Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 920 conversations about:
Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones
rdodev
632
Feb 9, 2019
I totally don't get their pricing strategy. These were $599 last year, if I'm notmistaken and now you can find the Elear for the same price BNIB. Why would anyone buy the "low end sibling" when you can buy the mid-range for the same money?
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 10, 2019
rdodevThese have always been priced at $699. Actually, they were originally $799 and Focal/MD dropped the price by $100.
Also, while the Elear is coming down in price, these ship with the updated cable style from the Clears (6.35mm and balanced XLR) as well as the Clear pads in black (which retail for $200). The Elear ships with that garden hose of a cable and stock non-perforated pads.
Considering the Elex is basically identical to the Elear with better accessories, this is a great deal considering the Clear is still $1,500 and barely drops down to $1,100/$1,200 new from an approved vendor. And while I enjoyed the Clear and will state they have some advantages over the Elear/Elex, I returned them as the difference was very negligible for almost double the cost. I'll probably still pick up a pair in the future once they drop to something more reasonable.
Headphone.com has a pretty nice bundle for the Elear that ships with the hard case and choice of Clear/Utopia pads: https://www.headphone.com/products/focal-elear-bundle-with-ear-pads-and-carrying-case. The price seems to have gone up but I got mine for $630 a few weeks ago. Considering the case is about $150 and Utopia pads $250, I feel like I got a good deal for the accessories alone and got the stock Elear with their stock accessories and box as well. Plus the 2-year manufacturer warranty from Focal.
And while the Elex is the lowest priced of the "TOTL" Focal's, its sound is quite on par with the Clear when using the fenestrated pads. I actually have begun to really enjoy it with the stock pads for when I want some added bass. For an open back can, they really do have some good bass.
Also random note, the stock Elear pads have a single ring of fenestrated holes near the bottom. I found that odd as I don't think it's ever been mentioned before when people talk about pad swaps.
(Edited)
Focux
5
Feb 21, 2019
jaydunndiddithow do u find the Elex and Elear say coming from 650? i found my 650's to be veiled and too mid centric, thus EQ'ed to be more neutral w a slight V shape sound. Will i enjoy the Elex/Elear better? or would i say be better off with something like the LCD 2C/2/X thank you!
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 25, 2019
FocuxThe Senn's are not my faves by any means. I find them just OK. The Focal sound is one of my current faves. Dynamic, fast, and punchy while being very coherent. However, they are more neutral bright and can get a bit too happy on some tracks but I enjoy this added energy and clarity. The Audeze of the one's listed, I found to be too warm and dark for my taste in comparison. The LCD X I only sampled briefly and they were quite good sans some funkiness going on in the mids. It wasn't bad, just different but I don't think I'd love that all the time for their cost. They're also damn heavy even compared to the Focal's which aren't light but have much better weight distribution IMO. I enjoyed them more than the Senn's but while not veiled, they are kinda dark and somewhat grainy. They do have the best bass response of the group if you're into planar bass. The Elex is a great deal as well and the Elear too if you don't mind pad swaps as they're falling quite a bit in price. Just know with the Elear you get that garden hose of a cable while the Elex ships with un/balanced cables similar to the Clear.
smendales
2
Feb 26, 2019
jaydunndidditAgree about the Focals
adtrisno
34
Feb 27, 2019
jaydunndidditHey, mattris here...I kid, I kid. Anyways, question, how do you compare the TR-X00 to the Elear? I have the Mahogany but I think I can sorta picture the sound. Also I said the Elear cause it's on sale at around $700ish which is great, down from $1100ish. The Elex would be $699 + shipping + depending on the mood of the customs officer, between 30% or 100% if he deems it to be a "luxury" item. Yes, I know. My country rocks :P...
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 28, 2019
adtrisnoNight and day. Mind you, I have the Ebony's but the Fostex sound so boxed in and claustrophobic by comparison. Very in your head and they lack the speed of the Focal's. Their low end is great though. But, their highs I find more fatiguing and as they just sound rougher up top. This varies by song of course but I notice it a lot more often than I do with my Focal's as I tend to have to back the volume down a bit to compensate. Also build wise, they don't hold a candle to the Focal's and their cable is a pain in the ass to get sourced and replaced if you want to go balanced and use XLR. I enjoy them honestly more for watching movies and playing games than music these days. Especially movies. They just do something so right in this regard by being uncompromisingly fun and engaging (probably because I'm not picking things apart).
The Elear's are a good bet if you don't mind sourcing a new cable and possibly Elex/Clear pads. I say that as some just hate the stock Elear sound. I did at first too. But, after having the Elex for longer and getting the Elear recently (I had only sampled it prior) I really enjoy them with their stock pads due to that added bass. Yeah, it's not perfect but it's fun especially for an open back and with the right genre music just sounds "right." But, with pad swaps, the Elear is going to sound damn near like the Elex so depending on mood, a FR change is only a pad swap away as they utilize all the other same components. Depending on what you would spend for sourcing cables and pads would determine which you should get honestly. You can also use the Elear pads on the Elex and get that bassier FR if you wanted to go that route as well. I have Utopia pads and have used them on both but honestly, I just find the microfiber/velour so much more comfortable over long sessions.
(Edited)
adtrisno
34
Feb 28, 2019
jaydunndidditAhh, yeah I asked cause I saw you had both the TR-X00 and the Elear. I think it's going to be significantly cheaper to get the Elear then the pads and cables separately so I'm probably going that route. The cable isn't a priority too since my xDuoo outputs the same power thru 6.35 and XLR and I rarely use my DX7s nowadays. They're the same headphones bar the pads and the cables?
By the way, I too don't understand who at Fostex thought it was a good idea to have the same plugs as Sennheiser HD 6-series but switch the polarities...like wtf?
Assimilator702
184
Mar 11, 2019
jaydunndidditThat’s the first detail I noticed about the Elear pads when comparing to the Elex pads. One row of holes on the inside of the Elear pads. I might try the Dekoni Fenestrated sheepskins until the Elex pads become available. If Focal is holding back on the pads to sell more Elex units.....well that’s downright despicable since after all......Elear owners are FOCAL customers. That’s not a good way to treat your customers that entrust you with their hard earned $$$$.
(Edited)
Ianhickler
11
Oct 9, 2020
jaydunndidditWhat do you mean by fenestrated pads? Did you replace the elex earpads with clears?
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile
Simthaniel
Rigs
Modded headphones with qudelix at the core
When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...
Apr 14, 2024
brothamike
A decent set of IEMs
I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...
Apr 12, 2024
merrick97
Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?
I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.
Apr 11, 2024
LostnAmerica
Sound Signature of the Grell Project.
Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.
Apr 8, 2024
Fabulous
Looking for a gaming/content audio setup
Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!
Apr 4, 2024
1plsd
$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?
Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.
Mar 31, 2024
NMPacella
New here
Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop