Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones

Audiophile

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Noldir

Mar 6, 2018

Anyone know how these relate to plannars? They sound very good but I never really liked the dynamic drivers

Mar 6, 2018

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TheMemeologist

Mar 6, 2018

NoldirDoes it really matter what kind of driver it uses as long as it sounds good?

Mar 6, 2018

Noldir

Mar 6, 2018

TheMemeologistWhat a strange thing to say. Yes it matters else I wouldn't ask. Plannars and dynamic headphones have a very distinct and characteristic sound. These sound like very good headphones but previous dynamic headphones I had (like the hd650 for instance) were really not my cup of tea and I ended up selling them. So, it would be nice if someone could chime in who can tell me if I'm setting myself up for disappointment by buying these.

Mar 6, 2018

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Darthpool

Mar 6, 2018

NoldirUntil you try them yourself, why would you trust someone else's ears? That would be completely different from yours? Now if you are going to base it off someone else's impressions then realize you are still possibly setting yourself up for disappointment.

Mar 6, 2018

Noldir

Mar 6, 2018

DarthpoolSo you never read or look at reviews of products? I do, and it helps me tremendously with deciding if a product would be worth it for me, especially one as expensive as this with no way to review it before purchase. So again: I'm not here to argue over the merit of driver technology or the pros and cons of reviews of products. I'm looking for someone who heard them and could tell me how they compare with other (planar) headphones so I can have some sort of reference.

Mar 6, 2018

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Darthpool

Mar 6, 2018

NoldirAs you should and the closest you will probably get to that is people comparing Elears, and Clears to planar. That being said planar and dynamics are different technologies that most people don't compare that often. Maybe find a reviewer that has similar tastes to your own and see if they have done a comparison. I do listen/watch/read reviews and I have still been disappointed by headphones. Also these are a "brand new" can that hasn't been reviewed except for by the people who were given advanced copies to test, which you can find on this chat thread, or on subsequent youtube/websites. But most have been pretty glowing reviews and I haven't really given a lot of credit to them. I am picking these up based on different reviews of the Elears and Clears, also in the knowledge that if I don't like them I can probably trade/sell and get something else that I want to try.

Mar 6, 2018

Alexdre119

111

Mar 6, 2018

NoldirDo you have a specific pair of planar magnetics you're thinking of?

Mar 6, 2018

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Noldir

Mar 6, 2018

Alexdre119Not really, but I'm mostly familiar with the Hifiman line and the various fostex mods from Mr Speakers

Mar 6, 2018

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Alexdre119

111

Mar 6, 2018

NoldirThe only reason I ask is because planar magnetics aren't all made equal. I have heard some that are pretty mediocre and others that would probably outclass the Elex.
That being said, its difficult to compare Focal's lineup (Utopia, Clear, Elear) even to most dynamic headphones because they are so different from most things I've heard. I think many people enjoy good planar magnetics because they are able to achieve amazing extension in the highs and lows without compromising clarity and dynamics. This is a trait that the Utopia and the Clear share in my opinion. I haven't really had a chance to listen to the Elear, but I can imagine that it also follows suit.
I think if you like Hifiman, you'd like Focal's headphones. The only real way to know is to have a listen yourself.

Mar 6, 2018

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