Massdrop x Focal Elex Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Dec 15, 2017.

  1. kevnin

    kevnin #facetweeting - Friend

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    They're shooting themselves in the foot with these long lead times. $800 for something you can't hear and won't get for 6 months isn't very attractive to most people. If they're not willing to build upfront and then sell, they should really find a way to get more demo samples out so a lot more people can hear before the drop starts.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    They've sold almost 200. I'd say that's pretty impressive considering that I recall the TH-900 selling just 5.
     
  3. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I agree, however, one could look at it from a “layaway” perspective. If you purchase on PayPal Credit and pay it off interest-free over 6 months, as soon as it is paid off, the Elex’s will arrive. I think Massdrop is really trying to see if there is a higher-end market to their approach. I applaud them for at least having the sack to try this and getting many manufacturers to play along. I am still mulling the purchase over, and I agree, if more ears heard them and said it was a good purchase I wouldn’t hesitate.
     
  4. digitaldave

    digitaldave Acquaintance

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    They’d sell more if people in Europe could buy them - just saying :rolleyes:.

    Grumble grumble.
     
  5. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Its rediculous that they can't be sold and shipped to the country they are made in. I know that's not Massdrop's fault but I'm not sure what Focal was thinking. I think the Elex would sell much better than the Elear. Shit, maybe they should just discontinue the Elear and mass produce the Elex.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    FYI, Focal Clear incoming for SBAF loaner program. Jason / @netforce at The Source AV is making it happen for this community.
     
  7. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    excellent news! good on The Source AV.
     
  8. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Jason at Source AV is a good guy. I've enjoyed chatting with him when I've popped in for demos.
     
  9. Hammy

    Hammy Friend

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    They'd sell more if I could hear one with my gear before buying.

    I've been considering a Clear, but haven't gone out to hear one yet with my gear. I tried the Elear and it's a no-go for me due to the midrange and weird soundstage depth characteristics (the Elear not good for classical music). If the Elex or Clear can fix those problems then maybe. But I'll have to listen to them first with my gear and decide that I like one or the other. I won't allow myself to afford a Utopia, so it's out of consideration.
     
  10. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Would the Elex or Clear be anywhere close to their potential on a SS amp like the Liquid Carbon, or do they really benefit more from tubes and/or require something in the BW class?
     
  11. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    Not necessarily.

    If you 3D print these rings:
    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BwsCSISU3WvIdlZDcmlxM0ViZWc

    using a service like this one:
    https://www.3dhubs.com

    make sure to use "SLS Nylon" as the printing technology. Make sure to order 2.

    You can get snap in rings that should work with many difference pads. I have a set of rings on order.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
  12. HAL9000

    HAL9000 Almost "Made"

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    3 month old Elear listed on HF for $600, just sold for $550... the selloff begins!
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Elex / Clear seem to reveal a lot of their capabilities with modest gear. Elex needs a warmer sounding chain.
     
  14. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    I realize this is minor, but what does “cloth-wrapped” cable mean? Is that any different than cable inside of paracord?
     
  15. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    We're always pleased to help out ;)

    Bit nicer of a material with the cloth wrapped cable over a paracord cable.
     
  16. OJpos

    OJpos New

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    @Marvey so how does the Elex respond to PEQ? You seem to say that the driver is well behaved in terms of ringing but I still see those treble hills pretty far out.

    For those of us out of the loop with all the new releases, is it fair to say:

    Elex = gimped Utopia?
    Clear = gimped Elear?

    * replace "gimped" with "scaled down" if you please
     
  17. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I think
    Elex=improved Elear wirh less bass
    Clear=wanabe Utopia with better tonal balance.
     
  18. OJpos

    OJpos New

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    [​IMG]

    this looks like a quadruple penetrator. Should we be concerned?
     
  19. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Gonna give this a shot after looking at these for six years +. Corrections to my interpretations welcome. The ringing above 20Khz probably would not be audible. The others might be but the ringing time is shorter, so might not be an issue. The one at 6Khz might be an issue.

    O.K. How did I do?

    Edit; come on you won’t hurt my feelings. I’m a veteran of the Anax days. And yes I looked at the FR graph. Fire away.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Not particularly for several reasons:
    • Not octave apart. 6kHz, 11khz, and 16kHz.
    • 6kHz tends to be more benign (HD6** / HD800ish edge and hardness) than 7kHz (TH-900 sharpness) or 8-9Khz (nasty sibilance).
    • V1 (foam coupler) CSD looks great. It doesn't seem to be the driver causing these peaks.
    However, one area of concern might be with the 20-21kHz peak. This is outside the range of human hearing, but can result in a metallic coloration (presumably from IMD). A lot of metal tweeters on speakers have this kind of sound I am describing. I'm probably kind of used to it given my experience with aluminum and titanium diaphragm compression drivers, but I know most of you guys have mostly been exposed to the plastic diaphrams of headphone drivers. I should have mentioned this early on, but it escaped me. It's trade offs. Metal drivers have a lot of precision to their sound.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017

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