After seeing Tyll's review I might just save my pennies for a Clear. It's tough, though, because this one might be unique and might not be available again. The Clear will always be available. Is Massdrop creating a false scarcity here?
I'm not in particular need for high end headphones, either. I have the Ether Flow and I'm really happy with them. I just wanted a high end dynamic.
djfluffkinsI've decided to save my pennies and get a Clear...probably in April, when I get my tax refund, hopefully (and incidentally around the time that the Elex will ship).
triggsviolaHere's another thing to consider before heading to the Clear though. These measure damn near identically to them based on the measurements on the description page. I'd really love to hear a comparison between the two by anyone. The measurements may indicate a reason why they can't draw comparisons between them though... If they sound as similar as they measure, for half the price, which one to buy is a no-brainer .
HeeftyYeah and the expanded measurements from innerfidelity of the clear/elear are actually really insightful. Check out the impedence/phase response similarity.
https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalClearsnA1BRQE000007.pdf
https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalElear.pdf
We already know the clear/elear drivers are the same size and materials, and it looks like have very similar FR and THD measurements once you make the earcups the same. These might be essentially the same driver in different impedance versions, which is common for loudspeakers (and these drivers are even marketed as loudspeakers).
m.a.t.tElear/Elex and Clear have different voice coils. Elear is copper clad aluminum wire with the formers in place. Clear shares the formerless all copper voice coil of the Utopia, although at different impedance, which is interesting.
Definitely not identical drivers, but the damping in the housing can make as much or more difference than the drivers...
I'm not in particular need for high end headphones, either. I have the Ether Flow and I'm really happy with them. I just wanted a high end dynamic.