[TSAVJason]

I was going by this, I will have to email them to see if they stand by this. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091ELEAR/Focal-Elear.html

They either don’t know the warranty, misprinted the warranty or because they are not authorized to sell open or damaged products are maybe trying to get around the focal policy. After reading their ad I can see a few things that are not in concert with Focals policy. Focals factory policies are very consumer friendly and are really expected to protect those that buy from legitimate resellers and have a bad experience. I’ve seen 2 online resellers now with the 1 year warranty when it is not the US warranty policy. I’ve now seen 3 companies offering open box when this is not authorized by FocalNA here in the states. Only 1 store is authorized for open box sales Moon Audio. They took over after we stopped. So take this info and be an informed buyer.

 

[lugnut]

They either don’t know the warranty, misprinted the warranty or because they are not authorized to sell open or damaged products are maybe trying to get around the focal policy. After reading their ad I can see a few things that are not in concert with Focals policy. Focals factory policies are very consumer friendly and are really expected to protect those that buy from legitimate resellers and have a bad experience. I’ve seen 2 online resellers now with the 1 year warranty when it is not the US warranty policy. I’ve now seen 3 companies offering open box when this is not authorized by FocalNA here in the states. Only 1 store is authorized for open box sales Moon Audio. They took over after we stopped. So take this info and be an informed buyer.

First let me say thanks for trying to do what Focal should be doing on here. There is so much different info on here and on focal dealers internet websites, who know what to believe. I could have done without your last remark " So take this info and be an informed buyer." I consider myself to be an informed buyer, I cannot help other online dealers cannot get it right, or Focal will not clear this up. So I will hang my spurs up and call it a day, I am no longer interested in these headphones.

 

[styks]

I personally think, from reading your comments you should try to get to a location that allows you to audition the CLEAR. I believe it will take away your concerns and likely fit the target you’re looking to meet.

Hi, thank you I've thought that and oh l wish I could, unfortunately it's 500 quid more than I've got!
It took me long enough to save £900. Not so easy when you're disabled. This is why im back and forward like a damned fiddlers elbow trying to decide!! ..... I'd be there in a heartbeat if I could afford it believe me. I feel they've no doubt ironed out this issue with the Clear, one reviewer hinted at it, if i read him correctly.

 

[DivaFonda]

UGH! Elears(or Focal) are not having a good day reputation wise.

I had always thought Crutchfield was reputable. But since there are too many problems reported with Focal, maybe it is best to get another set.

 

[TSAVJason]

First let me say thanks for trying to do what Focal should be doing on here. There is so much different info on here and on focal dealers internet websites, who know what to believe. I could have done without your last remark " So take this info and be an informed buyer." I consider myself to be an informed buyer, I cannot help other online dealers cannot get it right, or Focal will not clear this up. So I will hang my spurs up and call it a day, I am no longer interested in these headphones.

Sorry to hear that but it’s not Focal that is causing all the confusion. I do think that Focal should provide more understandable data but I see Marine trying to be more attentive.

My apologies you took my “informed buyer” comment wrong. It was meant as me saying “now you have the real data on Focal”

 

[styks]

You want the source at 100% and to then control the volume through the Mojo. Why do you only use 75% of the volume on the Samsung?

I read somewhere it was best to keep source level down a bit?

 

[x RELIC x]

Ok x Relic x, ..... start to crack lightly top of pale blue, cracking hard going further into solid blue, by purple (is it?) Like a machine gun loud and painful..... The HD650 go well past, through purple through white then start to breakdown when marble next to power starts getting red. ........ I won't try that again, .... ouch!

Thanks. For your reference I listen to the Utopia (same efficiency) on double red and sometimes the lower end of yellow on the Mojo. This gets me in the ballpark of 85 dB average SPL (with obviously higher peaks), depending on the track.

 

[TSAVJason]

Hi, thank you I've thought that and oh l wish I could, unfortunately it's 500 quid more than I've got!
It took me long enough to save £900. Not so easy when you're disabled. This is why im back and forward like a damned fiddlers elbow trying to decide!! ..... I'd be there in a heartbeat if I could afford it believe me. I feel they've no doubt ironed out this issue with the Clear, one reviewer hinted at it, if i read him correctly.

The CLEAR is all together a different animal really. I understand that it isn’t always easy to audition things but most good hifi stores that support the communities around them will likely find ways to help you out. Good luck!

