Made with Focal's brilliant engineering and extraordinary attention to detail, the Elex headphones take a fundamentally different approach to dynamic drivers—and deliver a better measured performance across the board than headphones several times their price. A refinement of the $1,000 Elear with elements of the $1,500 Clear, they boast several improvements to the sound, build, and aesthetic, too. The perforated microfiber ear pads bring the bass down a bit, the matching perforated microfiber headband ensures breathable comfort, and the colorway has been simplified to a subtle, mostly matte black.
Made with Focal's brilliant engineering and extraordinary attention to detail, the Elex headphones take a fundamentally different approach to dynamic drivers—and deliver a better measured performance across the board than headphones several times their price. A refinement of the $1,000 Elear with elements of the $1,500 Clear, they boast several improvements to the sound, build, and aesthetic, too. The perforated microfiber ear pads bring the bass down a bit, the matching perforated microfiber headband ensures breathable comfort, and the colorway has been simplified to a subtle, mostly matte black.
Made with Focal's brilliant engineering and extraordinary attention to detail, the Elex headphones take a fundamentally different approach to dynamic drivers—and deliver a better measured performance across the board than headphones several times their price. A refinement of the $1,000 Elear with elements of the $1,500 Clear, they boast several improvements to the sound, build, and aesthetic, too. The perforated microfiber ear pads bring the bass down a bit, the matching perforated microfiber headband ensures breathable comfort, and the colorway has been simplified to a subtle, mostly matte black.
Made with Focal's brilliant engineering and extraordinary attention to detail, the Elex headphones take a fundamentally different approach to dynamic drivers—and deliver a better measured performance across the board than headphones several times their price. A refinement of the $1,000 Elear with elements of the $1,500 Clear, they boast several improvements to the sound, build, and aesthetic, too. The perforated microfiber ear pads bring the bass down a bit, the matching perforated microfiber headband ensures breathable comfort, and the colorway has been simplified to a subtle, mostly matte black.
Last updated at 06/09/2026 07:43:51
Focal Elex Massdrop Open-back Headphones Over-ear Sold As-is Item Used
Free delivery
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Focal x Massdrop Elex Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones Audiophile As-Is w/Box Japan
Delivery $30.76
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originally posted on drop.com
Overall, I'm very pleased with these cans, thanks to their slam (can really assault my ears/skull) and clear detail retrieval.Some cons:I've had them crackle at high volume when playing tracks with elevated sub-bass (good test track: "Breathe" by 11th Hour), so I have to keep them in check sometimes. Aside from that, though, I can push them painfully loud.The upper mids can be a bit shrill/shouty sometimes, but not so badly that I feel the need to EQ them; maybe just turn them down a bit or let brain-burn-in deal with it.Compared with my Senn HD 6XX & 700 on my iFi hip-dac2 (with PowerMatch and XBass enabled... they all need it), these are easily the most detailed, and they're similarly open-sounding as the 700... at least to my ears.Comfort-wise, they seem ... MoreOverall, I'm very pleased with these cans, thanks to their slam (can really assault my ears/skull) and clear detail retrieval.Some cons:I've had them crackle at high volume when playing tracks with elevated sub-bass (good test track: "Breathe" by 11th Hour), so I have to keep them in check sometimes. Aside from that, though, I can push them painfully loud.The upper mids can be a bit shrill/shouty sometimes, but not so badly that I feel the need to EQ them; maybe just turn them down a bit or let brain-burn-in deal with it.Compared with my Senn HD 6XX & 700 on my iFi hip-dac2 (with PowerMatch and XBass enabled... they all need it), these are easily the most detailed, and they're similarly open-sounding as the 700... at least to my ears.Comfort-wise, they seem a bit heavy when first putting them on, at least until I get them lined up just right, after which they mostly disappear for at least an hour or more (haven't paid close attention), until the clamping force starts to nag my cheekbones enough to need to adjust them a bit.When on sale for $550 (BF), I believe these to be a great value. The star I'm docking is for Drop not giving the option to return these, like they do for most other items.
