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Showing 1 of 921 conversations about:
rnrneverdie
33
Apr 20, 2018
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alvargI am in early March too. I assume still have a few days to ship our deal.
alvarg
235
Apr 20, 2018
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rnrneverdiethe early shipment was only for people who ordered in December/January
rnrneverdie
33
Apr 20, 2018
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alvargDecember/ February. It’s only take two more week to get our shippment.
alvarg
235
Apr 20, 2018
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rnrneverdieexactly not much longer, but hey if they said we're shipping yours out on the 27th of april instead of the 7th of may i wouldn't complain xD
Afterman
237
Apr 20, 2018
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junkiI got in mid February and got my ship notice last night. Hopefully it gets delivered by next weekend. Damn, I need a new amp.
rnrneverdie
33
Apr 20, 2018
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AftermanSome folk tried the comb of CTH and Elex on SoCal and said it is good.
Afterman
237
Apr 20, 2018
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rnrneverdieI wanted to wait and see the specs of the DAC first then Lyr3 came out. Was about to order Lyr3 until I saw the Liquid Platinum. Now I want the Platinum but that's not for another 2 months or so. I can make due with the amp I have now. I like it but I have to manually bias the tube and that thing as of late keeps hissing at my left ear so I keep having to fiddle with it and it's driving me nuts lol.
rnrneverdie
33
Apr 20, 2018
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rhenomIf I remember right, liquid platin will be sold on monoprice. The price of liquid platinum is $700. It will start sale at Jun 26th.
rnrneverdie
33
Apr 20, 2018
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AftermanHope this may help you. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/monoprice-monolith-liquid-platinum-by-alex-cavalli.876406/ I am not a tube amp fan.
Afterman
237
Apr 20, 2018
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rnrneverdieOh yeah. I got my money ready already, mom's spaghetti.
rnrneverdie
33
Apr 21, 2018
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AftermanI would like to try my headphone on a tube amp, but propably not have one for myself.
Afterman
237
Apr 21, 2018
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rastusDang, mine says ship by 4/30. Can you upgrade shipping? I don't recall.
Afterman
237
Apr 21, 2018
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AftermanOh that's why it takes longer to get to me. It's shipping from Pennsylvania and I'm on the West Coast. I thought it would be shipping from Cali. Now that I think about it, all the things I've bought have taken over a week to get to me. So I guess that's where their shipping center is.
Afterman
237
Apr 21, 2018
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alvargYeah, was just wondering why rastus was getting it on Tuesday and I'm getting it a week later when both of ours is shipped. So I thought maybe he upgraded his shipping or something lol.
rastus
1395
Apr 21, 2018
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AftermanMaybe just your location? They come out of Edison NJ and even though I'm in lower NY, mine are now transferred to USPS from FedEx, after going to Breinigsville PA for sorting/transfer...
rastus
1395
Apr 21, 2018
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rnrneverdieFLAC/DSD---Audiogate (pc)>--<Korg DS-DAC-100>~<modded APPJ PA1502A. I do also have a Korg MR-2000S (no usb).
rastus
1395
Apr 22, 2018
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AftermanTuesday here now;) saw it heading to NY from PA after leaving NJ... checked one last time.. and it hit my PO with a bit to spare, went over and asked them to look in the FedEx pile. Should have been doing Spring chores, said I needed a bolt and was going to the hardware store, then bolted... didn’t lie.;)
rastus
1395
Apr 22, 2018
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alvarg‘My time’ just started, opening box now, I’m by far not the best candidate for this, but I’ll do my best, give me an hour... or so...
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rastus
1395
Apr 22, 2018
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Celts88Never did this before, but knew folks would appreciate, guess I’m first? Packed well, double, and the Elex box is very nice quality.
rastus
1395
Apr 22, 2018
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alvargCanned Gravitas
Still listening, Babylon Sisters as I type, I think I can safely say none will be disappointed. I was hoping for an EH set of cans, endless hours, I think I got them.
I have the HD700’s because I wanted no detail left out, yes I have read every review and still wanted everything revealed... well I was hearing it all,, but not with the depth, clarity and ease the Elex brings.
Blade Runner, Rachel’s Song, Vangelis, DSD 2.8, the whispering airy notes (spacey vacuum noise;) gains detail within itself.
