Focal Elear and Utopia Impressions at Source AV

Seriously, this is an awesome (and hilarious) post.

 

We'll it's nice to get advice right from the source. It was the "bi-amp" reference that threw me a bit but I came across the "headroom" guide and now understand that you could presumably have a couple individual amps feeding a pair of 3 pin xlr's vs a single balanced amp with a 4 pin xlr.

 

Yup. That's because the Neutric combo-connector with the headphone jack in it is a female XLR.

 

Pfft, logic and shenanigans don't belong together!

But really now, I didn't think the XLRs were all that bad. The combojacks set the early stage for people to experiment with balanced/bridged/whatever amps while still retaining single-ended functionality. I think the concept of balanced amps would have taken a lot longer to get going without that. Then again, I'm one of those mooks who used to use monoblocks for his headphones, so I'm already on the train to crazytown.

 

Toot toot!

 

When can we expect any further impressions? It's been a while since there was actual impressions on the headphones in topic...
I'm starving for more impressions!

 

I plan to have a nice long listen to the Elear at Canjam London on Aug 13th.

As Hands will not shut up about how good the HD650 is I have just bought one for the second time for $242.

I’m going to do the quarter mod and use it as a reference to see where the Elear stands in comparison.

My rig has now improved to the point where I feel I should be close to maximising the HD650 (Bifrost Multibit & Mojo 2)

I like my ZMF Blackwood very much but after 2 months with it I feel like I’m missing a bit of music in the midrange as the bass dominates.

Stay tuned for my Elear vs HD650 vs Blackwood impressions!

 

Do you guys think Valhalla 2 should be a decent match with Focal Elear?
I just got my summer holiday cash and thought that maybe its time to leave HD6X0 behind!

 

Summer holiday cash?! Uh, I didn't receive mine yet! Please PM me for Paypal

 

Its a scandinavian thing I guess... We get some tax money back etc for holidays

 

Anybody else checking Innerfidelity every night for the Elear review?

 

Yes

HE1000 being sent back and now really having high hopes for the Elear...

 

As per Jason from the Source AV (who has been super Nice and personal), We will be having the Elear and Utopia at the Seattle meet this weekend.

Excited to hear both of them!

hopefully I don't like the Utopias too much because I honestly can't afford them unless I got half off. I know that aint happenin.

 

Did @Marvey get his Elear already? Measurements?

 

I heard Source AV's shipment of Elears (and presumably Utopias) that was due to arrive this week has been delayed to August 11th. So you guys will be waiting a bit longer apparently....

 

That is true.

The pairs that I will be taking to the meet are demo pairs.

 

Should be up tomorrow...but you can keep clicking...it's good for my page views.