originally posted on drop.com
My journey with the Focal Elex started with an initially bad pair that would start to pop at the mere presence of high volumes, especially with bass or sub-bass. DROP went above and beyond to make it right, and provided me with a replacement, so now I can write the review I wanted. I have removed my prior review, and updated it with what you're seeing now.These things are PHENOMENAL, and are easily the best headphones I've heard so far. Now that I am able to explore everything that these things are capable of, it just handles everything you throw at it beautifully. If you're trying to get a good example for the type of sound you'll get, saying it's like the Sennheiser 6XX's on steroids is pretty accurate, because it hits most of the same highs that the 6XX's do, ... MoreMy journey with the Focal Elex started with an initially bad pair that would start to pop at the mere presence of high volumes, especially with bass or sub-bass. DROP went above and beyond to make it right, and provided me with a replacement, so now I can write the review I wanted. I have removed my prior review, and updated it with what you're seeing now.These things are PHENOMENAL, and are easily the best headphones I've heard so far. Now that I am able to explore everything that these things are capable of, it just handles everything you throw at it beautifully. If you're trying to get a good example for the type of sound you'll get, saying it's like the Sennheiser 6XX's on steroids is pretty accurate, because it hits most of the same highs that the 6XX's do, with the added benefit of having a richer sound, especially in the low end. The Elex's truly do provide some impressive performance at both ends of the spectrum, and everywhere in-between, and again, the rich lows that you can pull out of these are pretty impressive for an open-back.At initial set-up, these sound great; get some good EQ'ing going, and they just rocket to amazing. If for any reason things don't seem crystal clear from the get-go, get into your equalizer, and you'll be flying high in no time (and if I may, I'd absolutely recommend Thievery Corporation's album "Saudade." That, plus these headphones, had me tilting my head back and practically biting my lip).While the Elex's are definitely one of the "weightier" pairs of headphones I've owned, you don't really feel any of that extra weight, as the pads are exceptionally comfortable. While I've owned other open-backs, one of the crazier sensations is that these are so open, and there's so much room, that when you put them on, you don't actually feel any pressure directly on your ears, so it feels like you're not actually wearing headphones, aside from the pads that surround your ears, but barely seem to make any contact with them. Despite the generously cushioned pads, the clamp pressure can get a tad fatiguing, and they can get a tad warm, but it's really not too much of an issue, especially if you're listening at reasonable volumes in a more relaxed fashion.I will say, I did notice some SLIGHT buzzing in the left ear cup with certain songs and frequencies when I first threw them on, but this went away and never returned after I put some slight pressure on it with my hand, so it may have been something pad/seal related, or something very minor with the internal components that resolved itself. If you do go too crazy with these, they WILL clip, typically in the presence of high sub-bass and a truly "punchy" song (in my case, this was Aurora's "Temporary High"), but again, that's really only if you're abusing the volume and sub-bass in an incredibly reckless way (though to be fair, this never happened with my 6XX's at any volume, so if anyone thinks I may still have a dud, please let me know). Under the VAST majority of normal listening conditions, the Elex's will perform beautifully. Again, having had the clipping show up MUCH earlier in the volume/bass band on my first pair, I can definitely say that this new pair does not have that issue, and you have to hit borderline abusive levels with the sub-bass to make them clip.And so, I leave you this revised review based on the pair I have in-hand. These things go pretty hard, and while I highly recommend them, that recommendation goes double for those who are graduating from the 6XX's. If you happen to snag a pair, try to push them a bit to see if/when they clip. If you're barely able to get the volume or bass up without clipping, get moving, and get them replaced (which DROP handled REALLY well).All-in-all, positive experience. Would recommend!