The room seems a bit smaller, though at the same time the instruments do not fight each other, they maintain their individuality more firmly. Nora Jones, Come Away With Me, DSD 2.8 studio file, a good sibilance gauntlant test, that I feel my current setup with HD700’s passes, it got better,, as though not a recording, and that is the goal.
You can push the Elex‘s and they just get better, they bloom, it all holds together and nothing gets pushed into each other. In fact, something new; left them blasting on the couch, walking away... they don’t sound like cans left running... they sound like speakers...
Rig: FLAC/DSD---Audiogate (pc)>--<Korg DS-DAC-100>~<modded APPJ PA1502A. switching with HD700’s.
My typical list, damn they all got better, Audiogate set @ 2.8.
Steely Dan, Aja DSD 2.8 & Gaucho DSD 2.8 both for everything, depth, detail, stage Adele, Hello FLAC 24/96 for vocals Roberta Flack, Killing Me Softly FLAC 24/192 1973 remastered for vocals... she is right there... Here is the odd one, but so familiar to me for comparing "fluidity": Fleetwood Mac, Bare Trees (yes, the song track Bare Trees from the album) FLAC 24/192 1972 remastered
The Elex build, look and finish show excellet craftsmanship. Comfort on the head is comfortable, the weight is there, but it feels as though they were made for you.
I hope this helps until you get yours, it will be fun, getting late, later...
Still listening, Babylon Sisters as I type, I think I can safely say none will be disappointed. I was hoping for an EH set of cans, endless hours, I think I got them.
I have the HD700’s because I wanted no detail left out, yes I have read every review and still wanted everything revealed... well I was hearing it all,, but not with the depth, clarity and ease the Elex brings.
Blade Runner, Rachel’s Song, Vangelis, DSD 2.8, the whispering airy notes (spacey vacuum noise;) gains detail within itself.
The room seems a bit smaller, though at the same time the instruments do not fight each other, they maintain their individuality more firmly. Nora Jones, Come Away With Me, DSD 2.8 studio file, a good sibilance gauntlant test, that I feel my current setup with HD700’s passes, it got better,, as though not a recording, and that is the goal.
You can push the Elex‘s and they just get better, they bloom, it all holds together and nothing gets pushed into each other. In fact, something new; left them blasting on the couch, walking away... they don’t sound like cans left running... they sound like speakers...
Rig: FLAC/DSD---Audiogate (pc)>--<Korg DS-DAC-100>~<modded APPJ PA1502A. switching with HD700’s.
My typical list, damn they all got better, Audiogate set @ 2.8.
Steely Dan, Aja DSD 2.8 & Gaucho DSD 2.8 both for everything, depth, detail, stage Adele, Hello FLAC 24/96 for vocals Roberta Flack, Killing Me Softly FLAC 24/192 1973 remastered for vocals... she is right there... Here is the odd one, but so familiar to me for comparing "fluidity": Fleetwood Mac, Bare Trees (yes, the song track Bare Trees from the album) FLAC 24/192 1972 remastered
The Elex build, look and finish show excellet craftsmanship. Comfort on the head is comfortable, the weight is there, but it feels as though they were made for you.
I hope this helps until you get yours, it will be fun, getting late, later...
alvarg
235
Apr 22, 2018
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rastusMy hype for my set and jealousy is high, glad you could speak so highly of them, i listen to a lot of instrumental music so "at the same time the instruments do not fight each other, they maintain their individuality more firmly" that is very promising to me as my hd650s kinda blends all instruments together. i've yet to read one bad review of these.
sil3ntscr3am
199
Apr 22, 2018
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junkiWith that money, you should just buy another 2 Elex-es! ;-)
Cokeman
1971
Apr 23, 2018
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rastusOne of my buddies sampled the Elear and Elex and he hates them both. The Elex was only made because Focal is not going to make the Elear any more and they are getting rid of parts, he was confirmed this directly from Focal.
His current setup mainly consists of a Ragnarok, HD800 SDR, LCD-4, and 6XX.
His current setup mainly consists of a Ragnarok, HD800 SDR, LCD-4, and 6XX.
junki
327
Apr 23, 2018
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alvargThe most common reasons why Focal headphones haven't suited some people's tastes are:
1. Several people have mentioned a "metallic" sound to the treble.
2. The presence and treble response isn't the smoothest. It's a bit edgy with ups and downs.
3. Some of the smallest staging you'll experience with an open dynamic can. It's hard to love a Focal headphone if you're a HD800 lover.
