Focal Elear and Utopia Impressions at Source AV

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Jul 7, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    We've exchange a lot of PMs where I've been careful on recommendations giving you caveats, etc. In this case, just get the Elear. If you loved the Omni's, Zach may as well voiced the Elear. Sell your Ether C ASAP.
     
  2. Registered_for_pics

    Registered_for_pics New

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    Are the pads removeable?

    Is the cable connection proprietary?
     
  3. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Very useful (and obviously time consuming) write up. Thanks a ton, @Marvey and @OJneg . Those final thoughts in summary, Oj, were a great wrap up.

    SBAF for win!
     
  4. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    Elear:
    - Pads not removable
    - cable not proprietary
     
  5. imac2much

    imac2much Friend

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    Oh boy. Good thing I kept the boxes, haha. Now I just need to find a dealer that stocks the Elear. Are they only available at Source AV right now?
     
  6. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    @Marvey Thanks for the clarification. I'm tempted to sign up for a the future loaner now and wonder if the smoothness will go away on a set-up more neutral than the A&K player with the AK4490's inner bloom into a warmish amp,
     
  7. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    If ZMF headphones are praised for their mid range and smooth treble why would Zach go for a more V shape tuning? can someone explain? I'm a bit lost there.
     
  8. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    Since there seems to be some confusion, I'm not saying Zach tuned either of these headphones. But it sounds like something he would have tuned.
     
  9. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    So ZDS should be just fine?
     
  10. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    If Elear does better with non-bloaty super tubey amps, then would the solid state Garage1217 Project Polaris be a potentially good pairing with the Elear? Does anyone think that within a month or two we will be seeing a lot of Elears going on sale on HF fs threads/ebay/etc.?
     
  11. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

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    Marv is bashing hd800 again, still waiting for hd800 lover @sorrodje to comment on this.
     
  12. Gravity

    Gravity Friend

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    Marv, when you get the unit will you do a comparrison with HD650? Also, do you think Elear will work well with BW?
     
  13. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    I think this is great news, finally a well built, musical alternative to the HD800 from a serious speaker manufacturer.

    The Elear is not exorbitantly expensive and I’m sure this going to put some pressure on the pricing from Hifiman, Audeze & Mrspeakers

    If I was Professor X and had Cerebro I’m sure I could see all the hypebeasts and early adopters frantically taking pictures of their Editions Xs and Ethers to put them up for sale :D
     
  14. n3rdling

    n3rdling Friend

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    Thanks for the reviews, Mike Mervcer and Srojan Ebaen :D

    I actually meant to hear these at the meet they hosted a couple weeks back but forgot it was the day of the meet until it was too late. I think I might have to drive over there and get some listening time in.
     
  15. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    Isn't the transducer an actual tweeter in the Focals ?

    Faster transients and less DR ? Like a balanced armature in a sense ?

    edited
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2016
  16. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    If I do manage to get my hands on a used pair within the next two months, I'll probably get an Elear with a schiit Asgard 2 or a warm sounding solid state amp. If they are as good as they are being said to be, I doubt I'll find any used pairs tho. Well, preferences are always there and some might not like them.

    Also considering the number of people who jumped on the hype train from head fi.
     
  17. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    This is refreshing news. I'm still very curious about amp pairings with these headphones. It seems to remind me of what newer efficient planars crave...

    ...But I'd hate to assume. So I eagerly await SBAFs real world impressions.

    edit - Also a cable question. What type of connector is used to connect the cable to the headphone? Pics look like 1/8", but not sure. Sorry if it was already posted here somewhere.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2016
  18. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Hype train won't slow on HF for a bit. Used prices won't be real used prices. They will be 10% off etc.

    That said - dynamic headphones are my gig and need to hear elear. Thanks for making the trip and getting the real deal.
     
  19. Tyll Hertsens

    Tyll Hertsens Grandpappy of the hobby - Special Friend

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    Got to say I'm not entirely sure I agree with Marv and OJ's impressions...because the Elears seem so damned good it's hard to really get a grip on them. They're, to my ears, in a league of their own; I've simply not heard a headphone like this before. Super punchy and dynamic, super confident, super "f**k you, get out of my way, I'm the new kid in town".

    Yeah, bunch of hype there, but damn if I can feel any other way at the moment. Gonna take me a while to wrap my head around it. Got word from Focal they're getting me the Utopia...might show up today. Measurements when I can.

    It's a new day in Headphonedom.
     
  20. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

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    There was no HD800 S in the store to compare the Focals to, correct, just the original HD800?

    The massive dip centered around 5khz shown from both Tyll and Jude's measurements of the Elear is still a little bothersome to me, and maybe it could be a culprit for the perceived 'relative' lack of midrange clarity on the Elear? As Marv said, dips can be hard to discern at times, especially compared to peaks or broad humps, and even broad depressions. Measurements don't always tell the whole story, but hopefully CSD plots will show a more even-keen response area, covering up that large and narrow dip quickly.
     

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