[Sophonax]

  I was at The Source AV today as well, got to listen to both Elear and Utopia.  I find Elear underwhelming, bloated bass and rolled off high.  HD800S is a much better headphones than Elear, definitely not worth the $1000 price tag.  IMO, YMMV, and all that jazz.
 
Utopia is much better than Elear, definitely bass light compared to HEK, so Jude was right on that front.  The mid and high is clearer and more vivid than HEK, sound staging is OK.  I feel Utopia sounds closer to HD800S, with a tad more refinement.  I was listening to Utopia with Woo WA5.  Utopia worth $4000? that's up to you, does a more refined HD800S worth $4000 to you?

 
Thanks for the impressions! In what way did you find the Utopia more refined than the HD800S?
 
Also, what amp did you use with the Elear?

 

[Khragon]

Thanks for the impressions! In what way did you find the Utopia more refined than the HD800S?

Also, what amp did you use with the Elear?

I was listening to the Elear with Cavalli new TOTL prototype.

I found Utopia bass to be nicely weighed, tighter than the HD800S. Mid on the HD800S is a bit coarser when compared to the Utopia. High on the Utopia is crisp, and clear, I feel it's just a tad "better" than HD800S. Overall a very enjoyable headphones, at $2000 it would be a huge hit, still a lot of money but we are talking relatively here. $3000 would be the max I pay for it, I don't think the $4000 price tag is justified given HD800S can be had for an average of around $1500.

I crossed the Elair off of my list, I think it should be priced closer to HD650 given it performance.

 

[grizzlybeast]

  I was at The Source AV today as well, got to listen to both Elear and Utopia.  I find Elear underwhelming, bloated bass and rolled off high.  HD800S is a much better headphones than Elear, definitely not worth the $1000 price tag.  IMO, YMMV, and all that jazz.
 
Utopia is much better than Elear, definitely bass light compared to HEK, so Jude was right on that front.  The mid and high is clearer and more vivid than HEK, sound staging is OK.  I feel Utopia sounds closer to HD800S, with a tad more refinement.  I was listening to Utopia with Woo WA5.  Utopia worth $4000? that's up to you, does a more refined HD800S worth $4000 to you?

Can I ask if you have found headphones like the Omni, LCD-X, TH900, TH-X00 to be bloated? I wonder if it (Elear) has any redeeming qualities.
 
If the Utopia bass is lighter than the HEK ill skip it forever. Def not paying 4k for a bass light headphone with ok staging no matter how clear and vivid it is. 

 

[reddog]

Can I ask if you have found headphones like the Omni, LCD-X, TH900, TH-X00 to be bloated? I wonder if it (Elear) has any redeeming qualities.

If the Utopia bass is lighter than the HEK ill skip it forever. Def not paying 4k for a bass light headphone with ok staging no matter how clear and vivid it is. 

Well said sir. I would rather spend $4k and get the HD800s as well as get the HE-6. I want one headphone to satisfy the bass monkey living on my back lol..

 

[grizzlybeast]

 

Can I ask if you have found headphones like the Omni, LCD-X, TH900, TH-X00 to be bloated? I wonder if it (Elear) has any redeeming qualities.

If the Utopia bass is lighter than the HEK ill skip it forever. Def not paying 4k for a bass light headphone with ok staging no matter how clear and vivid it is. 

Well said sir. I would rather spend $4k and get the HD800s as well as get the HE-6. I want one headphone to satisfy the bass monkey living on my back lol.

.

HD800S is great. I sold it to purchase an HD800 to modify and free up some change for the Kennerton Vali but then these guys came along and I am intrigued to say the least. 

 

[reddog]

HD800S is great. I sold it to purchase an HD800 to modify and free up some change for the Kennerton Vali but then these guys came along and I am intrigued to say the least. 

Thanks for the information an d I hear the Kennerton Vali is fantastic.

 

[TSAVJason]

Can I ask if you have found headphones like the Omni, LCD-X, TH900, TH-X00 to be bloated? I wonder if it (Elear) has any redeeming qualities.

If the Utopia bass is lighter than the HEK ill skip it forever. Def not paying 4k for a bass light headphone with ok staging no matter how clear and vivid it is. 

Bass light? That's funny!

 

[echineko]

Hey, so.. Any Focal reps around? As I mentioned earlier, would like to know about Asian availability. Seems like there's conflicting feedback/hype on these, would like to hear for myself. Anyone in the know, do PM me, thanks!

 

[TSAVJason]

Hey, so.. Any Focal reps around? As I mentioned earlier, would like to know about Asian availability. Seems like there's conflicting feedback/hype on these, would like to hear for myself. Anyone in the know, do PM me, thanks!

I'm with the factory reps right now. They don't know for sure but they hope in the later part of summer. As for conflicting comments, I believe you'll find these to be much different than the 2 comments posted.

 

[Khragon]

Can I ask if you have found headphones like the Omni, LCD-X, TH900, TH-X00 to be bloated? I wonder if it (Elear) has any redeeming qualities.

If the Utopia bass is lighter than the HEK ill skip it forever. Def not paying 4k for a bass light headphone with ok staging no matter how clear and vivid it is. 

I find THX00 bass bloated, I don't have any experience with the other headphones.

Utopia is for those who think Ether or Ether C is great but desired more bass, I found Ether C mids and high just good as Utopia. Speaking from memory here since I sold my Ether C due to complete lack of bass.

 

[echineko]

I'm with the factory reps right now. They don't know for sure but they hope in the later part of summer.

Great, they can also PM me if they're on headfi once there's some details, would like to try these when available. Thanks!

 

[grizzlybeast]

 

Can I ask if you have found headphones like the Omni, LCD-X, TH900, TH-X00 to be bloated? I wonder if it (Elear) has any redeeming qualities.

If the Utopia bass is lighter than the HEK ill skip it forever. Def not paying 4k for a bass light headphone with ok staging no matter how clear and vivid it is. 

I find THX00 bass bloated, I don't have any experience with the other headphones.

Utopia is for those who think Ether or Ether C is great but desired more bass, I found Ether C mids and high just good as Utopia. Speaking from memory here since I sold my Ether C due to complete lack of bass.

last question... is elear bass better than thx00...if you can't recall then no worries.
 
Thank you very much in advance. 

 

[TSAVJason]

last question... is elear bass better than thx00...if you can't recall then no worries. My memory says the thx00 is bassy and muddy bass at that. So yes no doubt better bass but definitely not bass light.

Thank you very much in advance. 

 

[grizzlybeast]

My memory says the thx00 is bassy and muddy bass at that. So yes no doubt better base but definitely not bass light.
 

last question... is elear bass better than thx00...if you can't recall then no worries. 
Thank you very much in advance. 

He was saying the bass on the utopia is lighter than the HEK so I said its not for me. I dont think he was calling the elear bass light or either. I deem the utopia bass light if it is less than the HEK. I find the HEK bass to be flat YMMV. 
 
Then I was asking about the th-X00 compared to the Elear... Thanks for the response. I have not to many issues with the TH-X00 bass so I have not much worry now. 

 

[Khragon]

If you are OK with THX00 than I imagine you'll be fine with Elear, I can't say for sure because I sold my THX00 because it's too muddy for me, I don't get that felling with Elear. I do have trouble with the treble though, too rolled off for my taste, reminded me of LCD2 non fazor, but without the deep bass.