Because the Elex has a different dynamic driver design (see webpage), the travel of the driver is much more than the standard design resulting in its dynamic response and signature.
The result of this is that if the headphone is played too loud (subjective) the driver will hit physical limits that make it sound like it's clipping. This is not supposed to damage the driver but be a limit for your hearing and to prevent driver damage. I have never hit this limit but I also know I on average listen at lower volumes friends that compare headphones.
I think this may actually be a European design feature and is common to this Focal line (Elear, Clear and Utopia). European headphones often have "governors" for hearing protection.
I probably listen louder than you do. I’ve never heard the clipping with my Elex or Clear either, even at volumes which will damage my hearing according to OSHA and NIOSH standards. Except for possibly some defective units, I feel it isn’t an issue for people who don’t want to wear hearing aids when they’re old
That said, there’s probably some variation In clipping volume between headphones and of course bass heavy tracks will be much more likely.
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I've never experienced clipping on the Elex even at pretty high volume (say, Led Zeppelin at 11 o'clock on the THX 789 on gain 2 through the balanced output). Although the clipping is an intentional feature, it appears extremely unlikely that most will experience it at less than literally skull splitting volume. However, it does appear that some Elex (manufacturing variance or defect, take your pick) will experience clipping at much lower (though usually still pretty loud) volume. I have no idea if this problem persists in the current shipping Elex, though I assume Drop should readily replace them if it does. (Drop replaced my entire Elex package twice without question when the balanced cable died within two months or so. The current balanced cable, my third one, is currently still working--knock wood--after about six months.)
My Elex does it. Rarely a problem with music unless it's very loud and there is a lot of sub bass. For watching movies with any action, especially explosions, they're unusable.
My Elex does it. Rarely a problem with music unless it's very loud and there is a lot of sub bass. For watching movies with any action, especially explosions, they're unusable.
FWIW, although I usually use the Sennheiser HD700 for movies and TV (more comfortable for long term use and wider soundstage), I just used the Elex for my annual October 30 (Devil's Night) viewing of The Crow. That film has plenty of loud action sequences, including explosions, and I had no problem at high volume. (I want to emphasize that I do not dispute that this problem definitely exists, but it does not affect every pair. Also, the term "high volume" probably differs for everyone. For me and The Crow, it was around one or two o'clock on a Massdrop CTH. And 66-year-old ears.)
I've experience clipping at 30 decibels above the max of my listening levels. In the ballpark of +100db -- if clipping occured at 80db I would understand the concern others have.
The most significant difference is the earpads, which do affect the sound quality. If you put the same earpads on both headphones they sound the same or close to it. Buy a pair of aftermarket pads and you can essentially get really close to the sound of the Elear with your Elex by switching the pads. Dekoni’s ELVL pads sound identical to the Elear to me, though I use their Fenestrated sheepskin pads personally as I find the balance and tonality to be more to my preference.
The most significant difference is the earpads, which do affect the sound quality. If you put the same earpads on both headphones they sound the same or close to it. Buy a pair of aftermarket pads and you can essentially get really close to the sound of the Elear with your Elex by switching the pads. Dekoni’s ELVL pads sound identical to the Elear to me, though I use their Fenestrated sheepskin pads personally as I find the balance and tonality to be more to my preference.
So basically you are saying don't buy the Elear. I definitely don't find the Elex pads to be the most comfortable bu they are decent. Either way it would be good to have some replacement pads for when these wear out. I've seen mixed reviews about Dekoni pads for the Elex. Drop does sell them though they are not an active drop right now.
Personally, I didn't care for the Elear but enjoy the Elex. The Elear I found more non cohesive and it just didn't sound right to me. It's get dynamic character just made it sound very unnatural to me, just too distracting. I haven't read Elear impressions so this is my uninfluenced opinion. It's been awhile but at the time I was excited about the Focal offerings so the Elear was very disappointing. I jumped on the Elex drop due to favorable experiences I had with other Massdrop mods and the value at the time.
I'm happy with the Elex, I still have it for its unique sound compared to my other headphones. I've compared the Clear and Elex over a week and I don't believe one is better than the other, just different characters of an overall house signature. Personally, I still preferred the Elex.
So the kicker finally, I consider them all side grades. I recall from the thread that the Elex is an Elear with a different paint job, cables, ear pads and some internal dampening. The Elex sounds more cohesive to me than the Elear. I'd take the extra money and invest someplace else. Maybe take the other poster's advice and get some Elear pads but I'd also say, Focal pads are EXPENSIVE! Why? I have no idea.
So basically you are saying don't buy the Elear. I definitely don't find the Elex pads to be the most comfortable bu they are decent. Either way it would be good to have some replacement pads for when these wear out. I've seen mixed reviews about Dekoni pads for the Elex. Drop does sell them though they are not an active drop right now.
which pads sound best on the Elex /Elear is more of a personal preference than anything else so yes, you’re going to see mixed reviews on Dekoni pads. For me, I prefer the Dekoni pads, but YMMV.
Anyway, yes, I’m saying don’t buy the Elear. It’s a side-grade.
which pads sound best on the Elex /Elear is more of a personal preference than anything else so yes, you’re going to see mixed reviews on Dekoni pads. For me, I prefer the Dekoni pads, but YMMV.
Anyway, yes, I’m saying don’t buy the Elear. It’s a side-grade.
I really like the LCD-2. I don’t know if it’s an upgrade or not but I’ve been thinking of buying a pair for a year now.
Upgrades are hard things to judge in headphones beyond a certain point, so you just have to go with what you like. I listened to the Meze Empyrian this week and thought that it sounded good, but a little odd and preferred my Focal Clear. The empyrian would not be an upgrade for me despite the much Higher price. On the other hand, I also listened to a Sennheiser HD800S and really liked it. I could easily see how that headphone hooked up to a good tube amp could be really special, so that would be an upgrade.
I really like the LCD-2. I don’t know if it’s an upgrade or not but I’ve been thinking of buying a pair for a year now.
Upgrades are hard things to judge in headphones beyond a certain point, so you just have to go with what you like. I listened to the Meze Empyrian this week and thought that it sounded good, but a little odd and preferred my Focal Clear. The empyrian would not be an upgrade for me despite the much Higher price. On the other hand, I also listened to a Sennheiser HD800S and really liked it. I could easily see how that headphone hooked up to a good tube amp could be really special, so that would be an upgrade.
Not to derail this thread, but I would probably pick the LCD-2 to go with the 789. The 800s is a little clinical to my ears so would go well with a top quality tube amp. The LCD-2 is a lush headphone already and (IMHO) would pair well with the 789s speed and detail. That said, I’d check out the 789 or LCD-2 thread and see what owners are saying.
What sound are you looking for? What do you want different from the Elex? What genre of music do you listen to and what signature do you prefer? Hard to say what an upgrade is without an idea of where you'd like to move from the Elex? I can tell you my upgrades but they are different signatures.
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