Headphone + Amp Recommendation

[frapos]

You may be able to import them for less, though after duties and fees I don't know if it's still worth it. They regularly go on sale in the US for $300-400 and can be found used in great shape for $300 or so pretty much constantly as a result.

They're very good, but kind of... I don't know, bland? If you're okay with EQ I'd definitely give them a shot, since you seem to be looking for more of a neutral signature anyway. Not a lot of power required, so they do well with just about any source. They are fairly resolving and do benefit from being paired with a quality amp and DAC, of course. I can hear a significant difference in sound quality between the little no name USB C to 3.5mm dongle DACs I keep around for convenience, the Hidizs DH80S, the Topping G5, and the D90/A90 stack. The higher end gear offers a major improvement (less harsh, black background, more detail, tighter and fuller bass), but they aren't "unlistenable" even from the weakest sources, unlike say planars or estats.

They are closed backs, when you seemed to be looking mostly for open, but they sound fairly "open" for a closed back, to my ear. Also very comfortable and well built.

Focal did have issues with driver failures for a while there. I think it was mostly with the Elex (and possibly Utopia?), never saw a lot of reports about the Elegia specifically, but something to be aware of. I haven't personally had any issues.

Nothing wrong with the Elegia, and probably great as an only or primary pair, but given I have so many options (and some of the others suit my preferences better these days) they don't get much head time here.

I will say that the stock cable is garbage, if you get the older "lamp cord" style one. Budget something for a replacement. Given they require very little power there isn't much benefit from going balanced.

There's a fairly active thread here and plenty of reviews you can check out if you're seriously considering them.

Thank you so much for the explanation! I will not buy them, I see it’s not worth it for me.

 

[silent-circuit]

Thank you so much for the explanation! I will not buy them, I see it’s not worth it for me.

If you can find a used pair closer to $300 they're a great deal. For 500 Euro I would agree, not worth it.

 

[IkSak]

Thank you for the recommendation. What’s that special about the THX Amp?

They have: a) power, even for most power hungry headphones, b) they're uncolored, pretty linear, c) great measurements, small distorsion.

Note that people may find them a bit sterile in the sense that they don't color the sound, and this hobby is so beautiful that some headphones love tubes (looking at you Sennheisers ). Personally I find them a nice amplifier and great option for approx $220 which they're found online.

Also, I see that the Edition XS fits pretty much with what I want. Just a little of EQ boosting in the 1khz and it will be perfect.

i heard that the mid bass is really good even thought it’s a bit colored. I am always scared when I hear about mid bass because it usually means boomy compacted sound.

Go ahead. They're not at all boomy neither compacted. It's a nice, fast planar bass that takes its place and doesn't enter in the other frequencies. Has a nice soundstage and layering.

They're cheap for the power offered and measure really well, that's why most like them.

And they're a good match for almost everything. Truth be told, I do prefer my tube amplifier (Lyr 2) for the HD800 and the Elex (when I want something funny)

 

[Craft Ears]

Thank you for the recommendation. What’s that special about the THX Amp?

They are using so-called composite amplifiers, meaning there is a tremendous amount of feedback involved. This is probably the only way to get distortion figures this low. They create impressive numbers, but as mentioned, not everybody like this type of sound.