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Hamsandwich
7
Oct 15, 2018
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I am on the fence between getting these or the Focal Elegia...... Has anyone tried the Elegia? If so what are your impressions?? They're both the same price point but can only get one 😪
shimage
228
Oct 15, 2018
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HamsandwichI posted my comments on the Elegia elsewhere in this discussion. I mostly stand by that description, although I would now say they have less bass the Clears (not a huge amount, but it's noticeable), so that they are a bit more mid-centric compared to Clears. They are the most tonally balanced high-end closed backs that I've heard, but many people will find that boring.
I think it's worth pointing out that Focal seems to be having trouble manufacturing the drivers. Jude's measurements look nothing like the SoundStage!Solo measurements. My first copy of the Elegia was defective, and another Massdrop user's copy also seems to be broken. Personally, I would only buy an Elegia from a local store where you could take it back and exchange if it turns out to be defective.
I think it's worth pointing out that Focal seems to be having trouble manufacturing the drivers. Jude's measurements look nothing like the SoundStage!Solo measurements. My first copy of the Elegia was defective, and another Massdrop user's copy also seems to be broken. Personally, I would only buy an Elegia from a local store where you could take it back and exchange if it turns out to be defective.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 16, 2018
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HamsandwichI thoroughly enjoy mine. Been putting them through their paces since Thursday. At first, I would have classified them ass bass light but they just do not over emphasize the bass at all. They do however lack sub-bass impact but they will still go down to 5 Hz faithfully. Interestingly enough, with a slight bass boost, the drivers can come alive and have the potential to vibrate your entire face. This was done with just the bass boost function from my portable Fiio A5. Out of my Cavalli Tube Hybrid, they have much more bass without the need of EQ. However, from my iFi nano BL, the Elegia is much softer and detailed. They lose some of the low-end for much higher clarity in the mids and a more holographic soundstage. And, out of my AVR, they have been an absolute treat while I'm playing Assassin's Creed Odyssey (huge open world adventure game). Due to their imaging and amazing mids, dialogue sounds perfect and their is a perfect amount of range for sounds so determining distance is very easy. From my AVR I do have to bump up the lows so they can deliver proper low frequency effects but otherwise, they are short of perfect for my tastes and needs. The carrying case is also very very nice and has plenty of room for extras (I have extra cables, pads, adapters, etc).
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 16, 2018
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shimageAfter seeing the posted results of the Elegia vs the Clear, I think I can say I don't know what's up with Butterworth's rig, but something seems amiss. I can wholeheartedly say the Clear or the Elegia, do not sound as measured here:
shimage
228
Oct 16, 2018
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jaydunndidditHis Clear measurements look reasonable to me. Keep in mind those are raw (uncompensated), which I prefer to see over DF like what Jude and Dan use. The measurement of the Elegia looks pretty much like he and his listeners subjectively describe it. I don't find anything suspect about it at all, although it would have been nice to know what his coupler is like. I agree with his assertion that the Clear sounds fuller and flatter. The Clear has very good bass extension for an open headphone. That said, his Elegias have less bass than I hear on mine. I don't think his sample is entirely representative. Incidentally, my Aeons sound nothing like he describes. His description is pretty much what Dan's measurements look like which also lines up with Tyll and John Atkinson's subjective impressions, which makes me think I have a bum pair.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 16, 2018
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shimageFrom 1k to 4k Hz things do not look correct compared to all of the other measurements (raw or compensated) already out in the ether. They also do not look anything like what they sound like. I can tell you that for a fact. The same applies for the Elegia of which I am listening to right this second. And, just like all others, I can also state the Elegia sound A LOT like a closed back Clear with more polite bass. For me, that's perfect as I don't have a sound sig like this in my other closed backs. I've had the Elegia out of a tube hybrid, SS, AVR, and my phone with my AVR and tube hybrid, they had bass that is more impactful and clean like the Clear. Same with my AVR as I have been playing games with them as well as using them for my music.
I need to do some more research of other measurements to try and get a better baseline but even comparing to Tyll's measurements of the Clear, his results match much more closely to my ears than what was measured above. Same on SBAF, HeadFi, DIYaudioheaven, etc. These measurements just look like the odd man out.
