Massdrop x Focal Elex Review and Measurements

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

  1. StefanAC

    StefanAC Acquaintance

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    The MCTH + SDAC is already on its way. I don‘t know if I will prefer it to the Magni 3 from a sound perspective but probably due to the different form factor. Bottomline is that I made the order for the Elex.
     
  2. StefanAC

    StefanAC Acquaintance

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    Thank you for your answer! I had the opportunity to listen to both Elear and Clear for a few hours on a Violectric HPA V200 amp and liked both for different reasons. While the Clear was easily the better headphone overall for its more even and refined presentation, the Elear was more visceral and driving - therefore a better complement to my Audze LCD-2.2F. The main thing that hold me back making a purchase was the amount of bass - just to much for my tastes.
     
  3. I_want_all_the_tacos

    I_want_all_the_tacos Friend

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    Yeah I think Elear's bass emphasis contributes to why the upper mids sound recessed and sucked out. It makes sense that the Elex fixed that issue by just decreasing the bass, so that should be a good fit for you. It seems like Elex is an even lighter bass than Clear.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'd prefer the Elex from more laid back sounding amps.
     
  5. Vorlon

    Vorlon self-important, pompous ass

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    It might be worth giving them another chance if you can audition them on a different amp. The Violectric V200 is definitely the bassiest amp I have ever heard. Once had one from Thomann, but decided to return it. Dark, narrow soundstage, super warm, euphonic and very smooth with visceral slam. Designed back when dynamic driver cans almost all had treble/tonality issues. Takes the edge off the original HD 800/T1, but not something I would pair with the Clears.

    They have much better synergy with more neutral, even lean sounding sources if you ask me. Classic solid state stuff with low output impedance, zero treble roll off and minimal added warmth. The bass balance sounds quite optimal on my Chord Hugo 2 (when using the incisive filters) for example, much better than on the euphonic Heed amp they had at the store when I initially auditioned them.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2018
  6. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Nope..

    Nope..
    Capture+_2018-02-24-23-45-36.png
    No change in shipping..

    I find it very odd that such an accomplished company can take sooo long to produce a shipment of these headphones.

    April 30 is same schiit to me as 1st of May.
    Thats 5 months..

    Maybe it taking that long to make the braided cables.
    :Violin:
     
  7. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    @Maxx134 , date purchased is not as important as the drop end date. MD probably had to determine how many to order from Focal, and cannot do that until the drop ends.
     
  8. StefanAC

    StefanAC Acquaintance

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    That is the same estimated shipping date I got for my purchase in the current drop. Seems I have halved the waiting time from four to two months by waiting for a later drop.

    I can‘t remember to how many Elex the first drop was limited to, but I think it was more than the current total of 560 for both drops. That makes me believe that we won’t see another drop in the future, as I have read somewhere that Focal wasn’t really happy with the 699 USD pricing.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2018
  9. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I believe they had to come up with how many to order from focal from the beginning.
    This is the normal procedure when ordering from any company..

    The more you order the lower the price.

    They probably ordered enough to claim a lower price, but Focal didn't want them to offer it at such a low mark down,
    because that would mess up their whole line-up of inflated prices...

    They are a boutique company and as such like to overcharge appropriately for their name brand....

    Since the shipping date obviously hampered the sales,
    MassDrop was wise to re-opened the drop again at a later date..


    They are definitely not happy with the price! Ha.

    but have to honor the "done deal" of the MassDrop order.

    It is my opinion that they have absolutely no control of what Massdrop re-sells it for once their order was placed.

    It is also clear that MassDrop always assumes a profit so we can imagine the cost for them was low enough to drop the price to what it is and still profit.

    This exposes Focal to just how cheap it is for them to make their headphones.

    It baffles me how a paint job and different ear pads can take over 4 months.
    A china company can make the changes in production in an hour, less a day or 4-5 months.

    Maybe Focal will have to discontinue the Elear,
    And the delay is what to do with the dilema the Elex price cause the whole line-up.
    They may scrap both and make a third model.

    One thing for sure is that the delay Does not make sense.
    There is simply no excuse to think of,
    as to why a few hundred headphones will take over 4 months.
    Factories have capacity to push out hundreds a day.
    Focal is not a one man basement operation.
    There is Just no excuse I could think of.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2018
  10. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Eh.

    The 6xx and 58x from Sennheiser are also taking forever.

    The 58x is coming in late may.
     
  11. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Those involve making different driver changes and different plastic frame changes so at least there is obvious reasons for them.
     
  12. Vorlon

    Vorlon self-important, pompous ass

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    They could also just be prioritizing all standard dealer network Elear/Clear/Utopia orders over these. There was a one month waiting list for the Clears here in Finland some time ago, so they are currently having trouble meeting demand.
     
  13. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    That's a good excuse.
    Clear sales must be up.
    They are definitely desirable.
     
  14. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    The HD6XX has been in production for well over a year now (late 2016?), and there are still crazy long wait times for shipping on those drops.

    The lead times on other things like the MCTH and the ZDT Jr were 5-7 months. I suspect that manufacturing/logistics/whatever are simply more complex than what we as consumers expect.
     
  15. Vorlon

    Vorlon self-important, pompous ass

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    The hype for Clears is probably at its all time peak right now and the margins for them are certainly much better. Purely speculation, but this in combination with not being happy with MassDrop lowering the price (and thus damaging Focal as a high end brand/their perceived value) would explain this pretty well. Not saying it's fair or right though.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2018
  16. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I decided Im going to sell my Elex unopened once I get it, as my interest has past and I already moved on to another Headphone...
    :oops:
     
  17. luckybaer

    luckybaer Friend

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    Just received an email stating the Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones have arrived at the warehouse and Massdrop is planning on sending them out a bit early. They estimate the headphones will ship by the end of next week - April 20. That's about 10 days early!

    [EDIT #1] Please keep in mind I got in on the first drop. This may not apply to those joining a later drop.

    [EDIT #2] Elex shipped today (4/20). My guess is they'll arrive 4/26.
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2018
  18. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Yeah I got same email...
    Upon arrival I am thinking to open the box with a hammer...
    Unless somebody stops me..

    Otherwise I was only thinking to fill the internal hole with some twaron just to see what happens to soundstage ,
    But I prob will sell unopened.

    I expect it to be a good headphone regardless..
    Maybe Ill open it without the hammer I dunno..
     
  19. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    It came today so I will open anyways to take a listen.
    :)
     
  20. raif

    raif Man made lobster/plankton

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    [​IMG]
     

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