I wouldn’t say upgrade per say. I look at headphones as allowing me to look at my music through different lenses. They are different flavors. I’m leaning towards an Auteur. The Elex is probably a perfect headphone, but I prefer a more laid back presentation. I as well prefer the ZMF comfort build and the woods are works of art. The Clear would just be nice to add to my collection.
I hear ya. I want both for my collection. Just figuring out what will be next. When comparing both headphones, I think it’s difficult to choose either one. Both are fantastic.
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Gotcha, well if you wanted something different from what you have then, I think the auteur might be a bit more up your alley, as the clear is a more neutral elex taken up another level (with the right amp). And you mention work of art, which makes me think another zmf might be in your future as well lol
Agreed. I rarely ever listen to the Elex too. I think the Auteur will probably be the next in line.
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I love both the Auteur and the Clears, but I think the difference between the Aeolus and Auteur is more pronounced than the difference between the Focals. Like M0N said, you may not see too much difference between the Elex and Clear on a lesser amp (not sure what you have)
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Makes sense then, I think you have it figured out for the most part lol 
Yeah, but feel free to duke it out! I’ll go get the popcorn. 
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So all honesty yes they both are very solid performers. They play all genre’s well and i don’t find myself switching them out when changing music styles like i do with most other headphones i own. The ZMF take the lead in my eyes because they are more accepting of mods and take better to my tube gear.
Ye I think pretty much all zmf preform well on a tube amp (like senn)
What mods have you done to them? I don’t hear a ton about zmf mods
Do pad swaps count as a mod? If not then i mispoke and used the wrong term.
Ah, ok gotcha, I guess it is a mod lol, just not personally what I think of as one (driver modification, redoing internals, doing headband changes or swaps, stuff that is more intensive than swapping pads is what I think of as a mod)
After reading this thread, can someone elaborate more on the sound of each? Also on how the sound makes you feel?
What aspects would you want to focus on?
Also actually I did like a brief comparison of some aspects of an auteur, clear, and arya today lol so I might as well link that
I like these impressions, thank you.
I am curious on knowing the feeling when you hear these headphones. I am also wondering how they feel when you hear male/female vocals or with how they sound with more “modern” music.
The answer to this and any other post like this in the future is simple. Whomever owns both wins.
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Uhhhhhhh feeling as in like emotional or something lol? Not really sure if I can give you a meaningful answer there
So generally with more modern music, it might be a bit of a toss up for which one I prefer tbh, what type of music genre? For vocals, generally I think for vocal organicness and punch the auteur is my pick there, but for clarity, speed and definition I like the focal more
lol agreed. For the record, it was just a conversation starter.
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ZMF Auteur - I feel like I should be listening to the Auteur in a Roman Catholic church. Ready for confession? 
Focal Clear - I feel like I need to take a shower before listening to the clears. They deserve nothing less. 
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lol yeah I didn’t know how to phrase the question sorry, but PapaEmeritus’s answer was what I was looking for.
Sounds good. Issue is now it seems like I gotta own both…
I like the sound of the Focal Clear on the RME ADI-2 DAC FS so far, do you think the ZMF Auteur would pair well with the RME?