[xrayman]

   
Dare to say I proclaim my self as Midrange head, even when I was child ( listening a lot through my parent's vintage Yamaha floordstand speaker) I always think that Vocal is the best "instrument" in the world.
 
For me some of these headphones really do produce "magical" midrange, each in their own way of course, different signature, but emphasis in the beauty of vocality, and yes, imo I rate them above HE500 (I like HE500 too, but not for midrange specialist):
- ATH W11R
- ATH AD1000 PRM
- ATH ESW10 LTD
- Hifiman HE6 (of course with the right set up)
- Hifiman HE1000v2
 
Though, I also admire some all rounder headphone that have great vocality, and for this part I have to give award to both Focal Utopia and Elear. They manage to sound complete with good attack, impact, and detail through all spectrum and great as allrounder cans, but with very good midrange presentation, Utopia with their natural vocality, as if you want to listen the real beautiful voice of the singer without any syrupy or over mellow coloration and Elear if you like vocality with warmness over it to create an analog feeling with great senses of depth.

 
I agree.  The vocals are so well emphasized.  Comparing with the Elears, vocals with the HE-500 sound much less straightforward, they sound behind.  This is probably the biggest strength of the Elear as far as I am concerned.  They really shine in that department.  Listening to Leonard Cohen with the Elear is simply beauty.  

 

[aznever]

Is the sound quality of the Focal Elear worth the cost of $300 more vs an open box Shure SE846 @ crutchfield?

 

[Maelob]

Thats for you to decide, different animals  IEMS vs open back, all depends of what are you looking for. i.e. isolation, portability, soundstage, etc etc

 

[Dvdlucena]

I agree.  The vocals are so well emphasized.  Comparing with the Elears, vocals with the HE-500 sound much less straightforward, they sound behind.  This is probably the biggest strength of the Elear as far as I am concerned.  They really shine in that department.  Listening to Leonard Cohen with the Elear is simply beauty.  

WHATs your pinion about audeze lcd2 overall mid range compared with Elear?

 

[TWerk]

I don't agree about the HE-500 vocals sounding behind in any way whatsoever. The trait that stands out to me most is how forward and clear the vocal presentation are on the HE-500's.
 
The vocals just pop and is probably THE one trait that I like most about the HE-500's. It's also very transparent.

 

[TWerk]

 
 
Dare to say I proclaim my self as Midrange head, even when I was child ( listening a lot through my parent's vintage Yamaha floordstand speaker) I always think that Vocal is the best "instrument" in the world.
 
For me some of these headphones really do produce "magical" midrange, each in their own way of course, different signature, but emphasis in the beauty of vocality, and yes, imo I rate them above HE500 (I like HE500 too, but not for midrange specialist):
 

 
May I ask what you like most about the HE-500's, if it is not the mids/vocals?

 

[abvolt]

My two cents I've owned over the last 5 years hd-650's-he500's ps-500's lcd2 & now 3's and the Elear's, sorry I've only had mine for a little over 2 days before they developed a distortion on the left side so not really enough time with them, but my replacements have been shipped, they so impressed me that at least imo for a 1k pair of hp's I'm not sure one can do better their sq is extremely good.. enjoy

 

[RubberDuk]

I've been using Mad Dogs with a slight bass boost for years before deciding to go for the Elear. Right off the bat I found the level of comfort.. not great. Compared to Alpha leather pads the Elear pads are less sweaty, but chafe against the skin a bit. We'll see if it gets better with time/wear. I really find myself missing the strap on the MDs as my head is somewhat egg shaped and the Elear headband puts a lot of pressure on one spot. It's a bit better now that the SO(a keeper for sure!) knitted a sleeve of sorts to put around the headband.
 
As for the sound the Elear is a pretty good all-rounder in my opinion. I've even found myself listening to techno and house because of the sweet, sweet bass. However, as someone who's used to and prefers a dark/warm sound, I'm occasionally annoyed by the highs. Especially hi-hats can be prominent enough in both electronic and non-electronic music to get in the way of everything else.
 
