Audeze EL-8: The EL-8 is a must-hear at CES 2015

[knowhatimean]

 

  100 pages of solitude and naught.

Welcome to hype-fi. Sorry about your pre-order.

Nah !!!, the pre-order is more than likely just fine.
 
Personally, when people relaying sound impressions of anything without any mention of exactly what source material they used gives no one any point of reference. It could just be they prefer headphones "voiced" to suit the music they like to listen to, & unless those reading these postings are "psychic" the comments made shouldn't sway you one way or another.
 
While the sincerity of the poster is in the right place, as they say "There's no proof in the pudding !'' (because we don't know what "pudding" it was)

 

[yuri001]

So EL8 is coming in March, is this for the States? Does anybody know when it's coming to other countries?

 

[dooste-man83]

LCD 2 is more expensive than el8 (  about $100 )   ...in finaly, lcd 2 is better than el8 ( open back ) ... is it right?  
plz help me for the best choice 

 

[Chikolad]

  LCD 2 is more expensive than el8 (  about $100 )   ...in finaly, lcd 2 is bether than el8 ( open back ) ?  
plz help me for the best choice 

 
I suggest you wait a while until the EL-8 starts shipping and impressions and comparisons appear. Also, Audeze are still making adjustments and the final production version might sound a little different than what people heard at CES.

 

[obsidyen]

  LCD 2 is more expensive than el8 (  about $100 )   ...in finaly, lcd 2 is better than el8 ( open back ) ... is it right?  
plz help me for the best choice 

 
If EL-8 is as bright and strident as they say, buying the LCD-2 is a no brainer. I hate harsh sounding headphones.
 
I have a feeling EL-8 will be major fail in terms of musical sound quality. Bright and analytical headphone lovers will enjoy it.

 

[mhamel]

   
If EL-8 is as bright and strident as they say, buying the LCD-2 is a no brainer. I hate harsh sounding headphones.
 
I have a feeling EL-8 will be major fail in terms of musical sound quality. Bright and analytical headphone lovers will enjoy it.

 
Wow.. major fail? This is based on... 100 pages of speculation mixed in with a few impressions - of which an even smaller number thought they were too bright?   Where most of the impressions came from limited listening in an environment where it's almost impossible to really evaluate anything?  With a pre-release headphone that may (will?) still be tuned further before they're actually released? More than a bit early to jump to that sort of conclusion, I think.
 
I know, it's Head-Fi...this is typical excitement/anticipation/critique of any major new product release.  It's more than a bit early however, to come to extreme conclusions (in either direction) about what the EL-8 will be. At least give them a chance to get out there in final production form, where people have had a chance to spend time with them in their own listening environments/systems. Even given all of that, I suspect the last thing the EL-8 will end up being considered is a major fail.

 

[grizzlybeast]

What is out is said to be a prototype. Not final tuning.

 

[mikemercer]

  There's a lot of impressions about the sound of the EL-8.  At least TRY to find it.

I was on a a lil rant w/ early impressions in this thread when I couldn't sleep post-CES! - and mentioned sources and associated gear as well...
 
Takin a lil' break, as I usually take a few days off post-CES, but had to get some work done ASAP...
 
Will be posting more impressions (again, listening source material and gear as previously posted) VERY soon.
 
 
I'm also waiting for some approved statements from Stevie Wonder on the EL-8s,
he's just been traveling like MAD since, and my cousin says as soon as they talk he'll get some official statements
(K, my cousin, works for Stevie and got him the LCD-X as Kenny (K) loves his Audezes too, and he's an older 
cousin - in his fifties and actually introduced me to Stevies music as a kid. Kenny told Stevie bout the booth as got him there.
VERY grateful for that!
 
Stevie really digs his LCD-X, and uses it in the studio often.
 
I was told I could say he was very impressed w/ the EL-8 thus far...
But more as I get clearance.
 
Now there's a man who knows SOUND (Stevie literally changed the evolution of many synthesizer companies and drums).
Eric Clapton also called him "the best drummer on the planet" - which I thought was interesting but NOT surprising. He's still, to me, the best live performer
out there.

 

[xsankar]

EL8 Open and Closed - We got quite a few emails about the El8 open Vs closed. The units we showed at CES are pre-production units. Even though we are quite happy with overall frequency response of preproduction units we expect tighter and smoother response in regular production. Sound signature of open and closed EL-8s is quite similar as of LCD-X vs LCD-XC. We will try to post some measured graphs next week. Some other minor issues like clamping force etc will be dialed in correctly as we move closer to production.

 

[x RELIC x]

EL8 Open and Closed - We got quite a few emails about the El8 open Vs closed. The units we showed at CES are pre-production units. Even though we are quite happy with overall frequency response of preproduction units we expect tighter and smoother response in regular production. Sound signature of open and closed EL-8s is quite similar as of LCD-X vs LCD-XC. We will try to post some measured graphs next week. Some other minor issues like clamping force etc will be dialed in correctly as we move closer to production.

Thanks for the info. The bolded section has me very intrigued.

 

[JRoMan]

Eric Clapton also called him "the best drummer on the planet" - which I thought was interesting but NOT surprising. He's still, to me, the best live performer
out there.

Not to get way off-topic, but I had no idea Stevie played multiple instruments until a few weeks ago when my daughter's ukulele teacher made a comment about it.

 

[Uberclocked]

 
[snip]
He's still, to me, the best live performer out there.

Wrong.  That's Skrillex.
Eagerly waiting for your impressions... don't keep us waiting for too long! (I expect to see a full, 5,000 word analysis with pictures by the hour)

 

[Beagle]

What is out is said to be a prototype. Not final tuning.

 
Why do they put something out at a show that is not the product that they intend to market? Always makes me queasy...like the manufacturer lacks confidence in their product. Design and build the damn thing the way you think it should be, bring it to the big show, then release it within the week.
 
Quote:

  Now there's a man who knows SOUND (Stevie literally changed the evolution of many synthesizer companies and drums).
Eric Clapton also called him "the best drummer on the planet" - which I thought was interesting but NOT surprising. He's still, to me, the best live performer
out there.

 
Are you sure that's not a pic of Steve Ferrone?

 

[Lorspeaker]

i bought the Q701...DJMike skullcandy..on the strength of the face fronting it, off amazon..
both are some of my least favourite purchases.
(Hey they know their music i am sure...y do the cans they endorsed sound like that??)
V tempted to buy other Named cans..by Simon n Van Buuren... their threads are deathly silent?
 
 
I am happy to see one of my fav singer enjoying the EL8...he is a legend.
But i  hope the EL-8 will stand on its own sonic/build/value merits, 
Tune it rigorously then launch it,
i hate to see early adoptors rewarded with a EL8v1 ..EL8v2..El8fazed..
It happened too many times with other brands too, 
hmmm....but headfiers are a hardy lot, 
we will keep on buying...after selling.

 

[mangler]

EL8 Open and Closed - We got quite a few emails about the El8 open Vs closed. The units we showed at CES are pre-production units. Even though we are quite happy with overall frequency response of preproduction units we expect tighter and smoother response in regular production. Sound signature of open and closed EL-8s is quite similar as of LCD-X vs LCD-XC. We will try to post some measured graphs next week. Some other minor issues like clamping force etc will be dialed in correctly as we move closer to production.

Thanks for the info Sankar!

If I may make one request, please offer a longer cable, at least as a separate accessory. I'd like to use the open el-8 at home, but a 4ft cable is a bit too short, IMO.