First off, I just want to thanksthe head fi community here. I'm a long time lurker who has benefited greatly from this community's knowledge, research, and insight.
After much deliberation, I took the plunge and ordered the EL-8 closed back. I know several on this thread have been dying to know more about the closed back el-8 so this is for all of you. I, like many of you, prefer open backs but live with a significant other who doesn't always enjoy listening to the music!
The El-8 closed back is an impressive headphone. Right from the start, you know you're in for a treat. Even the outer box is covered in a lovely soft touch material- yeah, I know...its a box, but it really just shows the attention to detail that has gone into the el-8, something I'll speak to more when it comes to its sound signature.
Several other members have had mixed reviews when it comes to the el-8's proprietary cable. Some found the connection too loose. In my experience the connector gives a satisfying click when it's in place, and holds itself in well. Not tight. You can pull it out with just a light tug, but this seems to be a design decision to protect the headphone itself. Consider me a fan. I like the look. I like the flat cord, and the length is optimal for both desktop use and travel.
Before we get to sound, let me just comment on the aesthetics and build quality. When you're spending this kind of money on a headphone, you naturally want something built to last 20 years, and make a great visual statement. I think audeze has done both here with the el-8. The hardware is an all metal and wood construction and it just feels outstanding. Nothing creaks, bends, or rattles here. It's solid. Finishing is just top notch, and vastly superior to my former headphone, the Hifiman he-400. It's no comparison here, the el-8 is a piece of jewelry in the headphone world, and sets a new bar for the company (even with its summit-fi lineup).
Okay...the sound. Yes.
The best word I can use to describe the sound signature is accurate. That's a high complement. There's very minimal coloration of the sound, letting the artists' vision ring true. Where my he-400s had a tendency to overdo it in the treble, and suppress the mids, the el-8 just feels balanced across the whole frequency spectrum, and the data seems to back this up.
Bass. So some on this thread have described the el-8 as bass light, or underwhelming in the bass. I disagree. Sure, it's not a bass monster, but the el-8 can hit the low note and really surprise you with bass energy when the song calls for it. The el-8 doesn't add bass where it shouldn't (as many phones often do). Again, it's accurate. And with a fast driver like the planars used in the el-8, the bass hits quick and doesn't linger longer than it should. Maybe this is where some more accustomed to dynamic headphones are feeling the bass is too light on the el-8?
Overall, the el-8s have a really lovely, easy to listen to sound. Highs are clear without being fatiguing, and mids are exactly what you want...true to the music. Both female and male vocalists position perfectly in the soundstage without that "veiled curtain" effect that too often occurs with headphones.
Speaking of soundstage. For a closed back headphone, these are stunners. There's no mistaking that these are closed back...because they do a great job of cutting out background noise and letting you bask in a lovely sea of silence. I honestly don't think I'm making any sacrifices going closed back with the el-8, and the benefits of the clear quiet environment may put this ahead of the open back headphones! (I have yet to hear the open back el-8s so take that for what it's worth...)
I still have a lot of testing to do with different amps and dacs, but I can confidently say that the el-8 pairs shockingly well with the iPhone 6 and the iPad Air. I've been blown away at how loud you can drive them on these devices, and how controlled the sound is. I've been using Tidal's flac steaming, and really enjoying the simplicity of managing fewer devices. I have a schiit stack 2U on the way and I'll provide my thoughts on that pairing later.
Okay, I'll stop now. Back to the music.
