Elex and Eclair discussion thread

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Vtory, Apr 27, 2018.

  1. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    I am in opinion that the elex driver is not the same as the Elear.

    I have noted the same issue that Marvey noted in his testing, when the driver excursion seemed limited at a low freq .

    I think that the Elear has greater dynamic range over the Elex,
    But the Elex has the better frequency response signature.

    So it would be interesting to see an Elear with pad change.
     
  2. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    East Coast
    Elex drop again.

    https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal-elex-headphones

    Estimated ship date is Aug 8th. Sounds very reasonable.

    I really like Elex. Great balance between fun, neutrality, and technicality. This is one of the two headphones I am giving the most head time to (the other is hd800). Fantastically paired with both Lyr3 and BW2. When amped by BW2, Elex was imo (and to my ears) no slouch compared to any headphones at any price levels
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2018
  3. taisserroots

    taisserroots Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2017
    Likes Received:
    229
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    London,UK
  4. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    Interesting. I heard the Clear and thought here's my HD650 upgrade* (better/extended bass, extended clear treble). But the current drop for $700 is looking very tempting, if the differences are so subtle.

    *or complimentary phone
     
  5. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,373
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Hong Kong
    Never having seen Focals in real life, is there something that makes their pads more durable than Sennheiser pads?

    Every time I am tempted by something like the Elex, I remember that Focal pads are expensive .
     
  6. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    East Coast
    To my ears Clear was smoother and more neutral in the treble by small but significant margin. But it's interesting to see that some people like Kyle (at Verum Sonus) or @cskippy argue the opposite. I am suspecting Amp and Dac matching/synergy to some degree.

    @JustAnotherRando Focal pads are not only expensive but also unavailable in many cases. I have not found any places selling Clear pads let alone Elex pads.. Only Elear and Utopia pads are sold currently.

    However, FWIW pads, particularly inside foam, are much more durable than senn.
     
  7. taisserroots

    taisserroots Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2017
    Likes Received:
    229
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    London,UK
    I did agree with ishca in my original impressions of the clear where there was something going on in really busy songs where it got a bit muddy and the transisents became really loose, making everything sounds smothered.

    But we both tried it on different dacs and amps and could tell that it wasn’t a feature of the gear because we tried multiple headphones on the same gear
     
  8. Whatup69

    Whatup69 New

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    27
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    NZ
    Home Page:
    What up

    Firstly, a bit about me. I haven't been active on this forum despite joining quite awhile ago but I'm also not new to the game. I'm an avid proponent for the HD600 (which I ultimately 'downgraded' to from my HD800S), and have been time and time again disappointed by flagships.

    For me, the Elex is the first open back headphone in a higher tier than the HD600 that I have thoroughly enjoyed with barely any issues to nitpick. Quite simply put, I think it may be the best 'bargain' in headphones right now even at MSRP. Is it the fabled "super HD600" many folks dream of? Not exactly.

    The HD600 is the smoother headphone. To my ears it still has unbeatable timbre for string instruments (violins etc) and does its unique party trick of being able to depict a certain "organic" tone to the treble. In this regard, the Elex doesn't quite match some of the specialties that are seemingly unique to the HD600. However the Elex, in terms of overall resolution, extension across the spectrum, imaging/separation and transient response/dynamics is a significant step up from the HD600. All whilst having very good tonal balance and timbre in its own right.

    The Elex bass is a little slow and fat compared to the rest of the band, the midrange could be more linear and the treble has some peaks up top. But that is being very nit-picky and none of it bothers me or fatigues me. It's the closest headphone I've heard thus far that comes near the descriptor of "super HD600", and the safest direct upgrade for HD600 lovers I feel comfortable recommending. And I'm not sure praise can get higher than that.
     
  9. RedLipstick

    RedLipstick Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Europe
    I have an Elex and I like the technicalitys of the sound but there's just one problem, it sounds a bit thin/metalic lacking that weight on sound, specially the vocals.

    I'm using an modi1, moving to higher lvl Dacs would change this or its mostly the headphone timbre signature?
     
