Over the past five-plus years of running this website, I have used more than my fair share of headphones. I've reviewed $US40 headphones and $500 headphones and everything in between. But the Focal Elegia are in a different class and these are the first pair of Hi-Fi headphones I've tried.

REVIEW – When I was given the chance to review Focal's new Elegia headphone, my first thought was to compare it to the slightly more expensive Elear headphone I reviewed earlier this year. The reason was simple: The Elegia is a closed-back design-good for personal listening in public places.

Focal's Elegia price of $899 makes this an incredible value and a new benchmark in closed-back designs. The sound of the Elegia never disappointed and the headphone's ability to recreate space had me totally hooked.

I have had my Elegias for three weeks, and feel they are nicely broken in. I had comfort issues that some reported. With the clamping force and the perforated velour pads, my ear hit the top of the inner cup.

Great sound quality; Wide sound stage, precise placement of instruments and vocals

Comfort issues; but they can be addressed..

Underwhelmed. The Elegia's performance severely disappointed me, and I feel almost disloyal writing this review. Please understand that I have the Utopia No. 7 (active) in my car with KRX2's on the rear channels because I could; there are KRX-3's in my truck, and I even had made a stand-alone custom...

Very very nice upper range accuracy and detail

Huge hole in the mid-bass; You'd expext a closed-back headphone to over-emphasize bass; These leave you grasping for more mid-bass, and amps don't make up for it

Our initial impression of the Focal Elegia headphones is very good; they sound fantastic, look great, and are comfortable to wear. However, that price tag means that only the most dedicated audiophiles will likely consider buying them.

Impressively wide soundstage; Comfortable; Luxurious feel

Very expensive despite being ‘entry-level

Looking for isolating headphones to wear when out and about Focal has the answer in its first closed-back cans, the elegant Elegia, with tech derived from earlier models