Focal Lensys

[aid idealismus]

The Shape 50 have little bass due to the size of the driver. dt880 also have little bass. I had both. The lensys sound is very similar to the Shape65 and the bass level is comparable to the dt 1990. My opinion.

 

[mherwolf]

I've been using the Lensys for couple months now. They do need some 'break-in' period to get settled in. At first I thought they were too sharp and thought I'd return them...but gave them 20-30 hours to break-in, then listened to a bunch of stuff. I used to own the Focal Shape Twin, and now own the Trios. I would agree that these remind me of the signature and 'tightness' of the shapes. They also have a bit of the 'bite' of the Trio's... so like 80% Shape, 20% Trio vibes. The low end is on the loud side, but to me personally, this reminds me of how speakers interact with desks in a room and this makes them more fun to produce on. For mixing, you just have to 'learn' them (as with any other speaker/headphone). I also have the Clear OG's and the Audeze MM-500. Oddly enough, I find myself using these more than those combined. The Lensys are less precise than those 2, but I think that's why I like them to produce on...I can focus on the song and vibe vs the details (although the Lensys does show enough detail to mix on if needed). As someone else said, the Clears have a bigger soundstage and are way more open sounding. The MM-500 is way more mid-focused (although I do use some EQ to boost the highs and lows a bit). I use these to look 'deeper' into the mix and can make slightly better eq, pan, fx decisions. Having said that, If I could only grab one headphone as a do-it-all, I'd grab the Lensys over the Clears and MM-500!

edit: I'd like to add that I hated both cables that came with it. I tried a few custom cables and its a tie between a Canare L-4E6S and Mogami W2549. The differences in sound are subtle, but Canare is a tad bit warmer, and the Mogami is a little cleaner/brighter...so depending on what amp I'm using, one of these works really well.

 

[MidFiMoney]

I've been using the Lensys for couple months now. They do need some 'break-in' period to get settled in. At first I thought they were too sharp and thought I'd return them...but gave them 20-30 hours to break-in, then listened to a bunch of stuff. I used to own the Focal Shape Twin, and now own the Trios. I would agree that these remind me of the signature and 'tightness' of the shapes. They also have a bit of the 'bite' of the Trio's... so like 80% Shape, 20% Trio vibes. The low end is on the loud side, but to me personally, this reminds me of how speakers interact with desks in a room and this makes them more fun to produce on. For mixing, you just have to 'learn' them (as with any other speaker/headphone). I also have the Clear OG's and the Audeze MM-500. Oddly enough, I find myself using these more than those combined. The Lensys are less precise than those 2, but I think that's why I like them to produce on...I can focus on the song and vibe vs the details (although the Lensys does show enough detail to mix on if needed). As someone else said, the Clears have a bigger soundstage and are way more open sounding. The MM-500 is way more mid-focused (although I do use some EQ to boost the highs and lows a bit). I use these to look 'deeper' into the mix and can make slightly better eq, pan, fx decisions. Having said that, If I could only grab one headphone as a do-it-all, I'd grab the Lensys over the Clears and MM-500!

edit: I'd like to add that I hated both cables that came with it. I tried a few custom cables and it’s a tie between a Canare L-4E6S and Mogami W2549. The differences in sound are subtle, but Canare is a tad bit warmer, and the Mogami is a little cleaner/brighter...so depending on what amp I'm using, one of these works really well.

I’ve had a similar experience. The Lensys Pro definitely calms down a bit after extended use. My lineup consisted of D8000 Pro, Clear Mg, MM-500, and Arya SE. I introduced the Hadenys and the Lensys. Now, the MM-500 sold, Clear Mg for sale, Arya retired, D8000 Pro may be next on the chopping block. The Hadenys and Lensys are not necessarily better than any of those but I simply stopped listening to them after the new Focals arrived.

 

[liujun050612]

I’ve had a similar experience. The Lensys Pro definitely calms down a bit after extended use. My lineup consisted of D8000 Pro, Clear Mg, MM-500, and Arya SE. I introduced the Hadenys and the Lensys. Now, the MM-500 sold, Clear Mg for sale, Arya retired, D8000 Pro may be next on the chopping block. The Hadenys and Lensys are not necessarily better than any of those but I simply stopped listening to them after the new Focals arrived.

Oh really! I have heard the old d8000pro, owned clear Mg before, heard Hadenys and currently owned lcd5, Utopia 2022 and Azurys. Not a fan of old d8000pro, But a fan of the new dc pro. It sounds smoother, more detailed, more open than old models. After compared to the new hifiman he1000 unveiled in store, I may end up getting the new dc pro even have both LCD5 and Utopia 2022.

Although not heard Lensys before, It is on my radar as the Azurys sound so good on its small size and comfortable for long travel compare to IEMs. I may wait a little longer and see if focal will release Be version of Azurys or Lensys first.

 

[MidFiMoney]

Oh really! I have heard the old d8000pro, owned clear Mg before, heard Hadenys and currently owned lcd5, Utopia 2022 and Azurys. Not a fan of old d8000pro, But a fan of the new dc pro. It sounds smoother, more detailed, more open than old models. After compared to the new hifiman he1000 unveiled in store, I may end up getting the new dc pro even have both LCD5 and Utopia 2022.

Although not heard Lensys before, It is on my radar as the Azurys sound so good on its small size and comfortable for long travel compare to IEMs. I may wait a little longer and see if focal will release Be version of Azurys or Lensys first.

