Comparison: Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia – Which One Perform Better?

In today’s post, we are going to read about two incredible models. Not because they are luxurious units that come priced under $600, but because they provide fantastic audio. The design and comfort are also splendid too.

We will review the Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones vs the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones. As you might know, Sony has always been right up there when it comes to design & comfort.

Their noise-canceling headsets come infused with stunning features in them. They are in competition with brands like Sennheiser, Bower & Wilkins, and also Bose. These makers produce some exceptional models that are dominating the market as of today.

Sony has made some outstanding models, like the release of the Z1R headset. You would be stunned to know that the unit is priced close to $2000. Luckily, the Sony MDR-Z7M2 is priced way lower than that unit.

So, does this luxury model fare in an already competitive sector? Headphones are always dominated by the makers of Bose, Sennheiser, Bower & Wilkins, and others. You also have gaming makers like Razer and Corsair wanting their share of the pie.

The MDR-Z7M2 is the successor to the previous model of the Z7 unit. It comes with a fantastic headphone amplifier for squeezing more life out of it. They have always known to struggle with the bass, and the same can be said about this unit, too, to a certain extend.

It also comes with DAC amplifiers & portable music players. It looks pretty similar to the predecessor but has pretty thick earpads. You can notice the model is entirely black, whereas the previous unit came with a tone of neutral aluminum.

However, this unit is priced at $200 than the older model. We need to find out by reading if the price range is worth it or not. The Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones are not a run-of-the-mill product.

Their earlier models in the form of the Clear and Utopia units were a huge success in the market. This model is its first of closed-back headphones. It comes with less of distortion & resonance, limiting the space when you compare it to the open-back models.

You can find commendable isolation from the headphone, but most users would like to have them on the luxury models. Thanks to the explosion of models in the market, makers are trying to grab attention by producing unique models.

The design & comfort is tremendous. You will be glad to know it comes with astounding specifications. Let us find out which model is the better in the review that we have mentioned at the end.

Sony MDR-Z7M2	Focal Elegia
PROS	PROS
The model has incredible comfort and is quite stable when you wear them. The unit can provide you with high-resolution audio with immense clarity. It comes with a wide range of features like an IHeadphone cable and balanced connection. It has a wide frequency range of 4-100000Hz. The headphone has an exceptional 70mm driver in them.	The model comes with a vintage design that is stupendous. The unit offers you exceptional quality connected to portable audio players. It comes with excellent ambient noise soundproofing. It has a high-end closed-back design for indoor and outdoor usage. The product has an exclusive speaker-driver with an M-shape aluminum/magnesium dome.
CONS	CONS
Sadly, the mids sounded quite odd most of the time.	The timing in the headphones lacks the kind of precision that you are looking at.

SPECIFICATIONS	Sony MDR-Z7M2	Focal Elegia
Name	MDR-Z7M2 Over-the-Ear Headphones	Focal Elegia Over-the-Ear Headphones
Brand	Sony	Focal
Sound Mode	Stereo	Stereo
Connection Type	Wired	Wired
Built-In Microphone	No	No
Carrying Case	No
Headphone Fit	Over-the-Ear	Over-the-Ear
Adjustable Headband	Yes	Yes
Warranty	1 Year

Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia: Design & Comfort

The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones come with exceptional comfort. They are pretty large. It is quite easy to use and fits nicely. These headphones are quite light and are highly comfortable around your ears.

It may not be the lightest model you can find in the market. However, it comes with a superb design quality that makes it feel quite premium. The fit was quite snug, too, and you do not feel any kind of pressure when wearing it for a prolonged period of time.

Its earpads are quite wide and comfortable to wear. Like we said, the materials that come infused in them are of high quality. For example, the leather in them is stunning. It has ample padding also inside the earpads that make them quite comfortable to wear.

Thanks to the fact that the clamping force on the unit is reasonable, the sound isolation is also tremendous in it. This is a decent upgrade from the earlier model, and we are pretty pleased with what we have seen so far.

They both come with a 70mm driver; the massive update in here is the driver magnet. That means it is more extensive than the previous unit. A large magnet offers stupendous noise performance resulting in the eloquent quality of the music heard.

Since this is a closed-back model, the ventilation present on it may not be that good. You can notice that the air circulation is just fine. The heat levels are not on the higher side of the unit, enabling no sweat.

Most of the Sony models do not get heated that easily. All in all, they are mostly what you can expect from Sony. On the other hand, the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones are premium models.

