[Jearly410]

I did some pad rolling around this time last year with the Elear, even designed a 3d printable pad adapter and tried a few different ones. Changing pads on these cans really makes a difference, glad there's a company out there taking advantage of this.

Your post back then is the reason I am interested in the dekoni hybrids. Can’t believe it’s been nearly a year

 

[dontfeedphils]

Your post back then is the reason I am interested in the dekoni hybrids. Can’t believe it’s been nearly a year

Nice! All my inspiration came from a post on another forum (who's name we mustn't speak around here), so I can't take too much credit.

With the new pad offerings and the prices your able to get the Elear at these days, it's a damn good deal.

 

[abirdie4me]

I got the Dekoni Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin and to me the biggest change in sound is a bump in the mids. I've been using Roon parametric EQ with the stock pads to boost the mids by 3db, but I now run with no EQ on the Dekoni pads. When I first started doing A/B tests against the stock pad, I thought the Dekoni had less bass than stock, but with time I feel it isn't lack of bass as much as an increase in mids. There is an overall (slightly) cleaner sound with the Dekoni. I still think the stock pads are more comfortable, but the Dekoni look really great.

 

[gLer]

I got the Dekoni Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin and to me the biggest change in sound is a bump in the mids. I've been using Roon parametric EQ with the stock pads to boost the mids by 3db, but I now run with no EQ on the Dekoni pads. When I first started doing A/B tests against the stock pad, I thought the Dekoni had less bass than stock, but with time I feel it isn't lack of bass as much as an increase in mids. There is an overall (slightly) cleaner sound with the Dekoni. I still think the stock pads are more comfortable, but the Dekoni look really great.

That parallels what I’m hearing as well. I wasn’t sure if I was hearing a touch less bass because the pads are fenestrated but you’re right, it’s because the mids are more balanced (which also explains the extra detail I’m hearing along with the wider, more layered soundstage). Whatever Dekoni has done with these pads is what Focal should have done from the get go. I wonder how closely the Dekonis match the Utopia pads, because by all accounts the Elear isn’t great with Utopia pads. But these Dekonis are a keeper - stock pads are packed away in the box.

 

[TSAVJason]

That parallels what I’m hearing as well. I wasn’t sure if I was hearing a touch less bass because the pads are fenestrated but you’re right, it’s because the mids are more balanced (which also explains the extra detail I’m hearing along with the wider, more layered soundstage). Whatever Dekoni has done with these pads is what Focal should have done from the get go. I wonder how closely the Dekonis match the Utopia pads, because by all accounts the Elear isn’t great with Utopia pads. But these Dekonis are a keeper - stock pads are packed away in the box.

Just a thought but have you ever given any thought to the idea that maybe Focal doesn’t agree with your assessment?

 

[gLer]

Just a thought but have you ever given any thought to the idea that maybe Focal doesn’t agree with your assessment?

Oh I’m quite sure they don’t agree, but luckily we have ready-made options we can use to change the design decision WE as customers don’t agree with.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. This time it worked quite well for my liking, although I’m sure there are plenty who wouldn’t like what I’m hearing, prefer the stock pads, or dismiss the Elear outright. Nothing wrong with that either.

I do think Focal have a cheek charging what they do for accessories, especially pads, when you have smaller companies like Dekoni charging significantly less for significantly better made pads, regardless of what you may or may not think about how they sound. Maybe if Focal were more reasonable with their accessory pricing you wouldn’t get a cottage industry popping up to fill such an obvious niche.

Just my 2 cents, for what it’s worth.

PS. I never said I didn’t like the Elear with stock pads. I think it’s brilliant. I just happen to like it better with the Dekoni pads. And as far as I’m concerned, leather/pleather should be mandatory for TOTL headphone pads. And don’t get me started on using fabric on a headband...

