He said that about the Utopia ($4000, you be the judge), he just said he preferred the relaxed nature of the Elex over the Clear, but then he always says that. I think the Clears are definitely worth it as an alternative for $1200.
Strange, the elex is more energetic than the clear from my experience? The elex is a bit more exciting with a slight w shape and more exaggerated dynamics. I myself prefer the clear over the utopia actually (spent a week with all of focalâs high end, and left with the clear and elegia), I can acknowledge the technical performance of the utopia but I didnât find the signature that worth imo. The verite actually reminds me of the utopia, with a more energetic signature with the same technicalities (but lacking as much openness and dynamics).
I would say it depends, because imo if people arenât willing to take the step to a higher end amp, the elex offers a fair bit more for the money, I really only recommend the clear if someone is willing to step to that 500 and up amp territory. Otherwise they legit do sound close on something like a thx. The reason why I think the clear sounds a fair bit better to @luige06 is because the m6 is pretty weak, and the elex most likely wasnât getting enough actual juice, and while it is pretty less amp picky than the clears, it does need a bit more juice to function properly. So I guess the lower impedance of the clears actually helped this time lol. But I would still highly recommend a higher end amp with them to get what you paid for imo
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What I was referring to when I said I agreed with Zeos over Josh V was soundstage.
Zeos said the clear was more intimate across spectrums. Josh said the opposite. I think the Clears are less Spacey than the Elex. Imaging is a bit more put together but the sound bubble is smaller than with the Elex.
Itâs both. But there was no power issue with the Elex I had. It was only a channel imbalance issue which Iâm happy to confirm is non-existent with the clear. The âissueâ was the 80oms.
Verite is less open than Utopia?[quote=âM0N, post:103, topic:8272â]
So I guess the lower impedance of the clears actually helped this time lol.
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Yes.
Wait until you try it on a better amp imo
Imo yes
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Damn I thought Utopia was pretty stage-less.
And I also though Verite was supposed to be ZMFâs stage-emphasis headphone.
I didnât say it was lacking stage, itâs just physically not as open sounding, as there is a bit more isolation. It is still expansive depending on the pads you use
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From what Iâm hearing it makes me want to hear it on a tube which is the opposite of what everyone says⊠It just feels so bright and clean I want to muddy it up for fun. Lol
I must be getting stage and openness mixed up
Itâs fun but imo the signature just doesnât fit, it just sounds wrong lol. A hybrid or warmer solid state works well tho lol. It will get more natural sounding on a better amp, it will sound more full
Was watching a review on the m15 today where the reviewer said it leans warm⊠
For Fiio stuff at least.
Continuing to get impressions of the differences. Itâs honestly like I traded bass and wide soundstage for intense clarity and detail. Feels morel like a super Hd600 than the Elex.
Classical really shines. Pink Floyd was really shining in ways I never heard it before.
Purity Ring and any Rap like K Lamar or Run the Jewels are not what they once were on the elex. Nothing sounds OFF just not as fun as it was on the Elex with the lesser bass response and less immersive staging.
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Yeah, now Iâm very curious to see what you would think on higher end source gear
I can confirm this, but it seems to have mellowed a bit compared to the out of the box sound. Itâs not a neutral DAP. The mids are so good on it though. If you listen to any female vocals, itâs pretty great
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Awww, dang it! Now I have to go post about the Clears I bought in the âWhat did you buy todayâ thread.
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Wait, didnât you already have the clears? O shit lol, they are pretty awesome 
I own a set of Elex (Elexes??). But not the Clear. Been holding off on buying the Clears for a long time. Ha. They actually sound a little more my taste than the Elex. I love detail, and donât need a wide stage.
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Nice, they should pair very well with the rupert and spl amp
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The Clears are definitely a noticeable jump over the Elex on the SPL Amp in terms of resolution and detail, I was pretty surprised when I tried them again recently and compared them.
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What brought about that feeling in particular from what I said?
You would get better spatial recreation and a more full sound with a more suitable amp from experience