I have a question for those with the Focal Elex. As I mentioned in my day 1 impressions review, I just received these yesterday, and immediately found that they clip, badly. I cannot even run them off of my Fiio M11 Pro, alone much less with any amp I have, without watching the volume levels very closely. This is with both 3.5mm single ended, as well as a 4.4mm balanced cable. I know I have read others comments with the same issue, so what I am trying to assess is if these that I received are worse than normal (or possibly could be a quality control issue, where some have it and others don't), or if this behavior is pretty much occurring across the board. The more I have listened to them today, the more bothersome it is, what with different source files having been ripped with higher/lower levels or file codecs, or even recorded at different levels as well. Therefore every time I change albums I have to be cognizant as to where the volume is currently at, else the new song might open up with terrible popping. The surprising part is just how little power needs to be pushed through these, for the issue to happen, they are (as they sit right now) the most sensitive to power headphones I own, power of any sort be it straight off of a DAP or through an amp. The power at which the clipping happens is by no means anything outrageous, and no higher than I would expect most Drop members to listen at, which is why I am wondering if mine may be the exception to the rule.
Thanks in advance you any help you might provide!!
**UPDATE**
Still hoping others with more experience with these headphones, and this Drop might chime in, as I am really interested in knowing the possibility that I might be able to get a properly functioning pair through an exchange. However, after having done some research on this matter, I find the issue is more widespread than I initially thought, in fact it was being mentioned so much a little over a year ago, on some other forums, that Focal felt it necessary to publicly respond. Focal is claiming the clipping issue was a known variable when the Elex was designed, essentially giving it the old "it's a feature" treatment. The volume levels that the clipping is happening, for me, are by no means over the top, or anything earth shattering, and I can assure you it is well below my standard listening levels of literally every other set of headphones I have. I am also not listening to anything with punishing bass, either, just standard rock and some metal tracks, but certainly not teeth rattling levels of sub-bass such as dubstep and a few other like genres. In fact, the clipping is happening at such lower volume levels, that I initially believed it had to be something wrong with the pair I received. After looking into it a bit more, I am not so sure I believe that now. Thus, why I am hoping someone may be able to add some clarity to the matter, so I can try to understand the chances of getting a pair without this issue. Thanks again!!