Focal Elegia Circumaural Closed-Back High-Fidelity Audiophile Headphones EXPIRED

I got these last time. I don't think they sound particularly good, even for the discounted price, but they have their fans and I seem to be in the minority. They were supposedly discontinued in favor of the newer Celestee, so I'm surprised that Adorama still has stock. In any event, if you've been wanting to try these, I wouldn't expect that they will be available to purchase new for much longer, especially at this price.

Even though I strongly dislike these headphones, thank you for the post.

Quote from proghouse : I got these last time. I don't think they sound particularly good, even for the discounted price, but they have their fans and I seem to be in the minority. They were supposedly discontinued in favor of the newer Celestee, so I'm surprised that Adorama still has stock. In any event, if you've been wanting to try these, I wouldn't expect that they will be available to purchase new for much longer, especially at this price. Even though I strongly dislike these headphones, thank you for the post.

So, tell me a little bit more. What is it you dislike about these phones?

Shocked to see they still have some. I thought they sold out in their "fire sale". Perhaps Focal found some more back in the warehouse?

For those who follow Zeos, he RAVES about how great these are and they are worth every penny at $900.

I think that's going a bit far.

Good headphones? Yep. Relatively neutral, detailed but not bright headphones. Bass light for my tastes. If you're not a basshead and need some closed back cans, you'd be hard pressed to find something better for $400.

It's also worth noting that there are lots of stories about clipping and driver issues with these... so if you push them hard, you might run into problems.

Quote from alxshanti : So, tell me a little bit more. What is it you dislike about these phones?

Everyone's ears are different, but to my ears the tonality seemed off. These are designed to be neutral headphones that don't emphasize one frequency range over another, which is fine, but they sounded unnatural and plasticky and made my favorite music (electronic, downtempo, jazz) sound tonally off from what I'm used to hearing, even in comparison to other neutral headphones. The tonality, combined with a rather lifeless character that made the music sound dull and unexciting, along with the worst headphone cable I've experienced on a headphone that costs north of $50, caused me to sell them off pretty quickly.

It's difficult to find a good closed-back headphone in the $400 price range, but I very much enjoy the various Fostex variants (TH610, TH-X00, TR-X00, E-MU Teak, etc.) and other biodynamic drivers (Denon AH-D5200) and think that most people will have a better experience with those even though they are V-shaped and far from neutral -- pretty much the complete opposite of the Elegia.

If you don't need a closed back headphone and are looking for a neutral sound, then a good option that sometimes can be had for close to $400 is the Beyerdynamic DT1990.

Again, everyone's ears are different -- this is just one person's opinion. There are many, many people who are perfectly happy with the Elegia. They are certainly nice to look at, too.

Quote from proghouse : Everyone's ears are different, but to my ears the tonality seemed off. These are designed to be neutral headphones that don't emphasize one frequency range over another, which is fine, but they sounded unnatural and plasticky and made my favorite music (electronic, downtempo, jazz) sound tonally off from what I'm used to hearing, even in comparison to other neutral headphones. The tonality, combined with a rather lifeless character that made the music sound dull and unexciting, along with the worst headphone cable I've experienced on a headphone that costs north of $50, caused me to sell them off pretty quickly. It's difficult to find a good closed-back headphone in the $400 price range, but I very much enjoy the various Fostex variants (TH610, TH-X00, TR-X00, E-MU Teak, etc.) and other biodynamic drivers (Denon AH-D5200) and think that most people will have a better experience with those even though they are V-shaped and far from neutral -- pretty much the complete opposite of the Elegia. If you don't need a closed back headphone and are looking for a neutral sound, then a good option that sometimes can be had for close to $400 is the Beyerdynamic DT1990. Again, everyone's ears are different -- this is just one person's opinion. There are many, many people who are perfectly happy with the Elegia. They are certainly nice to look at, too.

Not to jump in on somebody else's conversation, but... I second the cable issue. And right after finding the Elegias to be too "bass lite" for my liking, I stumbled upon the Fostex TH-X00. Then it was "game over". I have the X00s (ebony and mahogany) and the TH-900s.

Thanks OP. I'm already a fan of the Focal sound signature (using the Clear right now), but needed closed back for drumming or if I eventually go back into the office. Upgrading from HD 380 Pro for closed backs, so should be a huge improvement!

Quote from proghouse : Everyone's ears are different, but to my ears the tonality seemed off. These are designed to be neutral headphones that don't emphasize one frequency range over another, which is fine, but they sounded unnatural and plasticky and made my favorite music (electronic, downtempo, jazz) sound tonally off from what I'm used to hearing, even in comparison to other neutral headphones. The tonality, combined with a rather lifeless character that made the music sound dull and unexciting, along with the worst headphone cable I've experienced on a headphone that costs north of $50, caused me to sell them off pretty quickly. It's difficult to find a good closed-back headphone in the $400 price range, but I very much enjoy the various Fostex variants (TH610, TH-X00, TR-X00, E-MU Teak, etc.) and other biodynamic drivers (Denon AH-D5200) and think that most people will have a better experience with those even though they are V-shaped and far from neutral -- pretty much the complete opposite of the Elegia. If you don't need a closed back headphone and are looking for a neutral sound, then a good option that sometimes can be had for close to $400 is the Beyerdynamic DT1990. Again, everyone's ears are different -- this is just one person's opinion. There are many, many people who are perfectly happy with the Elegia. They are certainly nice to look at, too.

