fallofdave said:

You can already see Tylls measurements for the Elear.   Or do you mean the Utopia?

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Thanks I see them now.

Jude posted measurements for both of them as well. (Link)

Just wondering, has anyone heard the Utopia as compared to the LCD-4?  Sorry if it's already been reported on this thread; thanks for your impressions!
 
Best -
RCB

rcbintn said:

Just wondering, has anyone heard the Utopia as compared to the LCD-4?  Sorry if it's already been reported on this thread; thanks for your impressions! .

Best -
RCB

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As it happens, there is a member here that owns both the LCD-4 and the Focal Utopia. I believe he's made this comprehensive comparison. He hasn't named the LCD-4 in his comments because he saw the aggression in this thread and didn't want to be part of that nonsense. Let's ask him to come forward with his unbiased opinion and promise him he won't be attacked for providing us his experience between these 2 like priced headphones. I won't name him, he'll need to make that choice.

i would have thought that any impressions from an impartial source would be welcomed here

up late said:

i would have thought that any impressions from an impartial source would be welcomed here

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You would think. 

up late said:

i would have thought that any impressions from an impartial source would be welcomed here

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That's they way it should be but unfortunately some times there is people that do not understand or don't want to understand that.

I think there has been a bit of an overreaction from a few people on this thread to praise for the Elear and Utopia.
 
This is probably the result of the fact that nearly every major headphone release has been initially praised to the skies on here, even headphones with serious issues in their sound quality.
My personal examples would be HD700  (piercing treble), Audeze EL8 (big dip in the midrange) and the Oppo PM1 and PM2 (rolled off treble which makes them sound boring)
 
If you look back at launch threads or videos for any of these cans no serious sonic issues are ever mentioned. Any disadvantages mentioned will usually be superficial or minor like the length of cable, excessive weight, needs a good amp etc.
 
So it is understandable that universal praise for the new Focals has been me with a bit of scepticism but for me personal attacks are inexcusable.
 
They seem to be very promising though; I can’t wait to listen to them at Canjam London!

rthomas said:

  I think there has been a bit of an overreaction from a few people on this thread to praise for the Elear and Utopia.
 
This is probably the result of the fact that nearly every major headphone release has been initially praised to the skies on here, even headphones with serious issues in their sound quality.
My personal examples would be HD700  (piercing treble), Audeze EL8 (big dip in the midrange) and the Oppo PM1 and PM2 (rolled off treble which makes them sound boring)
 
If you look back at launch threads or videos for any of these cans no serious sonic issues are ever mentioned. Any disadvantages mentioned will usually be superficial or minor like the length of cable, excessive weight, needs a good amp etc.
 
So it is understandable that universal praise for the new Focals has been me with a bit of scepticism but for me personal attacks are inexcusable.
 
They seem to be very promising though; I can’t wait to listen to them at Canjam London!

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I wasn't around for the HD700 launch and I had just joined when the PM1/2 launched.  But I went to CES 2015 where they launched the EL-8 and HE1000 (and Dharma, though I missed it at the time).  Feel free to search for my posts in the EL-8 thread; I was one of only two people in there saying there was something wrong with the open ones, noting that the mids didn't seem to connect to the treble.  I believe I also called the closed ones "unlistenable".  I even made an "I told you so" post when Tyll published his measurements showing the big notch, quoting my own impressions that were backed up by the measurements.
 
My point isn't to trash the EL-8 again.  It's to point out that I won't hesitate to call out issues where I see them.  I feel the dip in the upper mids on the Elear will be an issue for some people and I called out the issue in my review.  I think that's going to be its most controversial sonic aspect.  And again, it's not the most resolving headphone I've heard, especially compared to the Utopia, but it's commensurate with other headphones in the $1000 range.
 
I get it.  Hype can be overwhelming and it's hard to separate facts from hype, especially with a small sample size (still) of people who have heard the headphones.  But I like to think I do my best to tell it like it is despite the hype.  If that's nearly universal praise, as with the Utopia, well... what can I say... I really like the damn thing.    I am very excited to get one eventually when I can afford it (yes, I'll be paying for it!).

It would be nice to see some input from the few who have the Utopia. It is about quality discourse accepting the divergent opinions. I think that would work . . . . 

Looking forward to reading more Utopia impressions. If I had the money I would order a pair right away.

The utopia is a bit expensive for me currently, but I have been considering the HD800S after selling some other gear. Makes me wonder how the Elear would be instead of the 800S, seeing as it would be a saving of a few hundred dollars. Can't wait to hear it, soon I hope. 

@Stillhart
 
My post wasn't directed at you at all. It was just an observation based on what I've seen over the few years I've been a member here. 
 
Cheers.

Originally Posted by ufospls2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
 
Makes me wonder how the Elear would be instead of the 800S, seeing as it would be a saving of a few hundred dollars.

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The Elear and the HD 800S are actually very similar in overall FR and SQ.  The HD 800S has the larger and more impressive (but IMHO, somewhat over-exaggerated) soundstage, but the Elear has a noticeably fuller sounding bass region that makes the HD 800S (and the HD 700 and HD 650) sound relatively bass-light by comparison.
 
Which one is "better" is something that only you can decide, but with a $700 savings over the HD 800S, I'd take the Elear in a heartbeat!   

$5.50/day in the piggy bank for 2 years then you can buy Utopia.