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Showing 1 of 622 reviews about:
vtanacda
24
Aug 9, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
End game headphones!
I'm not an audiophile but I've been searching for a pair of headphones that would make music come to life. I listen to everything but modern metal (metalcore & progressive metal) are my go-to genre. I've owned tons of open- & closed-back headphones over the years including Sennheiser HD820, HD 700, 6XX, Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO, DT990, AKG K7XX, HiFiMan HE4XX, Grados SR80, Master & Dynamic MH40, ATH M50X, V-Moda M100, Crossfade Wireless, Sony WH-1000XM3, and Philips SHP9500. Most of these headphones were good for some genres but not for others, and it was particularly difficult to find impressive set of cans for listening to modern metal. Before I got the Focal Elex, my top 3 picks for metal were DT 177X, DT990, and HD700. I like the 6XX for the most part too but don't like how recessed the vocals are without EQ. Grados SR80s are good too but I just can't get over their crappy build quality (the cheaply made foam earcups would fall out all the time).
Then came the Focal Elex. I got it on sale for $600 last year and I just CAN'T GET OVER how INCREDIBLE these headphones sound, not just for modern metal but for literally every genre of music out there. It really gives life to music and makes you feel like you have the band playing right in front of you. Punchy & responsive bass, intimate forward vocals, extreme details, amazing soundstage. It's everything I had been looking for all these years in a pair of headphones. If you're a music enthusiast who listens to music several hours a day, I absolutely recommend giving these set of cans a try. Speaking of long listening sessions, the Elex is very comfortable and well distributed in weight. Their earcups are very plush and soft and I often forget that I'm wearing them after listening to a couple of tracks.
It was my first time trying out a Focal headphones so I was reluctant at first but I'm so glad I got them because it was love at first listen and it quickly became my end-game headphones. I used to think that more expensive headphones like the HD820 would sound better but I was VERY wrong about that. The Focal Elex blows the HD820 out of proportion. Do yourself a favor and do NOT buy the HD820. Maybe it's because I had very high expectations for it because of its price (it was my first time buying headphones of such $$$$ price range) but it's by far the most disappointing headphones I've ever tried. Music sounds lifeless on it and that insane price tag is NOT worth it. I'd rather get 4 of these Focal Elex instead heh. I'm going to sell the HD820 soon and try out another Focal headphones soon -- probably the Focal Clear or Elear. I never thought I'd become a fangirl of a brand but I'm hooked after my experience with the Focal Elex and am curious to see what their other headphones sound like because I'm just so freaking impressed with the Elex.
One gripe I have with it is the build quality. I'm very gentle with my headphones and they always stay on my desk but the Elex is already showing signs of use including scratches on the grill and blemishes on the plastic ring around the earcups. Also noticed a chip on the metal part of one of the earcups. I also noticed little specs of dust getting stuck in the metal grills. I wish the paint they used for the finish was more scratch/blemish resistant and would like to see more metal replacing the plastics on the earcups as a whole. But aside from this issue, I'm extremely happy with the Focal Elex and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade your music listening experience. You won't regret it!
Recommends this product? Yes
quicklytoo4
779
Keyboard Club Member
Aug 23, 2020
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vtanacdayeah you kinda need to research what a headphone is meant for beforehand I got a pair of 660s's because I assumed it was a upgrade over 6xx's as double the price even on sale but they were actually worse imo narrower soundstage and boringly neutral returned them and got Sundaras which were $50 cheaper still neutral but not nearly as boring and way better soundstage probably my gaming endgame lol
Tripokaridos
43
Aug 24, 2020
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quicklytoo4660s are better on every aspect compared to HD650 that i also like.
But none of them have big soundstage and none of them are bright and dry headphones like Sundara , 1990, etch etch.
fronl
16
Aug 25, 2020
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TripokaridosI don't know if it was an Amp/DAC difference, but when I got to try some 660S in my local hifi store, I felt they sounded like a downgrade compared to my 6XX at home. Maybe it was just that pair, but seemed significantly less enjoyable. Might have been I was trying other high end stuff like LCD's and Focals next to them, but I was pretty shocked at how little I liked them.
Tripokaridos
43
Aug 28, 2020
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fronlThats strange i use ifi nano with all of them Sundara HD600 HD6XX HD660s DT1990 and also with V30 sabre dac and a premium asus audio card... On everything HD660s have the best imaging and seperation by far and the only dynamic driver of this type that is fast like the Sundara.
Dont get me wrong HD6XX i love us u can see on my photo i use them most of the time because this veil gives smoothnes to everything ... But after a lot of months of usage side by side i can surely say that HD660s is better om clarity amazing for games because of this imaging and the best seperation and vocals that i habe heard ... Ok Focal clears are better on some other things but they cost 3 times more.
On Head fi forums there was 1-2 people saying the same thing that HD660s didnt sound clearer brighter without veil... So i bealive u this must be an exception or a bad unit ? I dont know but on every store that i have listen them...even with older pads that muffled the sound a liitle they are again more clear and resolution from my Favorite HD6XX
vtanacda
24
Aug 29, 2020
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vtanacdaI've never got to try out the 660s so I don't know how it compares to the 6XXs or other headphones I own
Rocket58
42
Sep 22, 2020
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TripokaridosIf it can be in any help I own the HD6xx they are new and I had recently bought the HD 650 directly from Sennheiser. The one with the new design made in 2020 in their brand new factory in Romania. The current edition of the new HD 650 do not sound the same as the HD 6xx. The hd 650 from Sennheiser is superior, clearer with higher resolution and have deeper and fastest bass. The hd 6xx reminds me of my previous HD 650 made in 2015 that I still also own they also have the new pads on them for comparaison. My understanding is that the new line up of Sennheiser HD 600, 650 and 660s are now improve models. I also had the chance to compare the new HD 600 with the previous one same story the 2020 sounds much better.
Tripokaridos
43
Jan 17, 2021
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Rocket58I think thats corect also it seems like the new 6 series from Romania are technically better.
That make sense for all stock 6xx drivers and price
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