Focal Elex Review - a lotta bang 4 your buck!

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This is my review of the Focal Elex. For a long time now, I’ve heard lots of good things about Focal’s Elex headphones. Having tried out their Elears and Elegia, I knew the build quality would be excellent, and based on other reviews it sounded to me like the Elex quite possibly could be one of the best bang-for-buck “high-end headphones”. I’d say that is probably true, assuming you can pick them up for around $500 (used or refurb, or Black Friday). Super fast headphone with great dynamics and detail. If you want an exciting punchy sound that also gives you heaps of detail the Elex just may be for you.
Here’s links to stuff mentioned in the video (some are affiliate):
Focal Elex on Drop: drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal...
Sennheiser 660s: amzn.to/31Yas1g
Rupert Neve Headphone Amplifier (RNHP): amzn.to/3uBaybI
Other videos you may want to check out:
LCD2PF Review: • Audeze LCD2 Pre-Fazor ...
Senn 660s Review: • The King of the Senns?...
RNHP Review: • Organic, Dynamic, Prec...
As usual, I’d also recommend looking for used options at:
Head-Fi: www.head-fi.org/
HifiGuides: forum.hifiguides.com/

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29 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 28

@gramblor1 3 года назад

The way you describe your LCD2 PF in relation to the Elex reminds me of how I feel about my Audioquest Nighthawk in relation to my Elex. I'm glad you mentioned that this headphone doesn't sound especially "metallic," as I've never felt it does, though I've heard it described that way. It's a bit cool, and highly articulate. However, I haven't listened to enough headphones to know what "metallic" really sounds like. The Elex presents sound in the most natural and detailed way of any headphone I've ever used.

@Pyregazer 2 года назад

Pretty spot on review of these. I would add a few things for potential buyers. The Elex really pair well with the Lyr 3 for some tubey goodness without having the high impedence necessary for pure tube amps. They are very in your face with the details, but the imaging is wonderful and the tube calms them down a tiny bit. Hot spot on the head (honestly isn't that bad) can be cured with Dekoni nuggets at the outer spots on the headband. The janky cables can be cured with custom Periapt cables. Bottom line, if you love the sennheiser 600, 650, 660's, these are just a step up from that in detail, bass and clearity.

@Tripokaridos22 2 года назад

A step down from HD6 series ... In comfort , cable, weight , Quality control, channel inbalance , distortion cliping on high volumes ... Those are facts ... Other than sound its about taste Elex go deeper but 660s has more texture , Elex have more clarity but 660s and 650 are smoother , mids are better also on 660s and highs for many people imaging on 660s are known to be also great , pads on 6 line like every one know doesnt need change and are the best and they cost way less. And last is the vfm even the 6xx sound great and take EQ without clipping .

@Pyregazer 2 года назад

@@Tripokaridos22 I have the 650's and I'll give you the step up in comfort and weight, but that is about it. I do like my 650's for gaming and movies, but elex kills them on music.

@Tripokaridos22 2 года назад

@@Pyregazer thats really strange because HD 650 are known to be good on music and not on movies and games...

@Pyregazer 2 года назад

@@Tripokaridos22 Look, I've had the hd650's for like 10 years. I have even bought a second pair when massdrop put out thier version. I love the 650's and will always have them, but the elex does everything better. Even the most redeeming quality of the 650's (female vocals) is done better on the Focals.

@Tripokaridos22 2 года назад

@@Pyregazer Thats nice good for u. So u dont have clipping or unbalanced L+R channels ? And Elex have the timbre and smoothness of your 10 years old HD650 ? Thats nice happy for u. I hope your Elex last also 10 years. Personally i sell my Clears under warranty after they changed them because left channel stopped working on 8 months. I have to say amazing support but doesnt feel nice to have 1.500 euro headphones that afraid if they last more after warranty. I hope the new MG line will have better quality control.

@netog8441 3 года назад

Excellent Review, right to the point ! 🎧👍🏻

@I_beat_cucks Год назад

Focal elex has horror stories of qc issues. Only reason i have not purchased one yet

@MrAyrit Год назад

Personally, I’ve owned I think 3 sets at this point. I never had an issue.

@Reeeepicheep 2 года назад

I listen to my Elex on Lyr 3 and Feliks Echo ii Tube amp with Apos flow balanced cable with 1/4 inch unbalanced adapter. I find these headphones to be veiled (like a 6xx but without their comfort) and have really thin soundstage. Very in your head type sound which is not my cup of tea. Im about to sell these. I think the DT 1990 is honestly my endgame dynamic headphone. Probably have to try ZMFs to go above that.

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I actually bought another one, and am enjoying it paired with the Bottlehead Crack. I go back and forth on it.

@Reeeepicheep 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit i have the crack maybe i’ll give it another go on that one

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

@@Reeeepicheep I’m also using Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads, which tames the treble just a bit and adds a little more warmth.

@Reeeepicheep 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit It’s definitely amp picky. It sounded way better on Feliks vs Lyr 3 (with stock tube). I’m using Oratory EQ as well. When I use the Clear EQ it does widen the soundstage. I think I’d probably prefer the Clear overall.

@Reeeepicheep 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit It does sound better on the Crack warmed up and with EQ. Much wider than before. Bit boomy. Probably will upgrade to the Clear, but the one downside is that the Clear likely wouldn't play as well on the Crack being at 55 ohms.

@gramblor1 3 года назад

You might have answered this before, but how do you feel the Elex compares to the Elegia? Z Reviews just posted a link to a sale on Adorama (dot) com in which the Elegia was selling for $399 brand new. The sale is over, but I was tempted to buy one at that price (frustratingly, his link still appears to work until you view the $890 price in your shopping cart). Though Z doesn't have an Elex on hand, he felt the Elegia was a better headphone in his review, which is only a month old. Previous to that review his favorite Focal was the Elex. I think since then he's gone on to prefer a revision to the Clear, the Clear MG.

@MrAyrit 3 года назад

Totally different beast IMO. The Elex is exciting and up front, the Elegia is more subdued and delicate. Both have tremendous amounts of detail. Elex is a bit more natural. With the Elegia, it would always take me a couple of songs to acclimate, but then I would really enjoy it. Same comfort, same build, same cable construction. $400 is a good price for the Elegia. If you don't like it, you'll basically be able to get your money back.

@gramblor1 3 года назад

@@MrAyrit Do you think the acclimation period is because it is closed back? With the closed back headphones I have, they have sort of a claustrophobic, airless quality that you have to adjust to. The openness of the Elex is certainly the opposite of that!

@MrAyrit 3 года назад

@@gramblor1 Could be. I don't listen to closed backs a whole lot, but I can tell you for sure I need the same adjustment for the k361bt. Not as much with my Sony XM3s, but I have those EQed to my preference.

@ammar5400 2 года назад

Does your Elex still alive?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Yep, I’ve owned two of them without issue.

@truth-uncensored2426 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit Have you tried the JDS Atom with them? The Magnius doesn't make it sound too analytical and cold?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

@@truth-uncensored2426 in general, they sound pretty good on just about anything.

@Tripokaridos22 2 года назад

I think most reviewers are not so Honest on Elex... There are many problems , They are heavy, Yorks crackle, driver in balance, driver clipping , bad heavy cable , they are uncomfortable, I love the sound but for the money no go...