originally posted on drop.com
I've had these for about a year now, and I've thought they were really great headphones. Punchy, dynamic, all the stuff everyone says basically. Then I tried adding some EQ and new pads, and now I'm fully in love. No reliability issues yet, and I'll be really bummed if that happens because I love these things.I used Roon to add the Elex Harman AutoEQ convolution filter (seriously, check out the autoEq database. Amazing that it's free). Then just dropped the treble a bit at 5k (I think I'm sensitive to this a bit, and dropping it makes voices sound more like they're coming out of speakers to me) and then gave it just a bit of extra energy in the bass, and an extra "just a bit" in the sub-bass at 40hz. That and some Dekoni Hybrid pads make them lean a bit more ... MoreI've had these for about a year now, and I've thought they were really great headphones. Punchy, dynamic, all the stuff everyone says basically. Then I tried adding some EQ and new pads, and now I'm fully in love. No reliability issues yet, and I'll be really bummed if that happens because I love these things.I used Roon to add the Elex Harman AutoEQ convolution filter (seriously, check out the autoEq database. Amazing that it's free). Then just dropped the treble a bit at 5k (I think I'm sensitive to this a bit, and dropping it makes voices sound more like they're coming out of speakers to me) and then gave it just a bit of extra energy in the bass, and an extra "just a bit" in the sub-bass at 40hz. That and some Dekoni Hybrid pads make them lean a bit more "fun", but you still get the technical performance of these drivers with that fun sound. They've largely cured my upgraditis for some time (well, for headphones at least. I did upgrade my amp. I don't have a problem, stop looking at me like that.)Anyway, spectacular headphones. They have great tone even without eq, and with EQ they just make me super happy. Nice one, Drop and Focal.
Focal Elex Massdrop Open-back Headphones Over-ear Sold As-is Item Used
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Focal x Massdrop Elex Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones Audiophile As-Is w/Box Japan
Delivery $30.76
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Overall, I'm very pleased with these cans, thanks to their slam (can really assault my ears/skull) and clear detail retrieval.Some cons:I've had them crackle at high volume when playing tracks with elevated sub-bass (good test track: "Breathe" by 11th Hour), so I have to keep them in check sometimes. Aside from that, though, I can push them painfully loud.The upper mids can be a bit shrill/shouty sometimes, but not so badly that I feel the need to EQ them; maybe just turn them down a bit or let brain-burn-in deal with it.Compared with my Senn HD 6XX & 700 on my iFi hip-dac2 (with PowerMatch and XBass enabled... they all need it), these are easily the most detailed, and they're similarly open-sounding as the 700... at least to my ears.Comfort-wise, they seem ... MoreOverall, I'm very pleased with these cans, thanks to their slam (can really assault my ears/skull) and clear detail retrieval.Some cons:I've had them crackle at high volume when playing tracks with elevated sub-bass (good test track: "Breathe" by 11th Hour), so I have to keep them in check sometimes. Aside from that, though, I can push them painfully loud.The upper mids can be a bit shrill/shouty sometimes, but not so badly that I feel the need to EQ them; maybe just turn them down a bit or let brain-burn-in deal with it.Compared with my Senn HD 6XX & 700 on my iFi hip-dac2 (with PowerMatch and XBass enabled... they all need it), these are easily the most detailed, and they're similarly open-sounding as the 700... at least to my ears.Comfort-wise, they seem a bit heavy when first putting them on, at least until I get them lined up just right, after which they mostly disappear for at least an hour or more (haven't paid close attention), until the clamping force starts to nag my cheekbones enough to need to adjust them a bit.When on sale for $550 (BF), I believe these to be a great value. The star I'm docking is for Drop not giving the option to return these, like they do for most other items.
