[crixnet]

The EL-8 is not a replacement for any LCD, as Audeze, Mike Mercer and other reviewers have stated. The EL-8 is designed to compete with cans in its price point range. It is relatively more neutral than LCDs, and reviews by owners and those who have auditioned are mixed. Personally, I found mine to be OK but not good enough to keep.

If you're interested in exploring this HP, get your hands on a set and audition them with your own system and music. That's the best way to know whether they're worth the price for your needs.

 

[daphen]

The EL-8 is not a replacement for any LCD, as Audeze, Mike Mercer and other reviewers have stated. The EL-8 is designed to compete with cans in its price point range. It is relatively more neutral than LCDs, and reviews by owners and those who have auditioned are mixed. Personally, I found mine to be OK but not good enough to keep.

If you're interested in exploring this HP, get your hands on a set and audition them with your own system and music. That's the best way to know whether they're worth the price for your needs.

Would you mind sharing with me your opinion regarding better sounding closed headphones at this price range?

 

[Music Alchemist]

  Would you mind sharing with me your opinion regarding better sounding closed headphones at this price range?

 
I'd be impressed if any closed headphone beat the Focal Spirit Professional. It's the only headphone that I really would recommend to just about anyone, as long as they can afford $349.

 

[daphen]

   
I'd be impressed if any closed headphone beat the Focal Spirit Professional. It's the only headphone that I really would recommend to just about anyone, as long as they can afford $349.

Have you heard any closed headphone at or above that price range?

 

[Music Alchemist]

  Have you heard any closed headphone at or above that price range?

 
I haven't compared it to more expensive closed headphones, but I do like it a lot more than the Sennheiser HD 700 and beyerdynamic DT 880.

 

[crixnet]

 

The EL-8 is not a replacement for any LCD, as Audeze, Mike Mercer and other reviewers have stated. The EL-8 is designed to compete with cans in its price point range. It is relatively more neutral than LCDs, and reviews by owners and those who have auditioned are mixed. Personally, I found mine to be OK but not good enough to keep.

If you're interested in exploring this HP, get your hands on a set and audition them with your own system and music. That's the best way to know whether they're worth the price for your needs.

Would you mind sharing with me your opinion regarding better sounding closed headphones at this price range?

Sorry, I'm an open-back guy. However, others have more than favorably mentioned the Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime when discussing alternatives to the EL-8 closed back.

 

[daphen]

 
Sorry, I'm an open-back guy. However, others have more than favorably mentioned the Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime when discussing alternatives to the EL-8 closed back.

The problem is that they're hard to get in my country and customs would bring them up a lot in price. There's also no way for me to try them out before taking the plunge, also, they don't look as nice as the EL-8, haha, I'm going to be using them at my new office so it doesn't hurt that the EL-8's look as good as they do.

 

[Music Alchemist]

@daphen
 
@reddog has experience with some good mid-range-to-high-end closed-back headphones. But last time I checked, he hasn't heard the Audeze EL-8 Closed-Back and Focal Spirit Professional.

 

[daphen]

  @daphen
 
@reddog has experience with some good mid-range-to-high-end closed-back headphones. But last time I checked, he hasn't heard the Audeze EL-8 Closed-Back and Focal Spirit Professional.

Focal Spirits are uncomfortable for me, I'm going to be wearing them all day.

 

[crixnet]

 

 
Sorry, I'm an open-back guy. However, others have more than favorably mentioned the Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime when discussing alternatives to the EL-8 closed back.

The problem is that they're hard to get in my country and customs would bring them up a lot in price. There's also no way for me to try them out before taking the plunge, also, they don't look as nice as the EL-8, haha, I'm going to be using them at my new office so it doesn't hurt that the EL-8's look as good as they do.

I understand. No doubt many people buy headphones based on reviews and forums like head-fi. There is good information out there. Just be aware that you will have to take the plunge and pay full price to try the EL-8, and reviews are very mixed. It will be a gamble for you to hear them, and they could be perfect for you. Or not. 

 

[daphen]

 
I understand. No doubt many people buy headphones based on reviews and forums like head-fi. There is good information out there. Just be aware that you will have to take the plunge and pay full price to try the EL-8, and reviews are very mixed. It will be a gamble for you to hear them, and they could be perfect for you. Or not. 

I have already heard them. We have a couple of great stores here in which you can demo headphones.
I tried the El-8 and the Oppo PM-3's the other day and posted impressions here. Just the Alpha Dogs that are really hard to come by.

 

[Music Alchemist]

  Focal Spirits are uncomfortable for me, I'm going to be wearing them all day.

  I have already heard them. We have a couple of great stores here in which you can demo headphones.
I tried the El-8 and the Oppo PM-3's the other day and posted impressions here. Just the Alpha Dogs that are really hard to come by.

 
I see. Must have forgotten about your old posts. So you heard the Focal Spirit Professional as well? You said "Focal Spirits" so I'm not sure if you heard a different model with smaller ear pads or something. You may have even told me the that the FSP is better than the EL-8 in your opinion, but my memory is fuzzy.

 

[daphen]

   
I see. Must have forgotten about your old posts. So you heard the Focal Spirit Professional as well? You said "Focal Spirits" so I'm not sure if you heard a different model with smaller ear pads or something. You may have even told me the that the FSP is better than the EL-8 in your opinion, but my memory is fuzzy.

I think they are fine, but my experience with them is very limited.
They become a bit fatiguing over time and the earcups are too small, I tried the classics about a year ago.

 

[crixnet]

 

 
I understand. No doubt many people buy headphones based on reviews and forums like head-fi. There is good information out there. Just be aware that you will have to take the plunge and pay full price to try the EL-8, and reviews are very mixed. It will be a gamble for you to hear them, and they could be perfect for you. Or not. 

I have already heard them. We have a couple of great stores here in which you can demo headphones.
I tried the El-8 and the Oppo PM-3's the other day and posted impressions here. Just the Alpha Dogs that are really hard to come by.

Well, it appears that you're best off choosing from phones you can actually audition in your country. The EL-8 and Oppo PM-3 have certainly been compared to death, so far, so you have a plethora of impressions and reviews to help guide you. Let your ears (and, I guess, your eyes) show you the way to daphen Nirvana. 

 

[daphen]

 
Well, it appears that you're best off choosing from phones you can actually audition in your country. The EL-8 and Oppo PM-3 have certainly been compared to death, so far, so you have a plethora of impressions and reviews to help guide you. Let your ears (and, I guess, your eyes) show you the way to daphen Nirvana. 

I prefered the EL-8 in just about every regard to the PM-3.  
Daphen nirvana would be an open headphone, but that's not an option in an office.