I need to do some more research of other measurements to try and get a better baseline but even comparing to Tyll's measurements of the Clear, his results match much more closely to my ears than what was measured above. Same on SBAF, HeadFi, DIYaudioheaven, etc. These measurements just look like the odd man out.
shimage
228
Oct 16, 2018
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jaydunndidditThe first thing to note is that the couplers used are different between the Clear measurement and Elegia measurement above. Which is kind of bullshit, but whatever. So I will grant you that this Butterworth fellow is not the most careful person. However, that said, there aren't a whole lot of raw measurements from respectable people (most of the SBAF measurements are pretty low quality). Jude's published his, and they look grossly similar to Brent's (the plot using the new coupler, anyway). They both have roughly 10dB rise to the 3kHz peak. Tyll's look more "normal" with a 10-12dB rise. But honestly that's essentially the same, given they are using entirely different measurement rigs.
Regardless, there is still the issue of Jude's Elegia-Clear comparison, since both you and I and pretty much anyone that's heard an Elegia and Clear agree that the Elegia has less bass (and yes, I have both the Elegia and Clear right here and have been comparing the them back-to-back since I got the Elegia last week), which is very obviously not the case in Jude's measurement. At least Brent's measurement has the relative amount of bass correct.
As an aside, I get that Butterworth's measurements don't have the typical 10-15dB rise to the 3kHz peak, but that is consistent throughout all of his measurements. So yes, there is something odd about it, but since everyone's measurement rigs behave differently anyway, I pretty much never compare measurements from different people; only ever between a known headphone and an unknown headphone from the same person, otherwise there are too many variables. (And even then I can get into trouble when I have a bum copy *cough*Aeon*cough*.)
Regardless, there is still the issue of Jude's Elegia-Clear comparison, since both you and I and pretty much anyone that's heard an Elegia and Clear agree that the Elegia has less bass (and yes, I have both the Elegia and Clear right here and have been comparing the them back-to-back since I got the Elegia last week), which is very obviously not the case in Jude's measurement. At least Brent's measurement has the relative amount of bass correct.
As an aside, I get that Butterworth's measurements don't have the typical 10-15dB rise to the 3kHz peak, but that is consistent throughout all of his measurements. So yes, there is something odd about it, but since everyone's measurement rigs behave differently anyway, I pretty much never compare measurements from different people; only ever between a known headphone and an unknown headphone from the same person, otherwise there are too many variables. (And even then I can get into trouble when I have a bum copy *cough*Aeon*cough*.)
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 16, 2018
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shimageOh, I agree with you. I just found it odd. If there's one hiccup, who else knows what else could be wrong. Hence, a grain of salt. I'm biased as I've gone to Tyll, Jude, SBAF for so long that I'm used to looking at their graphs and knowing up from down within context.
And honestly, I had a less than ideal time with the AFC as well. I couldn't wrap my head around the hype as they came off as bass light, very lean, and cold overall but had great resolution. Ultimately, I found them way too analytical for my taste and returned them. Dan says the CX has more heft as this was my direct question to him. However, he later states the CX still has less bass quantity than the C Flow--which isn't bass heavy to begin with so that has me raising an eyebrow. With the Elegia, I feel they lack any substantial sub bass impact and that makes them not have a lot of heft. Pretty much, I won't use them with Hip Hop. Just like the Elex, thankfully, the bass is of good quality although I always want more impact. I really think that's just part of Focals house sound as their speakers tend to lean the same way.
And honestly, I had a less than ideal time with the AFC as well. I couldn't wrap my head around the hype as they came off as bass light, very lean, and cold overall but had great resolution. Ultimately, I found them way too analytical for my taste and returned them. Dan says the CX has more heft as this was my direct question to him. However, he later states the CX still has less bass quantity than the C Flow--which isn't bass heavy to begin with so that has me raising an eyebrow. With the Elegia, I feel they lack any substantial sub bass impact and that makes them not have a lot of heft. Pretty much, I won't use them with Hip Hop. Just like the Elex, thankfully, the bass is of good quality although I always want more impact. I really think that's just part of Focals house sound as their speakers tend to lean the same way.
ludachris
314
Oct 17, 2018
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shimageI have no issues with mine. Sorry yours was defective and you have a first bad experience with your elegia.
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