My journey with the Focal Elex started with an initially bad pair that would start to pop at the mere presence of high volumes, especially with bass or sub-bass. DROP went above and beyond to make it right, and provided me with a replacement, so now I can write the review I wanted. I have removed my prior review, and updated it with what you're seeing now.These things are PHENOMENAL, and are easily the best headphones I've heard so far. Now that I am able to explore everything that these things are capable of, it just handles everything you throw at it beautifully. If you're trying to get a good example for the type of sound you'll get, saying it's like the Sennheiser 6XX's on steroids is pretty accurate, because it hits most of the same highs that the 6XX's do, ... MoreMy journey with the Focal Elex started with an initially bad pair that would start to pop at the mere presence of high volumes, especially with bass or sub-bass. DROP went above and beyond to make it right, and provided me with a replacement, so now I can write the review I wanted. I have removed my prior review, and updated it with what you're seeing now.These things are PHENOMENAL, and are easily the best headphones I've heard so far. Now that I am able to explore everything that these things are capable of, it just handles everything you throw at it beautifully. If you're trying to get a good example for the type of sound you'll get, saying it's like the Sennheiser 6XX's on steroids is pretty accurate, because it hits most of the same highs that the 6XX's do, with the added benefit of having a richer sound, especially in the low end. The Elex's truly do provide some impressive performance at both ends of the spectrum, and everywhere in-between, and again, the rich lows that you can pull out of these are pretty impressive for an open-back.At initial set-up, these sound great; get some good EQ'ing going, and they just rocket to amazing. If for any reason things don't seem crystal clear from the get-go, get into your equalizer, and you'll be flying high in no time (and if I may, I'd absolutely recommend Thievery Corporation's album "Saudade." That, plus these headphones, had me tilting my head back and practically biting my lip).While the Elex's are definitely one of the "weightier" pairs of headphones I've owned, you don't really feel any of that extra weight, as the pads are exceptionally comfortable. While I've owned other open-backs, one of the crazier sensations is that these are so open, and there's so much room, that when you put them on, you don't actually feel any pressure directly on your ears, so it feels like you're not actually wearing headphones, aside from the pads that surround your ears, but barely seem to make any contact with them. Despite the generously cushioned pads, the clamp pressure can get a tad fatiguing, and they can get a tad warm, but it's really not too much of an issue, especially if you're listening at reasonable volumes in a more relaxed fashion.I will say, I did notice some SLIGHT buzzing in the left ear cup with certain songs and frequencies when I first threw them on, but this went away and never returned after I put some slight pressure on it with my hand, so it may have been something pad/seal related, or something very minor with the internal components that resolved itself. If you do go too crazy with these, they WILL clip, typically in the presence of high sub-bass and a truly "punchy" song (in my case, this was Aurora's "Temporary High"), but again, that's really only if you're abusing the volume and sub-bass in an incredibly reckless way (though to be fair, this never happened with my 6XX's at any volume, so if anyone thinks I may still have a dud, please let me know). Under the VAST majority of normal listening conditions, the Elex's will perform beautifully. Again, having had the clipping show up MUCH earlier in the volume/bass band on my first pair, I can definitely say that this new pair does not have that issue, and you have to hit borderline abusive levels with the sub-bass to make them clip.And so, I leave you this revised review based on the pair I have in-hand. These things go pretty hard, and while I highly recommend them, that recommendation goes double for those who are graduating from the 6XX's. If you happen to snag a pair, try to push them a bit to see if/when they clip. If you're barely able to get the volume or bass up without clipping, get moving, and get them replaced (which DROP handled REALLY well).All-in-all, positive experience. Would recommend!
