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Alexdre119
111
May 2, 2018
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Jackula
1743
May 3, 2018
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Alexdre119Interesting perspective. My impression of the Utopias is they sound nothing alike to the HD6XX either, and these are touted as baby Utopias.
alvarg
235
May 3, 2018
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Alexdre119can you elaborate on this
"On a side note, I’m a bit disapointed that these were marketed as a natural step up from the HD6XX. Not because of a disparity in quality, but simply because they sound nothing alike."
in what way, do they sound different?
in what way, do they sound different?
jaydunndiddit
3262
May 3, 2018
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Alexdre119How are you powering them? Depending on the amp I'm using, the Elex takes on a more dynamic character. Other times, it's relatively relaxed and easy-going. Out of my iFi, they sound dynamic and all up in your face but much more chill and smoother from my CTH. After listening to the Elex nonstop over the last week, it's been hard going back to the 6XX as they're just kinda boring by comparison. They still sound good mind you but the Elex has brought a dynamic quality to my listening that I didn't know I was missing (or craving).
Alexdre119
111
May 3, 2018
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JackulaI think dynamically the Elex shares a lot of qualities with the Utopia, but I wouldn't call them baby Utopias.
Alexdre119
111
May 3, 2018
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alvargThe difference is day and night to me. The HD650(6XX) is regarded as one of the most well rounded, neutral headphones available. The Elex, on the other hand, are fast and dynamic headphones that sound different from most other drivers I've ever heard. They sound quite a bit more narrow and intense than the HD6XX. To be fair, the Focal lineup sounds unlike most other headphones - especially for dynamic drivers. I guess my point is that 1) you'd never confuse the Focal sound with the Sennheiser sound because they are so different, and 2) if you love the HD6XX sound and wanted an upgrade in quality, it would be a stretch to say the Elex are the logical next step.
Alexdre119
111
May 3, 2018
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jaydunndidditYeah I was primarily using my iFi Micro which I use for everything. But it wasn't the dynamic sound that bothered me, it was the strange dips in the midrange which made them difficult to listen to. Vocals are recessed. Some areas in the mids sound great, and others sound like they lack shape. It just sounds flat and inconsistent in some of the places where the mids (and highs) need to sound the best. Its a bit difficult to describe, other than the fact that I agree with most of the critical reviews. I certainly don't think the Elex are bad headphones by any means, just rather polarizing, and I found myself on the side that didn't enjoy them enough to justify the price. That said, I love the Focal Clears and I'm looking to get those next.
jaydunndiddit
3262
May 3, 2018
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Alexdre119Understandable. It could also be the genres of music we listen to. I actually thought the mids for the Elex were good. I listen to a lot of blues/jazz/soul from the 50s-70s and thought they gave a lot of weight to the bigger band feel. They conveyed the feeling of hearing a band live compared to just playing back a recording as I feel the 6XX is better at the latter (to me anyhow). I guess on the other side myself as I think the Elex are the perfect sidestep to my current arsenal and deliver something my other don't and can't offer. I've enjoyed them so much I'm purchasing the Utopia as I just crave the sound from the Focal line now. I thought about the Clear as well but figured for the cost, might as well jump right to the Utopia since I have the Elex.
Jackula
1743
May 3, 2018
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Alexdre119My impression of the Utopia was it was almost as coherent as the HD6XX and would consider it a logical next step. The almost zero shift in tonality is the reason I'm not interested in buying an Utopia right now, because I know I would reach for my HD6XX every time, but I would consider it as a breath of fresh air after a few years on the Senns. Reading your comments, it sounds like the Elex falls a bit short in this regard, though it might still be worthwhile considering the price but I might just go straight to the Utopia. Thanks for your thoughts!
alvarg
235
May 3, 2018
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Alexdre119Well see i dont love the hd650s they are good no doubt but the woolly bass and veil (and before you say yes they are powered properly) it ruins metal music, takes the intensity away, the hd600s had less veil but the upper mids and treble sounded off to me, oh and i always felt like the 600 range od drivers were too slow for fast music, but for acoustic they are hard to beat.
Jackula
1743
May 3, 2018
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alvargYeah, it's genre dependent like you said. I mostly listen to jazz, acoustic, folk and rock, so HD650 is hands down the best headphones for me at any price point. I can certainly understand why would prefer something with a bit more speed for metal. The veil bothered me a little initially, but now I'm used to it and actually prefer it that way. And the woolly bass, oh it's something I love about them, in fact they are even more woolly on my tubes and it gives off a fullness vibe. In comparison to my past favorites, I find the HD600 a bit grainy, HD800 a bit unnatural and LCD2 a bit weird overall.
alvarg
235
May 4, 2018
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JackulaI Agree with what you said on the lcd2, hd800 and hd600, the hd650 is definitely better than all of them.
but with elex im not looing for the exact same sound, part of the reason im buying it is for the fun of it. My old favourite headphones for metal where to my surprise my old plantronics rig i had 8 years ago, now it doesnt compete in detail to the hd650 not even close but i think the lack of detail was probably in favour of metal as it can get quite congested. Sadly the were poorly built and broke easy and had been discontinued.
disastermouse
4
May 4, 2018
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jaydunndidditI own HD650 and HiFiMan HE-500 and was worried these would be a "side-grade" compared to the HE-500.
