Comments on Profile Post by rlow

The Elex is definitely one of my favorite headphones. As long as you're not into loud subbassy music (e.g. soundtracks) they're amazing.

Well, what would you want to change about the 650 sig? If you're looking for more transient sharpness, more air, slightly better bass, more forward middle mids, it's a good move. If you don't like HD600 next to HD650, I'd be more cautious.

Better clarity and less veil basically. Also have a slight V curve in PEQ on the HD650s currently (slight shelf below 90Hz and above ~8Khz). But also don’t want artificial edges or etch. The 650 does have great timbre.

If you can hold off a couple months I think I'll have something you may want to consider... if you don't mind a somewhat rugged DIY look.

If you want more clarity and less veil, perhaps a used RS2 with TTVJ deluxe flat pads (or alternatively a 225 with the same pads). It'll cost way less and give you a nicely complementary sound.

The Elex definitely has some etch to its sound, gear pairing will be critical.

teaser comparison measurement I just cooked up - modded 650 is lighter line vs WIP prototype darker line https://i.imgur.com/ZXD9N7H.png proto has 50mm N52 drivers with no front damping and open on the back, definitely less veiled dynamically vs the senns. Should be at or below Elex price.

@E_Schaaf I'd be all over that!

production / sales / loaner tour starts as soon as the first batch of drivers beyond the samples we've been working with show up. Hopefully about a month, even though still building a website and whatnot.

I have three headphone amps: Vali 2, Asgard 3 and SW51+. With the HD650s, there's a quite a gap in clarity between the SW51+ and the Schiit amps. AFAIK, the veil has been lifted. I haven't heard the Elex, but depending on your headamp, the HD650s do get better. The SW51+ is also cheaper than the Elex!

There’s also a Liquid Platinum with upgraded tubes in the FS forum right now for $350.

I wonder if you should not go for a used Clear, if nothing else to avoid the Elex slight treble "etch" and get the slightly better technicalities and everything else in the deal.

Yeah I feel like the Clears might be the ultimate of what I’m looking for, but more than I want to spend on headphones right now. Since getting the Lyr 3, tube rolling, tweaking my EQ and messing with interconnects a bit, I have dialed in the 650s pretty well at the moment. Really so much better than Vali 2 and Jot. Not sure if the Elex would be more of a side grade or not.

I've got both the HD650 and the Elex. Both have upgraded cables - Silver Dragon to remove HD650 veil (success!), Black Dragon to tame Elex's "sheen" (success!).

@luckybaer How would you characterize the main differences between them? Do you prefer one over the other?

I think the HD650 is a tad more resolving, and with the cable upgrade, veil not an issue. Elex has an wide open “airy” sound. HD650 lighter - more comfortable.

I'd be annoyed if my new $700 headphones didn't resolve quite as well as a $220 headphone.

@Merrick the HD650 scales really well. I got mine around 15 years ago. It continues to amaze. The Elex resolves well, too. I like ‘em both.

@Merrick your mention of the Grados is interesting, actually I was eyeing a used Hemp with extra Geekria pads.

Anyhow I see you also own both a Lyr 3 and Liquid Platinum. How would you compare the LP to the Lyr, any detailed comparisons posted?

I use my LP with stock tubes and balanced from the Gungnir A1. I do think the LP is a more accomplished amp than the Lyr. It has more control over the drivers, and with the HD580 there is no veil. With the 580, staging and layering are excellent, a cut above the Lyr 3. It has that Cavalli sweetness, but doesn’t overly color the sound. I know some feel it sounds veiled, but I hear it as extremely resolving and clear.

However the Lyr 3 in low gain is hands down a better match with my Grado. The SE out in the LP is not as good as the balanced, so the Lyr being only SE has the advantage here. Also the LP’s fatal flaw is a combination of high gain (5x) with no gain switch and a potentiometer that has volume jumps at certain spots. This gives it little play with the more sensitive Grado.

The Lyr 3 in low gain also gives the RS2 more of a discernible soundstage, whereas the LP makes it sound very flat and left/right only. The RS2 doesn’t sound BAD with the LP, it sounds quite enjoyable, but it has superior synergy with the Lyr.

For the 650 the LP would be a better match, no question. It will remove the veil and it’s more lively than the laid back Lyr. I have heard the exact opposite impressions from others (LP is more laid back than Lyr), so it’s system dependent, but that’s how I hear it.

I’m awaiting delivery of an SW51+, which I hope is equally good with the 580 out of the high ohm plug and the RS2 out of the low gain plug.

Cool, SW51+ is the other amp I’ve been contemplating as well. I do like the Lyr quite a bit though, but curiosity of course. There’s a used LP for sale up here in Canada for ~$430 USD I’m eyeing ATM.

If you’re planning on sticking with high ohm dynamics, I’d go for the SW51. I haven’t heard it but all reports say it has a truly special synergy with high ohm dynamic cans. And tube rolling for it will be much cheaper than for the LP.

For me, the reason to use the Elex over the 650 (I have both) is superior bass on the Elex, and a bit more dynamics on the Elex at low volume. These attributes make it better for desk listening while working, where ultimate technicalities aren't important (to me, anyway).