Massdrop x Focal Elex - Reviews - Head-Fi

The Focal Elex has all the characteristics I love about headphones. It has a neutral sound-signature that leans bright, providing additional ... Menu Home Forums HeadGear Gallery Articles Sponsors Classifieds Login Register What'snew Search Newitems Newcomments Latestcontent SearchHeadGear Menu Login Register Installtheapp Install Youareusinganoutofdatebrowser.Itmaynotdisplaythisorotherwebsitescorrectly.Youshouldupgradeoruseanalternativebrowser. MassdropxFocalElex Addedby IkSak Createdate Aug16,2018 Tags focal focalelex massdrop Home HeadGear HeadGear Headphones Over-Ear Overview Reviews(4) Gallery Latest Rating Filters 5.00star(s) May17,2021 TheMostAffordableTOTLHeadphoneonthePlanet Pros:-Referenceneutraltuning -Referenceperformance -Speakerlikedynamicsandpresentation -Clearandagile -Texturedandlayered -Wideandcoherentsoundstage -Buildquality -Affordablereplacementearpads -Twocables Cons:-Coulddowithsomeextrabody -Cablescouldbeofbetterquality -Withoutcarryingcase -Limitedavailability TheheadphoneisinalongtermloankindlyprovidedbyDrop. DropneveraskedforafavorablereviewandhereIpresentmyhonestandsubjectiveevaluationofit. Introduction TheElexisanexclusivetoDrop+madebythewellknownFrenchbrandFocal. MadewithFocal’sbrilliantengineeringandextraordinaryattentiontodetail,theElexheadphonestakeafundamentallydifferentapproachtodynamicdrivers—anddeliverabettermeasuredperformanceacrosstheboardthanheadphonesseveraltimestheirprice. Arefinementofthe$1,000Elearwithelementsofthe$1,500Clear,theyboastseveralimprovementstothesound,build,andaesthetic,too. Theperforatedmicrofiberearpadsbringthebassdownabit,thematchingperforatedmicrofiberheadbandensuresbreathablecomfort,andthecolorwayhasbeensimplifiedtoasubtle,mostlymatteblack. TheDrop+Elexisavailablehere Technicalparameters TheElexfeaturesthecompany’snewlydeveloped40-millimeterfull-rangedynamicdriverwithanaluminum-magnesium“M”-shapedcone. Meanttositabout2inchesfromtheear,thisdriverisunmatchedwhenitcomestoimpulseresponse,transientresponse,andlowdistortion. Thedriverexcursion(howfarthedrivertravelsatmaximumpowerinput)is10timesgreaterthanmostdynamicdrivers,allowingtheElextoextenddownto5Hzwithoutroll-off:somethingnootherheadphonescanclaim. AllitsdriversareQCedtowithin0.5-decibeltolerances. Thedriversareassembledbyahandfuloftechnicians,andeverypartistestedandQCedateverystageoftheassemblyprocess. Theglueusedtoattachthedriverdiaphragmtothesurround(theblackmaterialaroundit)isacustomformulacreatedbyFocal’schemicalengineers. Developedtoallowmaximumdrivermovement,thesurroundis80micronsthickcomparedtothe200-micron-thickmaterialavailableelsewhere:atestamenttoFocal’sbeliefthat,whenitcomestomakingthebestproductsoutthere,everydetailcounts. Theimpedanceis80ohms withasensitivityof104dBSPL/1mWat1kHz. Thefrequencyresponseis5Hz–23kHzwithaTHD<0.3%at1kHz/100dBSPL. What'sinthebox TheElexcomesinabigluxuryboxwhichalsosubstitutesasastoragecasefortheheadphoneandthetwocables. DrophavereplacedtheElear’s9.8-footrubberizedawfulcablewithtwo6-footcloth-wrappedcables. Onewithaquarter-inchconnectionandonewithafour-pinXLRplugbyNeutrik. ThecablesarequitestiffbutofferalotbetterhandlingthantheElearonesandareabsentofmicrophonicnoise. Theearcapendplugisa3.5mmmonoanditisveryeasytofindaftermarketalternatives. ThehardcarryingcasethatisfoundinsidetheFocalClearpackageisnotincluded. Buildqualityandwearingcomfort Buildqualityisimmaculateastheheadphoneismadefromthebestmaterialsandassembledwithgreatcareandfinishthatoozesluxury. Theearcapsaremadewithhardandscratchresistantplasticwithanoutermetalprotectivegrill. Theyokesareheavydutyaluminumandattachtheearcupstotheheadbandwhichisoneofthemoststurdydesignswehaveeverencountered. Itispaddedinsidewithmemoryfoamandreinforcedwithmetalthenwrappedwithrealleatherattheouterpartandmicrofiberattheinner. Theearpadsarefromperforatedmicrofiberstuffedwithmemoryfoam. OneissuecommontoallFocalheadphonesisthediscoloringofthemicrofibermaterialthatisusedattheheadbandandtheearpads. Theblackcolorwasawisechoicenotonlybecauseitisverybeautifulandcontemporarylookingbutalsobecauseithelpstodisguisethediscoloring. Nowthegoodnewsisthatwhenthepadsdowearout,Dropisofferingoriginalreplacementpadsataveryaffordablepricehere. Thebadnewsisthattheheadband-asisthecasewithallFocalheadphones-isaveryexpensivepartandnoteasilyreplaceablebytheuser. Soifyouhavegreasyhairorsweatalotwedorecommendusingsomekindofaprotectivetextilecoverthatyoucanfindinvariousformsavailableonline. Theheadphoneisnotverylightweightasitweighs450gr(15.9oz)butthanksfortheexcellentearbandtheweightisevenlydistributedsowedidn'tnoticeanydiscomfortevenafteracoupleofhoursofcontinuoususe. Theearpadsareroomyandbreathablesotheycanaccommodatequitelargeearswithouttouchingthedriverandtheyalwaysfeelcoolandcomfortable. Thisisaheadphonesuitableforextendedusewithoutseriouslyaffectingtheoverallexperience. Listeningset-up