4. Dynamics and transients come off as artificially strong with a lack of nuance that the HD650, for example, is quite good at. Sounds, if present, are slammed in your face.
5. Focal prices their stock replacement earpads between $150-$250, their stock headbands upwards of $1000, and their stock replacement cables, which they claim has magical properties like "ultra low capacitance", in the high triple digits as well. This is the sort of practice from an antiquated era of Audiophilia when companies took advantage of the largely technically illiterate music enthusiast market to sell snakeoil at exorbitant prices. As such, Focal is sort of a shit company to support.
In any case, I'm really looking forward to getting the Elex early this week. I'll be pitting it against the MCTH+HD6XX chain I use at work, which I found to be magical (https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/8ab6tw/impressions_of_the_massdrop_x_cavalli_tube_hybrid). Who knows, the Elex may lose. :)
In any case, I'm really looking forward to getting the Elex early this week. I'll be pitting it against the MCTH+HD6XX chain I use at work, which I found to be magical (https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/8ab6tw/impressions_of_the_massdrop_x_cavalli_tube_hybrid). Who knows, the Elex may lose. :)
rastus
1395
Apr 23, 2018
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junkiNot getting a ‘metallic’ anything... just ended with Roberta Flack as I often do,, no metal aftertaste...
I think it is projection, see metal, hear metal... if it were a diamond driver, it would be carbonic?
I think it is projection, see metal, hear metal... if it were a diamond driver, it would be carbonic?
rastus
1395
Apr 23, 2018
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rastus
1395
Apr 24, 2018
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alvargAfter the new tubes ran for a day; the stage has opened even further and vocals are going where they put them, along with everything else. I listened again last night going between the HD700 & Elex,, well the Elex wins on really almost everything. This is really nice folks, I am not coming up with a negative now that I have the stage. Willie Nelson Stardust DSD 2.8, that I really did not like, well expected more... the Elex somehow brought it to where it was meant to be. The Elex is closer to what they were listening to in the studio obviously. I had only listened to a Clear in the shop on 46th, some weeks ago while waiting for the Elex, and yes the stage seemed small,, I became worried... all my worries are long gone... maybe now MD/Focal, you can tell us what you really did?
alvarg
235
Apr 24, 2018
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rastusinteresting well i can't get more exciting for it than i am really, like to the point where i just ordered the CTH or cavalli tube hybrid to complement it, not that i needed it haha. I've heard is a good pairing, Plus it just looks sexy as with that one tube in the middle.
Jay_P
40
Apr 25, 2018
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alvargI am not a qualified person to write a long detailed review. (I only stepped in the mifi community last October.) So here’s my brief impression on Elex. (for first 5 hours of Elex)
I have streamed majorly on Spotify and Apple Music (and a Korean music app called Melon, yes I am Korean) where I listened to classical(Beethoven’s symphony no.9, Vivaldi’s), some female vocals (Mostly Sohyang, Adele), some Korean indies, some jazz instrument (Snarky Puppy) and EDM.
My setting: IFI nano bl or modi 2 uber -> CTH or Magni 3 -> Elex. (I also have other sets of headphones: HD6XX, Hifiman 4XX, AKG7XX, TH0XX PH, Nightowl Carbon, to name a few)
Right out of the box, Elex did sound superb. Excellent instrument separation, a huge (not the widest, as Rastus mentioned, compared to AKG7xx but the depth!) soundstage, no sibilance, deep and accurate bass/subbass, and smooth treble (listened to Sohyang’s famous G5, Bb5, C6 belting, and highpitch strings, there was only smoothness not fatigue). And the sound out of Elex is really deep and strong in a way that I cannot describe. (this is not the volume issue or driving force of an amp... it is like for instance I notice a difference between coffee made of mediocre beans and of quality beans, other conditions being equal... not a good analogy though)
Anyways man... you guys will love Elex. No regret whatsoever!
I have streamed majorly on Spotify and Apple Music (and a Korean music app called Melon, yes I am Korean) where I listened to classical(Beethoven’s symphony no.9, Vivaldi’s), some female vocals (Mostly Sohyang, Adele), some Korean indies, some jazz instrument (Snarky Puppy) and EDM.
