I noticed a few days ago, Massdrop made some modifications to their Web site. It seems slightly better to navigate. However, they also changed their price format. Where all the items used to end in $.99 for the price, they've rounded the number up. The Elex now sells for $700 instead of $699.99.
Regarding the differences between the Elex and the Elear and to which extent the drive in the Elex was modified (dampened) we'll probably never really know.
Finally, from time-to-time, Headphones.com offers a special on the Elear with the Focal hard case included along with a pair of Clear or Utopia pads (your choice) for $699. If I were looking today, I'd highly consider that package if available. My ears could tell little, if any, difference between the Elear and Elex models while using the same (Elex) pads.