TheElexwhichisratedat80ohmwithasensitivityof104dbisnotpowerdemandingandcanbeenjoyedfromportableanddesktopgearalike. WehavelistenedwithdapsliketheFiiOM11PlusortheiBassoDX300anddac/ampcombinationsliketheSchiitHel2ortheEarMenTRAMPandofcoursewithseparatedesktopcomponents. NamelytheDropTHXAAA,SchiitVali)2+,iFiZENCANandsomehigherendstuffliketheViolectricV550whichwastoourdisposalforreviewingpurposes. TheDACusedwasourentrylevelreference,thesuperbDenafripsAresIIwhichisprovidedasalongtermloanbytheofficialdistributorKVSAudio.(KVSAudio) TheDropElexisimmediatelyenjoyablefromentrylevelandmidtierstuffbutclimbingtheladderhigheryieldsastonishingresultsastheheadphonerespondsextremelywelltoupstreamgear. Soundimpressions TheElexisneutralwithanexcellenttonalbalanceandtopnotchclarityacrossthewholefrequencyrangewithatouchofextraenergyatthepresencearea. Thereisagreatequilibriumregardingsoundwarmnessandtheheadphoneisnotwarmneithercold,notcozynortoodistancedbutsitsrightinbetween. Soundistransparentandfaithfulbothtothesourceandtherawmaterialwitharevealingnaturethatisgoingtohighlightallthebestpartsofarecordingandexposeallthebadstuff. Itcanfollowverywelltheelectronicsbehinditsotheusercanmatchtheperformancetohisneedswithsmartchoicesoftherelatedgear. ForexamplewiththeDropTHXAAAitsoundedlinearandflatbutswitchingtotheVali2+itwarmedthingsupalittlebitandaddedamoreintimatefeeling. Bassisextendedwithastraight,referencetuninguptothemids. Thereisn'ttheslightesthintofmidbasscoloring,bleedingormaskingeffectandaidedbytheexemplaryclaritytheusercaneasilyhearanddistinguisheverylastnote. Layeringisperfectandwecantellapartallthelowinstrumentswhileplayingtogetherbeitasolobassoonmoaningoverheavydoublebasesorthelowernotesoftheviolablendingtogetherwiththecellos. Presentationisfastandtightalthoughnotasfullsoundingbutnotveryleaneither,somewherebetweenbutstillnotdry. Theheadphonemaylackalittleinbassbodyandweightbuttheperformanceiscounterweightedbydetailsliketherenderingofeverymembranehit,thetouchofthebowtothestringsorthefingeringoftheharp. Dynamicsareshutteringwithgreatriseandfalltimeswhiletheuniquesuspendeddriverperformsataveryrealisticwaysimilartoaspeakerandnotaheadphone. Thereisagreatsenseofspaceandbassreverbandalthoughwedon'tgetthatrumblingeffectofothermorebassheavyheadphoneswearealwayssurethattheElexisreadytohithardwhenthemusiccallsfor. Movinguptothemidregionwehearvoicesandinstrumentspulsingwithpresencealsoblendingtogetherwithfinearticulationandthemostnaturalvoicing. Presentationcontinuestobeontheairysideandthelistenercansenselipswhispering,instrumentalistsbreathingandwindplayersblowingwithalltheharmoniesblendingtogetherinaneerieway. Uppermidrangeseemsatouchemphasizedandsometimescertainnotescansoundalittleshoutybutnotinanannoyingordisturbingmanner. Higherfrequenciesaregreatlyextendedandsoundcrispwithluminouspresentationbreathingfullofenergywithoutoverdoingit. Thepresenceareaalthoughitisatouchaccentuatedandnotassmoothassomeusersmighthaveliked,stillitneversoundsbrightorpiercing. Thereisnosuchthingaslistenerfatigueandtheonlydownsideisthattherearesometracesofmetallictimbreandabitofbodylossrelativetotherestofthefrequencies. Detailretrievalistopnotch-andnotonlyinthehigherregisters-butElexdoespresentthemwithfinesseinaneasyflowingandwellbehavedmannersoasnottosoundanalyticalorartificial. Soundstagefeelsextendedandairywithamplespaceandexemplaryprecisionthatpermitsthelistenertopickeveryindividualinstrumentwithastonishingaccuracy. Theheadphonecancopewiththemostbusyandfullpassagesneverloosingit'spaceorsoundingcongestedanditischaracterizedbyexcellentdepthlayeringandnaturallyproportionedscenewhichisadaptinglikeachameleonaccordingtotherecordingvenue. ComparedtotheFocalClearOG