I own the Audeze EL-8 closed back (2015). After a couple of months there was a slight problem with the magnets of the cable, as they became loose, which resulted in frequent disconnects. I returned the headphones to my local dealer and Audeze replaced my 2015 version with a brand new pair of the 2016 version. I hated them. Before buying the Audeze EL-8 (2015), I had been looking for closed back headphones for months. I didn't like any until I heard the EL-8 (2015). What I like about them in particular is that they are able to play clear, punchy and low bass that does not extend into the midrange and drowns out voices. Even when there is a lot going on in a song you can always understand what is being sung without sacrificing other frequencies. With the new version the bass was much more extended, as boomy as with most headphones nowadays and always enveloped the complete music. Suddenly songs that sounded completely different from each other on the EL-8 (2015) started sounding rather similar, voices were strangely distant and lacked emotional impact. First, I was thinking that my brain was playing tricks on me, but then I read on the internet that indeed changes were made to the headphones. Luckily, Audeze was able to exchange the 2016 version back to the 2015 version. Immediately after plugging in the 2015 headphones, I had the old feeling back and was extremely relieved; but of course now I'm worried about what happens if the 2015 break. Besides that I would also like to know what I am actually hearing, as the changes seem to receive solely positive feedback. Could somebody give me a brief explanation, also to maybe understand what I have to look for in my next headphones?
. All I have to do now is to wait for the shipping slip or request so I can send them back, cause I gave all they needed to do so like last tuesday.
I already been LCD 2 less for 3 months, but I thank you for the update. The link that was sent earlier help ten fold! thanks a lot guys and woman (if any)
