[Netforce]

I'll hear the Utopia tomorrow but no matter what positive or negative impressions I have of it, I will have to keep in mind the driver size was too small 

 
But honestly speaking I don't even think about driver sizes but moreso driver material when I listen.

 

[Allanmarcus]

 

  I have 2 45mm headphones here and while there are some similarities, there is much that separates them. None of them have bass problems and they are both open. Ones goes audibly down to ~25Hz, while the other goes down to ~35Hz. I also have a 50mm headphone here that goes down to ~20Hz but then I have a 70mm headphone that barely reaches into ~35Hz...
It is true that the 70mm does bass in a way that's more spacious and enveloping, but it has less impact than either of the smaller drivers...
What I am hinting at that beside the size, things like damping, enclosure, rigidity and said openness make much more of a difference than the size.
I've owned large planar drivers, the likes of Ether and HE1000, which measure close to 80mm over 100mm in size respectively, yet I don't feel the smaller drivers giive up much in bass... On the contrary, there are things I actually prefer with them, like the impressive bass impact, presence and tightness that they have. I believe the ratio is harder to maintain the bigger a driver gets as it can be more challenging to control large mass, despite it "pushing more air" 

I agree with you, but 40mm is too small

If you don't mind, can you explain the physics of why you think 40mm is too small? 

 

[james6333]

Driver size has nothing to do with the frequency that it can produce and frequency is just speed. large bass drivers simply can't move fast enough without breaking up for high frequencies (then there is beaming). Small drivers simply can't move far enough to created a loud enough low frequency tone.

Pressure simply = force times area. P=FA (F=MA) A smaller driver needs to travel farther for given pressure change.

I am sure the 40mm driver optimizes the highs and the crazy long throw of this driver (combined with the hug magnets) compensates in the bass.

 

[Clemmaster]

The Focal drivers have much more travel than typical headphones. Check out the video.
This compensates for the smaller surface (which has other advantages).

 

[grizzlybeast]

Sounds like a lot of placebo science talk around here.

Just stop guessing and watch the video already.

 

[TSAVJason]

Sounds like a lot of placebo science talk around here.

Just stop guessing and watch the video already.

Wait until tomorrow when people write about their personal experiences

 

[JayLam]

  That was truly pleasing and a kind of seamless experience between headphones and loud speakers.

So short but attractive review, more please...Exciting!

 

[Dillan]

Driver size has nothing to do with the frequency that it can produce and frequency is just speed. large bass drivers simply can't move fast enough without breaking up for high frequencies (then there is beaming). Small drivers simply can't move far enough to created a loud enough low frequency tone.

Pressure simply = force times area. P=FA (F=MA) A smaller driver needs to travel farther for given pressure change.

I am sure the 40mm driver optimizes the highs and the crazy long throw of this driver (combined with the hug magnets) compensates in the bass.

What

 

[james6333]

What

Used unrealistic extremes as an example. Just trying to make a point that driver size does not effect frequency and the driver is just used to generate pressure. A small drive simply needs to move farther to create the same db that a larger driver would produce with a shorter throw distance. 
 
For example magnetic planer divers need to be so large because they barely move. 

 

[moedawg140]

A personal shootout:

 

[james6333]

A personal shootout:

 

Oh wow, that is one awesome pile!

 

[grizzlybeast]

A personal shootout:

If you don't post full impressions...that would be so criminal.

 

[Ghost Pack]

If either of these headphones are good enough to knock the HD800(S) off it's throne then Sennheiser will be schiiting their pants pretty soon. Can't wait to compare them.
 
Edit: Love me some good old fashioned dynamics!

 

[vo_obgyn]

Does anyone know where to get the headphone stands in the video/picture below? Who makes them. I'm wondering?
 
Quote:

  EXCITING!
 
I got to hear both of these already as I reviewed the Elear over at Audio Head.  I'm happy to answer any questions people may have.

 

 

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[up late]

another flagship release costing thousands. i'll read the impressions and probably give the utopia a listen some day, but i can't muster any enthusiasm for this trend in head fi.