
0
Dec 27, 2017
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LordBorgHow would the Focal Clears compare to a pair of Hd650's? I owned a pair of he400i, and currently own a k712 pro and hd650. I enjoy the sound of the 650's, but want an improvement. Is there any reason to choose the clears over the elear or the elex?
shimage
228
Dec 27, 2017
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Vayne_AurliasMarv at SBAF has a direct comparison between Clear and HD650 near the bottom of the page. He also compares Clear to other Focals earlier in the thread.
http://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/focal-clear-measurements-and-impressions.5568/
http://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/focal-clear-measurements-and-impressions.5568/
LordBorg
331
Dec 27, 2017
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VigrithYes, they have! Check the thread on Head-Fi for impressions.
MusicLover
566
Dec 29, 2017
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LordBorgI would love to know your thoughts on the Clear and Elear since you have both. I am very happy with the Elear and would have bought the Elex if it was a Massdrop Branded Clear for $800
LordBorg
331
Dec 29, 2017
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MusicLoverI agree with you on the price (if it were a "Massdrop branded Clear"). The Clear are quite obviously better headphones. The sound is more controlled and there is no distortion even at very high levels--something quite different from the Elears, as you know. The bass on the Clear is smooth and sometimes I feel like I can hear the strings vibrating; on the Elear, the bass is satisfying but less refined. The bass on the Clear is not thin at all... it's just right. You can hear things on the Clear that are not listenable on the Elear... I was listening to Joe Satriani at 24/96 last night and I was hearing things I had not heard before on any of my other headphones. That alone is worth the price difference! I find the Elear more comfortable for some reason... maybe due the fact that things got tightened up a bit (there is no crackling or creaking sound when moving the headband or cups), it seems like the caliper pressure is a little bit higher. But my head adjusts after a minute or so. The cables are a bit stiff... Tyll did mention this in his review, but he could have been a bit more critical. The cables that connect to the earcups are fine, but where they are joined and run to the amp they are really stiff and keep all the curves they had when they were folded. The shorter 1.2m cable is particularly annoying because the cable sticks out if I'm holding a DAP or have it in my pocket. I'm keeping both the Clear and Elear for now because despite their physical similarities, they are quite different headphones. I hope this helps!
MusicLover
566
Dec 29, 2017
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LordBorgThank you so much. Now I’m going to search for a good price on the Clears. I’m also trying to decide if I should buy the Audeze LCD-2Classic that just came out or the Audeze LcdX Creator Package but I don’t have any experience with Audeze Headphones. I listen to a lot of Jazz as my main music choice. Any recommendations.
LordBorg
331
Dec 29, 2017
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MusicLoverNice! You won't be disappointed with the Clear. I've been enjoying the LCD2-C especially because I didn't have to pay as much for them when compared to the other Audeze headphones. I've had the LCD-2 (fazor), LCD-3, and the EL-8 Open, but sold them all because they really hurt my head after a while. I tended to prefer the LCD2 for their relaxed sound, so when they made them with the new headband, I thought I'd try them out. And since I just wanted a more relaxed sound (and these are very good at that), I saved some money in the process and have been very happy! I'm not very familiar with the LCD-X, so I couldn't comment on them... I don't listen to much Jazz other than Stan Getz, Brazilian Jazz (Bossa Nova), and some of the "newer" stuff (Diana Krall, Norah Jones, etc.)... they all sound good on the LCD-2C! But you may want to reach out to others who listen to more Jazz for their recommendations.
MusicLover
566
Dec 29, 2017
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LordBorgThank you. That’s what I wanted to hear as I listen to those artist and several others that are similar.
When you get a chance listen to some Euge Groove,
Gregg Karukus, Brian Simpson and similar artist.
MusicLover
566
Dec 29, 2017
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LordBorgLcd2c for $599 shipped. I can’t find a better deal so I hope they are worth it.
Kraken
6
Dec 30, 2017
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Jas260I don’t think I can mention retailer‘s names here. I don’t want to get in trouble. I’ve seen the Elear as open box for $599 and brand new for $699
Also, as someone already mentioned here, the Clear can be found for less than $1250 brand new. I certainly got mine under $1250.
Kraken
6
Dec 30, 2017
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DenonFanboyLet me know how I can contact you directly, like an email or something and I’ll share the info with you. This is something I won’t be able to tell you here.
DenonFanboy
825
Dec 30, 2017
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KrakenI don't think u will get in trouble, its still twice the price, u ain't steering any traffic away lol
Vigrith
4081
Dec 30, 2017
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DenonFanboyDoubt he's worried about getting in trouble with MD. People have shady ways to buying anything, surely that happens with headphones too, "I can't tell you guys in public" is hardly ever a good sign.
Kraken
6
Dec 30, 2017
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VigrithI won’t tell you here because there are people very sensitive in this open forums. I ordered my Clears from an authorized dealer at a pretty good discount price. This is very simple. Some dealers can’t advertise there discount price, because the manufacturers don’t let them, however the can sale at discount prices. There is absolutely nothing shady about this.
djm7845
117
Sep 2, 2019
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Vayne_AurliasVery little reason to choose the Focal Clears over the Elex. The Clears are more expensive but whatever the slight differences there may be in sound, I do not think it worth the significant extra cost. As for a comparision with theHD650s, don't even go there. The 650s are wonderful, but not in the same league as the Focal Elex.
MusicLover
566
Sep 3, 2019
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djm7845
(Edited)
djm7845
117
Sep 3, 2019
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MusicLoverAt that price, you may well be right. When I made my choice, the difference was $800.00. I've heard both, bought the Elex because at the time I didn't think the difference was worth that much. Now, maybe not so much.
MusicLover
566
Sep 3, 2019
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djm7845I think I paid $1,150 when I bought mine and I actually think all three are really good as I listen to each with different types of music. The Elex probably looks the best of the three. That all Black is sharp
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