INTRO
Welcome to the written review of the Focal Elegia.
In previous reviews we have analyzed in-ears. Today it's time to talk about an over-ear headphone, from the Focal brand. The Elegia.
Focal is a high-end French brand that, in addition to headphones, also makes speakers for the home and cars, the so-called car audio.
This brand has headphones considered to be the best in different price ranges. The Focal utopia, considered the best headphones in the world (leaving electrostatic aside) and the Focal clear considered one of the best for less than €1,500. We will see the latter on the channel later.
This time we are going to talk about the Focal Elegia. A closed over-ear headphone with a spectacular design, at least it reminds me of a Buggati...
This headset is officially discontinued, but can be purchased in different stores at a price of about €500. It must be noted that, when it came out at the end of 2018, its official price was €899, even selling more expensively in certain stores.
UNBOXING
The packaging of the headset is relatively basic considering the price. But the reality is that we don't need more either. We have a medium-sized cardboard box where the headset comes. Inside we have a carrying case, very rigid and of a quite adequate size in relation to the size of the Elegia. This cover is the one we also see in other models of the brand.
The headset comes inside along with a renewed cable. This headset has received criticism for practically everything and one of them was for including a rigid cable, perhaps too rigid, but personally I prefer that type of cable to a weaker one. The one he brings is similar to the Hifiman one. It rolls up easily but can be considered semi-rigid.
The connection is 3.5mm Jack to 3.5mm cup as well. Although we have a 6.3 to 3.5 mm adapter.
We also have some Focal papers and guarantees…
As you can see, the content is relatively scarce, but the reality is that much more is not needed. The most important thing apart from the headset is the carrying case or bag and I find this very practical because it is resistant, beautiful, has a good touch, weighs little and is manageable.
SOUND SECTION
Before entering into purely sound aspects, something must be highlighted. The comfort of the Elegia is outstanding. Although 430 grams may be a lot, it feels comfortable due to the pads that adapt more than well to the shape of your skull. In addition, the wide headband manages to distribute the weight distribution well.
It is very important that an over-ear type headset be very comfortable for us. Personally, it is something that is more important than the construction, type of cable or design...aspects that tend to be easily criticized.
The Elegia focal has a sensitivity of 105 decibels and 35 ohms. I recommend a dac dongle to take advantage of the headset. Although I have tried it with a mobile phone, a red magic 5g and at half power the volume was more than enough. Still, high volume and driver efficiency are not the same. It may sound at a good volume but the driver may not be working correctly if it is not given the necessary power.
The frequency response ranges from 5 Hz to 23 kHz.
The Elegia is made up of two 40mm aluminum/magnesium capsules typical of Focal. The general result after the first listen is a dynamic and relaxed sound…but certainly peculiar.
The world of high fidelity audio is a very particular niche. Each person has musical tastes and preferences. I add to this that we are not always in the same mood and that can drastically affect the sound signature we want. That is why it is very difficult to have a single headset that we are always passionate about. I do not consider that you have to bet only because the correct thing is a neutral firm. You must also evaluate signatures in V, W, brilliant, basshead... each one has positive and negative aspects.
That said, the Elegia presents itself as a headphone with a somewhat forward midrange sound, very lively and clean. Maybe it is not the tonality you are looking for if you want something neutral and correct, but after 10-15 minutes of listening to get used to it I find Focal Elegia very attractive for vocal, jazz, classical music sessions... although honestly with more popular genres it does not disappoint.
SOUND SECTION – TECHS-
In the technical section, the Focal elegia stands out for presenting good audio dynamics. This is a feature of the brand that I sincerely appreciate very much.
Everything sounds very lively giving you a more than good perceived dynamic range superior to many other headphones. It is no wonder if we take into account that it is a headset that was sold for €900.
Its soundstage is not excessively large, but it is more than convincing if we treat it as the closed headphone that it is. Something to highlight is the ability it has to put sounds in front of you and not inside your head or on the sides of it.
This, together with a precise image, gives the sensation of a, misnamed, holographic sound that is quite well achieved. Basically sometimes it sounds like your music is coming from speakers and not a headphone. The soundstage may lack a little depth, but that is compared to other options on the market such as the R9. Comparison that we will see in another video.
As I said, the image is accurate. It is possibly, along with dynamics, its best virtue. In classical music, the instruments are positioned very easily and in other vocal genres the voices tend to be placed on one side to make way for the rest of the instruments that will be heard on the other. The sensation of air is more than evident.
I repeat, I didn't expect anything less from a headset at this price.
Not everything is positive, I consider the instrumental separation to be not good on more congested tracks. Although it separates L/R well when there are few sounds or they are well differentiated, in denser songs it costs a little more.
In short, do I consider you technical? Yeah. Perhaps it is the most technical closed option in general, although I think that due to its price the market is making it really difficult for Elegia if it wants to be in the top positions.
SOUND SECTION – BASS-
The bottom end of the Elegia features a decent level of detail. It is a bass that seeks control in the face of a rumble. If the track requires it, it will have good punch, although it is not comparable with most current options that inflate these frequencies more.
In short, The Elegia offers precise and competent bass, which arrives with impact if necessary. It doesn't have much gain, but it's still enjoyable. In sub-bass regions I would have liked it to have a few more decibels.
The overall sound, despite being very detailed, is still more emotional thanks to that intoxicating bass.
SOUND SECTION – MIDS-
In the media the elegy almost makes something perfect for me.
Focal decided to advance the mids so that they stand out slightly and have more prominence. A success from my point of view. Additionally, this range feels quite open, avoiding vocal congestion. On vocal tracks the mids can vary by placing themselves in front of you and not in a more central position. There will be songs where the voice is perceived in front and to the side or in front in a surgical way.
It's one of the best midranges I've heard. I feel he has enough body, dynamics, cleanliness... I would have liked more naturalness but that would be too much to ask for.
SOUND SECTION – TREBLE-
The female vocals sound velvety, but the strings and other instruments never lose their edge. The resulting sound is both rich and uncompromising, but also tempered and controlled. That is to say, without all the talk, if you are looking for that kind of treble that walks the fine line between tons of detail and excess detail, your long search is over.
If we go to higher regions it is not as bright as I expected, the top end of the Elegia seems slightly softened, leading to a relaxed but detailed sound, something, as I said, difficult to achieve.
SUMMARY SECTION - VIDEO-
What was mentioned above. Every person is a world. Musical preferences vary drastically, but personally it is a headphone that I like and it is worth it...if you equalize it, you may correct the few defects it may have, but I understand that this stock headphone can be an ideal complement when you feel like listening something like classical music on your couch on a Sunday afternoon.
It has received a lot of criticism for having an unorganic sound, sounding distant, and even poor technical performance...however I think that is not entirely the case.
It is a peculiar headset. It is not the typical V-shaped one that enhances the bass nor is it a completely neutral headphone. I consider that the original sale price was somewhat exaggerated but at the current price of about €500 it is a more than decent option.
It has a forward midrange sound, controlled bass, and smooth but detailed treble...something difficult to achieve. If this is accompanied by good dynamics, a competent scene and a fairly enveloping sound, the result is one of the best closed headphones available for less than €1000.
I recommend it, definitely yes.
I´m also on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMtfbMXFzOKe07X-ZstZ_Bg