Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones

Oct 17, 2019

Tried these at Audio Advice and all I remember was how harsh the highs are. Reminded me a lot of the original HD800 (non S) but with more low end. If you're into bright sound, these are for you. Unfortunately, they sound too fatiguing to me.

Oct 17, 2019

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achelgeson

Oct 17, 2019

ShazManI second this. Was too brittle sounding for me, and I tried EQ but there was still something metallic and unnatural about them, perhaps ringing at certain frequencies. I will say bass was impressive and dynamic, but still I prefer the HD600 and 650.

Oct 17, 2019

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PLSIKNOWNOTHING

Oct 17, 2019

ShazManI'm sensitive to harsh treble as well, have none of those problems with the Elex. Beyers 770 are too sibilant for me. Hated the Tin T2 Pro for the spikes... These are perfect for my ears. It's going to probably vary from person to person.

Oct 17, 2019

RichR

Oct 18, 2019

ShazManI'm seriously considering getting these but would be very disappointed about harsh trebles. I'm wondering if the difference in people's experience comes down to head size and how much they press on the ears. Would you guys give me an idea of how tight they fit? Thanks.

Oct 18, 2019

marts_sum

316

Oct 18, 2019

ShazManhaha what, theses highs are smooth as hell. HD800 was unlistenable, it was so harsh.

Oct 18, 2019

marts_sum

316

Oct 18, 2019

RichRHe 'tried' them at an audio store. I've owned mine for ages and the highs are detailed but certainly not harsh. I'd go as far as saying they make some of my harsher recordings pleasant.

(Edited)

Oct 18, 2019

achelgeson

Oct 19, 2019

RichRI wouldn't go so far as to say they are harsh sounding. However, if you are used to something like an HD600 or 6XX, yes the Elex is higher in level and peakier in the treble than those. Not bad by any means, I just prefer the neutral and lower level treble of the 600 series. That and I could still hear some slight ringing with the metallic drivers. Certainly much more listenable than anything Beyerdynamic.

Oct 19, 2019

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ShazMan

163

Oct 19, 2019

marts_sumSound is subjective, everyone likes what they like. Hence why there's such a giant market of all sorts of headphones in all sorts of shapes, sizes, technologies and cost. I simply voiced how I felt about those Focals and really any Focal cans in general. Just because you have a different experience, it doesn't negate someone else's. I'm glad you enjoy yours. I myself prefer the HD800S which I've owned for a few years now and I keep going back to them. Are they the perfect set of cans for everyone? Absolutely not. The beauty of this hobby is choice, and everyone's free to make their own. I only suggest that if you're looking to buy these, try to give them a listen first before dropping the cheddar. FYI, I listened to the Clears, Elegias, Elears and Utopias. The only set of cans I sort of enjoyed were the Utopia's but I could not justify their cost.

Oct 19, 2019

RichR

Oct 19, 2019

achelgesonInteresting because I was eyeing the 6xx. I don't have much experience with high quality headphones but I have the K7xx which I love especially for the sound stage and it's pretty neutral (the right ear is cutting out so I'll have to try and fix it myself).

Oct 19, 2019

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Mark_M

236

Oct 21, 2019

achelgesonI agree with this. I have the HD6XX and 58X. I compared them to the Elex which I bought used on Canuck Audio Mart. The Elex were great in many ways. But they were just a tad too bright even though I really enjoyed the detail and separation. I'm going to be selling my pair of Elex.

Oct 21, 2019

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rastus

1391

Oct 22, 2019

RichRNothing “harsh”, or “sharp” , or “brittle” about the Elex; the treble is just fine, when fed at least one Michelin Star fare. What is the rig you intend to use them with?

Oct 22, 2019

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PLSIKNOWNOTHING

Oct 22, 2019

rastusI agree, at least to me, I feel like OP saying "If you are into bright sound" is a bit of a mischaracterization about how these sound. I don't consider myself into "bright sound", but I love the way the Elex sounds.

Oct 22, 2019

tooitchy

309

Oct 22, 2019

RichRNever heard anything before this about harsh highs, only heard good things, except sub bass can cause clipping at 104db, so keep that in mind. It's due to the drivers movement, it moves way more than a normal driver and that's the one negative about it.

Oct 22, 2019

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tooitchy

309

Oct 22, 2019

Mark_Mlist it on avexchange or headfi I might be interested.

Oct 22, 2019

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jaydunndiddit

3262

Oct 24, 2019

tooitchyIt's over excursion. While not a negative, this is common for the (inverted) driver design of Focals as they resemble a traditional woofer/loudspeaker. Also, 104 dB is deafening and definitely harming your hearing so if you're to the point of mechanical clipping in general, it's best to back off the volume a bit anyhow. Also,any have thought they've experienced the physical clipping from the Elex and others but it's actually come from their amps that are underpowered for the Elex. Some can't differentiate the difference hence the spread of all these "clipping issues."

Oct 24, 2019

Albers89

Oct 26, 2019

ShazManShazman, it depends on the amp pairing, if pairing these cans w/ solid state w/ flatter sound but transparent enough, then its perfect like the schiit jotunheim, but pair it w/ a more aggresive tube amp like the vali 2, then the treble becomes harsh, peaky somewhere 8-9k hz. This is w/ my experience. So you have to do some experimentation with synergy. Hope you understand my point of view thank you.

Oct 26, 2019

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