I've had these for about a year now, and I've thought they were really great headphones. Punchy, dynamic, all the stuff everyone says basically. Then I tried adding some EQ and new pads, and now I'm fully in love. No reliability issues yet, and I'll be really bummed if that happens because I love these things.I used Roon to add the Elex Harman AutoEQ convolution filter (seriously, check out the autoEq database. Amazing that it's free). Then just dropped the treble a bit at 5k (I think I'm sensitive to this a bit, and dropping it makes voices sound more like they're coming out of speakers to me) and then gave it just a bit of extra energy in the bass, and an extra "just a bit" in the sub-bass at 40hz. That and some Dekoni Hybrid pads make them lean a bit more ... MoreI've had these for about a year now, and I've thought they were really great headphones. Punchy, dynamic, all the stuff everyone says basically. Then I tried adding some EQ and new pads, and now I'm fully in love. No reliability issues yet, and I'll be really bummed if that happens because I love these things.I used Roon to add the Elex Harman AutoEQ convolution filter (seriously, check out the autoEq database. Amazing that it's free). Then just dropped the treble a bit at 5k (I think I'm sensitive to this a bit, and dropping it makes voices sound more like they're coming out of speakers to me) and then gave it just a bit of extra energy in the bass, and an extra "just a bit" in the sub-bass at 40hz. That and some Dekoni Hybrid pads make them lean a bit more "fun", but you still get the technical performance of these drivers with that fun sound. They've largely cured my upgraditis for some time (well, for headphones at least. I did upgrade my amp. I don't have a problem, stop looking at me like that.)Anyway, spectacular headphones. They have great tone even without eq, and with EQ they just make me super happy. Nice one, Drop and Focal.
Very good all around performer. I rejected/returned the Sundaras and Edition XS prior to getting the Elex. The Elex checked off every box and performed well with all styles of music whereas the Hifiman planars sounded artificial and had questionable build quality. Metal was the real deal breaker with the Edition XS; fortunately the Elex does exceeding well with Metal. Also, the Elex is unreal with tracks mastered with high dynamic range.Build quality of the Elex is fantastic. I'm not having any build issues- clicking or dead drivers. I will update if anything bad develops. Comfort is very high for me, but I have a bigger head. I don't have any fatigue issues. Experimenting with EQ and it's been productive. That said, these sound great out of the box but eq can ... MoreVery good all around performer. I rejected/returned the Sundaras and Edition XS prior to getting the Elex. The Elex checked off every box and performed well with all styles of music whereas the Hifiman planars sounded artificial and had questionable build quality. Metal was the real deal breaker with the Edition XS; fortunately the Elex does exceeding well with Metal. Also, the Elex is unreal with tracks mastered with high dynamic range.Build quality of the Elex is fantastic. I'm not having any build issues- clicking or dead drivers. I will update if anything bad develops. Comfort is very high for me, but I have a bigger head. I don't have any fatigue issues. Experimenting with EQ and it's been productive. That said, these sound great out of the box but eq can smooth out some harshness.One criticism is the horrendous cables that are included. They are quite literally the worst I've ever used. Imagine trying to manage a garden hose or vacuum power cord as a headphone cable. It's that bad. So be prepared to buy/make a replacement cable.
