BadSneakers83 Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 I think I scored one of the last remaining Clear Pro from ATA this week. I was able to compare to a friend's Utopia and in the end I'm really happy with my purchase. No, they don't have the same insane resolution as the Utopia, but they really do sound very similar and in my opinion are a big step up from the Elear. I also have a pair of Elegia for when my kids are being noisy. I think they are fantastic, but only if EQed properly. Otherwise they are too mid heavy for my taste. I think we are really lucky to have scored some great Focal deals over here, there's no way I'd have been able to buy Clears at their RRP, but for $1199 they were an absolute steal and trounce other headphones I've had in that price bracket. HiFiMan He560s for example. 1
Swifty Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 On 30/06/2020 at 7:26 AM, gwurb said: Sony NW-A25 Expand I've got a pair coming, should be a better experience with the sp1000m though.
gwurb Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 On 30/06/2020 at 7:29 AM, zxSwifty said: I've got a pair coming, should be a better experience with the sp1000m though. Expand Lol. I would hope so. NW-A25 is good enough it just doesn't make the sound 'full'. There is a certain richness to the stack.
Zodiac-12 Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) On 24/06/2020 at 11:39 PM, DontMessWithTexas said: I have Elears! Would have bet the frame was aluminum inside the padding, not something breakable. Bad luck. But for a break in the center like that surely they'll replace it under the warranty? Expand I don't think So. They ( Focal ) will inspect it to find out what's caused the problem before they happy to replace it. The frame are Aluminum it's hard to break unless it's been ABUSED...... Edited June 30, 2020 by Zodiac-12
gwurb Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 On 30/06/2020 at 7:29 AM, zxSwifty said: I've got a pair coming, should be a better experience with the sp1000m though. Expand So you'll have Utopia, Stellia, and Elegia? Why Stellia and Elegia? The Magni Heresy is all I have money for right now. I am am surprised how much better the headphones sound.
Swifty Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) On 30/06/2020 at 7:54 AM, gwurb said: So you'll have Utopia, Stellia, and Elegia? Why Stellia and Elegia? The Magni Heresy is all I have money for right now. I am am surprised how much better the headphones sound. Expand I needed a quick fix! Just kidding, they are for my dad. I will definitely be giving them a listen for at least a couple of days though. The Magni Heresy is a nice little amp, love the look of the magni + modi stack. Edited June 30, 2020 by zxSwifty
:) Go Away (: Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 I was one of those who bought focal elegia from ATA sale and really liked them. 1
elisiX_ Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 I loved my Elegia and I was going to buy Clear also, but I moved them on and then bought the Utopia and Stellia for 3k a piece. Both incredible headphones that essentially cover all bases. You could literally own no other headphones. 3
mugwampjism Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) On 30/06/2020 at 9:39 AM, :) Go Away (: said: I was one of those who bought focal elegia from ATA sale and really liked them. Expand As was I! Thoroughly enjoying them, use them every chance I get. I think a lot of the recent used sales online are probably people with buyer's remorse, realising they don't need a sixth pair of cans, or should never have spent $600 on headphones when they are on JobKeeper payment, or should never have spent $600 when they could have just kicked in another $600 and bought the pair they have been actually lusting after for years. I don't take those flip sales as a down-vote for Focal Elear. Quite the opposite. The brand is popular! I expect they have sold hundreds of pairs from this single outlet during this sale alone. Probably sucking sales from their competitors sheet and thinning those bottom lines. Personally, if it came to pass that the global Focal sales were part of a capital-raising/stock-clearing venture to fund r&d for a fresh line-up of cans, I will welcome that with open arms. Edited June 30, 2020 by mugwampjism wrding 1
betty boop Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 gosh how many headphones have i owned ...because bought at the time as good opportunity and then given number of phones found just not using them. These are quite expensive things. and hard to justify holding if not really using .... yep the 6th pair does play as a factor in my opinion. 1
HdB Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Hey intercept, how did you go with fixing the headband? If you haven't made any progress and live in the Eastern side of town, I'll take a look at them if you like to see what's what. I've got some tubes of that fancy glue too if that's required.
