Reviews by Trasselkalle
While working, I was very happy with the Elegia headphones to complement my home studio monitors and for late night listening. Sadly, the plastic frame of the headband broke a couple of weeks ago, making the headphones unusable.
For me, they have been my closed back headphone pick and they have never left the studio even if they are marketed as an exclusive headphone for portable use. They have never hit the floor or anything like that, so the break comes solely from taking the headphones on and off.
Yes, I use them almost daily which also explains why I wanted to go with a higher end headphone that hopefully would stand up over time - in particular as it is even marketed for portable use where any headphone will take more abuse. I have not, however, been taking them on and off constantly during use - only on and off when starting sessions where I either could not use my monitors or wanted to listen to things through headphones to check.
After reaching out to the place I purchased them, who in turn reached out to Focal in France, I sadly got this reply from Focal:
Not covered by warranty is a bummer in itself, but the fact that they cannot be repaired is mindblowing. In easily 20 years of similar use of headphones, no model or brand has ever had this problem for me. There is absolutely zero other wear on the headphones. Oh, and yes - I did swap out the cable as the original cable is silly stiff and broke in less than a month. I have been happily running a Beardynamics stock cable instead which is much more pleasant to use.
So, in essence: However happy with the sound quality I have been, the Focal Elegia cannot be recommended for studio use or any other situation daily use situation. That would include for the purpose of portable use, as that is likely even more of taking the headphones on and off. I would be extremely cautious buying any other Focal headphones, unless they have a metal structure inside the headband instead of the plastic frame that the Elegia have.
In the pictures below, you can see me pointing at the break, as well as holding them upside down so you really see how floppy the headband (ofc) gets as a result.
For me, they have been my closed back headphone pick and they have never left the studio even if they are marketed as an exclusive headphone for portable use. They have never hit the floor or anything like that, so the break comes solely from taking the headphones on and off.
Yes, I use them almost daily which also explains why I wanted to go with a higher end headphone that hopefully would stand up over time - in particular as it is even marketed for portable use where any headphone will take more abuse. I have not, however, been taking them on and off constantly during use - only on and off when starting sessions where I either could not use my monitors or wanted to listen to things through headphones to check.
After reaching out to the place I purchased them, who in turn reached out to Focal in France, I sadly got this reply from Focal:
Not covered by warranty is a bummer in itself, but the fact that they cannot be repaired is mindblowing. In easily 20 years of similar use of headphones, no model or brand has ever had this problem for me. There is absolutely zero other wear on the headphones. Oh, and yes - I did swap out the cable as the original cable is silly stiff and broke in less than a month. I have been happily running a Beardynamics stock cable instead which is much more pleasant to use.
So, in essence: However happy with the sound quality I have been, the Focal Elegia cannot be recommended for studio use or any other situation daily use situation. That would include for the purpose of portable use, as that is likely even more of taking the headphones on and off. I would be extremely cautious buying any other Focal headphones, unless they have a metal structure inside the headband instead of the plastic frame that the Elegia have.
In the pictures below, you can see me pointing at the break, as well as holding them upside down so you really see how floppy the headband (ofc) gets as a result.
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goodleechanghwa
I am sorry for your experience. I also heard about not-so-pleasant experiences with Focal's customer team, both from headphones and speakers community. Not to mention their $200 pads.. It looks to be either they take an absolute good care of you or not at all. What exactly happened to your headband though? I also accidentally smashed (!) my elegia a couple of times, but they remained strong without scratch which really impressed me.
Trasselkalle
Sorry for the slow update: The headband just broke when I put them on, and I had never dropped them or worn them on one ear or anything like that. There is a plastic piece between the actual frame in the headband and the sliding metal parts that hold the ear cups which broke. My head is slightly smaller than a normal head, so nothing strange there either. The plastic joint just broke, like it does on cheap throw-away headphones.
Shrike~thrush
I own a pair of Elegias. I came across this post after noticing how quickly the ear pads and headband was deteriorating. They are barely a year old, spent most of the time in their case and if I listen to them once a week for two hours I would be surprised. Incidentally the cable lost the left channel within a week and was replaced under warranty.
Last year a pair of NC headphones Bowers & Wilkins PX that I had used daily in my workshop for over two years snapped where the metal yoke connects the pivoting earphone. Although a couple of months out of the 2 year warranty B&W Australia replaced then instantly and without fuss.
I will have confidence to buy B&W in the future. Cannot say the same with Focal even though I enjoy listening to the Elegia
Last year a pair of NC headphones Bowers & Wilkins PX that I had used daily in my workshop for over two years snapped where the metal yoke connects the pivoting earphone. Although a couple of months out of the 2 year warranty B&W Australia replaced then instantly and without fuss.
I will have confidence to buy B&W in the future. Cannot say the same with Focal even though I enjoy listening to the Elegia
