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Focal Elear and Utopia Impressions at Source AV

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

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  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Don't get me wrong. I feel the same as as you. But I am being a little bit guarded since these were "meet" impressions (albeit in excellent conditions with known recordings) and I haven't been doing much headphone listening lately.

    At $999 I hope Focal owns the market and forces other manufacturers to rethink their retarded pricing strategies. Yes, Focal does make a $4K model, but I really appreciate the fact that Focal didn't say FOAD to someone who only had measly $1k to spend. That itself is exciting.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2016
    purr1n, Jul 8, 2016
    #81
  2. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

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    Ok, im now interested.
     
    Rotijon, Jul 8, 2016
    #82
  3. Registered_for_pics

    Registered_for_pics New

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    Registered_for_pics, Jul 8, 2016
    #83
  4. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Any impressions comparing to HEK? Both Elear and Utopia.

    I kinda ignore the Elear after a brief listen to it due to what I thought was too muddy sound signature, with rolled off treble. All these glorious impressions made me want to go back and give it more time. I tried the Elear on Cavalli prototype amp.
     
    khragon, Jul 8, 2016
    #84
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The sound signature is indeed V shaped, but within limits of acceptability for me.* Unlike other headphones with V shaped responses, the Elear's treble seems to be emphasized in the last octave, not in the problematic region from 7-9kHz which induces headaches, stridency, etchiness, sharpness, etc. This is why I said maybe knocking off a few db in the bass with a broad PEQ filter might do the trick for those who prefer a more neutral presentation.

    Or you can just leave it be and enjoy the fun.

    The HEK has a different presentation. Really hard to compare the two. Speed and separation goes to the HEK - HEK has a more ethereal quality. Timbre and tactility goes to Elear. HEK stage is tall, diffuse and nebulous. Elear stage seems just as open, but more precise. HEK may have a bit of that splashy treble timbre, but hard to talk about HEK because six pairs I've heard all sound a bit different. Overall clarity goes to HEK. I thinking Elear might just notch out HEK in resolution, but hard to determine with my own gear. HEK build quality (considering price) makes me embarrassed to be ethically Chinese (among other things mixed in together).

    *Daft Punk Random Access Memories didn't sound that excessively bassy for me. Normally I don't like bassy recordings with bassy headphones.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2016
    purr1n, Jul 8, 2016
    #85
  6. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    Line for the loaner program on this one is gonna be big.

    Dibs on a spot in line!
     
    TMoney, Jul 8, 2016
    #86
  7. tyan

    tyan Friend

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    I'm a bit dissapointed that the Elear doesn't have replaceable pads and headband. This should be a given for a 1k headphone. Otherwise it looks good and the price in Norway is in line with the US.
     
    tyan, Jul 8, 2016
    #87
  8. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I was reading product descriptions to see whether the pads were replaceable. Disappointing if it doesn't. I don't get that.
     
    imackler, Jul 8, 2016
    #88
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Audeze LCD pads aren't "replaceable" either.
     
    purr1n, Jul 8, 2016
    #89
  10. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    Oh Focal with their non-replacable ear pads strikes again!
     
    Vanheim, Jul 8, 2016
    #90
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm sure some nutty dude will start making aftermarket pads that come with instructions and tools to remove the stock pads and glue the new ones on. Just like cables. More shit to buy and experiment with.

    Hopefully no one does a tower of babel thing by sticking six pads together to form a uber pad and start a pad rolling thread on HF.
     
    purr1n, Jul 8, 2016
    #91
  12. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    You can't take them off at all?
     
    Vanheim, Jul 8, 2016
    #92
  13. Tyll Hertsens

    Tyll Hertsens Grandpappy of the hobby - Special Friend

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    No, no, no, the ear pads pop right off the Elear. Held in by plastic tabs...pop off, click in.
     
    Tyll Hertsens, Jul 8, 2016
    #93
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    You see. You guys don't give the French enough credit. Keep in mind that their nuclear power reactors haven't blown up yet.
     
    purr1n, Jul 8, 2016
    #94
  15. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    Thanks! I was getting quite worried about that.
     
    Vanheim, Jul 8, 2016
    #95
  16. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Nuclear power plants are one of France's main exports actually. A lot of nuclear plants in other countries have been built by the French.
     
    Merrick, Jul 8, 2016
    #96
  17. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    Thanks for sharing your impressions! How might an Elear fair on a GOV2?
     
    AdvanTech, Jul 8, 2016
    #97
  18. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    V-shaped rike these
    IMAG0417.jpg
     
    HitmanFluffy, Jul 8, 2016
    #98
  19. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

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    I think Marv is listening to speakers most of the time, maybe we should talk a little more about speakers.

    ps, the main reason of why Tyll is so happy about Elear maybe is the Moon 430, that being say, that amp must be an excellent choice with low z headphones.
     
    mtoc, Jul 8, 2016
    #99
  20. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    That much praise for our country from us citizens is odd, I smell something fishy. :bracingforimpact:
     
    frenchbat, Jul 8, 2016
    #100
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