I was one of the early owners of HD6XX and they have been my daily driver ever since they launched. When I used those headphones for the first time I was blown away by how clear the mid's were and how good the soundstage was. But these focals are on a level of their own.Ever since I've started using the focals, I've tried to listen to as many songs as I can because music has never sounded like this before. The separation on these cans is so great that it feels like I'm in the studio where the artist was recording it. I can very easily discern each and every channel of sound in the music.Its kinda like going from the 60Hz monitor to a 144Hz one. You will be happy at 60 until you experience 144 and after that every 60Hz monitor will feel muddy and slow.I was ... MoreI was one of the early owners of HD6XX and they have been my daily driver ever since they launched. When I used those headphones for the first time I was blown away by how clear the mid's were and how good the soundstage was. But these focals are on a level of their own.Ever since I've started using the focals, I've tried to listen to as many songs as I can because music has never sounded like this before. The separation on these cans is so great that it feels like I'm in the studio where the artist was recording it. I can very easily discern each and every channel of sound in the music.Its kinda like going from the 60Hz monitor to a 144Hz one. You will be happy at 60 until you experience 144 and after that every 60Hz monitor will feel muddy and slow.I was initially swayed away by the number of bad reviews of failing drivers but I decided to make the purchase because of the great reviews by the people whos' cans were working. Used them for a month and haven't had any broken drivers yet *fingers crossed*
Okay, so I have had these for a little over two months and feel comfortable writing a complete review on them.I am going to skip known things people don't seem to be that fond of, including myself, such as the stock cables. However, one of the common complaints I have seen had to do with creaking noises coming from headphones when handling them - I can say this has not been an issue at all for me up to this point.On to the stock pads, they aren't bad, but I did replace them with a pair of Dekoni "Steilla Custom" pads, which in my personal opinion improves the sound signature quite a bit. Brings out the warmness in the sound signature, without sacrificing much detail in the upper end, and also makes them a lot less fatiguing, and I can listen to them for extended ... MoreOkay, so I have had these for a little over two months and feel comfortable writing a complete review on them.I am going to skip known things people don't seem to be that fond of, including myself, such as the stock cables. However, one of the common complaints I have seen had to do with creaking noises coming from headphones when handling them - I can say this has not been an issue at all for me up to this point.On to the stock pads, they aren't bad, but I did replace them with a pair of Dekoni "Steilla Custom" pads, which in my personal opinion improves the sound signature quite a bit. Brings out the warmness in the sound signature, without sacrificing much detail in the upper end, and also makes them a lot less fatiguing, and I can listen to them for extended periods of time (6+ hours).Now on to the sound.Setup is Geshelli J2 DAC + Darkvoice 336se (I have used them for extended periods of time through the THX AAA 789 amp, but it doesn't provide the same rich, full sound that the tube amp does - it's not bad, but just not as enjoyable.Drop user/member @EniGmA1987 said the following in the discussion area - "In the end, the interaction between this and the Darkvoice results in tight, controlled bass...." this is 100% true, and the paring between the DV and the Elex is so so good because of it imo, because the separation and clarity in the top end is still there, the bass just becomes something I have never heard/experienced before, and it's heavenly.What makes the Elex and the DV stand out from everything else I have heard/tried is how the bass is presented sonically. I have never experienced this from any kind of headphones or speakers. The mids are great, and the highs are very detailed without being fatiguing or sibilant at all. The separation, imaging and soundstage is about the best I have ever experienced, especially with certain driver tubes such as the 6N7 type.Here are the headphones I have for reference/comparison sake.Fostex TR-X00 Purpleheart - I know these are known for their bass, so I will touch on that a little. The bass these put out is in no way similar - I wouldn't necessarily say there is "more", but it's more indiscriminately produced, while the Elex bass is very accurate while being quick and tight, while being separated in a way that reminds me of separation in the upper end, it's so good. The Purplehearts used to be my daily drivers, but were replaced by the Elex.Audio Aeon Open X HeadphonesKoss ESP/95X Electrostatic SystemHarmonicDyne ZeusDrop PandaSennheiser HD 58X Jubilee HeadphonesThe Elex has resurrected my DV from the closet, it's just way too good. Don't get my wrong, the Elex sound great on the balanced THX 789 amp, but you lose that magic the DV provides. Think it's gonna be real tough to beat this combo even spending quite a bit more, and definitely when Drop has the sale going for $550.I would highly recommend these headphones, so long as you don't need to listen to extraordinary levels of volume as you would run into the clipping issue.All of that said, if anyone is reading this and the Elex are out of your price range, the Jubliee 58x paired with the DV is exceptional for the price - they sound like a junior version of the Elex with the DV. What I mean by that is the overall tonality of the pair is quite similar to the Elex, it just lacks the exactness in the details + separation the Elex provides, but still very good for the price.