The cable is a joke and I'm currently getting by with a cheap Chinese one mentioned earlier in this thread. I haven't detected any QC problems with my pair, but I'm a bit curious about the "non-transferable" warranty. I did ask Focal about it, but still waiting to hear back. If I don't, I'll contact the national customer protection officials and ask what their take on all this is. Laws vary by country, but my impression is that around here the manufacturer can't really just say "oh, you sold the product so there's no warranty anymore". Especially since the manufacturer is also in the EU. In any case it makes it seem as if Focal don't trust their own product to last. When I know more I'll post here for sure.
 
In conclusion I thought I was getting a major upgrade with a jump from $300 headphones to $1000 - and I did, to some extent. I'm not unhappy, but it could be my expectations were slightly too high. If it weren't for the unimpressive level of comfort, silly cable and the hi-hats I'd probably sound a lot more positive.

 

[Dvdlucena]

  My two cents I've owned over the last 5 years hd-650's-he500's ps-500's lcd2 & now 3's and the Elear's, sorry I've only had mine for a little over 2 days before they developed a distortion on the left side so not really enough time with them, but my replacements have been shipped, they so impressed me that at least imo for a 1k pair of hp's I'm not sure one can do better their sq is extremely good.. enjoy

 
abbott, can you write some impressions between Audeze LCD-2 and Elear?

 

[abvolt]

   
abbott, can you write some impressions between Audeze LCD-2 and Elear?

 
As primarily a headphones guy, I got to say I've never heard of Focal before Tyll's review over on innerfidelity.com and I have to say that was really a great review on these truely awesome hp's. Its crazy that a $1000 headphone can be considered a bargain but that's where we are these days with highend headphones, and these are a true bargain with out a doubt.
 
My LCD 2's in comparison to the Elear's are very close no doubt the Audeze have a better sounding bass but not by a lot, The clarity & detail of the Elear's are imo much better also bass with the Elear's is very deep very & fine sounding, if you listen to more pop or rock the Elear's dominate the lcd 2's,  please keep in mind I'm not an audiophile just someone who love his tunes at the best I can afford.. enjoy

 

[abvolt]

  I've been using Mad Dogs with a slight bass boost for years before deciding to go for the Elear. Right off the bat I found the level of comfort.. not great. Compared to Alpha leather pads the Elear pads are less sweaty, but chafe against the skin a bit. We'll see if it gets better with time/wear. I really find myself missing the strap on the MDs as my head is somewhat egg shaped and the Elear headband puts a lot of pressure on one spot. It's a bit better now that the SO(a keeper for sure!) knitted a sleeve of sorts to put around the headband.
 
As for the sound the Elear is a pretty good all-rounder in my opinion. I've even found myself listening to techno and house because of the sweet, sweet bass. However, as someone who's used to and prefers a dark/warm sound, I'm occasionally annoyed by the highs. Especially hi-hats can be prominent enough in both electronic and non-electronic music to get in the way of everything else.
 
The cable is a joke and I'm currently getting by with a cheap Chinese one mentioned earlier in this thread. I haven't detected any QC problems with my pair, but I'm a bit curious about the "non-transferable" warranty. I did ask Focal about it, but still waiting to hear back. If I don't, I'll contact the national customer protection officials and ask what their take on all this is. Laws vary by country, but my impression is that around here the manufacturer can't really just say "oh, you sold the product so there's no warranty anymore". Especially since the manufacturer is also in the EU. In any case it makes it seem as if Focal don't trust their own product to last. When I know more I'll post here for sure.
 
In conclusion I thought I was getting a major upgrade with a jump from $300 headphones to $1000 - and I did, to some extent. I'm not unhappy, but it could be my expectations were slightly too high. If it weren't for the unimpressive level of comfort, silly cable and the hi-hats I'd probably sound a lot more positive.