  10. gLer

    gLer New

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    22
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Cape Town
    I second @Whatup69’s impressions. I ‘upgraded’ my Elear to an Elex with genuine Elex pads, and haven’t taken them off since. The change in FR balance really opened up the Elear’s potential, almost making it a completely different headphone. Quite startling that a $59 set of foam pads can make such a big difference, but there it is. Easily the most open sounding, balanced and dynamic headphone I’ve heard anywhere near this price point, and unlike @Whatup69 I think it leaves the HD600/650 so far behind you can’t even see them in the rearview mirror ( then again I was never a fan of the bass-light, one-trick Sennheiser ponies).
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    What amp? Modi 1 is a horrible choice for Elex. I'd rather stab myself with needles it the tummy. Modi 3 might be better. I'd go multibit / R2R DACs all the way. A lot depends upon amp. ZDT Jr. from high Z jack was very good. Since you are in the EU, you might be able to buy it directly from the guy in Russia. It's called the Night Blues Mini there. Forgot his company name and website, just search it.
     
  12. RedLipstick

    RedLipstick Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Europe
    I'm using the modi 1 wit a magni 1, also tried with a Pico dac and it's a bit better but still same feeling. As for the amp being in Russia it's still outside of EU and would need to pay import taxes.
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2018
  13. gLer

    gLer New

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    22
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Cape Town
    I second R2R. I use the Elex with an Audio-gd R-28 and it’s astonishing. I know AGD isn’t really liked in these parts, but the R-28 is top-notch, certainly a step above any of the Schitt stuff in its price range. But I digress - R2R and preferably NOS R2R will tame the Elex’s metallic sheen, although there’s no getting away from it completely. It does use a metallic driver after all.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    We will only believe you if you will acknowledge the Audio-GD S19 DAC sounds like utter shit.
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2018
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Ouch. Magni 1 and Modi 1. That's double bad synergy with Elex.

    I don't want to break the bank for you and recommend a too expensive product. But maybe this:

    http://soekris.eu/shop/dac_modules_...shipping_in_end_may_2017_preorder_now_en.html

    Actually, if you can swing it, maybe a used Metrum Amethyst and using the head-outs from there.

    Summoning @Hands.
     
  16. RedLipstick

    RedLipstick Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Europe
    Hmm I see,, well it really sounds bad even though I can see how good the elex seems to be.

    I was actually eying that dac and sent them 2 inquiring mails in the beginning of the week but no answer from them.. Starting to think they are closing shop. This dac would be better option than the modi multibit?

    Btw would your amp suggestion work well with an LCD-x too?
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Magni 1 and Modi 1 were made to work with Audeze headphones.

    As far as comparison with Modi Multibit, at that price, and with the current revision (which has been out for a least a year now, just that I didn't know), I would easily recommend this for Elex is this is what I use myself for a second system. The Modi Multibit has a slightly dark tilt and smooth sound, which suits perfectly Elex's slightly upward tilt and metallic grain.

    You could throw a Magni 3 in there too. Slightly warm amp with level but smooth highs. Won't break the bank.
     
  18. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    12,285
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Colorado
    Home Page:
    Amethyst is good if you're looking to warm things up. HP out isn't spectacular but pairs well enough with dynamics.

    I wasn't particularly sold on the lower end Soekris DAC. The 1541 was pretty decent, though I didn't care for its HP out.

    Modi Multibit is fine. Not nasty sounding. Magni 3 is a pretty reasonable amp. Could also consider Vali 2 if you want more tube in your life.

    Liquid Spark is going to be slightly smoother and easier going than Magni 3 if you need to go that route.

    However, some folks just don't get on with the Focal stuff. I would recommend trying some open-cell foam placed over the driver to help smooth out some rough edges before you go spending money on gear. I wrote about doing this with the Elear and even detailed a quick way to keep the foam attached.

    Though you really could use some gear upgrades...
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    He needs gear upgrades. There was a reason I never said anything good about Modi 1 / Magni 1. I disliked a lot of generation 1, 1.5 Schiit gear.

    Vali 2 is a good recommendation. A little tube bloom helps the dry Elex immensely. This is funny because I was about to start an Elex Love thread in the next few days.
     
  20. Brad Tombaugh

    Brad Tombaugh Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    178
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Home Page:
    http://laconiclab.ru/laconic_night_blues_mini.html
     

Share This Page