 

[TSAVJason]

Oh I’m quite sure they don’t agree, but luckily we have ready-made options we can use to change the design decision WE as customers don’t agree with.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. This time it worked quite well for my liking, although I’m sure there are plenty who wouldn’t like what I’m hearing, prefer the stock pads, or dismiss the Elear outright. Nothing wrong with that either.

I do think Focal have a cheek charging what they do for accessories, especially pads, when you have smaller companies like Dekoni charging significantly less for significantly better made pads, regardless of what you may or may not think about how they sound. Maybe if Focal were more reasonable with their accessory pricing you wouldn’t get a cottage industry popping up to fill such an obvious niche.

Just my 2 cents, for what it’s worth.

PS. I never said I didn’t like the Elear with stock pads. I think it’s brilliant. I just happen to like it better with the Dekoni pads. And as far as I’m concerned, leather/pleather should be mandatory for TOTL headphone pads. And don’t get me started on using fabric on a headband...

You seem to have taken my question as a personal affront. It was a question as to whether or not you’d considered they may not agree with your assessment. I’ve not suggested you think differently than you’ve posted.

 

[gLer]

You seem to have taken my question as a personal affront. It was a question as to whether or not you’d considered they may not agree with your assessment. I’ve not suggested you think differently than you’ve posted.

Sorry Jason, didn't mean it to come across that way and apologies if it did. I also didn't mean my response as a personal rebuttal. I fully respect Focal and their products - that's why I buy them; I may not agree with all of their design decisions but then I'm sure they're not sitting around a table looking to design headphones just for me Guess I'm just so stoked at how much better my Elears look, sound and feel with such a relatively 'minor' update, when I didn't think they could get much better than they were out the box.

 

[TSAVJason]

Sorry Jason, didn't mean it to come across that way and apologies if it did. I also didn't mean my response as a personal rebuttal. I fully respect Focal and their products - that's why I buy them; I may not agree with all of their design decisions but then I'm sure they're not sitting around a table looking to design headphones just for me Guess I'm just so stoked at how much better my Elears look, sound and feel with such a relatively 'minor' update, when I didn't think they could get much better than they were out the box.

That is why aftermarket exists isn’t it? And I have learned a bunch from the modders that visit our store. If you go way back in the thread you’ll see I’m pretty much anti-Focal branded swaps like using the Utopia pads on the Elear. I’m sure we’ll see quite a few aftermarket builders with pads that work well as we do with wire companies.

 

[DekoniAudio]

I’ve just ‘upgraded’ my Elears with the Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads and I’m more convinced than ever that these are some of the most underrated headphones around.

Yes I know they were hyped to death at launch, but mainly for their punchy, dynamic sound. With the new pads I’m finding them just as suitable for just about any genre - from classical to light acoustic to female vocal to folk to rock.

The imaging and layering is superb, the bass is never overwhelming and perfectly weighted, the detail is exceptional and the soundstage is perfectly spacious and airy.

I think the original Elear pads - however comfortable - are also its downfall. Poorly made, mine have already degraded considerably, and as can be seen with the Elex, a different material and design makes this headphone sound completely different.

I don’t know what the Dekoni pads are doing but a big shout out to @DekoniAudio for making something so good, it should be stock standard. @FocalOfficial you should really be working more closely with Dekoni - you could learn a thing or two

I tried the Elite sheepskin first and found them a touch closed in. Made the Elear sound semi closed, although the sound was still good and punchy as always.

The fenestrated just opens it up again, and seems to mitigate any slight dips in the midrange (which I’ve personally never had an issue with). Also seems to widen and deepen the soundstage and coax out more subtle details. Haven’t tried the hybrid but then I’m not a fan of hybrid pads. Also helps that the fenestrated pads make the Elear look even better than stock. If only there was a way to convert the headband cushion to leather...

Seriously, fabric on a headband is just a silly design choice, even worse on the Clear - I mean, light coloured fabric and hair oil, what were they thinking!?

Many thanks for your kind words, and efforts in sharing impressions with others!

