Audeze el8................

[Toobs]

Does anyone have any experience with the el8 phones? I've been reading a lot about them. Reviews say they are efficient enough to be driven by any portable device. If they are that efficient, my Burson Soloist SL amp would drive them beautifully. At $699.00 per pair they aren't exactly cheap, but I suppose they could be considered a bargain compared to other Audeze models.

I think I'm going to pick up a pair

[MusicDirector]

I don't know if there is a way you could try them on in your area. (Headphone demo in my state is almost like a forbidden thing). I personally find Audeze headphones very uncomfortable, price not withstanding (tried a few at a headphone event a few weeks back). To me they are just heavy and unwieldy and sound just ok, but I think much of that is due to the way they fit me...or not fit me I should say. They would probably sound better to me if they fit me better. Your fit may be different.

[Toobs]

I don't know if there is a way you could try them on in your area. (Headphone demo in my state is almost like a forbidden thing). I personally find Audeze headphones very uncomfortable, price not withstanding (tried a few at a headphone event a few weeks back). To me they are just heavy and unwieldy and sound just ok, but I think much of that is due to the way they fit me...or not fit me I should say. They would probably sound better to me if they fit me better. Your fit may be different.

My local audio dealer sells Audeze. Next time I visit, I'll try the el8's.

[rfan8312]

Yes they are definitley easy to drive. Ive auditioned both the open version as well as the closed version, most recently earlier today in fact, using only my Galaxy s4.

I often prefer open-backed headphones but for some reason I always prefer the closed EL-8.

I think it has something to do with the EL-8 sound signature imo sounding more coherent and retaining its unique sound better in the closed version.

The headphones are supremely comfortable with no clamping force (as opposed to the clamping force of some Sennheisers and the PSB - M4U).The ear cups are quite big over your ears, not as big as HD800.

The build quality is seriously good. It feels like almost all metal. They look and feel completely solid. No creaking when spinning the cups.

Imo the wood veneer looks bad. Id seen pictures beforehand that for some reason were taken in low lighting and the wood looked amazing with good color.

In person the wood looks cheap, almost plastic like. But im not sure because id also seen pictures of EL-8 where ypu could clearly see it was wood grain in a close up.

Alot of people complain tbe sound sig is weird and shouty and bright. I can see what they mean but I personally like the bright nature of a lot of Grados so for me its fine.

The planar bass has some texture, goes deep without being boomy or muddy even in the slightest bit.

Overall I have chosen the even brighter Grado 325e with bowl cups over the EL-8 this time for its wonderful sparkle, its ability to really remind me what open-backed headphones can do, it's stunning clarity and extreme transparency. And all for 300 USD.

At some point I will hear the EL-8 again with my new Sony PHA-1A portable amp and see if that makes the 32ohm EL-8 better in some way.

Ill definitley keep auditioning the EL-8.

[Randy Myers]

I have a pair of EL-8 on the way. I am getting the open back. I like the idea of not being completely cut off from the world, plus from what I have read the open back are a tad lighter and more comfortable and a tad more efficient. Not that the efficiency factor is that important to me being that they may probably be only used with my McIntosh.

I am replacing the McIntosh headphones. They were very good, fit comfortable and sounded very nice. I just did not use them enough for that level of phone. If I had one complaint it would be about the closed back. It felt a little too confining for me. I did not even know if my wife was talking let alone be able to hear her. I think the openness of an open back will be more to my liking.

[Randy Myers]

I am loving the EL-8. Only real issue is the thin cable. Feels quite cheap. This seems to be a common thread among Audeze. People love the phones but are not thrilled with the cables. I have found a company that makes replacement cables. Charleston Cable Company (C3); I order a cable and it should be in within a couple days. They use original Audeze connectors to assure a proper fit.

[rfan8312]

Hey man.

Wow I did not notice this post until just now. How are you liking your EL-8 after all this time?

If you get a chance maybe you could check out on YouTube ' Z review EL-8 '.

The guy absolutely gushes about the build quality and praises the cable for being flat. I didn't realize how cheap it was. I'll have to check again.

This headphone is on see on Audeze website now for 340 USD!

BTW man the reviewer I mentioned on YouTube is a real audio master. He makes his own cables and mods everything he gets maybe you could get some ideas from him on cable mods unless you are happy with the xale you got from Charleston.

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[Kuoppis]

I can only recommend not to buy them.

Bought a pair of EL-8 in a Black Friday sale, they literally broke apart after three months of very light use.

Audeze customer service was EXTREMELY unhelpful, said they were not able to repair them. No replacement offered.


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[rfan8312]

I can only recommend not to buy them.

Bought a pair of EL-8 in a Black Friday sale, they literally broke apart after three months of very light use.

Audeze customer service was EXTREMELY unhelpful, said they were not able to repair them. No replacement offered.


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There was no warranty or was the defect claimed by them to be not within warranty?

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[Kuoppis]

There was no warranty or was the defect claimed by them to be not within warranty?

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I was surprised, apparently not as this was a Black Friday sale.

Not sure if that is even legal, hence I stay away in the future.

[rfan8312]

Wow. I tried them at a store a few times and it looked and felt like ultra build quality. I'm sad to hear this. But that's a negative mark against Audeze it looks like.

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[Kuoppis]

Wow. I tried them at a store a few times and it looked and felt like ultra build quality. I'm sad to hear this. But that's a negative mark against Audeze it looks like.

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To be honest, I liked the sound, I liked the comfort, but this level of customer service and respect is completely unacceptable.


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