[Toolman]

Anyone who have ordered their Utopia can now assigned their "poison" to me at 1/4 the cost? I'll gladly assumed all the health risk... 

 

[gto88]

Yeah, take it easy everyone.
Here is where we share our common interests and help each other on this hobby.
Isn't it good in talking with knowledgeable people and learn something everyday.
I enjoy it, don't you.

 

 

[drwlf]

I doubt that anybody's thinking that Focal is stupid, but nonetheless, the health concerns should be open to debate, especially if it's already been mentioned in the thread, but not discussed.
If people have their concerns, why shouldn't this forum be one of the places where the customers would be reassured of any health hazards?
 
As I'm not an expert on the technology per se, or the nuances behind the production process, I'd rather observe the discussion here, than just blindly, a.k.a. stupidly trust an announcement by Focal that they're safe, or the legislation/audits etc. regarding the production in France/EU, as they both might be lagging behind, for whatever reasons.

 

[TSAVJason]

Anyone who have ordered their Utopia can now assigned their "poison" to me at 1/4 the cost? I'll gladly assumed all the health risk... 

As opposed to supposition or conjecture I suggest anyone all that concerned they contact Focal. Again, I reiterate they will happily direct you to the governing body(s) that regulate, enforce and create the health & safety standards. In addition I will, although boldly, make the statement that this is a very antiquated subject. After processing the Be into its final form of sheets there is no further danger and that the government regulations are insanely tested, followed and enforced in France.

 

[eric65]

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/worlds-best-headphone-focal-utopia?page=1#50Mz9z53c1YGBQze.97

Congratulations Tyll for this great review of the Utopia that makes us want to listen this French headphone.

Surprising: with this very precise description of Utopia, you have perfectly described the sound of the Odin !!! Including the variation of the sound, depending on the centering of the front to back pads.
Only point where the Utopia seems unbeatable (compared to Odin), its comfort and weight of the headphone.

Eric

 

[SearchOfSub]

Berllyium has been found in air, rice, potatoes, lettuce, kidney beans, naturally occurring in ground water and surface water. commonly found in vegetables, coal, wood, gemstones etc etc. Some say it is very poisonous but it's everywhere and we consume it daily. I don't think much of a big deal unless you plan to eat the driver itself for breakfest, lunch or dinner. It's a 1,000 - 3,000 meal though. Very tempting..

 

[TSAVJason]

Berllyium has been found in air, rice, potatoes, lettuce, kidney beans, naturally occurring in ground water and surface water. commonly found in vegetables, coal, wood, gemstones etc etc.

Be is made into usable sheets only in the USA. It must be really dangerous if we allow it to be made here.

 

[grizzlybeast]

​
 
Quote:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/worlds-best-headphone-focal-utopia?page=1#50Mz9z53c1YGBQze.97

Congratulations Tyll for this great review of the Utopia that makes us want to listen this French headphone.

Surprising: with this very precise description of Utopia, you have perfectly described the sound of the Odin !!! Including the variation of the sound, depending on the centering of the front to back pads.
Only point where the Utopia seems unbeatable (compared to Odin), its comfort and weight of the headphone.

Erichere

here we go again
 
Mr. Nothing can beat a Kennerton. 
 
You are not biased at all... No not you. 

 

 

[Hutnicks]

Be is made into usable sheets only in the USA. It must be really dangerous if we allow it to be made here.

Yeah. It is so benevolent they withdrew it from use in golf clubs. You also cannot have any Be clubs worked on. So absolutely user friendly that Formula One banned it's use outright.
 
 I have seen Be work harden and crack up close and personal. I would not discourage anyone from doing a little reading on the material. Putting current through it and having it vibrate at 20Khz or so may not be the brightest idea.
 
BTW. The list of dangerous materials made in the USA would occupy more space than this board has.

 

[grizzlybeast]

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/worlds-best-headphone-focal-utopia?page=1#50Mz9z53c1YGBQze.97

Congratulations Tyll for this great review of the Utopia that makes us want to listen this French headphone.

Surprising: with this very precise description of Utopia, you have perfectly described the sound of the Odin !!! Including the variation of the sound, depending on the centering of the front to back pads.
Only point where the Utopia seems unbeatable (compared to Odin), its comfort and weight of the headphone.

Eric

One thing for sure is that the Odin cant be as dynamic as the Utopia. The Utopia is as dynamic as the Vali and the Vali is more dynamic than the Odin, per what I read on line. 
 
I should buy an Odin to prove you right since I can't afford the Utopia. 

 

[eric65]

  One thing for sure is that the Odin cant be as dynamic as the Utopia. The Utopia is as dynamic as the Vali and the Vali is more dynamic than the Odin, per what I read on line. 
 
I should buy an Odin to prove you right since I can't afford the Utopia. 

 
What is certain is that the Odin is faster, more detailed and defined with a better texture of sound that the Vali.

It is as dynamic as the Vali, but with less level in the bass.

 

[ubs28]

I asked Jason about this last weekend (as I mentioned before) and he said they're ESTIMATING $100/pair right now.  That could change but it should give you an idea of the ballpark.

And no, the Utopia and Elear come with a SE cable only.  Though, they're double-entry so you should be able to re-terminate to balanced if that's your thing.

Thanks for the information. Strange that for $4000 a balanced cable is not included.

 

[TSAVJason]

Yeah. It is so benevolent they withdrew it from use in golf clubs. You also cannot have any Be clubs worked on. So absolutely user friendly that Formula One banned it's use outright.

 I have seen Be work harden and crack up close and personal. I would not discourage anyone from doing a little reading on the material. Putting current through it and having it vibrate at 20Khz or so may not be the brightest idea.

BTW. The list of dangerous materials made in the USA would occupy more space than this board has.

No one has discouraged anyone from anything in fact I offered the fastest possible access.The Be industry in the USA is a very tightly controlled environment and for workers in the manufacturing of Be there are serious controls for their safety. As to your golf club and F1 vehicles, those parts were often machined, causing dust. The Be dust is dangerous but in solid sheet form it is totally safe. But please by all means, do your diligence.

 

[drwlf]

I wonder if licking the driver on a daily basis would induce ABP, to act as a weight loss method

 
 
But on a more serious note; I guess we'll be informed about the safety in due time.

 

[jamato8]

Thanks for the information. Strange that for $4000 a balanced cable is not included.

My car cost a lot more but I only got one set of tires. I waited and replaced them with better ones once they got some time on them. The cost of a cable is about the same in relation to the cost of tires to the cost of my car. There is a margin that companies choose to make and that is the price of doing business with them. 
 
On Be, there are a few companies using it in their drivers. Europe has some pretty tough standards and I would imagine that Focal, in order to sell their headphones there and abroad, would have had to address any safety measures regarding toxicity etc. They were the 1st to adopt the non lead standard for solder.