Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones Reviews | Drop

Oct 9, 2018

Verified Buyer

I´m really disappointed with this headphones, the quality control seems to be terrible: I’ve purchase a pair in the first drop and when they arrived everything was going good, but I’ve felt really wear with the center imaging so I’ve started to test it head to head with the HD6xx and I’ve found that the lower midrange was unbalance, really obvious with male vocals, this part of the range was a little higher on the left side, so I’ve ask to Massdrop for a replacement and they made it with no problems. When the second pair arrive and I’ve started the burn in process, and what a surprise it has a really terrible clicking noise while play Pink Noise, that is, what I use to Burn in all my headphones, so In first place I thought it was a problem only with the Pink Noise and maybe while they burn in, so I´v started to play some music, and after test a lot of songs I’v found that the clicking still there, for some dirty bass songs, I was shock two defective pairs of two, and taking care that this is a 700 dollars headphones, it´s just nonsense. So I’ve ask to Massdrop for a refund because I was not going to accept a third pair and they made it with no excuse, so a good point for the Massdrop Customer Support, but what the heck whit Focal and their quality control.
On the Sound Signature, I don’t think this it´s a natural upgrade to the HD6xx, in fact it´s the opposite signature to my ears: the very natural and forward midrange of the 6xx it´s almost gone, in a smooth way, all the precise colorful, and snappy midrange of the 6xx, in the Elex it´s really sweet and kind of colorless if that make sense to you, listening to the first 40 seconds on head to head with the HD6xx and Elex of: Read, Eat, Sleep from The Books: Tidal: https://tidal.com/track/19265068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5rewzVP4CGXwM7sfRQyk6I?si=kPlq0cc4TwqtuPApyZKJkg this song has a really nice recorded acoustic guitar solo, and with the HD6xx you will hear all the little tones and the fast guitar strumming of it, but with the Elex it´s almost no tone difference, and the guitar strumming are so smooth, that they are almost gone. For the audiophile community the Sennheiser HD6-- family it´s all about midrange natural sound, so an upgrade to it would be even better midrange, but be aware this it’s not the case.
On the other hand, if you think that the lack of top ends on the HD6xx it´s what bothers you, this can be a “better” headphones, the bass and highs on the Elex are really forward in comparison, whit really fast and clean extensions on both sides, the Dynamics on this parts of the range it´s really amazing, so if you are going to watch a movie or play games it can literally hurt: explosions, shots, or any kind of punch, it´s going to make you jump out of your chair, it´s a complete different and intense experience if you come from the HD6xx, the sub bass it’s on another league, and I think it´s the best part of this headphones. The highs are far more present on the Elex, than on the HD6xx, whit fast and great detail, and also a nice and larger soundstage, but this gives to the headphones, some kind of metal feel to the highs. I think on the sound, these it´s really nice pair of headphones, but the terrible quality control, makes it to me very hard to recommend it to anybody. Sorry Focal!!

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A community member

Oct 9, 2018

david_abadiaDo not be sorry, I listened their Utopia with best gear and was totally disappointed by their sound, no even comparison to 6XX. I am afraid, not many people have good hearing and just go by their nice look.

Oct 9, 2018

freesole

Oct 18, 2018

Or how about everyone has different tastes in sound? I have the Clears and the 6XX and the Clears are by far my preferred headphones. The Clear's are much better in quality in build and design, yes, but their sound was also better to my ears.

Oct 18, 2018

Jackula

1743

Oct 25, 2018

I don't disagree, a part of it I believe depends on what you listen to. The Utopia is technically superior and plays better overall, it appeals to the detail junkie; the 6XX is really the more musical and involving headphone, but it is genre specific - it is the king of Jazz and Acoustic music etc, which is what I listen to. I have yet to find a more musical headphone than the 6XX, although the ZMF Auteur is interesting and one of the only flagships I've yet to audition.

Oct 25, 2018

A community member

Oct 28, 2018

freesoleWhat about certified musician's hearing:)?

Oct 28, 2018

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freesole

Oct 28, 2018

Don't really care - Everyone has their own set of ears and therefore their own ability to judge.

Oct 28, 2018

A community member

Oct 28, 2018

freesoleDoes not matter, as I always underline - when we talk about big bucks, do not trust anyone, try first, pay later. If money is unlimited, feel free to blunder around.

Oct 28, 2018

Space_Created

Oct 29, 2018

david_abadiaWere you listening to these through an amp while you were reviewing them?

Oct 29, 2018

Oct 30, 2018

Space_CreatedYes I have a DAC-AMP portable the Oppo Ha2 (first Gen) and the desktop AUNE T1se DAC-AMP with a tube swap to the NOS Amperex 7308. so I test it with both

Oct 30, 2018

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jaydunndiddit

3262

Oct 30, 2018

david_abadiaI would suggest better amplification. No offense, but the Elex can REALLY pull some details out of anything and have great extension on both ends. I have the same feeling with the Elegia and people commenting on their bass (a good amp really defines their low-end much like the 6XX). I just upgraded my AVR to a Yamaha A3080 from a Yamaha RXV581 and the differences in SQ are staggering. And much like my loudspeakers, the Focal's demand control of their drivers which you will only get from a good, composed amp. Even using these out of the MCTH they sound amazing. Out of the THX 789 balanced it was wild how effortless and fast they sound while pulling more micro/macro details out of music than my other amps. The Elex is a special beast as it's so close to being a Clear that it hurts. While I still like the Clear and definitely think it's superior, for the cost, it doesn't make sense to own it over the Elex when they are so close in performance and signature.

