Focal Spirit One Headphones - Page 13

I wonder if the new white version is better.

I can't wait to hear these. They look visually very nice.

 

Perhaps I had a defective unit, as that's close to what I heard.

Faulty diaphragms notwithstanding, this is one of the most uncomfortable headphones I had the displeasure of using, and I do maintain the built is subpar.

@pbal :: I don't know where you live, but I'll be bringing mine to the NY Meet in March that will be held in Babylon LI.

 

Re: the size; both the headband and earcup.  Based on bicycle helmets I have to buy, I've come to understand I have a large head.  And Absolutely, both should be larger and my main criticism about these!  I'm even toying with modding mine to use something like my DT880 earcups or similar.  However I can live w/o doing that as these earcups even though should be larger are so incredibly comfortable even pushing on my ear ; hope that lasts as they age.

 

The headband also is tricky in that you may think they're extended out to their maximum.  But if you pull on each side individually you may find you can get an extra 1/4" or so, and believe it or not that makes a world of difference from being able to bear them for only 1 hour vs. 4 or more hours at a stretch, which I do regularly on my big ol'pumpkin of a head.

 

-steve
 

Just though you guys would appreciate knowing the full story on the Spirit One manufacturing problems.

 

Here's my review.

Much appreciated Tyll. One of the many reasons you're appreciated around here!

 

What are you talking about..

 

Thank you for the fair and honest approach in getting to the bottom of this. In the end, the Spirit One prevailed and everyone went home happy (I think?)

You don't see the elevated bass and the treble that trails off to almost nothing? 11KHz falls to as low as 40dB lower than than 100Hz. This is extreme roll-off. Even on the 2013 samples the drop is in the 30-35dB range. And the distortion numbers that are higher than most headphones of that price? Hovering around and just below 1% THD at 90dB, and where most dynamics are low distortion in the highs and raising in the bass, the Spirit One rises in the highs where distortion is much more easily noticeable. Square waves that are anything but square.

I returned to Head-fi today and read the news regarding these.  Well, I certainly can understand the strikingly adamant negative critiques from some now.  I just couldn't imagine how polar opposite those views were to mine and was thinking they had some ax to grind or other things.  But I understand now.

 

I'm thrilled I received a winner; and I hope people who listened to duds understand there are winners out there.  

 

Example, I re-discovered my Eji Oue - Mephisto & Co. recording from 1998 that I had ripped to FLAC recently, played on my Cowon D3 fed thru my FiiO E17 over S/PDIF coax, driving my Focals, and it was an incredible experience.  The production of the recording is top notch, and not a stitch of clipping distortion was to be had from the amp with the gain on 12db and volume on 50/60 and the headphones just ate it up and re-produced the music in accurate and pleasurable fashion ; the dynamics are something sorely missed in far too many of today's recording's productions that are victims of the loudness war.  I could not stop listening to it last night and replaying selections; a lot.  I was up until 3:30 am laying in bed flailing my arms in ridiculous "air conducting" fashion.  It's perhaps the best I've heard the D3->E17->Spirit Ones, ever.  I only wish those who had experienced duds and spread word of that had experienced this first instead.  

Edited by m8o - 2/2/13 at 8:42pm

 

Great article.  I'd say we all owe you a debt of gratitude.

I heard one of the same things in these as you too;  that you're of the opinion these could use a bit of 'lift' in the presence range too.  It makes me feel like I have at least some idea of what I'm talking about.  :p   edit:   But I should add strangely enough, not anymore.  Now that these are good and broken in I really like the midrange balance as is; but I do still like to apply a slight narrow band cut of 2 or 3 db @ 175Hz.

Edited by m8o - 2/3/13 at 12:53am

Hi,

 

Ta to bring out the story.

So Focal do not make the Spirit One themselves?

And then they let the actual maker mess up?

That does not sound pukka!

Good on them that they stand behind their product though and will see their customers right though.

 

This has got to cost them a pretty penny...

 

Cheerio Rich

 

Very, very few headphone makers have their own manufacturing plants.  So having a subcontracting manufacturer for cans, even from a major player, is quite common.  The bigger difference is who is doing the designing of the product.  Most of the cheaper, and flashier brands often subcontract the design of the headphone out as well. This was true, for example, for Skullcandy untill they did the Aviator, Mix Master, and Hesh 2 themselves.

 

So, pretty pukka as far as I'm concerned.  (Guess I gotta go look up pukka now to be sure i haven't said something stupid.)

Hi,

Okay, thank you for the explanation. Call me old-fashioned, I still like the days when a manufacturer actually MADE things, rather than having someone else do it. 
 

I mean look at England. Audio note make their own transformers and capacitors, never mind assembling their gear. People like Harbeth made/make their own drivers as well as the boxes and crossovers... That is what I call I pukka. Having someone else make it after you design it is okay I guess but not sure I call it pukka.

 

Pukka is good. It means something proper. Something solid...

Like for example a good pie is pukka. A bad one is pants...

Time for a Bo-Peep.

Cheers Rich

Edited by bedlam inside - 2/4/13 at 7:14pm

I'm new here and this is my first post.

 

After reading so much about these headphones I decided to give it a test run and i pretty much liked how it sounded to my ears.

Got myself one of these last week and well.. sad to say the build quality isn't great especially with the price tag.

 

Mine had some crack on the right side of the headband *See link*

Taken extra caution on usage and yet this happened :( pretty sad i loved how these sounded and how mobile it is but its not rugged enough..