Exellent review!

Enjoyable read. SR-Omega and K1000, IMO, both have more of a microscopic quality than HD800, though I don't think you would like their lack of "bottom."

A really interesting read thanks!! I'm dying to hear them, but my open back endgame is a little way in the future.
 
I have heard that the driver material change did in fact have a big difference in effecting the SQ between the Utopia & Elear.I've also read a bit about the SQ changes when switching to the Utopia pads , some say it's very beneficial, and a bit cheaper to experiment with.
 
Thanks again!!

My Elear got no noise about the headbandm not even once

Enjoyable read and review. Like you I have had the Elear for a few months now and find them to be a fantastic headphone. Luckily I have not experienced any headband noise issue. Have you tried a 2nd pair for comparison? IMHO the Elear is 8/10ths of the Utopia at a quarter of the price which to me simply represents outstanding value. I say this with some confidence and authority as I own both headphones and have A/B tested them over and over again over more hours that I would like to admit to.

Yeah, I actually got hands on a second pair that didn't have as pronounced noise as mine does but did still creak a bit... mine doesn't appear to have any fatal flaw but is noisier. Also the review on Headfonics says the headband is noisy so some specimens may be worse that others... underlying point is that there is alot going on inside. 4 different spring loaded parts with metal on plastic in two of them. Just wish design was simpler... my Beyer never failed either but I always thought suspension was sub par. Hopefully it holds up because I plan on keeping it for a long time.

Very nice review!!   Also love the story leading up to buying the Elear as well!  Thank you