Oct 30, 2018

Nov 8, 2018

david_abadiaI love the Aune T1, it is a great value for a DAC/tube buffer/SS amp. I have modded two and have two more in the basement waiting... Have seen some go as far as even upgrading the op-amp, I have only done caps & tube... But to judge the Elex,, basically running on a 33¢ op-amp, is just not fair... modded or not,,, Same goes for the portable Oppo... Nor are you enjoying all that the Elex can bring to you..

Nov 8, 2018

Nov 8, 2018

rastusI Know, that those gear are not the best pairing, but any way I´v return the Elex for the problems, now I just bougth the MR. Speakers AEON Close and I want to upgrade my Amp because I like the sound of Tube DAC on the AUNE but for the Amp can be better, I have in mind the JDS Lab EL Amp / the New Schiit Lyr / the Gilmore Lite mk2 Amplifier or the Aune X7s but I dont wan´t a Balance out so I´m not sure about it. Maybe you can recomend me a good Single ended desktop amp ;)

Nov 8, 2018

Nov 9, 2018

david_abadiaWell,, you did put a nice tube in the T1, and got yourself infected...;) Give me a budget and I will gladly tell you how I would spend your money vicariously on a nice tube amp,,, a poll here to ponder in the meantime: https://www.massdrop.com/vote/Tube-Amplifiers#login

Nov 9, 2018

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Nov 9, 2018

rastuswell, right now my budget is $500 thats why I have the Lyr3 in top of my list and thats why I dont have to many options for a Tube Amp, as I think a good Tube Amp goes deeper in my wallet, but you can tellme if I´m grong

Nov 9, 2018

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Nov 9, 2018

david_abadiaCan you, or a friend, solder 4 new caps into an amp? Cost(s) to ship to what county needs to be budgeted in?

Nov 9, 2018

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Nov 12, 2018

rastusI´v been looking for a friend who help me but I dont trust theme since they are really amateur in that mater, and I´m not sure if I want to enter in a DIY Amp, I´m still relly new to this hobby, but any way thanx. and if you have in mind some company amp on the budget, well tellme.

Nov 12, 2018

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Nov 12, 2018

david_abadiaI was going to recommend the APPJ 1052-A SET with NOS tubes + nice caps, https://www.massdrop.com/buy/appj-1502a-tube-headphone-amplifier , but to be honest, you need to replace at least two caps, I have one and it is nice... You are asking for a tube sound, thus go all tube, not a hybrid and best to keep it separate. You can use the line-out from your HA-2 as a source for now, spend on the tube amp itself, end-game even... for a while at least. Well... if you are in the USA; offer $500 for this used La Figaro 339 (upgraded version-quieter) https://www.ebay.com/itm/La-Figaro-339-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-HiFi-Amp-Silver-Upgrade-Version/173612343101?hash=item286c1a1f3d:g:ox0AAOSwCMVb1eG9:rk:3:pf:0 and they may bite. If not this, I would then recommend a DarkVoice 336 from MD, when they next re-drop, and get some nice NOS tubes. I have not heard a DV, but curiosity about OTL just got the better of me,, while looking around for you,, I just bought a used one off the bay...

Nov 12, 2018

Marlowe

143

Nov 13, 2018

rastusIs an OTL tube amp really the best choice for the very low impedance MrSpeakers Aeon (13 ohms IIRC) or even the 80 ohm Elex? (Just so you know I love OTL tube amps with the right headphones. I have the Schiit Valhalla 2 and an older LD MKIII and they are great with the Sennheiser HD700 and HD6XX.)

Nov 13, 2018

Nov 13, 2018

MarloweYes Marlowe, you are right-my bad, the Aeon's are kinda out 13,,, I was thinking more on the Elex side, which are fine, which David has dumped though.... David; i'm back the 1052-A with some nice NOS tubes will fit in the budget, you cover shipping and send it to me with caps, $20 and the job is done... keep the NOS tubes with you, as I have some to test with, after first running with the filament checkers it comes with... Oh, and send the Aeon's along too, want to hear them;) Or,, get a pair of HD6XX and a DarkVoice for your tube listening pleasure, my used DV will soon first pair with my HD580's.

Nov 13, 2018

jaydunndiddit

3262

Nov 13, 2018

MarloweThe low impedance rule is a general rule of thumb not a hard-or-fast fact. Some planars sound good on a tube amp. Others not to much. Same with low impedance headphones. If you have a headphone that isn't reactive to a high OI (which OTL amps are notorious for) then you're good to go. Most planars are flat with their impedance/phase measurements and the Aeon is no exception, so an amp with a high OI will not color the sound or impart any changes to the SQ: https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/mrspeakers-aeon-flow-open-planar-magnetic-headphones-measurements. It's more about current and how much the amp can produce than the impedance (which is a factor just not the only one). The same with the 1/8 rule. It's usually true but isn't always applicable (better to check the measurements and confirm so you know for a fact) and tends to affect loudspeakers and crossovers more than anything. On the flip, if I used one of my ultra sensitive reactive IEMs that are in the 8-16 ohm range on an OTL amp I would have a bad time. They just lack the electrical dampening of an orthodynamic driver which can pretty much stop on a dime and lacks crossovers.

Nov 13, 2018

Nov 13, 2018

jaydunndiddit @Marlowe & @rastus thanks all of you peope for your point, this comunity is amazing :) I also was thinking about the impedance limitations for the Aeon and how it will react to an OTL Amp, and now I think tha probably the best option is a Hybrid amp, and I also add the Massdrop CTH to the list, because of this small comparation betwen the Lyr3 and the CTH. https://www.verumsonus.com/dc-area-head-fi-meet-impressions-4-7-2018/ . do you have any opinion on this amp ? For an OTL I also found that La Figaro 339 can be a nice pairing, but is still a bit pricy, I´ll have to ear some extra money. or what would you do with this 13ohms planar heaphones, what amp would you buy?

Nov 13, 2018

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