Decided to check mine, based on reading this. Sure enough, there was a lot of melted glue on both pads. I was able to wipe most of it off, but the flat surface remained quite sticky. In October, my Utopias will be 5 years old. I don't swap pads, but I did remove them once before to check the...

Quite happy with the combination. I am using it in balanced mode.

I was wondering about that too. I have the V281, so it's a bit academic. But it seems to me is that hard-to-drive headphones with a balanced connection to the v281 or v280 would be better than an SE connection to a v200. But an easy-to-drive headphone might sound the same on a v281 and v200. But...

I have never seen the arche. But I thought it had a specific setting optimised for each of the focal headphone models. So you might want to find the utopia setting and use that.

Nice gear. Where did you get the plastic cover on the headphone stand? I could use one of them.

Even if new models come out, it will still be a seriously good amp. It's designed and constructed well and does what it is supposed to do. Newer amps might have more bells and whistles, but arguably won't be better.

Thanks! Was a little nervous given the power available and what it might do to the headphones. But I guess that's what the relays are for. Cheers, Paul

Hi I recently bought a v281. Very happy with it. I have one basic question regarding the volume. Should I return the volume knob to the zero setting before turning on the unit? I suspect not, given that the manual says "On power-up and power-down, the outputs are cut from the amplifier...

I think you are in the best position to judge. I have the Utopia, but have not yet heard the Empy (although I would very much like to). Keep the one you use the most. Or keep them both, if you like both.

I have to agree. Since buying the utopias, I have then upgraded my DAC, amp and added a micro-rendu (in that order). The DAC and Amp made significant and noticeable improvements to the sound of the utopias. The micro-rendu not so much, but still detectable I think. I have a set of balanced...

I think Schiit makes the Fecal flagship

By the song you are listening to, I would say you have been to the Philippines. If so, I am guessing you know the importance of rolex, hermes, real leather, french handbags, etc. I am just waiting for the first crocodile skin, french megabuck headphone. It's gonna do well in SE Asia.

I am not going to buy into the argument about what works and what is snake oil. But I would like to comment on this. Manufacturers of all types of equipment (not only hifi) add rubber feet to stop the device slipping off the table, stop the device from scratching your expensive polished wooden...

Stellia model / Abyss Phi model :ksc75smile:

Even though it's closed-back, I don't think it is meant to be taken out on the streets, in the bus, on your bicycle etc. It's a desktop system, that could be used in a work environment (unlike the open-back clears or utopia). Based on my own utopias, the head band is very comfortable but does...

I'm ashamed to say I actually like the colour of the headphones. But I won't be buying one, as I have the Utopia. I have no interest in a closed back "Utopia". Really interested in the amp/DAC though. I really want to know how it sounds and costs compared to other options. I want to get a...

Pretty much consistent with buying anything "high end". Getting that last 5-10% of performance costs a lot of money.

My serial # starts with A1BEHG and was purchased in October 2017 (one year old, no failures). :) I am assuming it is a second (or later) batch as it came with a shorter 3m cable. I think the first batch came with a 4m cable, which was criticised for being too long and heavy. I don't pretend to...

I hear jazz fans say that the music and playing is nothing special. But the recording certainly is. It does sound great on the Utopias.It sounds like you are right there at the club.

I am using the Grace M920 with Utopias. The M920 is the successor to the M903. I think the amplifier sections are basically the same, but the DAC section is improved in the M920. The M920 certainly has enough power to drive the Utopias. I have no complaints with the sound. Cheers Paul

I can't agree. They seem to be "deceptively light" to me. :) I wear them most nights for a couple of hours while working on the PC. They don't feel heavy at all. I have occasionally worn them for 8 hours (with breaks for lunch and whatever) and not had issues. Maybe they are just not a good...

The poll asked whether people had sent their utopias back for repairs - not whether their utopias had a driver failure. We have no idea how many of those repairs in the poll were actually major problems affecting headphone reliability. I remember a few people complaining about the carbon fiber...

I have never heard the Clear, but I tend agree with what you are saying. It may depend on the source material as well. I know that the bass on the Utopia is more than enough on tracks that have good bass - and it is extremely good quality bass as well. On tracks where the bass is a bit lacking...

When I bought my Utopias, I did not even know that they were on the WoF. Headphones are such a personal thing - even more so than speakers I think. If a reviewer likes or dislikes a certain model, you cannot assume that you will form the same opinion. So I still find the whole WoF thing a bit...

If Focal were able to tweak the Utopia slightly to warm it up and make it "the best headphone in the world", the tweak would be on all production units by now. Why would they have limited it to one unit sent to one reviewer? And the odds of a manufucturing "flaw" turning one sample into...