[dontfeedphils]

Don't feel too bad driver issues are common with the Elear's I'm on pair #4, I'd never recommend those hp's they've went from a 1K pair of hp's to a 400 or less, that should say everything..

That happens with tons of headphones and technology in general. It's in no way indicative of a drop in sales due to driver issues or any other issues.

 

[Mani ATH 87]

Don't feel too bad driver issues are common with the Elear's I'm on pair #4, I'd never recommend those hp's they've went from a 1K pair of hp's to a 400 or less, that should say everything..

The reason the Elear has dropped in price is because Focal priced themselves out of that range with their other headphones. You can buy a Clear for a bit more then 1k now, the Elex is marketed as an "improved" Elear and it's priced at 700.00. because of these prices it no longer makes sense for Focal to price the Elear at 1000.00. it has nothing to do with driver issues or quality like you are suggesting.

 

[TSAVJason]

The reason the Elear has dropped in price is because Focal priced themselves out of that range with their other headphones. You can buy a Clear for a bit more then 1k now, the Elex is marketed as an "improved" Elear and it's priced at 700.00. because of these prices it no longer makes sense for Focal to price the Elear at 1000.00. it has nothing to do with driver issues or quality like you are suggesting.

The one you comment as “improved” is actually a “less than” the Elear according to the manufacturer. Only the reseller claims it’s an improved version of anything. Sorry, as a sponsor I have to be careful how I say things

 

[Mani ATH 87]

The one you comment as “improved” is actually a “less than” the Elear according to the manufacturer. Only the reseller claims it’s an improved version of anything. Sorry, as a sponsor I have to be careful how I say things

Curious, are you saying that based on the MSRP? Because I think it's pretty clear that Drop is marketing the Elex as an improvement over the Elear. Whether it is or not is up to the individual, but based on their blurb about the Elex it's kind of obvious.

What documentation or marketing from Focal says the Elear is superior to the Elex? I've never seen anything to that tune.

 

[TSAVJason]

Curious, are you saying that based on the MSRP? Because I think it's pretty clear that Drop is marketing the Elex as an improvement over the Elear. Whether it is or not is up to the individual, but based on their blurb about the Elex it's kind of obvious.

What documentation or marketing from Focal says the Elear is superior to the Elex? I've never seen anything to that tune.

Ask yourself who wrote that blurb. I can’t comment further but I can say for sure the manufacturer does not agree with that reseller on the standard of that headphone as it’s been advertised

 

[Mani ATH 87]

Ask yourself who wrote that blurb. I can’t comment further but I can say for sure the manufacturer does not agree with that reseller on the standard of that headphone as it’s been advertised

I know that obviously Drop wrote the blurb. It's not like they are selling the Elex without Focals involvement though so it seems a strange thing for you to say.

 

[TSAVJason]

I know that obviously Drop wrote the blurb. It's not like they are selling the Elex without Focals involvement though so it seems a strange thing for you to say.

Sorry. I’ve said all I can say as a sponsor. Focal’s involvement was to sell them a certain quantity of headphones. That’s it, nothing more.

 

[Mani ATH 87]

Sorry. I’ve said all I can say as a sponsor. Focal’s involvement was to sell them a certain quantity of headphones. That’s it, nothing more.

Thanks for the insight. It's interesting that they can buy headphones and rebrand them as they please without Focal's input? Either way...the Elex and the Clear really hamper the pricing of the Elear.

 

[TSAVJason]

Thanks for the insight. It's interesting that they can buy headphones and rebrand them as they please without Focal's input? Either way...the Elex and the Clear really hamper the pricing of the Elear.

I don’t think you’ll see this kind of arrangement again between the companies. Focal (France) has said things that have been quite Clear lol about their future of the integrity/quality of its brand in its conversations with me.

I guess we’ll all see sometime .....soon hopefully

 

[Mani ATH 87]

I don’t think you’ll see this kind of arrangement again between the companies. Focal (France) has said things that have been quite Clear lol about their future of the integrity/quality of its brand in its conversations with me.

I guess we’ll all see sometime .....soon hopefully

Thanks for sharing what you can, appreciate it. Certainly seems like the Elex isn't doing Focal many favors.

I love my Elear though, whatever price it sells at I think it sounds fantastic.

 

[TSAVJason]

Thanks for sharing what you can, appreciate it. Certainly seems like the Elex isn't doing Focal many favors.

I love my Elear though, whatever price it sells at I think it sounds fantastic.

That’s really what’s important isn’t it.

 

[jbsu30]

Hello,
So I have been using my Elear with an Audeze Deckard for more than a year now. What would be the next step for an upgrade ? Are there go-to for DAC / AMP for the Elear ? Should I upgrade my Elear instead ?
This is kinda a "I don't need to, but I want to" upgrade.
Thanks !

 

[judomaniak57]

jbsu30 i really enjoy by bryston bha 1 with my elears, especially in balanced mode. Powerfull and dynamic combo

 

[jbsu30]

jbsu30 i really enjoy by bryston bha 1 with my elears, especially in balanced mode. Powerfull and dynamic combo

I should have said the budget. We are looking around 1,5K. I saw the RME ADI-2 DAC that seems to be liked and maybe a utopia pads swap ?

 

[Mani ATH 87]

I should have said the budget. We are looking around 1,5K. I saw the RME ADI-2 DAC that seems to be liked and maybe a utopia pads swap ?

The Utopia pads are $300.00, not worth it. If you really want to swap pads I'd look at the Dekoni's. You can achieve what either pad does with EQ though.

I haven't heard the RME ADI-2 DAC but it does seem to get universal praise.