What a coincidence! I just ordered the LCD-5 in hopes of it replacing the D8000 Pro. I don’t want derail this thread too much, so I’ll DM you because I’m curious about your experience with all of those cans! If it works out as expected, I’ll be left with the LCD-5, Hadenys, and Lensys Pro.

 

[mherwolf]

Oh really! I have heard the old d8000pro, owned clear Mg before, heard Hadenys and currently owned lcd5, Utopia 2022 and Azurys. Not a fan of old d8000pro, But a fan of the new dc pro. It sounds smoother, more detailed, more open than old models. After compared to the new hifiman he1000 unveiled in store, I may end up getting the new dc pro even have both LCD5 and Utopia 2022.

Although not heard Lensys before, It is on my radar as the Azurys sound so good on its small size and comfortable for long travel compare to IEMs. I may wait a little longer and see if focal will release Be version of Azurys or Lensys first.

How are those LCD5’s? I’m borrowing a friend’s LCDX4 (or whatever that one is) and I would say it’s about 20% more open and detailed and overall balanced than the MM 500. Obviously the five is three times the cost of MM 500 and for now I’m only drooling over them… But how do you like them? They would seem like the only ones you would need at least in an open back.

 

[liujun050612]

How are those LCD5’s? I’m borrowing a friend’s LCDX4 (or whatever that one is) and I would say it’s about 20% more open and detailed and overall balanced than the MM 500. Obviously the five is three times the cost of MM 500 and for now I’m only drooling over them… But how do you like them? They would seem like the only ones you would need at least in an open back.

If you love details, LCD5 can give you all you can imagine. You can pinpoint every instrument and their positions in the recording.

 

[mherwolf]

If you love details, LCD5 can give you all you can imagine. You can pinpoint every instrument and their positions in the recording.

Good to know… Thanks for the reply. As a studio guy, details are very important, but sometimes you lose the forest for the trees with too much detail!! That’s why I like having a general overall good, balanced, fun set (Focal Lensys are great for this) and then a super detailed set.

 

[liujun050612]

Good to know… Thanks for the reply. As a studio guy, details are very important, but sometimes you lose the forest for the trees with too much detail!! That’s why I like having a general overall good, balanced, fun set (Focal Lensys are great for this) and then a super detailed set.

That's why Utopia 2022 is better than LCD5 in this area and I have both in my collection.

 

[neddd]

Hi! I recently copped a Focal Lensys from GEAR4MUSIC UK, but it’s still on its way to me.

I’m hoping that someone can help me out with a couple of things. I need to buy some replacement earpads and the mesh-like cover for the drivers (I want to have some as backup just in case). Should I reach out to the retailer directly or do I contact Focal directly instead? (Focal haven’t responded to my emails yet)

(Asking this as my first headphone was the AKG K701 5 years ago and replacement earpads are easily accessible from third party sellers.)

Thanks a bunch!

 

[spruce]

Thought I’d post an update as I ran into some serious metallic timbre on these that I hadn’t noticed previously. What I mean by metallic timbre is the tonality of metallic sounds is off by a significant amount. I think I may have resolved the issue to my tastes by pairing a Mogami cable and the iBasso DCElite. I don’t know how I missed it before, but it’s definitely there and it’s definitely pronounced and undesirable to my ears.

 

[mherwolf]

Thought I’d post an update as I ran into some serious metallic timbre on these that I hadn’t noticed previously. What I mean by metallic timbre is the tonality of metallic sounds is off by a significant amount. I think I may have resolved the issue to my tastes by pairing a Mogami cable and the iBasso DCElite. I don’t know how I missed it before, but it’s definitely there and it’s definitely pronounced and undesirable to my ears.

Which Mogami cable? I tried the 2549 and it was a little too clean and bright. I'm currently using the Canare L-4E6S and its a touch less clean and bright, which for me pairs better for the Lensys.

 

[spruce]

Which Mogami cable? I tried the 2549 and it was a little too clean and bright. I'm currently using the Canare L-4E6S and its a touch less clean and bright, which for me pairs better for the Lensys.

I got it from fogcity audio. Where did you get your cable? I’m gonna do a little more testing tonight to see if I can figure out what the issue is.

 

[mherwolf]

I got it from fogcity audio. Where did you get your cable? I’m gonna do a little more testing tonight to see if I can figure out what the issue is.

Performance Audio. Here's link to their custom headphone cables (with this landing page on the Canare). You can choose length, connectors, etc here

https://www.performanceaudio.com/pr...le-made-from-mogami-l-4e6s-neutrik-connectors

edit: these cables will be thicker and less flexible than a standard headphone cable... think typical xlr-xlr mic/line cable.

- I believe they have a regular headphone cable section as well. Their prices are reasonable, I tried of few... Even though thick, I am mostly using the Canare L-4E6S (I use this to produce/mix music, so I am typically sitting stationary at a single position and this cable doesn't bug me. If you move around a lot or want a more flexible cable, this might not be for you...just giving you a heads-up!)

- Also I just remembered that I bought a custom cable from fogcity for the Lensys and it's now relegated to using with my iPhone. The Canare sounds better (and is less microphonic).

 

[spruce]

Thanks! Quite relieved that I’m fairly certain I’ve isolated this to a faulty cable. I’m not mixing or mastering just using these on walks. Not sure about the Mogami being overly bright/clean with the DC Elite at least.