Thiswasoneofthemostdifficultcomparisonswehaveeverdonebecausethetwoheadphonessoundsoclosetogetherthatarealmostimpossibletotellapartatleastwhenwetalkfrequencyresponse. Truthisthattheoverallbalanceandtonalityarequiteidenticalbothheadphonessoundingneutral,transparentandwithalmostthesamedeviationsfromthetargetresponse. Ofcoursefrequencyresponseisnottheonlyfactortojudgeperformanceandafterawhilethedifferencesstarttoemergeassotomakeclearthatwehavetwosiblingswithdifferentpersonalities. TheClearisafullersoundingheadphonewithaddedbassweightandmorebodyacrossthewholefrequencyrange. LowerextensionisatouchmorefortheClearwithaddedrumblewhilewecanhearmorepresentandroundedvocalsthatarefinerarticulatedasisthetreble. TheClearisabitmorewarmsoundingandtheoverallprojectionfeelsmoreintimateandinyourfacelikesittinginthefirstrowwhiletheElexismoredistancedandsecondtothirdrow. SoaccordingtothemusicselectiontheusermightprefertheoneovertheotherbutasawholeandespeciallyforclassicalmusictheElexprojectionsoundsmorenaturalandnottooclosetotheperformers. WhatcameasasurpriseandastonishedusisthatdespiteitsnametheClearisnotasclearandcleansoundingastheElex. Yes,it'snotatypo,theElexisthemoreclearheadphone. ThisextraclaritycombinedwiththeetherealnatureoftheElexaddstothedetailretrievalandthesoundstagerenderingwhichisgreatlyextendedandbetterdefinedwithmoreaccuratepositioningandairaroundtheinstruments. Attheend-asalways-itcomesdowntoindividualtastesandusersthatfavoramorewarmandintimatepresentationwithaddedweightmightfavortheClearOGwhichisnowdiscontinued. LateronwearecommittedtoaddacomparisonwiththeClearMGwhichisincomingforareview. OfcoursepotentialbuyersshouldalsoconsidersellingpricesandinthatperspectivetheDropElexhastheclearadvantage. Attheend PlainandsimpletheDrop+ElexistheleastexpensiveheadphoneinthemarketthattrulydeservestobecalledTopoftheLine. Withareferencetuningandreferenceperformancematchedbythegreatbuildqualityit'snotofasurprisethatFocalhasrestrictedit'savailabilityfortheUSmarketonly. IfyouareluckyenoughtobelocatedintheUSthengoaheadandgrabonenow. Testplaylist Copyright-LaskisPetros2021 Lastedited:May17,2021 Reactions: TWerk,TheHelper1964,Carurynand7others Viewpreviousreplies… Ichos @MadLustEnvy Thankyouagain! ThereisnowaythatClearOGisdaybetterthantheElex. YesitisagreatheadphoneandifyouaskmeIpreferittotheSennheiserHD800Sasitisbettertunedwithonpartechnicalities. Mightygrey Greatwrite-up,thankyou.I'mcurioustohearthesealongsidetheOGClearnow,whichisperhapsmyfavouriteopen-backdynamic.Icertainlypreferthelookofthecolour-schemeontheElex. Ichos @Mightygrey Thankyouverymuch. IfyouareaccustomedtotheClearOGsoundthenyoumightfindtheElexalittlebrightandleanbutyouwillbesurprisedbytheclarityandthedynamicsandthelessintimateandmoreopensound. 4.50star(s) Jan10,2021 FocalElex:TheSuperHD600 Pros:Dynamicsdynamicsdynamics Superbbassresponse Greattonality Forwardandcleartreble Cons:QualityControl Introduction Acoupleyearsago,IhadthechancetotryouttheFocalUtopia.Frommyshortlisteningsession,Iimmediatelyunderstoodwhythey’regenerallyconsideredtheworld’sgreatestheadphone.Butthefourthousanddollarorsopricetagwasnotforme.EntertheFocalElex.Atamuchmorereasonableaskingpriceof$700andbearingsimilardriverstoitssiblings,theElexhasgainedareputationasa“babyUtopia”ora“superHD600”.IknewitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeIgotmyhandsononetohearitformyself.Andthoughthehypetrainhasmostlycomeandgoneforthisheadphone,herearemythoughtsontheFocalElexwithcomparisontothevenerableSennheiserHD600. What’sintheBox? Insidetheblackboxistheheadphonesthemselves,nestledinfoam.You’llfindacoupleofbookletsforproductinfoandapromobrochureforFocalasacompany.Otherthanthataretwofabric-sleevedcables,oneXLRandtheotherwitha6.5mmjack(1/4"foryouAmericans).Thesecablesareatrocious.Ithasanungodlyamountofcablememoryandawkwardlykinksbecauseofthat.I’dhighlyrecommendgettingsomebettercablestoreplacethis. AsfortheElexitself,thebuildqualityisrathernice.It’sahandsomeblackandfeelssubstantial.Thatsaid,IintrinsicallyhandlemyElexalotmoregingerlythantheHD600.Weightwise,it’ssignificantlyheavierthanmyHD600.Yetdespitemyinitialfearsofitbeingtooheavyforregularuse,IfoundIcouldgoacouplehoursbeforeneedingtotaketheoffandstretchabit.Comfortwasquitegood.IactuallypreferittotheHD600exceptfortheweight.Theclampforcewasn’ttootightandthepadsmoldsnicelyontomyhead,evenontopofmyglasses.Thepadsaresurprisinglypliableandconformatthelightesttouch.Igetthesensethatasealhasformedaroundmyears.Italsodoesn’tgetabitwarmliketheHD600does.Idon’treallyfeelapressurepointonthetopofmyheadthankstothethickheadband. Sound Tomyears,theFocalElexislessthe“babyUtopia”andmorethe“superHD600”.WhileElexretainsalotofthedynamismfoundintheUtopia,thelevelofresolutionandsheernuanceoftheUtopiaisonacategoryofitsown.Assuch,Ididn’tgetthesamesenseofwonderfrommyfirstlistentotheElexthatIwasexpectingfrommymemoriesoftheUtopia.Butshiftingperspectives,itisanexcellentupgradetotheHD600. Sowhatmakesita“superHD600”?Tuningwise,theElexisaleanneutralwithabrighttouch.ItsmidsaresimilartotheHD600butcutsdownslightlyonthelowermids.ItintroducesatrebleforwardnessthatwasabsentontheHD600.Onatechnicallevel,resolution,layering,andstagingtakeaconfidentstepforward.ThebiggestadvancementtheElexmakesovertheHD600isitssenseofdynamicsandclarity.Touseatiredanalogy,listeningtotheElexislikeremovingaveilofftheHD600.AndIdon’tmeantheso-calledSennheiserveil(thatIdon’tevenbelievein!).OntheElex,recordingsfeelimmediatelycleaner.Songseffortlesslyadoptanotherlayerofmusicalityandliveliness. Bass: