[god-bluff]

Is there an actual reason for the total lack of an actual Focal spokesperson (as in, directly working with Focal) in this thread so far? Surely it's not that hard to create a headfi account?

Probably got better things to do. The world doesn't revolve around Headfi.The headphones haven't even gone on sale in Europe yet.

This whole thread was started prematurely in order to sell the headphones through one American dealer.

 

[TSAVJason]

Probably got better things to do. The world doesn't revolve around Headfi.The headphones haven't even gone on sale in Europe yet.

This whole thread was started prematurely in order to sell the headphones through one American dealer.

That's not an accurate statement.

 

[Mediahound]

  Quick question on the cables that come with these (Utopia and Elear) - can they be reterminated as balanced? That is, do the cables inherently have a balanced design or would they need an altogether new aftermarket cable to use them in a balanced setup?

Yes, they can. 

 

[FLTWS]

  Is there an actual reason for the total lack of an actual Focal spokesperson (as in, directly working with Focal) in this thread so far? Surely it's not that hard to create a headfi account?

 
Too many booby-traps, and if they don't getcha the quicksand will.

 

[FLTWS]

  Is Utopia available at The Source?

 
You could PM TSAVJason or E-Mail the Source and probably get a fairly quick response.

 

[TSAVJason]

Does anyone know when the Elear will be available?

On Focal's website, it says I can pre-order them.

I cannot find any places to actually buy them yet.

In the US market only for the moment and for the next couple weeks at The Source AV Design Group in Torrance California

 

[echineko]

Just strange, for such a high-profile flagship launch in (presumably) a major market. All these minor dramas and controversies could have been addressed once and linked from the first post. Wouldn't that make it much better for people trying to get actual info here?

 

[zept0sec]

 
Yes, they can. 

 
I thought you had to have at least four wires to make it balanced. Seems this noob stands corrected.

 

[god-bluff]

That's not an accurate statement.

No i agree; not totally

 

[DKMTech]

"In the US market only for the moment and for the next couple weeks at The Source AV Design Group in Torrance California"
 
Wow, I didn't realize these Elear cans were only available for a limited time here in the States?
 
Can you explain that for me Jason? How long will they be sold in the States? When can we expect to see them go away and only be sold in Europe and other markets?
 
I've never heard of a product having a limited time to buy anywhere in the world unless it's a product that only has a single production run.  The Elear is not a numbered, limited edition product as far as I can tell...
 
???

 

[mithrandir38]

"In the US market only for the moment and for the next couple weeks at The Source AV Design Group in Torrance California"

Wow, I didn't realize these Elear cans were only available for a limited time here in the States?

Can you explain that for me Jason? How long will they be sold in the States? When can we expect to see them go away and only be sold in Europe and other markets?

I've never heard of a product having a limited time to buy anywhere in the world unless it's a product that only has a single production run.  The Elear is not a numbered, limited edition product as far as I can tell...

???

he didn't say that. The release is limited to the states currently, and specifically to one dealer. It will broaden in a few weeks

 

[DKMTech]

Just wondering as I can buy them at Headroom in Montana just to name one other dealer who have them right now.

 

[rthomas]

Hi Guys,
 
I had the chance to listen to the Elear at Canjam London a few days ago. ( Amp used was the Pass Labs HPA1 and the DAC was a Cary audio DAC)
 
The build and design were excellent. The weight was very well distributed.
 
The sound quality was very good and the bass was punchier than my HD650. I used to own a ZMF Blackwood and the punchiness of the bass reminded me of that planar bass.
 
In terms of detail I felt that my HD650 and the Elear were hard to separate unless heard side by side (I did not take the HD650 with me)
 
Overall I don't really see the value proposition here as the HD650 is very cheap in the UK (I got a barely used one on Ebay for 180 GBP)
 
The Elear is more than 4 times the cost. I believe that a well driven HD650 should satisfy most people unless you need super punchy bass.
 
I did not miss the bass of my Blackwood once I got the HD650 and used it out of a very good amp and dac like the Mjolnir 2 and Bifrost MB. 
 
I will probably wait a year or two to see where prices settle down. Maybe once used ones hit the 500 GBP mark they may make sense.

 

[DKMTech]

Nordkapp,
 
Take it easy man.
 
Just asking questions and wondering how there's only one dealer in the States that carries these cans.
 
Jason will be in the same boat as the rest of the dealers then once his stock is gone. So we'll all have to wait.
 
Just sayin' there's options.
 
And no, no dealer of any product is here to "help us all out" as they're in business to make money. The same reason you have a job and go to work. Just keep that in mind.
 
I'm not knocking Jason as I'm sure he runs a great outfit in CA. And hats off to him for having stock before the rest of the dealers.
 
Let's all just breathe a little.

 

[Stillhart]

   
I thought you had to have at least four wires to make it balanced. Seems this noob stands corrected.

 
You need 3 wires for single-ended and 4 for balanced.  What you're seeing is two bundles of wires, likely 2 in each bundle (I can't confirm because I haven't opened one up, but I'm fairly certain that's what it is).  Pretty much any headphone cable that's wired for double-entry can be reterminated from SE to balanced.