twgib
contributing
Posts: 59
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Post by twgib on Aug 19, 2018 16:36:44 GMT
Frans, I'd like to start by saying I appreciate your recent work! The measurements of the Cascade are nice to see and the fact that you compare to so many other competitors in or around it's class is awesome! You're one of the first to the table with the HD820 as well, Thanks! However, I'd like to ask your thoughts on the Utopia vs. Elear debate, or what I may consider the Utopia/Elex vs Elear debate with maybe Clear somewhere in the middle... What are your thoughts on their sound signatures? I recently purchased a used Elear and I'm not terribly fond of the sound... I see on SBAF they did a passive circuit to shelve the bass... I didn't think that initially that would be a good move considering I enjoy the dynamic bass and it is already a bit weak in the low bass but maybe because of the treble issues this is a valid mod. What about the Elex with a treble filter mod, would that be a better course of action for the most neutral, quality acoustics for the money? Please help me sort out of all of these differences with your subjective thoughts! Thanks! -Travis SBAF Elear vs Elex measurements: SBAF Utopia vs Elex SBAF Clear vs Elex: SBAF Clear vs Utopia (different source than Marv)
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solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,882
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Post by solderdude on Aug 19, 2018 17:52:19 GMT
Elear, Clear and Utopia. Given the Utopia and Elex measure closely the same one can probably sustitute the utopia measurements for the Elex ones. To me the clear is the best of the bunch but have no access to Elex. The Elex will be the brightest of the bunch. I preferred the Clear over the Utopia. I never heard the Elex so cannot say for certain. Did not care much for the Elear. It is too far 'off' from realism to me. The Clear sounded much better. The Utopia has more treble/clarity and is more ethereal but has a weird 'sizzle' up top which annoyed me. Once you heard it you cannot unhear it. It is very narrow so not possible to filter passively. The clear still had a hint of it but was not annoying. The SBAF measurements give the illusion the Focals have a mild bass boost yet they are not perceived as such. They sound exactly like my measurements to me. 'Flat' but could do with a bit more 'body' The treble of the Utopia is clearly above 'neutral' to me. The Clear had a much better balance to me. Tyler's (Hands) measurements are only valid till 2kHz and bass is shown higher than it is perceived.
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twgib
contributing
Posts: 59
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Post by twgib on Aug 19, 2018 18:57:48 GMT
Thanks Frans, that is very interesting... I happen to find the Elear to have a noticeable "shout" which isn't giving me good feelings about the clear or utopia. I have a feeling I'd prefer the Elex with a treble shelving filter or felt in front of the driver, any recommendation?
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solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,882
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Post by solderdude on Aug 19, 2018 19:31:49 GMT
I don't own any of them. I have measured and listened to them in a shop in Delft which sells headphones and what goes with it only. No time to experiment with them.
Would have liked to measure/audition/mod an Elex but as that one is Massdrop only they don't have it. I suspect the Elex is better than the Elear. The latter was 'off' to my ears.
Some headphones are best 'treated' with EQ, others toiletpaper or felt of sorts and some with passive filters or even pads. Hard to say what works best with any headphone in advance. Mostly a matter of trial and error.
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