 

[styks]

Thanks. For your reference I listen to the Utopia (same efficiency) on double red and sometimes the lower end of yellow on the Mojo. This gives me in the ballpark of 85 dB average SPL (with obviously higher peaks), depending on the track.

Thanks, tbh I'm generally up around top of orange to lower green so decibel wise where is that, 90-95db?
Is that dependant on source level? ..... My iPhone output is fixed when plugged into Mojo, or i should say any change i make has no effect on Mojo's output. The Samsung on the other hand, if i adjust output on the Tablet/source it changes Mojo's output wherever it's set, red, orange, yellow etc.?
So as that earlier gentleman posted (thank you by the way) i should be at 100% on the source always?

 

[x RELIC x]

Thanks, tbh I'm generally up around top of orange to lower green so decibel wise where is that, 90-95db?
Is that dependant on source level? ..... My iPhone output is fixed when plugged into Mojo, or i should say any change i make has no effect on Mojo's output. The Samsung on the other hand, if i adjust output on the Tablet/source it changes Mojo's output wherever it's set, red, orange, yellow etc.?
So as that earlier gentleman posted (thank you by the way) i should be at 100% on the source always?

For bit perfect playback the source should be 100% unless you are adding EQ or DSP that may clip in the digital domain. That's why some lower their digital source volume, for digital clipping headroom.

The SPL level output will depend greatly on the level the music is recorded at. Many modern tracks are dynamically compressed and are mastered at a very high level (Loudness Wars), and many contain clipping in the track itself - Adele for example. Many classical and orchestration albums are mastered at lower levels so require a higher volume to get the same SPL. The only way to be sure of your listening level is to measure the SPL output with a sealed earcup, and it's best to use a proper SPL meter for accuracy.

 

[TSAVJason]

UGH! Elears(or Focal) are not having a good day reputation wise.

I had always thought Crutchfield was reputable. But since there are too many problems reported with Focal, maybe it is best to get another set.

I believe Crutchfield is a reputable dealer. I would lean toward giving them the benefit of the doubt and maybe give them a chance to explain the 1 year warranty. I would not however purchase an open box or refurb from anyone other than the 1 store in the US authorized to sell them.

 

[shenanbay]

does anyone know if focal will start including the 3 cables in new focal Elears ?

 

[ZenGentleman]

I believe Crutchfield is a reputable dealer. I would lean toward giving them the benefit of the doubt and maybe give them a chance to explain the 1 year warranty. I would not however purchase an open box or refurb from anyone other than the 1 store in the US authorized to sell them.

Here in the US, I don’t know why anyone would buy from Crutchfield, reputable or not. On average, their prices are the absolute highest, rarely ever lower than full MSRP, even after older products have been discounted by the manufacturers. Crutchfield was offering the Elear for $999, when Music Direct and Moon Audio (for example) had them at $699 with trade in. A $300 discount is no joke. I bought my open box pair from Moon Audio two weeks ago for $549. I like supporting small businesses, when possible, but low prices are the priority (as long as they are an authorized dealer). I’ve bought several items from Drew at Moon Audio over the years and have always had a positive experience. The fact that they are the only authorized dealer able to sell open box Elears was critical.

I feel really bad for @styks and others having the crackling issue. I’ve tried every suggested track that’s been listed in this thread that are causing some Elear owners problems and I’m thankful that I’m not experiencing any of the issues that a few owners are. I’m sampling the problem tracks via Spotify Premium at 320k through my Bifrost Multibit and Valhalla 2 amp. Of course, the other variable is volume, and I’m listening to those tracks pretty loud but I’m not pushing the volume to levels I would NEVER listen to because what’s the point? I’m sure I could get the drivers to break up at some point but if it is sufficiently outside the parameters of my level of volume enjoyment then it is a moot point for me.

 

[DivaFonda]

First let me say thanks for trying to do what Focal should be doing on here. There is so much different info on here and on focal dealers internet websites, who know what to believe. I could have done without your last remark " So take this info and be an informed buyer." I consider myself to be an informed buyer, I cannot help other online dealers cannot get it right, or Focal will not clear this up. So I will hang my spurs up and call it a day, I am no longer interested in these headphones.

Try Moon Audio for open box if you still become interested in the future. They are authorized so the warranty is valid.

 

[gardibolt]

I'm still loving the Elears. Though I usually listen to classical, the last few days I've been binging David Bowie and it sounds rich, full and better than I've ever heard it. I feel bad for folks who are having trouble but I also don't understand the compulsion to try to make the drivers break up.