Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
jsmiller58
804
May 8, 2018
It really sux that some folks are having problems with their new Elex headphones.  For all of them I really hope that they get the issues sorted out.
I want to add my voice to those who are NOT having issues.  These are great cans, built like tanks.  Extremely resolving.  Great sound stage.  Bass and treble to last forever, without being bassy or sibilant.  Mids that sound great to me. 
They are on the bright side of neutral to my ears for sure, but not overly so - think DT 1990 Pro and turn it up a notch.  If you like your music dark like an AQ Nighthawk or Nightowl you should look elsewhere, and if you like bass that kicks you in the teeth get th-x00 cans.  But if well built, wide sounding, highly resolving, clear (forgive the pun), and a bit bright is what you are looking for these should serve well, not withstanding the quality issues some are experiencing.
I have too many other headphones to listen to just the Elex...  these are a treat I let myself have when I want to hear the music like I THINK the artist intended...
So far no quality issues with mine.  No rattle when I move.  No driver issues at any volume I would ever care to listen at. 
Edit: On the Head-Fi forum a Focal rep has come out and said that the "clipping" and distortion that people are hearing at high volumes is a design decision that they employed, but should occur only at very high volumes... These volumes, from what it sounds like, are extraordinarily dangerous to your hearing (though maybe some QC escapes result in lower levels?)... Look, I am not your father, but if you are listening to your headphones at such high levels, please consider your hearing 20 years from now. Just simply not worth it, unless you figure you won't want to listen to music, or even regular speech by then. Hey, you might like sporting some stylish hearing aids!
Moorekom
6
May 12, 2018
jsmiller58I just got mine today and I hear the clipping issue too. I'm using fiio x5iii. Song: Fifth of whisky from Banshee OST. I know that has a lot of sub bass and gave it a whirl at high gain. The volume was 60. I believe fiio has it mapped to actual db. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. Clipping within the first 30 seconds. Changed it to low gain, same volume. Clipping again. This is a shame as I have been trying out other songs and I like these when they are not defective. Billie Jean sounds great and that is one of the songs I always try. Something is definitely not right. According to focal, this should happen above 90 or 100 db. This is looking more like a design defect than a design decision.
jsmiller58
804
May 12, 2018
MoorekomInteresting. I can't find that particular track on Tidal, but I am listening to Lighter from them and don't detect any clipping... Maybe this is not a similar enough track... Any other tracks that you can suggest and I can try it out?
jsmiller58
804
May 12, 2018
MoorekomTry listening to Swingin' by Big Smo. It has pretty decent bass. I don't detect anything untoward in my cans...
jsmiller58
804
May 12, 2018
MoorekomNever mind. Found the track on Youtube. Lots of bass and sub-bass. That is for sure. At normal listening levels I don't detect any clipping at all on my Elex. Turned up way higher than I would normally listen and still nothing...
Given the number of problems being reported it sure does seem that there are some QC escapes here! I am glad that mine are good, but sorry to hear about yours!!
Moorekom
6
May 12, 2018
jsmiller58There seems to be some qc issue going on here. I would encourage everyone to check closely for these issues and make sure it's all good.
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile