Focal Elear and Utopia

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by SingSing, Jun 14, 2016.

  1. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Epic hype on the HF thread (a bit of an axiom :p) with some massive claims;

    http://www.head-fi.org/t/811270/foc...-with-impressions-head-fi-tv/30#post_12651459

    "BTW - and this is for everybody in general - if you happen to be a fan of the HD-650’s general sound signature, and you're looking a headphone that does everything you love about a well-driven HD 650, then you might want to consider the Elear as a worthy upgrade. There’s a decent chance that it’ll be your huckleberry. There were times during my auditions when the Elear was reminiscent of the best HD 650 I've ever heard, but even better. Plus, as a bonus, it looks much nicer, and is far easier to drive."

    Is there pyrate |\/| man enough to brave the shark infested waters attend the Source AV launch event and put some reliable ears on these?

    http://www.head-fi.org/t/807600/cav...rce-av-s-summer-series-2016/210#post_12651582
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Maybe. @OJneg mentioned it to me.
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    FYI, a few folks are going to this event to listen to it. We are seeing what we can do to get our hands on at least the Elear, even if we have to use SBAF funds.
     
  4. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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  5. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

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    I think we should have more discussion on this topic. Implementation also matters just as much as the material. The B&W diamond tweeters sound nothing like the Accutons to me.
    There was always a certain thing about the Be tweeters in the Focal speakers that I didn't like. But then again I dislike most drivers for one reason or another. Getting a good balance between sounding over or underdamped seems to be very hard. Also not a fan of most non-dynamic drivers.

    I've secretly been waiting for diamond or Be, etc ... headphone drivers for a long time now. Both headphones should be very interesting.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Of course. On that thought, most Accuton implementations I've heard have been horribad. Maybe two brands do a good job with them. These exotic materials are not bullshit though and should not be poo-poo'd.
     
  7. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

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    :D Yup, feels like people want to jump on the hype train and make their own speakers with Accuton drivers and then fail horribly. (To be fair, the Accuton drivers are likely very hard to work with.) Those that do sound good have been some of the very best moderate efficiency multi-way speakers that I've heard though.

    Anyways, back to the Focal headphones ...
     
  8. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    What time is the event? I might swing by.
     
  9. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    The event flyer says noon to 5PM on Saturday
     
  10. Vent

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    This seems concerning?

    Apparently they have huge magnets in them.

    Other things of note from that thread:

    Edit: turns out they're 80 ohms.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2016
  11. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Umm


    Piter? Is he saying pleather or am I misunderstanding what material he is saying? They are using cheap ass pleather earpads for their $4k headphone?
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2016
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Well, Apple sells garbage cans for $4k.
     
  13. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

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    Which two produce good speakers using Accuton, may I ask? I kinda lost in the speaker researching sea.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The Marten Bird 2 is excellent. Also the Coincident Pure Reference Extreme (although it needs a huge huge room and needs to be 10 feet from any the walls).
     
  15. uncola

    uncola Friend

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    thenewerguy I think he's saying Pittard's Leather which is a leather gloves/goods company from the uk that I guess is known for their high quality leather. I had to google them
     
  16. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

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    hd800
    <0.02% (1 kHz / 102 SPL)

    while…
    focal
    <0.2% (1kHz / 100dB SPL)
     
  17. SingSing

    SingSing Acquaintance

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    hey, atleast its not another 3k-5k ortho:cool:
     
  18. Drakkard

    Drakkard Facebook Friend

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    I remember I read somewhere that Focal bought Be machinery from Yamaha, when they stopped producing ns-1000. Wonder if its true.
     
  19. drez

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    Meh - I guess it's the cheapest Beryllium dome heaphone on the market. All things being equal it was the optimum for their design, but as it turns out quite exotic in price.

    As for an improved HD650 comparison for the lower end model, there is some guy in Japan 3D printing new baffle, adding some dampening and replacing the cable, and the result is the best HD650 I have ever heard. Literally.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2016
  20. HAL9000

    HAL9000 Almost "Made"

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    Can you say some more about the tuned 650s? Website of the tuner?
     

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