Forallit’sgreatness,Ithinkit’snosecretthatthebiggestweaknessoftheHD600isitsbass(well,maybeasidefromitssoundstage).It’snowherenearbadbutthelackofsubbassandbluntnessofitsbassresponsehadalwaysleftmewantingalittlebitmore.Well,theElexeasilyresolvesbothofthosecomplaintswithatradeoffinmidbasspresence. ThebassontheElexistight.ThetransientresponseissuperbandletstheElexeasilyslam.Whileitcan’tcompetewiththeUtopia,theElexisbynomeansaslouchwhenitcomestodynamismandresolution.Eveninbusypassages,bassnotespossessagreatsenseofdefinitionandcutrightthroughthemix.WiththeElex,thesubtlevariationsinhowthedrummerattacksthekickineachconsecutivenotecomestolife.Groovingbassguitarlinesaresimplydeliciousastheyflitinandouteffortlessly.Incomparison,theHD600soundsdownrightflatandcompressednexttotheElex.Simplyput,theElex’sbassresponseishighquality.ThatunidentifiablesenseoflongingIfeltwhenlisteningtotheHD600ismethere. Qualityaside,whataboutquantity?TheElex’sbasstakesthereferenceroute.Thoughitextendsnicelydownwithplentyofpresenceinthesubbassregion,itisn’tparticularlyelevated.Thesamecanbesaidforitsmidbass.ThisgivestheElexaratherleanappearance.It’sfarfromanemicbutdoesn’tsoundhuge.Whilethetomsandkickaremeaty,itdoesn’talwaysfilltheroomsotospeak.Personally,it’sabitofashamebecauseforbassthishighquality,Iwanttohearmore.IfindmyselfturninguptheElexjusttosoakinthatgoodness.I’vetriedtoEQitlightlybutwasn’tsatisfiedwiththeresults. Mids: Tomyears,themidsoftheElexandHD600arerathersimilarintonebutwithadistinctlydifferentpresentationtoeach.WheretheHD600hasawarmer,smoothedoversound,theElexisleanerandmoreengaging.Vocalshavesuperbplacementwithouteverbeingtooforwardorrecessedregardlessofmaleorfemale.IfindvocalsalsoblendbetterintothemixwiththeElexthanontheHD600.Electricguitarshaveacleanergrittothemwhileacousticguitarssoundsharperonpluckedstrings.Asawhole,instrumentsfeelmorespacedoutandopenontheElexthanontheHD600.Inavacuum,IthinkIslightlypreferthetonalityoftheHD600buttheoveralltechnicaladvancementsontheElexmakesmeleanheavilyinitsfavor.Oftentimes,whenitcomestorhetoricontheHD600,itinevitablycirclesarounditsexcellenttimbrethatfewotherheadphonescanmatch.Andundoubtedly,theHD600soundsphenomenal.ButIdon’tthinktheElexlagsbehindinanyway.ItsequallypleasingtomeastheHD600.PerhapsitspresentationislessrelaxedtocomparedtotheHD600butIhavenocomplaintshere. Treble: TheElexisnoticeablybrighterthantheHD600withatrebleforwardnessthatbringsoutthebrillianceoftheupperharmonics.Ifyou’reusedtotherelativelylaidbacktrebleoftheHD600,theElexmaysoundfatiguingforthefirsthalfhourorso.Hatsandcymbalsarecrisp.Bell-likeinstrumentsandtheuppernotesofaxylophonehaveadelicatecrystallineclaritytothem.TheElexbringstolifethetrebleofalotoftracksthatwerepreviouslysmoothedoverontheHD600.Thetradeoffisabitofashorterdecaythathidesthelasttrailingringofthecrash.Ifyou’rearegularreaderofmyreviewsonAD,you’llknowI’mnottrebleshy.Assuch,thetrebleoftheElexfallscloselyinlinewithmypreferences.Idon’thearanyproblematicspikesordipsthatadverselycolorsthetreble. OnecomplaintI’veheardwiththeElex’strebletimbreincomparisontotheHD600wasitsoundsmetallic.Truthbetold,IwasalittleapprehensiveofthisaswellwhenIfirstboughtit.ButIdon’treallyhearitforthemostpart.Iconcedethatinsomepoorlyrecordedtrackswherethecymbalssoundincoherenttostart,thebrightnessoftheElexdoesaddametallicglintasitamplifiesthealreadydiscordantsound.Otherwise,it’snotaconcernatall.I’mverypleasedwiththetrebleoftheElex. Presentation: ThesoundstageoftheElexislessintimatethantheHD600,butnotbymuch.I’dsaythere’sabout20%moreheight,width,anddepth.WheretheHD600constantlyfeelsclosedin,theElexopensupjustenoughtocurbthatsensation.Imagingisnoticeablybetterwithnuancedplacementsinthesoundstagethankstohowdistincteachnoteis.IthinktheleannessoftheElex’stuningcontributestohowmuchmoreopenitiscomparedtotheHD600.InstrumentsreallyfeelliketheyhaveaspacetobreatheandplayinwhereontheHD600itfeelslikethey’recorralledintoanarrowspace.IfindthatthissenseofspaceontheElexaddsalottomyenjoyment. ResolutionisalsoastepupontheElex,thoughitisn’timmediatelynoticeablewhencomparingsidebyside.Instrumentseparationandlayeringaresignificantlybetter,takingadvantageoftheopennesstheElexprovides.ItouchedonhowdynamictheElexisinthebasssection,butitreallyisthecornerstoneofthisheadphone.TracksgainalayerofenergyandlivelinessthatIneverknewwasmissing.Comparingthemsidebyside,it’strulylikealayerofcompressionwasappliedontheHD600andremovedontheElex.It’sanimpressivestepupastheHD600ishardlypoorindynamicsitself.Wordsreallydon’titjustice;Ifinddescriptionsaboutdynamicsfallflatwithoutachancetohearityourself. ShouldYouBuyIt? Clearly,IlovetheElex.ForthefirstfewmonthsthatIhadit,Ididn’tevenbothertoA/BitwiththeHD600Ihadlyingaround.Whileitdidn’tliveuptothe“babyUtopia”dreamIhad,itdidfulfillthe“superHD600”promise.ItwasonlyasIbeganwritingthisreviewandspentafewafternoonsdirectlycomparingthemdidIcometoappreciatejusthowmuchbettertheElexwas.PrettymucheverythingaboutthesoundoftheElexwasastepupintherightdirectionfromtheHD600Iwasusedto.It’saheadphonethatI’vecometoappreciatethemoreIlistentoit.TheElexlinesupcloselywithmypreferencesandIwouldbecontentifIweretodeclarethisasmyendgame. Ifaheadphonewasnothingmorethanitssound,theFocalElexwouldhavemyhighestrecommendation.For$700,it’swellwortheverypenny.Itsvaluepropositionisonthelevelofa$200HD600.Butthereareafewexternalcatchesthatmakeholditback.ForthosefamiliarwiththeElexstory,thereisabigelephantintheroom:qualitycontrol.Iwon’tgotooheavilyintothedetailshereasIdon’tknowallofitmyselfbutsufficeittosaythatonsomeunits,itsdrivershaveapropensitytodie.Whileitdoeshaveatwo-yearwarrantywhennew,I’dhatetobeonthereceivingendofDrop’scustomerservice,especiallyasFocalseemstohavetakenahandsoffapproachtotheElex.Toexacerbatetheissue,gettingnewpadsfortheElexdowntheroadisn’tbeveryeasyandFocalpadsingeneralarepainfullyexpensive. Attheendoftheday,perhapstheElexwastoogoodtobetrue.IwishwithallmyheartthatIcouldconfidentlyrecommenditbutIcan’tingoodconscience.Instead,itgetsacautiousrecommendation.I’msurethatthereareplentyofproblem-freeElexesoutthereandfailuresareinevitableforanyproduct.IfyoucanstomachthelowriskthatcomeswithbuyingtheDropxFocalElex,IcanthinkofnothingelseIwouldbuyfortheprice.Aswemoveinto2021,Icanonlyhopetheheadphonespacereceivesanewchallenger,onethatfurtherrefinesontheElexandbringsamorecustomerfriendlyexperienceatanequallyaffordableprice Reactions: eswng679,TheHelper1964,Victory112and8others dsrk Excellentandveryhonestreviewwhichisrarethesedays,thanks. 5 565hunter Wereyouusingstockcables?Bothsingleended?Whatwasyoursignalchain?Answerstothesequestionsinyourreviewwouldmakeitasgoodasitgets.Verynice! FcConstruct @565hunterStockcablegoingthroughtheJDSAtomandKhadasToneBoard.Asbasicasetupasyoucanget. 4.50star(s) Oct1,2018 Pros:Dynamic Bassresponseisfast,textured,andwonderful DetailedandLayered MiniFull-RangeSpeakersoundinaheadphone BuildQualityisexceptional Cons:Heavy TreblecanbeharshforEDMsongs FocalisaFrenchcompanywithalonghistoryofmakinghighqualityloudspeakersandstudiomonitors.Inmorerecentyears,theystarteddevelopingandreleasingheadphonesstartingwiththeirSpiritandListenlines.Morerecently,theydevelopedanewdriverconceptthatmimicsloudspeakerdesign–asuper-near-fieldmonitordriver–anduseditontheirflagshipUtopia,ElearandClearheadphones.ThesestunningheadphonesdrewinstantpraiseformanyreasonsI’lldiscussaboutinmyreview. TheElearistheentry-levelheadphoneofthisupper-tierseries.Theyretailat$999butcanbefoundforabout$799now.TheClear,ontheotherhand,isthemid-tierat$1500.TheUtopiaisquiteastretchinpricepasttheseothersat$4000. Lastyear,MassdropannouncedacollaborationwithFocalandstartedcollectingfundsfortheFocalElex.ThisnewmodeltothislineupessentiallytakestheElear,removesit’spadsandputstheClearpadsonthem,alongwithafreshpaintjob,improvedcablesfromtheClear,andreducesthepricetagbyacouplehundreddollarstothesellingpriceof$699.Prettysweetdeal,ifyouaskme. Sohowarethey?Let’stakealook. Packaging&Build TheElexcomespackagedinalargemagneticsnapbox,thatopensupwithasimplepresentation.Theheadphonesaresurroundedbythickfoamtoprotectitduringshipment,withthetwocables(balancedandunbalanced)inanotherslotinthefoam.Prettysimplebuteffective. Thecablesarewrappedinaparacord-likesheathand6feetlong,asopposedtothereallylengthy10feetonesthatcomewiththeElear.Ifoundthecordsalittlestiff,despitelookingveryattractive.Iendedupleavingthemintheboxandusingmyownparacord-basedbraidedcableswithXLRtermination. TheElex,themselves,featureadarkerappearancethantheClearandElear.Thelogoisdarkondarksoeverythingblendstogethergivingitacleanfinish.Thebuildqualityisphenomenal.Everythingiswellbuiltandsturdy.Thealcantarawrappedheadbandgivesaplushfeeltothecrownofthehead,whilethemetalbandandcupsfeelultra-premium. Onethingtonotewiththeseisthattheywillleaklikecrazy.Thecupsarenothingmorethanametalmesh.Thedriverisfullyexposedandcompletelyvisibleandwillleaksoundoutinalldirections.Thisopen-airdriverdesignisallpartofFocal’sintentofgivingtheuseraSpeaker-likeexperience. TheFocalElexisabitontheheaviersidethough.Weighingat450grams,theheadphoneisnowtheheaviestinmylineupofheadphones,outweighingtheHifimanHE560andAudezeMobius.TheyarenotintheballparkofAudezeLCDseriesweightthough,sothat’sablessing.Youwon’tgetneckcrampsquickly,butforsome,theElexandreally,alloftheheadphonesinthisFocallineupmaygivesomeneckaches.IfoundthemmorecomfortabletowearthansaytheLCD-2andtheMonolithM1060buttheadditionalweightovermydailydriverHE560shows. Sound