I cannot say that I experienced all that the Elex can do listening off of a Schiit Magni 3 through a Modi Multibit and Loki, but even so I am hearing intimate details that were not apparent with prior setups. Although this is quite a jump from my HD6XX, I would venture to say that it is a logical upgrade path for those desiring a higher degree of resolution while preserving a mid-forward focus; bass-heads will not be impressed, but I do not believe the low end is lacking by any stretch.The only negative points I may discuss really serve to preference rather than objective quality: the Elex's dynamic range and its highs that I find a bit on the bright end. The dynamic range is quite impressive, especially for classical and classic rock tracks, but this presents an ... MoreI cannot say that I experienced all that the Elex can do listening off of a Schiit Magni 3 through a Modi Multibit and Loki, but even so I am hearing intimate details that were not apparent with prior setups. Although this is quite a jump from my HD6XX, I would venture to say that it is a logical upgrade path for those desiring a higher degree of resolution while preserving a mid-forward focus; bass-heads will not be impressed, but I do not believe the low end is lacking by any stretch.The only negative points I may discuss really serve to preference rather than objective quality: the Elex's dynamic range and its highs that I find a bit on the bright end. The dynamic range is quite impressive, especially for classical and classic rock tracks, but this presents an issue where trying to hear detail at a song's lows can bring intense volumes at the peak of the track; I find myself frequently sitting up to change volume for comfort, which can feel like a chore in the moment, but I have not yet decided whether this is truly negative where good dynamics can bring a certain liveliness to music flat headphones cannot achieve. As to the highs, I personally find them a bit bright, but I am sensitive to this end of the signature where others may not experience the same fatigue over the long term. I recognize that the measurements suggest a roll-off towards this end, but it is simply not what I am perceiving, and is nevertheless an attribute that can be mitigated with EQ.In conclusion, this critical review would support a rating of 4.5 / 5 stars, but that is not possible on this site; I decided to round up given the nature of my negative comments not pulling much weight and this headphone's ability to bring a smile to my face when re-discovering my favorite music. In my opinion, this headphone would best suit those looking to browse their libraries in search of nuances missed by less-resolving equipment; it is the most detailed headphone that I have personally experienced in my home. For those seeking impact, the Elex is more than capable of extending from subtle to exhilarating. As a listener that gravitates towards speakers, I do miss what headphones simply cannot provide, but the Elex quenches that impact the best I think a headphone could, save for soundstage, for which I believe there may be better options out there.
I bought these as an upgrade to my HD600s because despite some pretty serious electronics (Yggdrasil and a decent amp) the sennheisers weren’t drawing me in to the classical music I listen to. We have Focal speakers so I figured, brand consistency, why not.The results are great - awesome sound stage, great details and a greater sense of emotion translated from the recordings.Now you might go “of course, they cost 2.5x as much” but I use balanced cables, and these came with the cable in the box. The sennheiser cable is not included and the OEM one is an absurd $140. That puts the differential in out of the box value a lot closer if you use the XLR cable.In addition to the cable being included the build quality is also night and day better, they’re beautifully ... MoreI bought these as an upgrade to my HD600s because despite some pretty serious electronics (Yggdrasil and a decent amp) the sennheisers weren’t drawing me in to the classical music I listen to. We have Focal speakers so I figured, brand consistency, why not.The results are great - awesome sound stage, great details and a greater sense of emotion translated from the recordings.Now you might go “of course, they cost 2.5x as much” but I use balanced cables, and these came with the cable in the box. The sennheiser cable is not included and the OEM one is an absurd $140. That puts the differential in out of the box value a lot closer if you use the XLR cable.In addition to the cable being included the build quality is also night and day better, they’re beautifully finished and the materials feel great. It’s hard to know what will stand the test of time from the hand feel, but if I were a betting person, these seem like a strong contender.Those of you in the know already know this, but the break in is real and they sound pretty bizarre out of the box. It was markedly improved after even 15 minutes and they’re still settling in after a week or so. They’ve lost any weird coloration they had on the sound when I first opened them and get out of the way without adding their own take to the music.