Thank you. Yes, your experience seems to mirror those of others such as members of Head-Fi. Particularly, the "plasticky" quality of the sound. I prefer open-back by a long shot. My two headphones are both open-back: a pair of Grado SR60 and the Philips X2HR. They're clearly nothing compared to what you have. If I could afford it, I'd jump on the Denon AH-D5200. I listened to the AH-D2000 many years ago and really enjoyed them. I've also been thinking about the DT1990. What amp should I pair with it?

I bought these last time and sent them back. Was not impressed for the price.

Quote from alxshanti : Thank you. Yes, your experience seems to mirror those of others such as members of Head-Fi. Particularly, the "plasticky" quality of the sound. I prefer open-back by a long shot. My two headphones are both open-back: a pair of Grado SR60 and the Philips X2HR. They're clearly nothing compared to what you have. If I could afford it, I'd jump on the Denon AH-D5200. I listened to the AH-D2000 many years ago and really enjoyed them. I've also been thinking about the DT1990. What amp should I pair with it?

The Phillips X2HR is a good headphone that provided me many hours of musical enjoyment back in the day (haven't listened to the Grado). The sad thing about this hobby is that all the money spent doesn't necessarily equate to greater musical enjoyment.

It's too bad you missed the black Friday sale by Denon where they were unloading the AH-D5200 for $209.99 for several hours. Don't think it made it here to slickdeals. Along with buying a used Onkyo A800 for $200 (a headphone that pretty much no one has or ever will hear thanks to Onkyo's poor marketing and distribution), the AH-D5200 represents one of the best value headphone steals I've managed to snag. The driver wasn't made by Foster, but it's a biodynamic driver that shares the same DNA and general sound profile as the Fostex line. The earlier AH-D2000 was manufactured by Foster.

The DT 1990 are much less amp-dependent than other Beyer headphones I own or have owned like the T1.2. I've used them with my Schiit Lyr 3, Schiit Jotunheim, Drop THX AAA 789, and iFi Micro iDSD Black Label, and they performed well with each. I imagine they would do just fine with the well regarded JDS Labs Atom, though don't quote me as I don't own it.

On audiosciencereviews you can find equalisation parameters to match Harman's Curve, as they get much mure bass and clarity they become a real bargain at that price...

Quote from TheEdge : Shocked to see they still have some. I thought they sold out in their "fire sale". Perhaps Focal found some more back in the warehouse? For those who follow Zeos, he RAVES about how great these are and they are worth every penny at $900. I think that's going a bit far. Good headphones? Yep. Relatively neutral, detailed but not bright headphones. Bass light for my tastes. If you're not a basshead and need some closed back cans, you'd be hard pressed to find something better for $400. It's also worth noting that there are lots of stories about clipping and driver issues with these... so if you push them hard, you might run into problems.

Zeos is IMO overrated. (Some of the attacks will come from his followers, but it's ok)

It was very hard to watch some of his videos without having to skip through his rants and personal emotions mixed into his own subjective reviews.

Example:
Back when I was looking for an dac/amp, I stumbled upon some of his videos. Most of his reviews for the items come from users that send him the item that they want him to review (nothing wrong with that).

Now we can't get our hands on the equipment to test it out without having to actually order it and use it, return if undesirable and go through the rma process.

I wanted to see what color/attributes these will bring to the table.
With a price range I had in mind helped me find filter his videos to find the dac/amp I was looking for. Sadly, his videos didn't offer much help and when I narrowed it down to actual watch time it was about 1/3 of the total time.

Sound is subjective to each individual person.

Our outer ears are shaped differently. Canals were either shallow or deep. The drums are positioned and shapes varied from person to person. Sound tolerance ranges in every individual.

I have yet to see or read a review (Google them, it's too many out there) about these closed back headphones that gives me a clear impression of how they will perform without any tuning. Most reviews had the user tune it because it was missing bass or some mids were drowning into the highs.

Not sure, but I am still seeking a good set of closed back for those immersable quiet days.

Quote from imsumbodi4u : Zeos is IMO overrated. (Some of the attacks will come from his followers, but it's ok) It was very hard to watch some of his videos without having to skip through his rants and personal emotions mixed into his own subjective reviews. Example: Back when I was looking for an dac/amp, I stumbled upon some of his videos. Most of his reviews for the items come from users that send him the item that they want him to review (nothing wrong with that). Now we can't get our hands on the equipment to test it out without having to actually order it and use it, return if undesirable and go through the rma process. I wanted to see what color/attributes these will bring to the table. With a price range I had in mind helped me find filter his videos to find the dac/amp I was looking for. Sadly, his videos didn't offer much help and when I narrowed it down to actual watch time it was about 1/3 of the total time. Sound is subjective to each individual person. Our outer ears are shaped differently. Canals were either shallow or deep. The drums are positioned and shapes varied from person to person. Sound tolerance ranges in every individual. I have yet to see or read a review (Google them, it's too many out there) about these closed back headphones that gives me a clear impression of how they will perform without any tuning. Most reviews had the user tune it because it was missing bass or some mids were drowning into the highs. Not sure, but I am still seeking a good set of closed back for those immersable quiet days.

Zeos is overrated.

Quote from alxshanti : Thank you. Yes, your experience seems to mirror those of others such as members of Head-Fi. Particularly, the "plasticky" quality of the sound. I prefer open-back by a long shot. My two headphones are both open-back: a pair of Grado SR60 and the Philips X2HR. They're clearly nothing compared to what you have. If I could afford it, I'd jump on the Denon AH-D5200. I listened to the AH-D2000 many years ago and really enjoyed them. I've also been thinking about the DT1990. What amp should I pair with it?

I own Grados too SR60 and SR125. They've converted me to open back too

I've been reading and have arrived at the monoprice m570 as the next step up / best value since they are $200 right now. Any other suggestions in that price range that I might've overlooked.

Tia