They look more like luxury models and are quite large on your ears. This is similar to the Sony model that we just read about. Users will see large ears need not worry at all when using these models on their heads.

You can notice that luxury products often neglect the design aspect of the headphone and ensure that they do not have premium looks. That is not the case here in both the Focal and Sony.

When you are going to pay close to $600, then you do have the right to expect models that are definitely worth the appearance. The black & silver design comes quite sleek and compact for users.

Our tester thought that the Elegia model seemed shinier than the Sony unit, a full black one. The headband comes produced from aluminum that enables you to use them as you want them to.

The leather padding on the earpads and the flex are just the right among of flavor in it. We appreciated its thickness that, for some reason, is not visible when you look at it. There is also 20mm of memory foam, allowing you to feel extremely opulent using it.

Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia: Build Quality

Sony was known for its decent build quality only a few years ago. Before that, makers like Sennheiser and Bose were top-notch in the market. Perhaps, Sony realized that merely having stunning looks may not get the attention of users.

The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones have a robust build quality. Like we read in the above segment, the design was good as it was produced from top-notch materials. You can notice that the headband slider and the yoke system are made from aluminum.

Yes, they are quite sturdy in looks and do not crack that easily, unlike earlier Sony models that come made from plastic material. You would delight in the fact that the hanger system comes integrated into the cable connectors.

There is plenty of grain leather. You can find that it comes a leather on the earpads. The inside of the headphone comes with memory foam enabling it to take the shape of your head seamlessly.

It is an all-metal, high-density design. The maker has made of use of the alloyed aluminum design. Similarly, you have the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones that have a sturdy build performance.

You can notice it comes with the jacks on the 1.2m cable. It is in black and silver in color and can be detachable. You can make use of the slide that it comes with. They are good millimeters present in the earcups.

While this aspect gives it a luxury look, it also provides the model with a potential weak spot in it. There is a 3.5mm stereo jack plug that comes with the 6.35mm jack adapter. It is given inside a hard-shell carry case.

You would know by now that they come with a closed-back design. It means that no kind of sound is leaked out. Usually, this is quite weird because many luxury models come with an open-back design enabling you to see to that the sound does not leak.

We would like to say that the sound quality is opulent because of the magnesium drivers present in it. You might be delighted to know that M-shape inverted dome designs, patent-pending to boot, are produced in the factory that they have located in France.

Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia: Audio Performance

The audio quality of the Sony & Focal models is quite exceptional. This aspect is crucial for users and can make or break the prospects at the end of deciding the winner. Choosing the better audio performance from luxury models can always be a pain.

The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones provide you with good audio performance. They come with a resistance rating of 52 ohms. It enables you to understand the quality of the sources and point out to the underperforming areas.

It is heartening to notice that the Audeze LCD2 closed-back & Beyerdynamic T5 3rd headphones are priced around $1000 each. The Sony is priced under $600. So, you can call them out as better than this model.

Our tester felt that the listening was breathtaking, and he was enjoying every moment of it. This was quite expected from the maker. You can note that the treble was not that detailed. The unit comes with the V-shape sound found in it.

Its sound quality is phenomenal, and we can say that they are better than most of its models. Some notable points would be the vocals sound opulent, and the cymbal tends to bog you down.

This feature entirely depends on the kinds of music you prefer to listen to. The midrange tends to be slightly out of favor for most users. They are not particularly fond of it. When you are particular about the instruments, then you might want to listen to similar tracks.

At the low-end, we were not impressed with the lack of the effect that the 70mm drivers had on the headphone. Our tester simply made use of the EQ that is provided. This feature immensely enhances the audio received.

Likewise, the sound quality of the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones is sublime. It offers you with top-notch noise isolation. However, you might want to know that there is no noise-canceling feature in there.

However, the closed-back design amicably compensates for that. Your ears easily fit the earcups, and there are no issues with that. Once you have a firm fit, you normally do not hear anything from outside.

Most of the audio is quite deep and comes with ample punch in them. You can hear the tones effortlessly than models that come in a similar price point. They provide you with splendid & amazing clear sound performance for you to listen to.

When you use the Beyerdynamic T1 headphones, they come a bit organized as well. They sound cohesive and quite engaging too. On the whole, we loved what we heard from them. Depending on your taste, you would want to make your decision.

Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia: Microphone Performance

The microphone performance of both the models is quite sweet and charming, to say. Users can expect that from a $600 priced unit. The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones offer you with a decent sound performance from its microphone.