My setting: IFI nano bl or modi 2 uber -> CTH or Magni 3 -> Elex. (I also have other sets of headphones: HD6XX, Hifiman 4XX, AKG7XX, TH0XX PH, Nightowl Carbon, to name a few)
Right out of the box, Elex did sound superb. Excellent instrument separation, a huge (not the widest, as Rastus mentioned, compared to AKG7xx but the depth!) soundstage, no sibilance, deep and accurate bass/subbass, and smooth treble (listened to Sohyang’s famous G5, Bb5, C6 belting, and highpitch strings, there was only smoothness not fatigue). And the sound out of Elex is really deep and strong in a way that I cannot describe. (this is not the volume issue or driving force of an amp... it is like for instance I notice a difference between coffee made of mediocre beans and of quality beans, other conditions being equal... not a good analogy though)
Anyways man... you guys will love Elex. No regret whatsoever!
alvarg
235
Apr 25, 2018
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Jay_PSurprisingly despite stating your lack of qualification (not that there is a qualification needed to review headphones) to give a review, you managed to describe its sound as good or better than anyone else, and in a unique way " the sound out of Elex is really deep and strong in a way that I cannot describe" that to me says they have a real musicality to them which is great. ah if only mine would ship early haha. glad to hear so many people are enjoying them. One other thing, can you compare them to the hd6xx and try to describe the differences you've noticed? that would be great.
Cokeman
1971
Apr 25, 2018
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Jay_PI would hope so for 3X the cost. But I would disagree if they are anything like the Elear.
Jay_P
40
Apr 26, 2018
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alvargWhere do I start? Hmmm... HD6XX is a no-brainer for $200. I heard from many people that paired properly with an amp, this can produces heavenly sound. But HD6XX, paired with CTH+IFI nano BL, still shoots this “veiled” sound to my ears, especially when I listen to female vocal tracks. Elex has clarity, umm, another level-ish clarity.
Listening to Snarky Puppy’s “what about me?”, HD6XX shows off its fast bass responses, smooth guitars’ and crisp hi-hats of the drum. Then switching to Elex, I hear a refined version of the band: tighter/heavier bass, stronger resonance of the instruments, superb sound image, and no “veiled“ sound. (although it loses, to my ears, some warmth, compared to 6XX.) And if you define ”Euphonics” as a degree that you are immersed in the music and feel like you lose track of time, Elex easily outperforms Senny in terms of the Euphonics.
Again disclaimer: I might not be an appropriate person to answer your question. YMMV. But anyways this is my impression Elex vs HD6XX.
Listening to Snarky Puppy’s “what about me?”, HD6XX shows off its fast bass responses, smooth guitars’ and crisp hi-hats of the drum. Then switching to Elex, I hear a refined version of the band: tighter/heavier bass, stronger resonance of the instruments, superb sound image, and no “veiled“ sound. (although it loses, to my ears, some warmth, compared to 6XX.) And if you define ”Euphonics” as a degree that you are immersed in the music and feel like you lose track of time, Elex easily outperforms Senny in terms of the Euphonics.
Again disclaimer: I might not be an appropriate person to answer your question. YMMV. But anyways this is my impression Elex vs HD6XX.
jaydunndiddit
3263
Apr 26, 2018
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Jay_PJust got mine in as well and I'd agree with your comparisons also. Really enjoying the dynamic 'snap' from snare drums and the like. It's a bit startling how intense certain instruments can sound in a mix on these. Also, despite being so heavy, these cans are stupidly comfortable. Some of the best pads I've had on my ears.
Jay_P
40
Apr 26, 2018
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jaydunndidditYes! When I first put these on, I was like “wait, these can’t be this comfortable.” Glad you are enjoying Elex too!!!
DenonFanboy
835
Apr 26, 2018
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Jay_PI agree, listening to my elex now, sounds just like a 6XX but faster tighter bass and cleaner sound presentation with about the same soundstage if not a bit bigger. Rock sounds fantastic on these, even edm is great!
Jay_P
40
Apr 26, 2018
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DenonFanboyYes! Massdrop describes Elex as a super HD6XX and I really agree with the description!
alvarg
235
Apr 27, 2018
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DenonFanboyjust like a 6xx but faster tighter bass and cleaner sound presentation, that sounds amazing i really can't wait to get mine.
