[pkcpga]

I want to see someone give a comparison between the Audeze LCD-2 and the Focal Elear. 

It's been a long time since I've heard the 2's but I own the 3 and listened to the elears not too long ago before buying the utopia. Audeze has its own sound signature if you like it, the elears has a slightly more refined low end than my 3's. Both are on the warm side and don't have expansive soundstages. I personally thought the elear had more natural sounding vocals that were a little more present or forward than the 3's. While the audeze has more bass presence but at the cost of slightly recessing mids. Even though I own the 3's neither are my preferred sound signature. I'm more of a hd800, utopia or kaiser encore fan.

 

[kaesar94]

I want to see someone give a comparison between the Audeze LCD-2 and the Focal Elear. 

I've heard both in comparison (the Audeze was the latest revision, with Fazor). I've found the Elear as engaging as the LCD2F, with modestly better detail, resolution and soundstage. The only thing i missed with the Elear is the bass slam of the Audeze, but not so much. Overall, i definitively prefer the Elear.

 

[VocaloidDude]

Hmm. Glad I bought my LCD-2 used then, and with christmas money and a loan from my mom. LOL. Gotta go sell this thing now and buy the Elear. Maybe in my dreams. I love the LCD-2 though, I can hear a difference between the HE650. 

 

[james6333]

I hope this is moon audio price gouging and not the going rate for Utopia pads.... pretty absurd. I wanted a pair for my wife's elears that have been collecting dust.

https://www.moon-audio.com/focal-utopia-headphones-earpads-pair.html

 

[TSAVJason]

I hope this is moon audio price gouging and not the going rate for Utopia pads.... pretty absurd. I wanted a pair for my wife's elears that have been collecting dust.

https://www.moon-audio.com/focal-utopia-headphones-earpads-pair.html

To be sure he's offering you a $2 discount on the Utopia pads and at retail on the Elear pads. The retail on the Utopia pad is $250 and the Elear pad is $150. Not to defend another dealer but Focal wants all advertised prices at full retail. These are Focal prices not a price made up arbitrarily by the dealer your referring to.

 

[buzzlulu]

Is Focal insane???
 
$150 for Elear pads for a headphone that costs $1000.  
If they value two leather pads at $150 what do they value the chasis?  left and right headphone transducers?  cable?  box and packaging?  It almost seems that if you add up the replacement cost from for all of the parts that make up a pair of Elears you will probably end up over $2000!  So I guess they are being real nice and only selling it for $1000
 
I have been looking into the Elear however this is grounds to end my search.
 
I hope Focal is still looking at this thread.  Highway robbery for a $20 pair of leather pads made in China

 

[mithrandir38]

Is Focal insane???

$150 for Elear pads for a headphone that costs $1000.  
If they value two leather pads at $150 what do they value the chasis?  left and right headphone transducers?  cable?  box and packaging?  It almost seems that if you add up the replacement cost from for all of the parts that make up a pair of Elears you will probably end up over $2000!  So I guess they are being real nice and only selling it for $1000

I have been looking into the Elear however this is grounds to end my search.

I hope Focal is still looking at this thread.  Highway robbery for a $20 pair of leather pads made in China

The elear pads are velour/ microfiber. The Utopia pads are lamb skin leather. The Elear are great headphones and come with a great warranty. Don't let the replacement cost of pads put you off from looking into them.

 

[buzzlulu]

I will still look at them however I really needed to get that off of my chest.
Even worse for $150 now that you tell me they are velour/microfiber.  I guess they are now $5 pads made in China

 

[pervysage]

Is Moon Audio the only one selling the pads so far? And are they even in stock, or just just listed on the website for now? Guess I will shoot them an email.

 

[james6333]

I will still look at them however I really needed to get that off of my chest.
Even worse for $150 now that you tell me they are velour/microfiber.  I guess they are now $5 pads made in China

I don't think you are missing anything. The Elear is pretty average with bad upper mids (sucked out). Demo before you buy.

I still have a pair around for the wife (she likes them) but they are the least used headphone in the house. I even think my Grado SR60es sound better (not joking) with better tonal balance and comparable detail...


Anyway back in pricing. The price of these pads should clearly show that they are priced at what he market will bear and has nothing to do with quality or the cost manufacture. I thought the HD800S pads were too much at $80ish but now the HD800S seem like a deal... and they come attached to a better headphone too.

All in all I will not be trying the utopia pads on my Elear at this stupid price and I am not short of cash just not into BS.

 

[Audio Addict]

To be sure he's offering you a $2 discount on the Utopia pads and at retail on the Elear pads. The retail on the Utopia pad is $250 and the Elear pad is $150. Not to defend another dealer but Focal wants all advertised prices at full retail. These are Focal prices not a price made up arbitrarily by the dealer your referring to.

I am sorry but those prices are crazy. I just lost a lot of respect for Focal.

 

[applebook]

The Utopia also has an enormous -15db drop between 5-6KHz (and 11-13KHz). You just don't notice as much because it's quite a bit more resolving and transparent than the Elear.
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalUtopia.pdf

 

[TSAVJason]

I am sorry but those prices are crazy. I just lost a lot of respect for Focal.

Don't shoot the messenger I simply answered the question! It is the real pricing and that particular dealer appears to be offering a $2 discount on the Utopia pads.

Why sorry, it's an opinion ....right?

 

[Audio Addict]

Don't shoot the messenger I simply answered the question! It is the real pricing and that particular dealer appears to be offering a $2 discount on the Utopia pads.

Why sorry, it's an opinion ....right?

No shooting, promise.

I am just disappointed in Focal for deciding on those advertised retail prices.

 

[raypin]

Mm..well, there goes my earpad-rolling plan. Lol!

The most expensive earpads I've bought is the original replacement pads for my TH 900 at usd80.00, landed cost.