Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones Reviews | Drop

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Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

Zev51104

Sep 28, 2020

Verified Buyer

Great so far, but still wary of QC issues

So I've had the Elex for a week now and I absolutely love their sound. I won't speak on the build quality or aesthetics, just know they are superb. These headphones are super detailed and surprisingly fast with a mostly neutral sound profile. There is a slight emphasis in the treble, but nothing I thought to be overpowering. Bass is excellent, maybe a little underwhelming for bass heads but it boosts well. The heaphones take EQ well period, and can be dialed in to near perfection. Comfort for me is so-so, but more comfortable than not. The headband causes an almost negligible hotspot, maybe because they haven't been broken in. And now for the negatives. I want to love this headphone in its entirety, but like many others I feel a slight disconnect due to the known QC issues. Sure they are not apparent in the majority of the Elexs' out in the wild, but regarding the infamous pads, I believe I've already found an issue. From the time I first tried these headphones I could hear the faintest imbalance in the sound. Somewhere in the upper bass/lower mids the sound was shifted to the left of my nose and below eye level. My heart stopped when I relized it. I did a little more research than I already had before I purchased them and found a user here on drop that suspected a difference in pad density from right and left. I figured this was the easiest test, so I swapped the two sides and lo and behold the sound shifted to the right and down. Granted this is kinda trivial as far as the problems that can be had with this headphone, it still really sucks because if they don't wear in and become even then I have no way to replace the pads unless I use Dekoni or something other than Focal. A real bummer, but it could be worse. As much as this shouldn't happen with this level of headphone, I feel I was mentally prepared and its not a huge enough imbalance to cause concern so I'm not docking any stars. One last note real quick. The cables both suck something fierce and I strongly recommend something softer and imo shorter. If focal hasn't figured this issue out by now, I don't think they ever will.

Recommends this product? Yes

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MaverickAH

747

Sep 29, 2020

Zev51104This is my cable recommendation: https://www.amazon.com/NewFantasia-Replacement-Compatible-Headphones-1-2meters/dp/B07Q282FKV/ref=sr_1_10_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=neomusica+3.5mm+denon&qid=1601386664&sr=8-10-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzODlSR0s2VkozV1BCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjAwNjk3MzkyTEZNUThISklNWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDE3NjM2Q0lIM0xYTkxIMlVUJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== I ordered these ahead of receiving my Elex & have never even unpacked the included cables. Highly recommended!

Sep 29, 2020

Zev51104

Sep 29, 2020

MaverickAHYeah I've got a Periapt cable from my 4XX. I didn't even bother unwrapping the ones that came with the Elex. You can tell from a mile away that the Focal cables (at least for the Elex) are going to be trouble. Thanks though

Sep 29, 2020

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