Afterman
237
Apr 28, 2018
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Jay_PJust got mine and yeah, I gotta agree it's a super Senn. I think the stage is bigger. It definitely sounds like a speaker. I had my LSR305's playing then plugged the Elex in and was like, wow, it was almost as if I still had the LSR305's playing. Very dynamic.
rastus
1395
Apr 29, 2018
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alvargAlvarg, I am starting to feel bad, when does the pony express come by, wherever you are? Are you in the first drop? Do you have a tracking #? ETA? If not the cat seems out of the bag, with high serial numbers showing up, perhaps they will just ship them all...
rastus
1395
Apr 29, 2018
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alvargNot too far off... hope they release the rest early, that are likely in a NJ warehouse, and looking forward to your review!
rastus
1395
May 12, 2018
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alvargJust got a nice used set of Sen HD580’s to pair with, a soon to be modded Aune T1 (caps & USN Sylvania 6922) as another graduation gift. Part of my Anti-MP3 / BeatsByDre war campaign, sow the seeds, one at a time.
Interesting to look back in time to see where they were with the HD580; a very nice place, will be hard to give them up. But... I then just put on the Elex’s,,, and a much more comfortable space surrounds you, you just want to settle-in, sit-back and stay there for a very long time... like till 1:50 AM... you will enjoy them:)
Interesting to look back in time to see where they were with the HD580; a very nice place, will be hard to give them up. But... I then just put on the Elex’s,,, and a much more comfortable space surrounds you, you just want to settle-in, sit-back and stay there for a very long time... like till 1:50 AM... you will enjoy them:)
alvarg
235
May 12, 2018
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rastus curiously have you experienced any of these clipping issues i've been reading about with the elex, from what i can read its only happening to people who put on songs with a high amount of sub bass 50hz and below and well according to focal these cans were designed with minimal driver compression so that they could capture the dynamics of the original source better and offer better sound quality vs offering a higher spl level, so essentially they are more like a speaker which has no compression but once you hit its limit it will distort making audio sound terrible,
what im curious about is, how loud are they pushing their headphones and how good of quality are these songs they are listening to, because the one downside to high end audio is the better more revealing your headphones are the worse bad quality recording sound or the more you will notice defects.
what im curious about is, how loud are they pushing their headphones and how good of quality are these songs they are listening to, because the one downside to high end audio is the better more revealing your headphones are the worse bad quality recording sound or the more you will notice defects.
rastus
1395
May 13, 2018
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alvargNo issues here, and yes, I have had them cranked, to the point where I put them down and walked away to another part of the house, and they sounded like speakers... not cans. Slim12717 's issues seemed to not be related to bass (boost), though some complaints are, trying to Beats an Elex I guess, get some closed cans or just go beat it. I would not be concerned, may also be as you say, a poor recording; distortion/peaks amplified... leads to more... it is easy to run these cans up high,, they are soo smooth and they, to me, bloom at a higher plateau. Report back when you get yours:)
From a re-post: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal-elex-headphones/talk/2066785 :
"Edit: On the Head-Fi forum a Focal rep has come out and said that the "clipping" and distortion that people are hearing at high volumes is a design decision that they employed, but should occur only at very high volumes... These volumes, from what it sounds like, are extraordinarily dangerous to your hearing (though maybe some QC escapes result in lower levels?)... Look, I am not your father, but if you are listening to your headphones at such high levels, please consider your hearing 20 years from now. Just simply not worth it, unless you figure you won't want to listen to music, or even regular speech by then. Hey, you might like sporting some stylish hearing aids! "
From a re-post: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal-elex-headphones/talk/2066785 :
"Edit: On the Head-Fi forum a Focal rep has come out and said that the "clipping" and distortion that people are hearing at high volumes is a design decision that they employed, but should occur only at very high volumes... These volumes, from what it sounds like, are extraordinarily dangerous to your hearing (though maybe some QC escapes result in lower levels?)... Look, I am not your father, but if you are listening to your headphones at such high levels, please consider your hearing 20 years from now. Just simply not worth it, unless you figure you won't want to listen to music, or even regular speech by then. Hey, you might like sporting some stylish hearing aids! "
alvarg
235
May 21, 2018
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rastus TLDR, no warranty issues, good comfort, sound better than my hd650s in pretty much every case. full review below.
The day of reckoning is here, I have finally received my elex, now my very first reaction was quite a shock, i have read many other reviews and what people were saying about them, some claimed were a perfect upgrade to the hd650, some said the hd600 some said they were disappointed because it sounded nothing like them.