elisiX_ Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) I'm sticking to 3 max - well 4 if you include my HD6XX which I won't sell. They're perfect for just watching Youtube and not adding any unnecessary wear to my Utopia or Stellia. For me, I need a closed back such as the Stellia for work, and ideally I then have 2 options for home - something analytical, clean, such as the Focal Utopia. Then i'd like the opposite - darker, bassy, smooth, such as the Empyrean. Ambitious and quite expensive I know, though having tested just about everything TOTL out there, this is the trio that makes the most sense to me. Edited June 30, 2020 by elisix_ 2
deafenears Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 On 30/06/2020 at 11:32 AM, elisix_ said: Then i'd like the opposite - darker, bassy, smooth, such as the Empyrean. Expand Tried any of the HiFiMAN HPs? HEKSE or the Susvara?
elisiX_ Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 I'm not spending that kind of money on Hifiman. Arya maybe, but not more than 2k per. I've got no doubt they're amazing, but no thanks.
mugwampjism Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 On 30/06/2020 at 12:23 PM, elisix_ said: I'm not spending that kind of money on Hifiman. Arya maybe, but not more than 2k per. I've got no doubt they're amazing, but no thanks. Expand I really get a sense of quality and satisfaction from euro design and manufacture lately.. Chinese stuff is piled 10 high at the tip. I feel like I am a better steward of mother earth when I buy something that might actually last for 30 years.
elisiX_ Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 I don't have an issue specifically with Chi-fi - there's a lot of bang for buck. Audio GD is all quality and class. However Hifiman build quality and materials are average at best and lazy at worst. Arya does sound nice though but i'd rather the Focal clear anyday.
Swifty Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 The susvaras sound great but for that price you would them to be built much better. I'd only consider them at a massive discount, their retail price is ridiculous.
mugwampjism Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 On 30/06/2020 at 1:01 PM, elisix_ said: I don't have an issue specifically with Chi-fi - there's a lot of bang for buck. Audio GD is all quality and class. However Hifiman build quality and materials are average at best and lazy at worst. Arya does sound nice though but i'd rather the Focal clear anyday. Expand I believe the Hifiman problem to be symptomatic of the chi-fi industry as a whole. Not enough discipline for real R&D.. not enough accountability for QC.. too many middle men/oversight lacking.. The sound and comfort is what matters at the end of the day, and as with chi-fi in general there is pretty good value there. A bit garish, and as I said before, the lifespan of an undercooked product just isn't something I can safely rely on.. but yeah I would prefer the Arya over a good portion of the market's offerings, but like you I find Focal to really be nailing it. Like ALO does with IEMs.. they have greatly improved the industry by participating.
anandpkumar Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 Another happy buyer of the Elegias during the A2A sale period. Running them through an Audio GD DAC/Amp combo and very happy with the sound. Was very tempted to buy the Clears since I don't own any open HPs and was keen to try one out - but 'sanity' prevailed in the end! Thank God the sale is now over - so no more temptation...
BadSneakers83 Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 Mate, try this EQ on Elegia. For me they turn them into the headphone that they are meant to be. Focal Elegia.pdfFetching info... 2
Bengineer Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 On 01/07/2020 at 1:12 AM, BadSneakers83 said: Mate, try this EQ on Elegia. For me they turn them into the headphone that they are meant to be. Focal Elegia.pdf 299.46 kB · 1 download Expand Its so awesome people like this put so much effort in. More people need to be aware of this guy. 2
elisiX_ Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 On 01/07/2020 at 1:12 AM, BadSneakers83 said: Mate, try this EQ on Elegia. For me they turn them into the headphone that they are meant to be. Focal Elegia.pdf 299.46 kB · 4 downloads Expand I was running his RME ADI-2 specific EQ settings for the Elegia and they brought the Elegia to life!
Swifty Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 How do I add that EQ to the Elegias with something like the RME ADI-2
elisiX_ Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 I did it with the RME which allows for that level of control, though there are software solutions also. I am not familiar with them though. I'm sure others will have that detail for you.
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