The only concerns I have with Azurys and Hadenys is the cup size compared to bulkier older Focals. I hate headphones with cups that touch my ears. This is especially important for Azurys whose usability in public places rely entirely on passive isolation so the seal must be perfect. I can't...

Too bad Q3 is the perfect companion for RU7 on the go. RU7 in line out mode and DSD 256 + Q3 in amp mode with bass boost on is a killer lightweight combo for IEMs

This is funny that Focal is advertising these two headphones together as the two sides of the same coin. When I decided Focal would be my brand of choice, I have picked up Elegia and Elex as my favorite tandem but these two are polar opposites, there nothing alike, at all ! Hadenys and Azurys...

And number two question is : Are the ear cups replaceable ?

Sure. Once the headphones hit retailers shelves, someone will try this for sure. I'm seeing a lot of Bathys after market balanced cables despite some people saying it can't be run balanced neither.

That doesn't prove anything. TRS cables are compatible with every socket. Only focal or someone willing to disassemble the headphones can confirm they can't be plugged balanced

Has this been confirmed by Focal? I have never came across an internally single ended headphones in the high end/audiophile market before

There are headphones with a single 3.5mm jack connector and mic compatibility that still can be run balanced like the Sony 1AM2. If I end up getting Hadenys or Azurys, I know I already have the balanced cable from my 1AM2

Very disappointing review. RU7 is not a R2R DAC !

Software volume control only works in non-exclusive USB mode. Witch means, you're listening to your phone DAC, RU7 would act like an external amp in that configuration.

Very interesting. I do own a pair of Roland CS-10EM IEMs with embedded binaural microphones. By wearing these inside the cups of a full sized headphones like the Elegia, I could obtain a frequency response graph including my own HRTF. Isn't that the best starting point for EQing ?

Elex + Elegia is a really great combo to have. Headphones sound signatures don't get much more different than these two

I do believe a more fair comparison would be RU7 in line out mode with a portable amp 🆚 a DAP with roughly the same size. I don't think many things could beat RU7 in that configuration.

They do not sound similar at all. The Elegia has more treble detail and wider soundstage than it should for being a closed back. Most people don't like its sound signature, but it's because you have to let it burn in. The Elex, on the other hand sound fantastic from the start. Its bassy, lush...

Yes, very much ! As a matter of fact, two headphones from the same brand and such similar design could not sound more different

Well deserved ! RU7 is by far the best DAC in my collection. I now keep my RU7 in my pocket during my commuting time as well as FiiO Q3 as a portable amp and my trusty Xperia 1 II. This is a quite chunky but exquisite sounding Hi-fi sandwich. The secret ingredient is that I use Audio-Technica...

My RU7 is dead silent, unlike RU6 which has EMI noise problems that can't be totally fixed when using it with a cellular phone.

See, we can agree 100% on something.

If I had the opportunity to trade my Elex for an Utopia, I would sell the Utopia, buy the Elex again as well as a Clear Mg and a HD 800s. And I would get a R2R DAC if there's spare money.

That's your opinion. I have shared mine. Let's agree to disagree. The Clear Mg sounds better to my ears than the Utopia. Also, in the headphones.com tier list that I was referring to, one of the reviewers ranked the Elex higher than the Clear OG. The Utopia 🆚 Elex is a classical example of the...

I have listened to the Utopia 2022 not too long ago, and I would say it beats the Elex only in clarity thanks to their beryllium drivers, otherwise they're very very close. Even closer when you add leather pads to your Elex like I did.

Elex ranked super high in the recent headphones.com tier list. The rule was to rank each pair by stock sound quality alone. Elex is basically a beryllium free version of Utopia

Thanks for sharing these settings. I had a listening session yesterday and this is a very good pseudo line out solution for the RU6. The background was completely dark, timbre was amazing but I still prefer RU7 more detailed sound signature.

I use these. https://dekoniaudio.com/product/choice-leather-for-philips-fidelio-x2hr-headphones/

I never listened to the X2HR, but X3 with leather pads = £500 headphones.