- Joined
- Dec 24, 2015
- Posts
- 700
- Likes
- 813
This guy: McIntosh D1100
Focal Utopia General Discussion
- Thread starter Allanmarcus
- Start date
paul2qute
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2017
- Posts
- 2,477
- Likes
- 1,116
I'm looking at mine on the shelf now, it's nice when you can own it and just put them on when your in the mood and just lose yourself in the music, it's a purchase you won't regret
timztunz
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2009
- Posts
- 26
- Likes
- 15
It's hard for me to even describe how impressed I am with these Utopia. It's unlike any listening experience I've ever had. This has been my first foray into "grown up headphones" and it's been astonishing to say the least. When I was deciding on which headphones to begin with I got SO MANY "Focal Utopia are best" vs. "Sennheiser H800S are best" that I just had to see for myself. So I got a pair of each. Well, I have to tell you that my experience is that there is really no contest. IMHO there is just so much more weight, body, musicality, interest, involvement, everything! The only nod I can give the H800S is that so far they might be just a tiny bit more comfortable. Not that the Utopia are "uncomfortable", they are just a bit heavier. But NOTHING about that aspect would cause me to chose to listen to the H800S's over the Utopia. With both pair on stock cables the Utopia win hands down. Being a FIRM believer in the magic of cables and cords, I wasn't about to jump into this adventure without an upgrade cable. I chose to go with Double Helix. With the Utopia on a Double Helix cable they win hands down even MORE, by a large margin. IMO the Double Helix is an improvement not insignificant over the stock cable. The only fair test that I have not given the H800S is a ride on the Double Helix cable, so I've ordered a Double Helix Ultrashort adapter for it. I'll bring it back to Brasil the next time I come. But I fear the outcome is going to be much the same. Does that make me a Utopia fanboy? Yup, looks like it.
Last edited:
^ Congrats!
I was using my Utopias last night (Benchmark DAC 3 HGC --> GS-X Mk2 --> Dana Cables Lanzuli Reference Utopia Cables balanced) with Miles Davis' "Tutu" and it just didn't get any better than that!
I was using my Utopias last night (Benchmark DAC 3 HGC --> GS-X Mk2 --> Dana Cables Lanzuli Reference Utopia Cables balanced) with Miles Davis' "Tutu" and it just didn't get any better than that!
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2015
- Posts
- 700
- Likes
- 813
Go big or go home, I love it!
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Posts
- 2,122
- Likes
- 1,413
I go from "Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus" to Korn with the Utopia/Dave pairing ha simply excellent. I think the beginning of "Shoots and Ladders" sounds unbelievable with the Utopia's. When it comes to music, variety is the spice of life friends.
I love how much meat on the bone the Utopia can give harder rock. Full bodied sound
bidn
100+ Head-Fier
I go from "Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus" to Korn with the Utopia/Dave pairing ha simply excellent. I think the beginning of "Shoots and Ladders" sounds unbelievable with the Utopia's. When it comes to music, variety is the spice of life friends.
I love how much meat on the bone the Utopia can give harder rock. Full bodied sound
quite right indeed,
and even more so with metal,
try out Manowar's Warrior of the world or Amon Amrath's Deceiver of the Gods...
see some past impressions of mine here :
https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/f...ents-head-fi-tv.811270/page-311#post-13307939
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Posts
- 2,122
- Likes
- 1,413
Hey I thought you said you liked metal?
ok all joking aside, thank you for sending me that link. I am always up for new music, and metal is a genre that is so diverse.... So I like learning which kinds of metal I enjoy. I also agree with you in the post about how it's a great Metal headphone... Now I want to listen to "My Curse" on the Utopia's now....
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2017
- Posts
- 430
- Likes
- 116
Joining the Utopia club! (Also I didn't end up going with @MTMECraig because of geographic differences (I ended up finding a store nearer to me) but he was a pleasure! Would have gone with him if I lived elsewhere.)
Anyway, I had them already for a week from thecablecompany to borrow and I just couldn't say goodbye. Currently have a WA7 duo and Cayin iDac-6, but am planning to move up to a Schiit Yggdrasil and Eddie Current Aficionado. (If you can somehow get me those Craig I'm 100% open, but I don't think either company does anything but first party sales.
Regardless I'm super pumped!
Anyway, I had them already for a week from thecablecompany to borrow and I just couldn't say goodbye. Currently have a WA7 duo and Cayin iDac-6, but am planning to move up to a Schiit Yggdrasil and Eddie Current Aficionado. (If you can somehow get me those Craig I'm 100% open, but I don't think either company does anything but first party sales.
Regardless I'm super pumped!
Last edited:
kingkikapu
100+ Head-Fier
Listening to that song right now. \m/ (o.o) \m/Hey I thought you said you liked metal?
Dystopia - Hands that Mold scratched the metal itch for me recently. I dig Amon Amarth. I also enjoyed Aversions Crown - Overseer
Edit: One More: DJ Shadow - Nobody Speak (Feat Run the Jewels) hahahaha
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Posts
- 2,122
- Likes
- 1,413
That whole album by DJ Dhadow should be super silly on the Utopia.... I forgot about it till now. Good suggestion! Just start it from the beginning haDystopia - Hands that Mold scratched the metal itch for me recently. I dig Amon Amarth. I also enjoyed Aversions Crown - Overseer
Edit: One More: DJ Shadow - Nobody Speak (Feat Run the Jewels) hahahaha
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2013
- Posts
- 28,350
- Likes
- 32,189
Utopia is an extraordinary Headphones, and especially with the nowadays pricing from hifiman. I don't know why but I would pick Focal as a brand any day at any given time than HFm....
Users who are viewing this thread
