Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones

Audiophile

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AdviceGuy

Jan 1, 2018

I feel sorry form those that missed this massdrop by bickering over price and comments of others...
Remember this is a Massdrop special and Focal has no need to make such a unit otherwise which would cut into their existing models sales...
People in the comments simply not taking into account that the Focal line is simply ABOVE ALL the others in the sub $2k region, in terms of resolution.
Both the Elex and the Clear start to address the signature issues of their past models, which was their only flaw.
This sale should have been a no-brainer, as the Elex is less than half price of the Clear, And at the massdrop price, there is NOTHING that could beat the Elex.
Practically all other brand's headphones under $1.8k do not have this level resolution. That means Senn HD6xx models, Fostex TH900 and lower, Klipsh new model, Denon old models, any of the MrSpeaker models, ZMF models, LCD2 etc.
The Other models are not bad by any means. They are just preferences in the upper mif-fi level. These 3 latest Utopia models enter the top end level and you guys had a chance to enter and touch this end game level at only 699...(!)
So Congratulations to those that were smart enough to enter.

Jan 1, 2018

caliphonia

Jan 2, 2018

AdviceGuyI agree. It's a big shame that the Windows PC bang for the buck crowd scared away so many people from jumping on the best headphone ever on Massdrop. I love my TH-X00, but I expect these to be way above them. I did audition the Elear along with various Mr Speakers recently, and they are in the same category. I didn't have my Fostex with me, but I did have my Andromeda IEMs, and they were clearly better. I've had the HD650 and have listened to the HD800 and HD800s enough to know what the difference between the upper echelon and the mid to lower end, which the HD650 is in. The Focal is definitely in the upper echelon. The Elear competes with the HD800 and not the HD650. Other than wider sound stage and maybe a little detail, everything about the Elear is better than the HD800 to me. I pity the folks who got scared from the bargain basement bickering from the DYI Windows PC crowd. I am one of those, but unlike those bickering here, I understand and appreciate quality and understand this is a very niche market and companies need to earn back their R&D. This was a very good deal... in my opinion. Would $500 be a better deal? Sure, but could Massdrop convince Sennheiser to sell their $1700 HD800s at $500 also? Or event at $700? I doubt it. This is business 101. They missed out. Maybe they'll get another chance in the future. Maybe they'll get a cheaper price. Great. I keep wanting Woo Audio to drop again, but it hasn't. I no longer assume a future drop.

Jan 2, 2018

gearofwar113

Jan 3, 2018

caliphoniaI literally laughed hard at what you said about Elear on the same lvl as HD800 while the Utopia is in fact not to be preferred over HD800. Maybe you got yourself some horrible pairing there or something with the signature that wasn't simply yours. I bought Elear compare to HD800 side by side and sold Elear afterward.

Jan 3, 2018

caliphonia

Jan 3, 2018

gearofwar113I have no idea where you read Utopia vs hd800 in those two paragraphs. Maybe time to visit LensCrafters? Anyway, headphones are subjective. for me, I just don’t like the sennheisers. They always leave me feeling something is missing... the bass.

Jan 3, 2018

gearofwar113

Jan 4, 2018

caliphoniaIt seems to you need hit up reading rep class. The Utopia was added in one sentence because it's clearly a league above Elear and it happens not to be preferred over HD800 so your point Elear on the same class as HD800 was not legit. The only thing Elear was truly better than HD800 is the bass (because it's a fun can, not accurate) but it still lacks behind LCD2/3. If you don't find the bass on HD800 enough simply you find the truth hurt and not enjoyable. In this case, it won't hurt EQ , calibrate (time to dig up some research here), the HD800 responses extremely well to EQ if not the best can for it. I can literally make my HD800 as close to my LCD and in fact the treble is alot more wonderful without brightness or fatigue. When I'm talking about HD800 i'm using here, it's not even in its stock form and mine is better than that HD800S. HD800 is a genius headphone and, it has flaws as it was made to perform certain task well unmatched until this day and it's a god of staging and imaging. People don't like it because it's too expensive for them to fix its nature because it keeps throwing truth at their faces making them butt hurt. Unfortunately, most of the amps were match made in heaven for HD800 already retired, out of production, those a people nowadays are just newbies trying out random stuffs. Can't blame them for not getting there hands on these amps as it's already on the table of some hobby elites.

Jan 4, 2018

Vote

caliphonia

Jan 4, 2018

gearofwar113I actually like the HD800(s), but I'm unwilling to pay for a pair of cans that always feel a little lacking in bass. I agree it's very accurate, but I prefer headphones that are enjoyable. I've heard the original HD800 on some tube amps (the Woo Audio), and it was fantastic, but the bass was still lacking. You probably modified the HD800's driver. In it's native form, I had trouble tolerating it for more than 10-15min due to semblance. I also enjoyed the HD650 till I got the TH-X00. Now, I definitely lean towards fun more than accuracy.
When I auditioned the Elear, it was clearly better than my HD650 in my opinion. That is why I classify it as comparable to the HD800. You can have your town opinion. It's all subjective, but it appears a lot of reviewers agree with me. Just because the Utopia is top of the line Focal doesn't mean it must be compared with Sennheiser's HD800. From reviews I've read and watched, the Utopia is likely at a level above the HD800. Some call the Utopia the best cans in the world. For a pair that's more than 2x the HD800s, it should be. If you believe they're the same level, you're certainly have a right to your opinion.

Jan 4, 2018

Dogeaphile

Jan 4, 2018

caliphoniaI've always thought the sennheiser's bass were good ,especially the HD800's . but that's just my opinion

Jan 4, 2018

AdviceGuy

Feb 5, 2018

DogeaphileMost people don't have an amp that can make the HD800 climb. The HD800 has the potential to climb higher than others mentioned but will never have the heavy bass somw like from planars or other dynamics. Oh well preference thing.
What I am hating is how dam long it will take to get these... Really shouldn't take so dam long..

Feb 5, 2018

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Jutsu

Feb 12, 2018

caliphoniacan you please stop; you haven't heard what the headphones sounds like yet... it makes you look dumb when you start complementing something you haven't experienced as the greatest thing ever. It could be the greatest thing ever, but how would you know?

Feb 12, 2018

AdviceGuy

Feb 13, 2018

JutsuThose that heard the Utopia, Clear & Elear would have a better idea... Here is one positive review: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/massdrop-x-focal-elex-review-measurements.867615/#post-13916637
I also have heard those and will find out once Elex arrives.

Feb 13, 2018

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disastermouse

Feb 18, 2018

AdviceGuyHow will Elex compare to my HiFiMan HE-500? I've held off on anything in a similar price range as these because they seemed like lateral moves, but this headphone sounds as if it might be a genuine upgrade.

Feb 18, 2018

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