 
Sorry you feel that way the md's are great hp's I've listened to them(even the Flow's) but in my opinion not on the same level as the Elear's not near as dynamic & punchy sounding and as far as clarity & detail the Elear's have it by a big way, now your comment on the  "joke cable" the Elear's come with I think a really great cable very well built not being an audio engineer hard for me to give an actuate evaluation but neither can you Right..enjoy

 

[applebook]

I'm a bit curious about the "non-transferable" warranty. I did ask Focal about it, but still waiting to hear back. If I don't, I'll contact the national customer protection officials and ask what their take on all this is. Laws vary by country, but my impression is that around here the manufacturer can't really just say "oh, you sold the product so there's no warranty anymore". Especially since the manufacturer is also in the EU. In any case it makes it seem as if Focal don't trust their own product to last. When I know more I'll post here for sure.

 
It's very strange. I think that a surprising number of companies have non-transferable warranties, but they don't advertise it, so consumers don't question it. Most companies tend to be pretty lax when it comes to warranties though (Apple).
 
Still, I wouldn't worry about Focal, who has been making some of the finest speakers in the world for many years.

 

[BlendedTwice]

I agree.  The vocals are so well emphasized.  Comparing with the Elears, vocals with the HE-500 sound much less straightforward, they sound behind.  This is probably the biggest strength of the Elear as far as I am concerned.  They really shine in that department.  Listening to Leonard Cohen with the Elear is simply beauty.  

AGREED. My sister came into town this week and was out of sorts. I put the Elear on her head, playing Democracy (Cohen,) and she pretty much started crying.

 

[PeteSTRADAMUS]

I've been using Mad Dogs with a slight bass boost for years before deciding to go for the Elear. Right off the bat I found the level of comfort.. not great. Compared to Alpha leather pads the Elear pads are less sweaty, but chafe against the skin a bit. We'll see if it gets better with time/wear. I really find myself missing the strap on the MDs as my head is somewhat egg shaped and the Elear headband puts a lot of pressure on one spot. It's a bit better now that the SO(a keeper for sure!) knitted a sleeve of sorts to put around the headband.

As for the sound the Elear is a pretty good all-rounder in my opinion. I've even found myself listening to techno and house because of the sweet, sweet bass. However, as someone who's used to and prefers a dark/warm sound, I'm occasionally annoyed by the highs. Especially hi-hats can be prominent enough in both electronic and non-electronic music to get in the way of everything else.

The cable is a joke and I'm currently getting by with a cheap Chinese one mentioned earlier in this thread. I haven't detected any QC problems with my pair, but I'm a bit curious about the "non-transferable" warranty. I did ask Focal about it, but still waiting to hear back. If I don't, I'll contact the national customer protection officials and ask what their take on all this is. Laws vary by country, but my impression is that around here the manufacturer can't really just say "oh, you sold the product so there's no warranty anymore". Especially since the manufacturer is also in the EU. In any case it makes it seem as if Focal don't trust their own product to last. When I know more I'll post here for sure.

In conclusion I thought I was getting a major upgrade with a jump from $300 headphones to $1000 - and I did, to some extent. I'm not unhappy, but it could be my expectations were slightly too high. If it weren't for the unimpressive level of comfort, silly cable and the hi-hats I'd probably sound a lot more positive.

I don't think the Elears are that comfortable. I constantly had to move them around while listening. After a short time... That's when they would start bothering me a little. So after a quick nudge they reset in the comfort department. They only started to feel heavy when that construction equipment cable started to drag it down.

 

[xrayman]

AGREED. My sister came into town this week and was out of sorts. I put the Elear on her head, playing Democracy (Cohen,) and she pretty much started crying.

Yes I can understand that well. I was listening to Old Ideas' tracks Amen and Lullaby and Cohen's voice resonated into my head as if he was so close to me.

The elears were made for vocals. None of my other headphones produce the vocals so vividly than the Elear does. Love it thus far.