Does anyone have impressions on those pads, in terms of sound signature change?
1 Like
Here are Dekoniās measurements for the 4 pads they offer. The measurements were done with the Elear, but Iād imagine the relative differences would be the same on the Elex. They all seem to use the same memory foam, so I will probably just get the cheaper velour pads.
I was looking for pads for my Clearās. I am good with original pads so far but I allays look. Found this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94z70LPEm84 The adapters could be printed for around $25 - $30 US. Very useful if you got extra pads laying around.
I recently got the Dekoni Elite Velour pads on Amazon for $50. Compared to stock, Iād say the bass and low mids sound slightly elevated and perhaps less clear. It also sounds a bit more closed. Overall, it sounds slightly worse in my opinion. However, the foam is firm enough so that my ear is no longer resting against the metal grillāwhich is a trade off I have to make.
Iād suggest those pads for the Elegia maybe. With most headphones, especially ones you love the sound of, the best bet is to always replace the pads with direct replacements. Unfortunately, pad swapping usually ends up with undesired results (for me at least). The best bet is to find a headphone you love the sound of stock and then play around with pads to see what happens. You might get lucky, but you probably wonāt, but at least you know you can always get good sound from the stock pads.
1 Like
Generally, I have no interest in pad swapping because as you mentioned, thereās a decent chance youāll get bad results. The only reason I tried the Dekoni pads out was because the stock pads are so soft, they would become compressed to the point where one of my ears would end up resting against the metal grill after 5 minutes. I did another round of listening tests, and the stock pads definitely sound better; thereās a degradation of clarity in the mids and bass with the Dekoni pads. Anyway I decided to give the headband a good flex, and that reduced the clamping force enough so I no longer have an issue with the stock pads.
Focal really designs their headphones with their pads in mind, and tries to use them to tune the sound. This isnāt a bad thing at all, but can be kind of inconvenient if you donāt like the comfort. I personally have no issue with focal pads for comfort
1 Like
Woah! I have no issue with the clamping for of my Focals. I must have a narrow-ish head. 
I agree with M0N, Focal headphones are fantastic but I find pad swapping them usually do bad things to the sound unfortunately.
1 Like
Hi DMS. Amazing forum youāve built. Well done
l hear some people say the Elex have a slight metallic timbre to them. Which is impossible to EQ out. Do you agree? And you wrote they are a huge improvement over the Elear. But of the 2 which one has a more realistic timbre? Which one makes instruments sound like instruments better?
Thanks!
Most of the focals have that sound, and imo itās not super offending, but can be irritating for some. You can eq it out a bit but not get rid of it completely. The elex and beyond is a step up from the elear imo
1 Like
I got the Elex today, and I have some first impressions.
Iām not sure what I was expecting, since impressions seemed a bit all over the place. But driving them off the Monolith THX 788 amp balanced, they sound fantastic.
I was mostly worried about the clipping in the low-endā¦ IMO itās mostly a non-issue, as they have to get pretty loud (Unhealthy levels) in order to cause clipping. And when they arenāt clipping, the low end extension sounds extremely good. Easily comparable to large planars. And everything else sounds great too. Iāll have to spend some time comparing them to my LCD2Cs and Senn HD 660s, but with my first few hours with them, Iām extremely impressed.
2 Likes
Yeah, the clipping issue really only occurs when you really push them, otherwise itās not really a concern. I initially didnāt like the focal headphones at first, but after a day I really started liking them
So my general feeling on these after blasting them into my ears for a couple of days is that I love them. Maybe too early to say, but maybe my favorite headphones at this point. I just really like what they are doing. Iāll share more thorough thoughts and feelings on them after a week or so, especially with the bass clipping āissueāā¦ but IMO, if you are interested, donāt let it scare you away, they are worth it.
5 Likes
Thatās pretty much how I felt with the focal headphones. They were good during a first listen, but I really liked them after a couple of days
4 Likes
Does anyone know when or if these will get another Drop run?
Also would you say this is a upgrade over the Sendy Aivaās?
The heart wants what it can never have, damn you massdrop, why do you deny a chicken of its clucks.
Basically, Iām really frustrated that they donāt ship to anywhere I reside in.
I would say this is an upgrade over the sendys if you are looking for more accuracy and less excitement. I think the elex is a tier above the sendys imo
2 Likes
sweeeeeet!
theres a couple in sale on ebay right now. they say their new but open box. so how are they new? one even has a different cable cause the cable it came with was damaged. how did they know that if they didnt use it?
Open box does not typically mean new, it means it was either a demo unit or someone tried it for a day and didnāt like it lol. Stock cable is shite anyway
Antpage, the answer to your question is that they arenāt new. they are open box and the listing is inaccurate. Certianly not the only inaccurate description ebay. 
Oh, and the stock cable is atrocious. Even if you plan to use the stock cable you will end up buying a new one. Even with another $75 for a high quality aftermarket cable, the Elex is a great value, tho.