Which headphones are best for under 1500

[musique112]

That's what I had done. I tested it with the guy from A2A. He tested it on the amps above I mentioned. Sound was perfectly fine apart from when I boosted the volume to very high 75db. Bass kicks in and the left ear cup rattles very loud and crackles. He told me not to put it that loud and said the headphones are perfectly fine

[sly_bastard]

6 minutes ago, musique112 said:

very high 75db

It's probably not an accurate 75db and way higher. If it was too loud to listen to then it was over 75db then yes this is correct you shouldn't go that high as it causes damage to the headphones.

[musique112]

I'm thinking to just hold onto it at the moment. If it's faulty then I use the warranty on hand

[Bengineer]

42 minutes ago, musique112 said:

I'm thinking to just hold onto it at the moment. If it's faulty then I use the warranty on hand

If you don't wince at every note, then it isn't loud enough to warrant distortion like that.

 

It's faulty or it's a hair on the driver.

 

Return it now, get it replaced. 

[elisiX_]

Are we talking about clipping here, and it happens on certain tracks only, or any track above 75db?

 

On my Elegia, I tested one track someone suggested here a nice for base, it might have been the first track off 1917 soundtrack, and it did clip at high volume. Sounds like a distortion of some kind on certain base frequencies. 

[Bengineer]

75db is a low volume. It's an extremely safe listening volume. Nothing should clip at that.

 

If clipping is occuring, it's in your software.

 

No headphone should distort at that volume.

[musique112]

I'll try testing it out again tonight, on high volumes

[Bengineer]

Test it with some other headphone if you have.

 

My money is on faulty.

[elisiX_]

Maybe B Stock stands for Broken Stock?

 

Push for a replacement. 

[musique112]

Haha I was thinking the same, they were convinced there was nothing wrong with it

[domiNate]

I think all Focals have a clipping design in their drivers. I remember reading (and complaining) about them when I got the Elex. .. I'll see if i can find some of the links

 

Edit: if you google "focal clipping" there will be pleanty of links discussing this very issue. Not linking to anything here in case it is against rules to

Edited May 31, 2020 by domiNate

[musique112]

Did you manage to still enjoy it going forward?

[Bengineer]

75db still wrong. Even if he said 85db. 90db.

 

It shouldn't clip in normal listening volumes.

[musique112]

It sucks! I'm going to just ask for a replacement or refund. They also said it's brand new even though it's b stock

[domiNate]

11 minutes ago, musique112 said:

Did you manage to still enjoy it going forward?

If you're asking me. Yes, I still love my Elex. The clipping occurs just above the volumes that I would listen to - only just though.

 

The problem is more pronounced with heavy sub-bass so can occur at lower volume levels.  The go to test track is "Why So Serious?" from The Dark Knight soundtrack. At about the 3:26  mark the track is all subbass and if you crank up the volume, you'll hear the clipping kick in (sounds like popping and crackling to me)

[musique112]

I'll give it a go, how long have you had the elex

[domiNate]

3 minutes ago, musique112 said:

I'll give it a go, how long have you had the elex

A couple of years now - since the first time it was offered on Massdrop (now Drop).

 

I remember it putting me off Focal for a bit when i learned it was an inherent design 'feature' throughout their range. This was before Elegia and Stellia though so not sure if they've modified their design since - sounds like they haven't

 

But, on my Elex, it clips at a level higher than I would normally listen at so have learnt to live/ignore it

[musique112]

Elex is a nice looking headphone.  I think my one will be similar to yours

 

[domiNate]

This is as official a response as I could find from the Drop discussions page on Elex:

 

The issue described is actually not a quality issue.

Indeed, we have made a clear design choice on Elear, Clear and Utopia. Our headphones have been designed to favor the respect of the dynamic contained within the audio signal versus dynamic compression that would offer a higher SPL capability but less respect of the original audio signal. To cut a long story short, the choice was audio quality oriented rather than SPL oriented. This allows our products to work with full performances until the mechanical clipping is activated. This means that you jump directly from a very low distortion to a sound which could be heard as rattling / cracking noise. On very special tracks with only very low frequencies at very high level, you can thus hear some noises - as you will do on classic loudspeakers.

If we change your pair of headphones, the new one will be designed similarly and it will also have a kind of cracking sound when you will be listening to music with high volume and a fair amount of bass.

The only solution we can recommend you is therefore to listen to your headphones at a lower volume.

Thank you for your understanding,

Best regards,

Marine, Community Manager Focal

[elisiX_]

All seems a bit off to me. I can definitely crank my Elegia without issues. It’s only certain tracks, certain frequencies that it happens. In fact, it’s only one single song which some said to try cause it should cause it to clip. I haven’t actually come across it organically at all.

 

Edit. I see from the above that it’s limited to Elear, Clear and Utopia. Still, I haven’t come across anyone else with the Clear, not any of the reviews either, mentioning this issue you have. 

Edited May 31, 2020 by elisix_

[Bengineer]

55 minutes ago, domiNate said:

If you're asking me. Yes, I still love my Elex. The clipping occurs just above the volumes that I would listen to - only just though.

 

The problem is more pronounced with heavy sub-bass so can occur at lower volume levels.  The go to test track is "Why So Serious?" from The Dark Knight soundtrack. At about the 3:26  mark the track is all subbass and if you crank up the volume, you'll hear the clipping kick in (sounds like popping and crackling to me)

You'll be pleased to know on the ZMF Verite that is just pure brain crushing thud thud thud.

[domiNate]

2 minutes ago, Bengineer said:

You'll be pleased to know on the ZMF Verite that is just pure brain crushing thud thud thud.

I can only imagine - amazing track.

 

In revisiting this issue, also came across a suggestion for the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack. First track specifically but the whole album seems to be created with the intention of destroying brains and headphones.  Definitely notice clipping at various points if i crank up the volume

[musique112]

Good find domiNate! Not sure do I return it now and get headphones like the audeze LDC 2 classic, similar price range

[Bengineer]

How much did you pay?

 

Edit: $1200 on the Clear Pro.

 

LCD2C will be a step down in straight up detail and dynamics. Doesn't mean you'll like them more or less, just saying.

 

Confirm its not your pair. Other pairs may clip only at louder volumes, maybe yours a bit sensitive. Sell them on eBay/Head-Fi and offer internation postage. Might even make a few bucks.

 

HD800S up for sale recently, worth considering too

Edited May 31, 2020 by Bengineer

[musique112]

Yep 1200, it sucks because you can't audition anything. To test what your ear is more into