The good news with most fully open headphones, is that the overal sonic change is small. That said, our engineer Tal Kocen (the “ko” in Dekoni) buys and tests designs with each headphone, so what you’re hearing is that effort rather than just cutting foam and wrap to fit the mounting design of a particular headphone. It’s a combined effort of objective measuring and subjective taste going into different iterations of pads.

Could we perhaps quote you and put a link to your impressions on our Head-Fi Sponsor page, so that people can see what owners think of their pads?

I’ve been hoping for more impressions of the dekoni pads. The hybrid has my eye but I can’t find enough impressions of the pairing

Getting the general consensus is always good, although we are trying to provide better objective descriptions from our end with our recent investment in a more “scientific” and accurate measurement rig. If you saw our recent “Working Hard” thread on the Sponsor forum, we mentioned that we bought a custom-made but familiar measurement rig, and we are looking for a permanent spot to set it up that won’t be hit by errant Nerf darts... but once it’s set up in an #officewar proof spot, we’re looking forward to posting more accurate graphs!

 

[dontfeedphils]

Many thanks for your kind words, and efforts in sharing impressions with others!

The good news with most fully open headphones, is that the overal sonic change is small. That said, our engineer Tal Kocen (the “ko” in Dekoni) buys and tests designs with each headphone, so what you’re hearing is that effort rather than just cutting foam and wrap to fit the mounting design of a particular headphone. It’s a combined effort of objective measuring and subjective taste going into different iterations of pads.

Could we perhaps quote you and put a link to your impressions on our Head-Fi Sponsor page, so that people can see what owners think of their pads?





Getting the general consensus is always good, although we are trying to provide better objective descriptions from our end with our recent investment in a more “scientific” and accurate measurement rig. If you saw our recent “Working Hard” thread on the Sponsor forum, we mentioned that we bought a custom-made but familiar measurement rig, and we are looking for a permanent spot to set it up that won’t be hit by errant Nerf darts... but once it’s set up in an #officewar proof spot, we’re looking forward to posting more accurate graphs!

Have you (as a company) considered posting measurements of different models with your different pad offerings? It would certainly make it easier to narrow down which pads someone would like best.

 

[gLer]

Could we perhaps quote you and put a link to your impressions on our Head-Fi Sponsor page, so that people can see what owners think of their pads?

You are more than welcome to quote me @DekoniAudio. In fact I’d be happy to do a proper write up for you, not just passing impressions. PM me if that’s something you’d be interested in (or just ask Tal to drop me a note - he was kind enough to arrange the fenestrated pads).

 

[gLer]

Have you (as a company) considered posting measurements of different models with your different pad offerings? It would certainly make it easier to narrow down which pads someone would like best.

They actually do this already for some of their pads. Their blog has full FR graphs of the Focal pads, albeit only on the Elear. That’s where I got my info from, although I don’t find the sheepskin pads as close to stock as the graphs suggest, and find the fenestrated pads a big improvement over stock. Haven’t heard the hybrid or velour.

 

[DekoniAudio]

Have you (as a company) considered posting measurements of different models with your different pad offerings? It would certainly make it easier to narrow down which pads someone would like best.

Do you mean, like these?
https://dekoniaudio.com/so-you-want-some-focal-measurements-with-the-dekoni-audio-ear-pads/

Yes, we feel it’s important and useful to measure and share our results, so much so that we invested in a measurement upgrade recently, which will be even more accurate. We’re finding a “home” for this rig right now, and you can expect our list of measured headphones with pads to grow.

 

[dontfeedphils]

Do you mean, like these?
https://dekoniaudio.com/so-you-want-some-focal-measurements-with-the-dekoni-audio-ear-pads/

Yes, we feel it’s important and useful to measure and share our results, so much so that we invested in a measurement upgrade recently, which will be even more accurate. We’re finding a “home” for this rig right now, and you can expect our list of measured headphones with pads to grow.

Yep, cool! Although I meant all variations on all different headphones. Although it sounds like that's in the works.