My surprise was how shockingly familiar they were, they definitely sound similar to a hd650 in terms of frequency response now there is still burn to be done and more genres of music to cover. But i honestly don't find them any much brighter than the hd650, the simplest way i could use to describe them would be hd650 without the veil and better extension, kind of what i was hoping for.
Now nothing is perfect and i will take a few points off, for starters it is heavier than the hd650 and not as comfortable, but no so much that it is unbearable, i just find the hd650 more comfortable (could be that im just used to them). more time might change my opinion. it has equal detail to the hd650 but provides it without the veil, AT LAST a headphone that can play metal with detail without being congested/bright/piercing/fatiguing. Although due to the nature of metal and how it is recorded, Poor quality metal recordings might be noticeable, things like high hats and cymbals can sound a little artificial (only on poor recordings).
"sounds metallic" debunked I'm not sure what they are listening to but nothing about these is metallic at least to me, now the sound stage is much different to the hd650 in terms of width/size and it is definitely presented differently, most headphones seem to have the same soundstage no matter what you are listening to. but with these, things that are meant to sound wide and big do, but things that aren't don't, basically a dynamic soundstage size that alters depending on the music you are listening to. often sounding 3D holographic.
The "clipping" issue, I tried every song i could even bass boosted ones and played them at the normal volume i listen to music, no clipping or any weird sounds so i raised the volume it took almost max output of my CTH amp before i heard clipping. That is a massive headroom for starters its was already pushing out more bass and much more audible lower bass than my hd650s at my normal listening volume and i still managed to double or maybe even triple the perceived volume level without clipping. maybe i lucked out but its a non issue for me.
I could write a 2000 word essay here but at least for now to finish off ill say, these are the best headphones i've ever owned and i have listened to the LCD2c, LCDx, dt1990, hd800, HE-4xx, Q712, Q812, SRH 1540 to name a few and not one of them gave me the enjoyment out of music these do. If i ever get the desire to buy better headphones i'll be looking at the focal clears and focal utopia.
cheers.
The day of reckoning is here, I have finally received my elex, now my very first reaction was quite a shock, i have read many other reviews and what people were saying about them, some claimed were a perfect upgrade to the hd650, some said the hd600 some said they were disappointed because it sounded nothing like them.
My surprise was how shockingly familiar they were, they definitely sound similar to a hd650 in terms of frequency response now there is still burn to be done and more genres of music to cover. But i honestly don't find them any much brighter than the hd650, the simplest way i could use to describe them would be hd650 without the veil and better extension, kind of what i was hoping for.
Now nothing is perfect and i will take a few points off, for starters it is heavier than the hd650 and not as comfortable, but no so much that it is unbearable, i just find the hd650 more comfortable (could be that im just used to them). more time might change my opinion. it has equal detail to the hd650 but provides it without the veil, AT LAST a headphone that can play metal with detail without being congested/bright/piercing/fatiguing. Although due to the nature of metal and how it is recorded, Poor quality metal recordings might be noticeable, things like high hats and cymbals can sound a little artificial (only on poor recordings).
"sounds metallic" debunked I'm not sure what they are listening to but nothing about these is metallic at least to me, now the sound stage is much different to the hd650 in terms of width/size and it is definitely presented differently, most headphones seem to have the same soundstage no matter what you are listening to. but with these, things that are meant to sound wide and big do, but things that aren't don't, basically a dynamic soundstage size that alters depending on the music you are listening to. often sounding 3D holographic.
The "clipping" issue, I tried every song i could even bass boosted ones and played them at the normal volume i listen to music, no clipping or any weird sounds so i raised the volume it took almost max output of my CTH amp before i heard clipping. That is a massive headroom for starters its was already pushing out more bass and much more audible lower bass than my hd650s at my normal listening volume and i still managed to double or maybe even triple the perceived volume level without clipping. maybe i lucked out but its a non issue for me.
I could write a 2000 word essay here but at least for now to finish off ill say, these are the best headphones i've ever owned and i have listened to the LCD2c, LCDx, dt1990, hd800, HE-4xx, Q712, Q812, SRH 1540 to name a few and not one of them gave me the enjoyment out of music these do. If i ever get the desire to buy better headphones i'll be looking at the focal clears and focal utopia.
cheers.
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