Our tester liked the microphone in this Sony unit as it provides you with magnificent sound quality. Users on the other end of the microphone can hear what you have to tell them clearly. That is a nice thing to know about these headphones.

The Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones, sadly, do not with the microphone. They are ideal for critical listening and music purposes. You can use them for games that do not require you to chat or communicate with your teammates.

In this case, you will want to make use of a separate microphone. Unfortunately, we do not have any data on noise handling or recording quality. The winner in this segment would be the Sony MDR-Z7M2 headphone.

Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia: Compatibility

The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones work fantastic on most devices effortlessly. We haven’t tested them, so we cannot say exactly how much of the capability will be.
However, you may want to use a decent DAC to make better use of them. You have the massive 70mm drivers that make them a superb option. The volume adjustment in the model should be taken care of well at times.

The Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones are passive headphones. Consumers do not need to use batteries. It comes with no companion app that enables you to operate on them with the customization options.

Besides, the headphones do not come with Bluetooth either. Instead, users can work with the 1/8” TRS connection providing you audio on PC, smartphone, and gaming console. It comes using the 1/4” adapter, but it has no dock.

If you want to use a headset with a dock, you can select the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless. Overall, these models are good for sound reproduction. They can be worn for a prolonged period of time without hassle.

It is also capable of providing you with closed headsets that are unique in their audio performance. As they have a lot going for them, it makes the ideal consideration for any user on the luxury model.

Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia: Price

The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones are priced under $570. The model has got a similar technology to its Z1R unit. You can notice the inner grilles and the pattern quite on par with the Z1R model.

Of course, you cannot expect major changes for every update. Most brands opt for the same design and texture in their models. It is their trademark sort of a thing. When you look at a model from a distance, you instantly recognize it as a Sony model.

It is a spiral pattern, and it is a large size model. You would be astounded to find out that the speaker elements come at 70mm here. Similarly, the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones are priced under $540.

We notice that it happens to be the mindset behind Elegia. You can see the Sennheiser HD820 headphone that almost replicates the features of a closed-back headphone. Unlike Sennheiser, the price point here is much better.

Most professional artists tend to use the Focal unit. They feel that it provides them with a stunning sound performance. However, you get a feeling that the isolation is not that good. These are ideal for recording purposes and are used mostly in studios, and now we know why.

Sony MDR-Z7M2 vs Focal Elegia: Verdict

We have come to the conclusion of the comparison review between the Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones vs the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones.

We hope you enjoyed reading the review and have made up your mind by now. If you have not, then we suggest that you read the post again. You may have missed out on something. These two luxury models are definitely worth their money and your time.

A year ago, they were priced beyond the $600 price point. Today, thanks to the intense competition, they are priced much lower and will go further down in the coming years. You can also keep track of them during the sales or holiday season.

The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones come with the great build quality and design. When you look at the model, you can make out that the unit is quite incredible to see and use.

Using the EQ, the sound performance just lightens up. Some users are slightly disappointed with the fact that they could have been priced lower. Compared to other units like the fantastic Audeze, Focal, the Z7M2 seems overpriced.

It works well with smartphones and must come with the right kind of amplifier. You may want to use units that have a balanced 4.4mm connection. You need to also have a cable in them. Doing that increases the dynamics of the model.

If you are a fan of listening to the mids, then you may become slightly disappointed with this unit. Otherwise, it is a good pair of a headset to have. The Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones are a decent pair of headphones to own and enjoy your music.

We cannot deny the fact that Focal produces some of the best headsets in the market. Our tester was highly impressed with the Elegia model with its stunning performance and audio quality.

However, it does not have a powerful bass, incredible treble, or mids. That is because of the open design that it comes with. A distinct feature of the headset is that it is capable of offering sound isolation from the smartphone.

It comes with an elegant appearance, they are quite spacious, and the audio quality is tremendous. The Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones come with 1Hz lower low-frequency, 77000Hz higher high-frequency, and has a neodymium magnet.

It also comes with a 30mm bigger driver unit and is 90grams lighter, an in-line control panel, 1.8m lengthier cable, and an L-shaped plug. The Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones 7dB/mW higher sound pressure level, 21 ohms lower impedance, and a travel bag.

The unit also has a straight plug with it. Our winner in the comparison review between the Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res stereo overhead headphones and the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity closed-back circum-aural headphones is the Sony MDR-Z7M2 model.