Phronesis
Headphoneus Supremus
^ Even the Elear and Utopia sounded quite similar to me when I compared them back to back multiple times.
Really appreciate the honesty. Sometimes it is hard to tell from opinions of someone is saying how much better the clear is if it’s unknown bias or placebo or if they are just talking 2-5% difference for almost double the price.
Maybe I will pull the trigger on the Elex probably used since they’re fully in stock ready to ship from massdrop now. Used seem to be around $500
This is really refreshing, and a reminder of just how close many of these high-end headphones are to each other at this level. Having used my ‘Elex’ (Elear with Elex pads, which is the same thing) for a few weeks now, I can tell there are audible and measurable differences between the Elear and Elex sound signature, but they’re very much from the same family. In fact you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between them with tracks that don’t emphasize their particular sound signature emphasis - as you’ve ably demonstrated above. I’d wager the same applies to the Elex/Clear, as you’ve described.
Considering the only major difference between those two is the voice coil (and possibly driver housing or damping, since they use the same driver), it’s no surprise the Elex is described by many different users as “95% of the Clear” with the other 5% being different presentation of certain frequencies. The Clear is also easier to drive, which explains your volume matching issues.
In any case, reviews like yours are important in that they remind us of the very real law of diminishing returns: past a certain point you’re paying twice as much for single digit ‘improvements’, and it’s up to each of us to decide if that return is worth the investment or better spent elsewhere.
^ Even the Elear and Utopia sounded quite similar to me when I compared them back to back multiple times.
considering the clear or newly tweaked audeze lcd2 classic
looking for a versatile set of cans for rock, jazz, pop, instrumental.
thanks..i have the fostex ebony thx-00...under 10 hrs with lawton audio upgrade.
just had a 1st time listen on the wkend: wow, they're such fun cans for rock, pop etc...no wonder they're so popular. (was watching some rock concerts on my oled tv on the wkend: optical out to chord mojo then to fostex cans)
(also have my FLC 8S iems).
so originally i was considering NOT getting back into cans
but the ebonys have turned me around, hence considering these 2 models (clear and lcd2c)
so am now looking to step it up for SQ...but this means i'd also have to step up my dac/amp:
currently is a chord mojo.
my genres: rock, pop, folk, instrumental...don't want a compressed soundstage,
love quality bass
Not necessarily. Could just be a different voice coil like Clear vs Elex/Elear that all share the same driver.
they portray a rather smallish soundstage, which is nice for intimate jazz recording and such (a bit lacking in the large orchestral works department).
Ok, received the Clear today. The packaging is really great, as it should be given the price. The carrying case looks and feels quality made, the cables are neatly packed and look good, and the headphones themselves are probably one of the sexiest looking out there. Classy!
For the first impression I used 2 sources:
1. LG G7 ThinQ - this is a great modern Android phone with an ESS Sabre Quad HiFi DAC (same as inside the LG V30) and it drives the Clear effortlessly.
2. Ayre Codex - very well known DAC/headphone amp. Also comes with a Sabre DAC. I used only the 1/4” unbalanced connection as the stock cables don’t have the needed dual 3.5mm balanced jacks, so I will need to buy or build an adapter in order to get the most out of the Ayre.
General first impression: OK. The headphones are a bit heavy and could be more comfortable. I expected more clarity and more sparkle in the highs, but the headphones need time to burn in so I will give them a chance. The lows are good enough, the bass is nicely textured, goes pretty deep and doesn’t jump out. The midrange is very very good. The treble is a bit rolled off for my liking and lacks sparkle. I really expected more from the highs. The headphones are very dynamic with great slam, and are definitely an all-rounder, meaning very capable to deal with any music genre. However, they portray a rather smallish soundstage, which is nice for intimate jazz recording and such (a bit lacking in the large orchestral works department). The separation/imaging is excellent though.
I will evaluate them properly after sufficient burn in. But the earliest impression tells me I will have to stretch out and get the Utopia
Do others agree about the Clear's soundstage? I was looking at them, but listen to a lot of orchestral music. These would not be the headphones for me. Also, do others concur about the highs being a little lacking?
The highs are not lacking for me, if they were any brighter, fatigue would set in before I finished listening to a single album.......Do others agree about the Clear's soundstage? I was looking at them, but listen to a lot of orchestral music. These would not be the headphones for me. Also, do others concur about the highs being a little lacking?
Definitely. The general consensus is that the soundstage is small. And lack of sparkle in treble is also something that annoys me. These would definitely be 2 biggest drawbacks for me.