I am giving the Elear a trial run and want to post some initial impressions. So far I have tested it on a Violectric HPA V100 desk top amp connected to my turntable setup, and on the iPhone 7 Plus using Tidal and alternating between the DragonFly Red and FiiO A5.
Presentation/Design:
The box housing the Elear, while not made of luxurious materials like leather or satin lining, has a functional design and the thick and plentiful foam inside gives you confidence that the headphone will be well protected from damage or blemishes. I also like the magnet clasps, and the side compartment for the unwieldy and thick cable. The box is not practical for portable purposes, but a nice addition for the home set up. As far as the design of the Elear itself, the cups have a bit of French flair but it is elegant and fairly understated. The overall look is one of both classic and modernistic touches. The rather large "Focal" lettering on both sides of the headband sort of detracts from the elegance but I guess they have to put their stamp on it in some fashion. The build is of high quality, with premium materials. There is a bit of creaking when you swivel the cups. However, I feel this is a natural by-product of flexibility and not so much a result of imperfect construction. The cable is much too long and heavy but there are many after market options. I also understand that newer stock has a shorter cable.
Comfort:
This is a real strength of the Elear. It is remarkably comfortable, and while it weighs 450 grams, it feels much lighter. The clamp pressure is perfect for me, although I can see why some people might prefer a more snug fit, especially if they are used to grooving to their music or are up and about while listening. The pads are roomy and deep, and the material soft and not stifling (like some velour and leather pads can feel over extended listening sessions). I am pleasantly surprised by the comfort. Just superb, one of the more comfortable headphones I've tried.
Sound:
This is a tricky headphone to pin down. The easy description is that it has a visceral, dynamic, and meaty sound, and that is consistent with what many on this thread have said. However, it is still very much capable of presenting detail and intimacy, and it straddles the line between analytical and "fun" quite well, the latter trait implying a substantial bass impact, which the Elear can definitely project on tracks. For example, I was listening to "Come Together" by The Beatles, and the bass was like a punch in the gut (a good thing). What I struggle with, however, is I find myself constantly adjusting the volume on songs. Of course, this could be more about the quality of the music file and the mastering of the particular track but it is not something I've encountered much before on other headphones. Also, there are times when I find the sound a touch congested and woolly but it is only noticeable when immediately contrasting with the other open headphone I currently have, the Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro. It falls a little short of the refinement and clarity of the 1990. Nonetheless, I am still very much impressed with the sound quality of the Elear. It is authoritative and exciting and approximates the experience of listening to speakers, which is not surprising given Focal's reputation and engineering prowess in speaker design and construction.
I have to spend more time with the Elear before I make an informed decision on whether to keep it or not, but I already have a sense as to why it has such a great reputation. It is a fantastic headphone, and is reasonably priced. The only downside is that the Elear has me really curious about the Utopia! That must be one special headphone.