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I have both. The XS sound way better with most types of music.The XS is an open back, and has a much wider, airier soundstage then the Elegia, which are closed back.Like all headphones, some sound better or worse depending on what you're listening to and what you're listening to it through. But the XS will often make me go "Wow", while the Elegia never do. The Elegia are okay, and some times sound pretty good, but I have a hard time believing they were ever a $1,000 headphone as they supposedly were when first released. $299 is a fair price for them, but I would recommend spending an extra $100 and getting a B Stock Edition XS from the Hifiman website for $399 if they're still on sale, which they were recently. The B Stock pair I bought seemed brand new in every way, still don't know why they were considered B Stock.
I post every time on these because they break really easy, the head rest will break, and there is zero customer service for it. There also is not a replacement.
Also, the Hifiman's that go on sell here, the more expensive ones, sound wayyyy better.
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I post every time on these because they break really easy, the head rest will break, and there is zero customer service for it. There also is not a replacement.
Also, the Hifiman's that go on sell here, the more expensive ones, sound wayyyy better.
Sounds like this is one of those times I should listen to the warnings. My HD600's are over 10 years old now and still fine. It is sad that some of the better sounding stuff suffers from build issues. I will say my Meze 109's have impressed me so far. Time will tell, but my 99's have held up for years so far. At least Meze likes to offer replacement parts. And before it is said, I got mine used for $425 so not an insanely different price. I think I will just wait for the Senn 660s2 to drop some.
The Elegia is supposed to be discontinued I think.
That was just a marketing gimmick to sell more. They've been supposed to be discontinued for like 5 years now. You can check how often they've been posted on here
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from OnieO
:
I have hifiman xs and like it very much. How do they compare? It seems the original price on this one is higher.
I have both. The XS sound way better with most types of music.The XS is an open back, and has a much wider, airier soundstage then the Elegia, which are closed back.Like all headphones, some sound better or worse depending on what you're listening to and what you're listening to it through. But the XS will often make me go "Wow", while the Elegia never do. The Elegia are okay, and some times sound pretty good, but I have a hard time believing they were ever a $1,000 headphone as they supposedly were when first released. $299 is a fair price for them, but I would recommend spending an extra $100 and getting a B Stock Edition XS from the Hifiman website for $399 if they're still on sale, which they were recently. The B Stock pair I bought seemed brand new in every way, still don't know why they were considered B Stock.
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I have both. The XS sound way better with most types of music.The XS is an open back, and has a much wider, airier soundstage then the Elegia, which are closed back.Like all headphones, some sound better or worse depending on what you're listening to and what you're listening to it through. But the XS will often make me go "Wow", while the Elegia never do. The Elegia are okay, and some times sound pretty good, but I have a hard time believing they were ever a $1,000 headphone as they supposedly were when first released. $299 is a fair price for them, but I would recommend spending an extra $100 and getting a B Stock Edition XS from the Hifiman website for $399 if they're still on sale, which they were recently. The B Stock pair I bought seemed brand new in every way, still don't know why they were considered B Stock.
BEFORE YOU BUY FOCAL HEADPHONES, do a search for "FOCAL HEADBAND BREAKAGE" and read up on that. Also, try looking for Focal's product repairs (not just under warranty) - good luck on this one.
I got these and they were pretty good for the price. But nearly a year and a half after I bought this exact model from Adorama, my Elegia's headband broke just like others reported. I'm never buying Focal again and sticking with Sennheiser. Focal's QC seems to need a lot of improvement.
You only buy this headphone if you need a closed back headphone that does not leak sound, if so this is a good option at $299 . Otherwise the hifiman and Sennheiser headphones are vastly superior( 650s XS Ananda etc .)
I keep reading review after review about the headbands breaking on these and Focal not covering it. Apparently they claim it is wear and tear and want as much as the headphones cost to replace it. Has anyone had any experience with this? I really want to try these, but have generally stayed away from anything except Senn, Beyer, and Meze due to QC issues. I just don't want a $300 paperweight in a year if they break, and personally it is more money than I am willing to risk unless I know the warranty holds up. I would rather try the 660s2 if that is the case.
Can confirm. I have a set of Clears and Elegias. The Elegias have long broken and the Clear is feeling like it will break very soon. Here is an email response from Focal in 2020 when my Elegias broke:
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from Focal Support Email
:
The thing is repairing these headphones will be at a very high cost. This is why I was inquiring on the warranty. Replacing the headband on a pair of Elegia's will come out to roughly 600.00.
Ordering headbands from warehouse in France is considered a special order. This why the price is fairly high. We repair very few of this so we don't hold stock pieces for these.
I took a moment to speak with office and we think it would be more profitable for you to purchase a replacement refurb that sells for 550.00. This way you would get a pair close to brand new for less than the repairs.
Please reflect on this and get back to me
So yeah, I declined to have them fixed and they're still sitting in my box of broken junk. I had the same problem with my HiFiMan HE-6 with their headband too. Broke twice but at least they fixed it for $50.
Can confirm. I have a set of Clears and Elegias. The Elegias have long broken and the Clear is feeling like it will break very soon. Here is an email response from Focal in 2020 when my Elegias broke:
So yeah, I declined to have them fixed and they're still sitting in my box of broken junk. I had the same problem with my HiFiMan HE-6 with their headband too. Broke twice but at least they fixed it for $50.
That response is pretty hilarious. You have cemented my decision to pass. I am not into games when it comes to luxury goods (and I know they are only $300, but does anyone really NEED these). Now I just need to wait until the 660s2 comes down in price a bit.
That response is pretty hilarious. You have cemented my decision to pass. I am not into games when it comes to luxury goods (and I know they are only $300, but does anyone really NEED these). Now I just need to wait until the 660s2 comes down in price a bit.
Tbh, I don't think I've ever read anything good about Focal or HiFiman's build quality in any of their models.
I've made it my rule to stick with Sennheiser and Philips. Never had build quality issues with either and I feel like if I ever snap a headband on either one it's going to be because I do something stupid by accident.
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I have the Elegias and HiFiman Sundaras, so both a closed back and and open back. The Sundaras sound a little better, but I need a closed back at night in bed so as not to disturb the wife. The Elegias have a wide soundstage and are somewhat bass lacking, something you can overcome with the right EQ app. I'm very happy with the sound from the Elegias. Very comfortable too. I have used them on average x2/wk for the last 6mos. So far no headband problems. I did order a replacement cable through Hart Audio which takes a little while but is a great cable. For $299 to me it's a good deal.
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Also, the Hifiman's that go on sell here, the more expensive ones, sound wayyyy better.
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Also, the Hifiman's that go on sell here, the more expensive ones, sound wayyyy better.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
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I got these and they were pretty good for the price. But nearly a year and a half after I bought this exact model from Adorama, my Elegia's headband broke just like others reported. I'm never buying Focal again and sticking with Sennheiser. Focal's QC seems to need a lot of improvement.
Ordering headbands from warehouse in France is considered a special order. This why the price is fairly high. We repair very few of this so we don't hold stock pieces for these.
I took a moment to speak with office and we think it would be more profitable for you to purchase a replacement refurb that sells for 550.00. This way you would get a pair close to brand new for less than the repairs.
Please reflect on this and get back to me
So yeah, I declined to have them fixed and they're still sitting in my box of broken junk. I had the same problem with my HiFiMan HE-6 with their headband too. Broke twice but at least they fixed it for $50.
I've made it my rule to stick with Sennheiser and Philips. Never had build quality issues with either and I feel like if I ever snap a headband on either one it's going to be because I do something stupid by accident.
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