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zubairom
17
May 25, 2018
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Has anyone compares the HD 6XX to Focal Elex? I have Focal Elex, just wondering how different are these from Elex?
jaydunndiddit
3262
May 26, 2018
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zubairomNot even a fair comparisonTBH. The Elex is superior in every category without breaking a sweat. The 6XX has a slightly larger soundstage but not by a huge margin. And while the SS of the Elex is smaller, it has far better imaging and separation in its smallish stage. Really no sense to get the 6XX as you have the Elex. It would be a downgrade.
Jackula
1743
May 27, 2018
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jaydunndidditI've never listened to an Elex, but I wonder if the difference is really worth $400. When I compared my 6XX against the $3K Utopia, the latter was faster and had less veil, the former had a slower and more intimate decay. Tonally they were very similar.
Perhaps the Elex would be the better headphone on an entry to mid-level amp. The 6XX scales superbly with better amplification, and all my auditioning are on reference-level gear. I think if you've got an Elex already, don't buy the 6XX. If you've already got the 6XX, there's no need for an Elex. For me personally, I don't have any desire to buy an Elex, if I was to change headphones, it would be to something that was tonally more different.
Perhaps the Elex would be the better headphone on an entry to mid-level amp. The 6XX scales superbly with better amplification, and all my auditioning are on reference-level gear. I think if you've got an Elex already, don't buy the 6XX. If you've already got the 6XX, there's no need for an Elex. For me personally, I don't have any desire to buy an Elex, if I was to change headphones, it would be to something that was tonally more different.
jaydunndiddit
3262
May 27, 2018
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JackulaI have both and it was worth it. The Elex has such a unique character. If you check out the other feedback on the Election discussion you'll see a lot of the same. It's so dynamic from a perspective the 6XX just can't deliver. Even when both are balanced, the gap is still huge. The Elex is an odd amalgam as it isn't anything like the Elear or Clear and borrows from.the Utopia a bit. It's an interesting bastard. The thing that always strikes me on the Elex is its attack. The sound of someone berating a snare drum really relays the tension and snap in a way I haven't heard from a headphone before. I listen to my loudspeakers a lot and the Elex convey their energy and tonality in a way I never thought a headphone could. It's pretty intoxicating. The 6XX is just an over smoothed dull headphone. It's by no means bad but it's sound signature is so tame and "veiled" by comparison.
Jackula
1743
May 27, 2018
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jaydunndidditThanks for sharing your perspective. But my experience with the 6XX, it can be hard hitting on the right gear. Put it on a balanced Jot and it will be tame (but still enjoyable); put it on a balanced v281 and it will hit like a truck. I always prefer liquid smooth, it's just easier to listen to. It's great the difference's worth the $400 to you, but for me until someone convinces me the Elex hits harder than the Utopia, I won't be interested.
jaydunndiddit
3262
May 27, 2018
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JackulaYeah, with the cost of the v281, I'd sure hope everything sounds amazing on it ha ha. I sampled both from an iFi Pro iCAN so maybe the 6XX just wasn't a good pairing for it. Focal recommends the Naim DAC V1 for the Elex so I'm planning to get my hands on one and see how good that pairing is.
Also, I highly doubt anyone will convince you the Elex is better than the Utopia. They're just not. Beyond sounding different they just don't have the same technicalities or capabilities. Still, for the dollar, the Elex really does punch above it's weight.
Also, I highly doubt anyone will convince you the Elex is better than the Utopia. They're just not. Beyond sounding different they just don't have the same technicalities or capabilities. Still, for the dollar, the Elex really does punch above it's weight.
Jackula
1743
May 27, 2018
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jaydunndidditI guess this shows that preferences do matter. The ifi Pro is a great amp, probably in my top 5, and I feel they are an excellent complement with the 6XX. The Utopia isn't a huge improvement when paired with the same amp.
jaydunndiddit
3262
May 27, 2018
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JackulaYeah, could just be my ears. Mind you, I don't think the 6XX sounds bad for the cost but everytime I listen to a different can right after them is when their quirks hit me. Something just always feels like it's missing or lacking. They do such a good job of being smooth and inoffensive that it's not hard for any other can to sound fast and dynamic with great body and attack. They really just lack the excitement I get from other sets. Just my .02 cents either way.
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