TheFocalElexhasallthecharacteristicsIloveaboutheadphones.Ithasaneutralsound-signaturethatleansbright,providingadditionaldetailandair,andretainsagooddeepbassthatchoosesqualityoverquantity.That’snottosaytheElexisn’tfun. Thebassonthesecanreallyhityou.It’sadynamicdriverthatpushesthelimitsofadynamicdriver,withanexcursiondistanceunlikeanyotherheadphone.Themostimpressivethingaboutitisthatthedecayisfastandthisprovidesasurprisinglyplanar-likebassthathaspunchanddynamicdetail.Ireallyhavenothingbadtosayaboutthisregion. Themidrangeiseversoslightlyforward.ThismakestheElexhaveamoreintimatefeeltoit.Vocalstypicallysoundfantastic,butwiththeupper-midsbeingonthebrightersideofneutral,theycansometimeshaveametalsheentothem,maybealittlemoresothantheHE560. Speakingofthetwo,inmymeasuredMiniDSPEARSresponses,theylookverysimilar,outsideoftheregionbetween1-3KHz.Inthisarea,theHE560becomesalittlerecessed,puttingvocalsslightlyback,whiletheElexmovesthemforward.Thebassandthetrebleresponseareverysimilarbesidesthat. Somemusicselections: OneofmyfavoriteheadphonetestalbumsislisteningtoDaftPunk’sRandomAccessMemory.It’soneofthosealbumsthathavetracksthathavegreatdynamics,somewithabsurdamountsofbass,andsomethathavegreatimagingandwidth.Ithasalittlebitofeverythingtotryoutanewsetofcanson. TheElexdestroysthisalbum–especiallyonthelasttwotracks.Doin’ItRightisasongthathasavocalintrofollowedbyabassslamthatcanknockyoursocksoff.WhenIhearditforthefirsttimeontheElex,IthoughtIwaslisteningtothefullrangetowersinmylivingroom.Thebassslams,butthetransientreponseisfastandyougetthelittletexturesthatyoumaynothearinatypicaldynamicthatcompensateswithamid-basshump.Thiscansometimesmuddyupvocalsandthelowermid-range.NotaproblemontheElex. ContactisthefinalsongontherecordwhichsoundslikeatypicalDaftPunksong.It’sgotabigbuild-upbeforesynthsanddrumsgonuts,allwithaspaceythemetoit.Thelittlefaintsoundsinthebackgroundareclearanddistinguishableandyoucaneasilypointtoinspacewheretheyarecomingfrom.Again,thedrumsslamwithenthusiasmbutareneveroutofcontrol. Changingpace,anothertrackI’vebeenlisteningtoalotlatelyisKrystaNick’sMilesAway.Thisisafolk/bluegrasssongwithsomefiddles,someacousticguitars,andsomeheavybassnotesthrowninduringthebridge.Butreally,I’mfocusingonhervoice.Shehasahigherpitchedvoice,andonsomeheadphones,withexaggeratedtreble,youmayhearsibilanceinhervoiceandharshnessineachguitarpluckwiththissong.Forme,theElexhandlesthisfine.There’ssomeverysubtleover-pronunciationsoftheSSSsound(sibilance)butitsveryfaintanddoesn’tdistractmelikesomeotherheadphonesmay. AstheHE560andtheElexsharesimilartrebleresponse,Iimagineifyoucanhandleone,youcanhandleboth.IamahugefanoftheHE560,sotheElexisfollowingsuit. ForEDM,thesecanbeawesome,ortheycansuckalot.It’sagenrethatlikestoheavilyemphasizebassandtreble.Butinmanysongs,theydistorttheheckoutofbothsides.SowhiletheElexhandlesbasswithease,songswheretrebleisalreadydistortedoronthecusp,maysoundextremelybrightontheElex.It’sjustthenatureofthebeastreally.Thisisabrighterthanneutralheadphone,andifyouthrowreallybrighttracksatit,it’sgoingtobeharsh.IfoundthisonseveralsongsgoingthroughmyEDMplaylist. Ilikeshoegaze,andthisheadphonedoesthisgenrewell.Again,thefastdecaythesedriversproducereallyhelpsmakethisgenreexcel.Thefuzzysounds,thewallsofnoise,allofthat,theysoundgreat–becausethetexturingofthesoundisneverlost.Butofcourse,thedownsidesarethatthisheadphonerequiresvolume,inmyopiniontoexcel. Sourcing/Amping: IfoundtheElexwithpotentialuntappedatlowerlisteningvolumes.Butthisheadphonewithvolumecrankedupsoundsphenomenal.Andbecauseofthat,IalwaysfindmyselflisteningtothisheadphoneatvolumeshigherthanInormallywouldonotherheadphones.This,alongwiththeleakage,couldcauseproblemsforothersaroundme. Luckily,theElexdoesn’tseemtoneedabigamptodrivethem.Theyareefficient.IdidthemajorityofmylistenwiththisheadphoneontheToppingDX7balancedheadphoneamp/DAC,ortheMilletStarvingStudentHybridTubeamp.Bothhaveplentyofpower,butIwasabletopowerittocrazylevelsusingmyOnkyoDP-S1DAP,theRadsoneES100bluetoothamp,andevenmyEssentialphonewithaUSB-Cto3.5mmadapter. Overall: TheElex,andreally,anyoftheFocalline,isoneofthoseheadphonesyoureallyneedtolistenandexperience.Itdoessoundunlikeanythingelse.Thedynamicshavebassqualitythatcangiveplanarsarunfortheirmoney,andtheupperendprovidestheneededdetailandairthatmakethisheadphoneagoodall-arounder. ThebiggestflawsIfoundwiththisheadphonearethatitdoesleakquiteabit,andcanbeuncomfortabletowearoveralengthytimeduetoit’sweight.ItisdistributedaswellasIcanimaginegivenit’sdesign,howeveracomfortstrapmayhavehelped. Itisabrighterheadphonesosongsthatareemphasizedintheupperregionmaysoundharsh.Thisisn’treallyanissueformeonmostmusicIlistento,butforthosewhomayenjoyEDMmusic,themorebassemphasizedElearmaybebettersuitedforthetask. Intheend,Iamprettyhappywithmypurchase.Thisisaluxurylooking,feelingandsoundingitemanditreallydoescomeatagoodpricethatMassdropisofferingitat. Credits: I’dliketothankredditoroxtoacart(pwjazzonHeadphoneCommunity)forsellingmehissetatadiscountedprice.IoriginallypurchasedasetfromBlinqbutitwasfaultyandIhadtoreturnit.Healsohappenedtobuyitfromthemduringthesamesale,butdecidedtokeepanotherheadphoneinstead.HegraciouslyofferedtosellittomeforthesamediscountedpriceonBlinqinsteadofmewaitingforthenextMassdropdroptocomeout.Thanks! Reactions: TheHelper1964,kmmbd,PDC3and2others 4.50star(s) Aug16,2018 Pros:Amazingdynamicsound Verydetailed Nicebass Goodimagingandsoundstage Topconstructionquality Cons:Weight:450gr Comfortisnotatthesamelevelassimilarlypricedheadphones Notgoodwithpoorlyrecordedtracks MassdropFocalElexReview Helloall!.ThisismyreviewoftheMassdropFocalElex.Englishisnotmymotherlanguage,soIaskyouallmyapologiesifyoufindanytyposorgrammaticalmistakes.IdecidedtopostthisreviewtoprovideaperspectiveabouttheFocalElexfromsomeonewhomostlylistentoclassicandlatinmusic. Beforegettingintothereview,Iwouldliketosetafewthingsclearaboutmyself: Aboutmeandmymusicpreferences: I’maColombianguy,IpursuedtheacademiccareerandIworkasaUniversityProfessor.Iconsidermyselfamusicloverand85%ofmylisteningtimeisdistributedbetweenclassicmusicandLatingenresandtheremainingispop/rock.I’mskewedtowardswarmheadphones,I’mnotsensibletotrebleissuesandI’mnotveryfondheadphones/iemswithaV-Shapesignature.IhavetwoplaceswhereIdomostofmylistening:myprivateofficeatworkandmyhome. Disclaimer: IboughtmyElexfromanotherhead-fierandIhavenoaffiliationwithFocalorMassdrop. DesignandComfort: TheElexisabeautifulheadphone,withasolidconstructioncomprisedmostlyofmetal,leather,memoryfoampadsandpremiummaterials.Frenchdesignersarefamousfortheirattentiontodetails,andtheElexisnottheexception.Theheadphonecomesinabeautifulbox,withamagneticmechanism. Packagingincludestwoclothcables,onewitha1/4inplugandtheotherwithabalancedconnector.ManualsanddocumentationcomeinaenvelopthatresemblestheApplestyle.TheFocallogoispresentontheearcupsandcables. Thisisabigheadphone,ascanbeseeninthepicturecomparingitwiththeSennheiserHD700.Theheadbandcanaccommodatebigheads,asItestedbyaskingacolleague,whotoldmethatitisthefirstheadphonethatfitshimwithouttoomuchclampforce.Asmanypeopleintheforumshavepointed,theElexusestheClearpads,whichIfoundsoftandofgoodquality.Itestedthemat35°Candfoundnodiscomfortduetothetemperature. Despitethequalitydesignandampleroomoftheheadphone,IdoneedtosaythatcomfortistheweakpointoftheElex,notinabsolutetermsbecausetheyareacomfortableheadphone,butwhenyoucompareittosimilarlypricedalternativesandevencheaperheadphones.IhaveaMr.SpeakerAEONFlow,aSennheiserHD700andaAKGK7XXandIfoundallofthemmorecomfortablethantheElex.OnethingIshouldnoteisthattheElexarea1poundheadphone,andeventhoughtheweightiswelldistributed,gravitylawsstillapplyandsomepeoplemayfindthemabitheavyforprolongedlisteningsessions. SoundImpressions: Dynamicanddetailed.ThesearethetwowordsthatbestdescribetheElexsound.AsImentionedbefore,85%ofmymusicisclassicandlatin,sokeepinmindthatwhenreadingthefollowingcomments: Classicmusiclisteningimpressions: IhadaverypleasantsurprisewiththeElexforclassicmusic.Givenitsdynamism,theElexsomehowmanagestoconveytheemotionsofplayers,makingyoufeelthatyouarelisteningtoaliveconcert,insteadofarecordedtrack.Furthermore,theElexdynamicsanddetailleveIsareGod-sentifyoulistentoliveinterpretationbyartistslikeLudovicoEinaudi,BrooklynDuo,TaylorDavis,Hauser;youcansensetheamountofforcetheywhentheystriketheirpiano,andthesmallnuancesoftheinstrumentsstrings.Youcanevenlistentheirbreathinsometracks. IwasalsosurprisedbytheElexsoundstageandimaging;atthebeginningandIhadissuestryingtosizeitbecausethedynamismoftheheadphonewasfoolingmyears,butaftermybrainhaditsburnin,Ifoundthatitisofaverygoodsizeandfellsverynatural,althoughitisnotaslargeassay,theAKGK7XXortheHD800.Imagingisreallygreatinthisheadphone,assoisclarityascanbeappreciatedbyinOdetoJoy(byAndreRieu,theplatintenors,MirusiaLouwerse,CarlaMafflioletiandCarmenMonarcha). Presently,theElexisstealinglotsoftheclassiclisteningtimeoftheHD700(modded)andtheAKGK7XX.Whilethelattergiveananalyticalpresentationwithnicesoundstageandgoodimaging,theElexgivesamorelive-likepresentation.Oneofmycolleagues,inadditiontobeinganacademicisaprofessionalpianistandwhenshelistenedtoStruggleforPleasurebyWimMertens,shepointedthatitfeltveryaliveanddynamic. Inthisgenre,IshouldmentionthattheElexisveryunforgivingofpoorlyrecorded/arrangedtracks;andIdomeanitseriously,theHD700andtheK7XXaremoretolerantofthesetracks.Ilistenedtoanotsopoor-qualitytrackofPieJesuperformedbyPlácidoDomingoandJackieEvanchoandIwantedtocry,Jackie’svoicefeltalmostlifelessandcompletelyovershadowedbyPlacido’s.IhavenotnoticedthisbeforewithneitherofmyheadphonesandwhenIfoundabetterversion,ohboy! Latinmusiclisteningimpressions: ThisisagenrewheresomepeoplemayconsidertheElexanendgameheadphone(ifsuchthingcanreallyexist).Please,keepinmindthatLatingenreincludesalsa,merengue,vallenato,bachata,reggaeton,bumbia,andmanyothersubgenres.Instrumentseparation,detailing,clarity,dynamismandaniceimpactfulbassarethenameofthegamehere. TheElexmanagestoportraythenatureofLatinmusicwithitsdynamism,withthebasshittinghardwhenneededanditssoundstageanddetailingreproducingalltheinstrumentspresentinthemusicwithaniceaccuracy.Asisknown,theElexandtheElearsharedrivers,buttheFocalClearpadsusedintheElexwheremeanttodecreasethebassoftheElear.Thiswasinmyopinionaverygooddecision,atleastwhenLatinmusicisconsidered.Inmanysongs,femaleandmalevoicessoundverydetailedinpresenceofthemanyinstrumentsfrequentlyfoundinthisgenre.Similarly,guitars,cymbalsandaccordionssoundasiftheywereplayinglive. TheonlydownsidethatIcanfoundisthatwhenatrackispoorlyrecorded,thetreblecanbecomeabitmetallic(I’mnotsureifthatisthemostaccurateword),butasIstatedabove,I’mnotsensitivetotrebleissues,soothersmayhaveadifferentexperience. Powerrequirements,amppairingsandheadphonecomplementarity TheElexisnotapower-hungryheadphone.ItevensoundsgoodconnectedtomyiPhone.Nonetheless,itdoesscaleverywellwithmorepowerandbetteramps.ItesteditusingaSchiitMagni3,aSchiitVali2,aSchiitLyr2andaCayinC5.Iusedlowgainwithalltheseampsatabout75%oftheirvolumeandtheyallhavegoodsynergywiththeElex.MypersonalpreferencefortheElexisthepairingwiththetubeamps,becausetheysomehowenhancethedynamicnatureoftheElex.I’dtrytostayawayfrombrightampsbecauseofpotentialtrebleissueswithpoorlyrecordedtracks. Intermsofcomplementaritywithotherheadphones,I’dsaythattheElexandtheMr.SpeakerAEONFlowOpenareagreatpairtocomplementeachother.Whiletheformerisdynamic,detailedandwithanicesoundstage;thelatterisinviting,intimateandromantic.Theycanperfectlycoexistinaheadphonestablebecauseeachoneexcelsintheiruniquerepresentationofmusic. Abouttheclippingissue: SeveralusershavereportedclippingissueswiththeFocalElexandFocalthemselveshaveprovidedanexplanationtothesereports.ApparentlythisoccursasaresultofthedriverdesignwhenvolumeisaboveacertaindBlevel,whichaccordingtomembersoftheforumsappearstonottobethesameforallunits.MysampledidnotexhibitanyclippingatthevolumelevelsthatIlisten. Conclusion: TheMassdropFocalElexisadynamicanddetailedheadphonethatgivesavividrepresentationofmusic,capableofconveyingtheartists'emotionsduringtherecording.Designandmaterialsreflectgoodengineeringjudgementandanexquisitetastethatfindsitsexpressioninanunapologeticallyblackandgreyheadphone.Comfort,ontheotherhandistheElexAchillesheelbutonlywhenitiscomparedtootherheadphones,I'mthusgivingita4.5starsrating.Allthingsconsidered,at$699,Massdrophasmadeitagain,givingaudiophilesadynamicanddetailedheadphonethatinpasttimeswouldhavesetafour-digitprice.ImustsaythatIabsolutelyrecommendthisheadphoneasasolidalternativeinthesub-1krange. Attachments IMG_4458.JPG 481.2KB·Views:0 Reactions: TheHelper1964,coreypine,PDC3and20others Viewpreviousreplies… M MalinYamato whichFocalphoneisthissupposetoreplicate? S sherm137 It'samixbetweentheElearandClear. S SoundInTheSea I'veusedthisheadphone2yrsandIagreemostofthesereviews. Home HeadGear HeadGear Headphones Over-Ear Wearecurrentlyupdatingthesearchindex,anditmaybetemporarilyunavailablewhilethisisinprocess.Thankyouforunderstanding. Thissiteusescookiestohelppersonalisecontent,tailoryourexperienceandtokeepyouloggedinifyouregister. Bycontinuingtousethissite,youareconsentingtoouruseofcookies. Top