[Dvdlucena]

To me HD800 excels in terms of technical performance than Elear. With HD800s you get immensely wide soundstage

and superb imaging that probably no other headphones can do.

However, the staging can get diffused for certain songs, not to mention the occasional spikes on treble.
Elear is a unique pair of headphones that does stand up in its price category. The bass response is probably the best out of an open acoustic headphones. If you manage to get a good fit, the soundstage is actually less intimidating than first impression.
Also I should mention that these two headphones are completely different sounding headphones

there is not a winner.
I can't wait to demo Utopia despite its price tag.

 
 
Not even Focal Utopia?
 

 

[xinghui0711]

   
 
Not even Focal Utopia?
 

Notice that I used the word "probably" 

 

 

[Rchandra]

I own the hd800S and in all honesty I prefer the elear over them. You need way to many factors with the hd800 to get the most out of it. Where with the elear you csn pretty much connect it to any dac and you are good.

 

[sjk4479]

Just got my second pair of Elear today and once again, there is buzzing/rattling in the left driver. I was testing them using the following site: 
 
http://www.audiocheck.net/soundtests_headphones.php
 
When I test this pair I get distinct buzz/rattle only in the left ear cup between 10hz and 70hz and then it isn't as noticeable. Once over 80hz it turns into a slight buzz/distortion that isn't easy to pick up but is there. I've tried switching the cable headphone connectors (put left in right ear cup and vice versa) to make sure it isn't the recording on the website. Again with the right input in the left ear cup and the left driver buzz/rattles. 
 
Just want to do a sanity check here and see if anyone else detects these issues with their headphones in the lower frequencies. I love how these sound, but this is my second pair with the same issue. Going to try one more time before giving up. I have purchased both pairs from Crutchfield and am having them check their inventory and confirm different shipments before sending me another pair. 

 

[398698]

Suggestions on a portable Dac amp besides the mojo? Looking for something under400 that will drive the elears. Was thinking the oppo ha2.

 

[xinghui0711]

Just got my second pair of Elear today and once again, there is buzzing/rattling in the left driver. I was testing them using the following site: 

http://www.audiocheck.net/soundtests_headphones.php

When I test this pair I get distinct buzz/rattle only in the left ear cup between 10hz and 70hz and then it isn't as noticeable. Once over 80hz it turns into a slight buzz/distortion that isn't easy to pick up but is there. I've tried switching the cable headphone connectors (put left in right ear cup and vice versa) to make sure it isn't the recording on the website. Again with the right input in the left ear cup and the left driver buzz/rattles. 

Just want to do a sanity check here and see if anyone else detects these issues with their headphones in the lower frequencies. I love how these sound, but this is my second pair with the same issue. Going to try one more time before giving up. I have purchased both pairs from Crutchfield and am having them check their inventory and confirm different shipments before sending me another pair. 

That's rare and unlucky. I have never heard of driver rattling on Elear but getting defective headphones twice must be frustrating.

 

[Sonic Defender]

  Oh Mannn
 
Don't put me in this kind o situation....
 
LOL!
 

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our answer ... audio gear wins. Very good choice.

 

[sjk4479]

That's rare and unlucky. I have never heard of driver rattling on Elear but getting defective headphones twice must be frustrating.

 
Absolutely is. I received my first pair on 1/11/17 and my second pair today on 2/1/17. Should find out tomorrow if the 2 pairs left in their warehouse are from the same shipment or not. We'll see how it goes. 

 

[judomaniak]

  Just got my second pair of Elear today and once again, there is buzzing/rattling in the left driver. I was testing them using the following site: 
 
http://www.audiocheck.net/soundtests_headphones.php
 
When I test this pair I get distinct buzz/rattle only in the left ear cup between 10hz and 70hz and then it isn't as noticeable. Once over 80hz it turns into a slight buzz/distortion that isn't easy to pick up but is there. I've tried switching the cable headphone connectors (put left in right ear cup and vice versa) to make sure it isn't the recording on the website. Again with the right input in the left ear cup and the left driver buzz/rattles. 
 
Just want to do a sanity check here and see if anyone else detects these issues with their headphones in the lower frequencies. I love how these sound, but this is my second pair with the same issue. Going to try one more time before giving up. I have purchased both pairs from Crutchfield and am having them check their inventory and confirm different shipments before sending me another pair. gard around the e

i had the same problem with my first pair. only noticed it on one song "hey you" by pink floyd on cd. i could see the left driver visibly bounce and hit the earpad. my local store sent them back and i recieved my new pair about a week later. no problems with this pair and they sound better then the first pair. funny with my first pair , bass heavy songs sounded ok, just that one bass frequency in Hey You that popped very loudly. hopefully you will get a pair from a different batch and it will be good. they really are a great headphone

 

[dubharmonic]

New Elear owner here! I've heard many describe the Elear as "punchy" which I would definitely agree with. I'm not sure that my ears can handle it. After a while I get issues with fatigue and the punch feels harsh. I didn't have a similar experience with the Utopias.
 
Mine also have the rattling issue xinghui0711  I think I'll probably end up returning them, which bums me out. They're a beautiful set of headphones.

 

[TWerk]

Wow, lots and lots of issues being reported with these phones. The distortion reports are very concerning. They should have an issue like that sorted out well before mass production.

 

[xinghui0711]

Wow, lots and lots of issues being reported with these phones. The distortion reports are very concerning. They should have an issue like that sorted out well before mass production.

New Elear owner here! I've heard many describe the Elear as "punchy" which I would definitely agree with. I'm not sure that my ears can handle it. After a while I get issues with fatigue and the punch feels harsh. I didn't have a similar experience with the Utopias.

Mine also have the rattling issue xinghui0711  I think I'll probably end up returning them, which bums me out. They're a beautiful set of headphones.

IIRC, Focal did a recall from dealers for the early production batch units. They also stated that there shouldn't be anymore of those on market.
Mine doesn't have any problem, but I hope Focal would stand out and clarify the issue. QC can greatly affect the reputation of headphones.

 

[nvfan]

The punchiness is partly due to high xmax, also partly due the earpad design which limits directivity, much like the effect of cupping your hands over your mouth, or a horn in speaker terms. Most of the punchiness goes away with larger earpads.

 

[Rchandra]

Not for a while anyway. I have had to stop working to stay home with my daughter so no purchases for at least a year I think. Bummer.

Well if you lived in San Francisco I wouldn't have minded lending you mine to try lol. Atleast you have a wonderful headphone in the z1r what are your thoughts on them thus far?

 

[Dvdlucena]

Wow, lots and lots of issues being reported with these phones. The distortion reports are very concerning. They should have an issue like that sorted out well before mass production.

Yes! Those are seriously problems.
I thinking of buying another headphone . Focal are full of these issues!