They're an upgrade in every way.
They're an upgrade in every way.
alvarg
235
May 4, 2018
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jaydunndidditI guess no headphones are for everyone, its pretty impossible for any manufacturer to make a headphone that will please everyone, even if they are the most resolving like i've heard many say the utopias are, some will prefer a different sound. I also find it interesting how people will make a review after listening to a headphone for only a few hrs, the main thing you are hearing is how its sounds different to your current headphone, that and I believe in burn in and its ability to improve the sound of the headphones, tighten the bass, smooth out the mid-range and treble etc.
Now sure sometimes you just put a headphone on and know it isn't for you, But i feel that you should take a little longer and not compare it to other headphones at first and mostly just try and focus on what it is doing well, instead of expecting a massive improvement.
because keyword there "improvement" well what is an improvement to you?
what would improve the hd650s for me. I would like slightly more impactful/less woolly bass (not to be confused with more bass) so drums feel like drums, mid range can stay as it, upper mids could use a slight boost in some frequencies and the treble above 10khz needs a slight boost as well. To use a car analogy, I'd say the hd650 is like an SUV its comfy and smooth and enjoyable a great all-rounder but they won't give you an adrenaline rush.
Now sure sometimes you just put a headphone on and know it isn't for you, But i feel that you should take a little longer and not compare it to other headphones at first and mostly just try and focus on what it is doing well, instead of expecting a massive improvement.
because keyword there "improvement" well what is an improvement to you?
what would improve the hd650s for me. I would like slightly more impactful/less woolly bass (not to be confused with more bass) so drums feel like drums, mid range can stay as it, upper mids could use a slight boost in some frequencies and the treble above 10khz needs a slight boost as well. To use a car analogy, I'd say the hd650 is like an SUV its comfy and smooth and enjoyable a great all-rounder but they won't give you an adrenaline rush.
jaydunndiddit
3262
May 4, 2018
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disastermouseI agree. I still enjoy my 6XX and 4XX for what they offer as they're all so completely different, especially depending on what amp and source I'm using for the day. But, as soon as the Elex touched my ears, I've found it hard to listen to anything else but the Elex whether it's music, movies, or games. They just perform so well and truly deliver a 'loudspeaker' effect that I love and don't get from my other cans. They really are unique and different in the best ways.
MaverickAH
747
May 4, 2018
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jaydunndidditI am definitely more in your camp. Upon first listen to the Elex, it was hard going back to my previous primary (HD 565 Ovation). Sure, they're 25yo but they still hold up well in a family comparison. Negligible difference between the 565 & 580. The 600 & 650 offer discernable improvements but the price differences make it debatable.
I have an affinity towards European audio equipment. French equipment, in particular, has always pleased me in untraditional ways. YBA Audio........., French drivers.........., They've always seemed to have that intrinsic PRaT factor. Very musical......... If fact, my main speaker system is custom & hand-made with Cabasse mains & 12" Vieta subwoofers in an isobaric configuration (-3 is 18Hz). All French! They cost $2800 to build (4 cabinets) & outperform that price by a multiple of 10x or more. I say all of this because the Elex's reminded me much of these speakers when pushed loud enough to fully load the 20' by 21' room they're located in. That's about the highest compliment I can pay in the short time I've spent listening to them. My schedule right now doesn't offer me a lot of time right now but I look forward to spending more time with them.
I have an affinity towards European audio equipment. French equipment, in particular, has always pleased me in untraditional ways. YBA Audio........., French drivers.........., They've always seemed to have that intrinsic PRaT factor. Very musical......... If fact, my main speaker system is custom & hand-made with Cabasse mains & 12" Vieta subwoofers in an isobaric configuration (-3 is 18Hz). All French! They cost $2800 to build (4 cabinets) & outperform that price by a multiple of 10x or more. I say all of this because the Elex's reminded me much of these speakers when pushed loud enough to fully load the 20' by 21' room they're located in. That's about the highest compliment I can pay in the short time I've spent listening to them. My schedule right now doesn't offer me a lot of time right now but I look forward to spending more time with them.
ElectronicVices
2937
May 12, 2018
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disastermouseCan I ask what you amp you are using? I own the same cans along with a T1 that gets regular use and I feel the Focal is very much a more comfortable flavor/side-grade. I've used a Gustard H10, Lyr 1 with NOS tubes and a Cayin IHA-6, I couldn't choose a definite winner on the latter two but the Elex does edge out the HE500 on the Gustard. I don't have a balanced cable for the HE500 as of yet so that comparison is SE on the 500 vs Balanced on the Elex. The current toggle on the Cayin does more for my planar cans than I expected, curious to see what the balanced HE-500 brings to the table.
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On a side note, I’m a bit disapointed that these were marketed as a natural step up from the HD6XX. Not because of a disparity in quality, but simply because they sound nothing alike.