Thanks for sharing the information. Definitely not early production, my current pair are actually a little earlier at 1BHG0052XX with a Focal shipping date of 07/19/2018. Hopefully if the issue has not been totally resolved perhaps the rate of occurrence has dropped significantly. Best wishes...

My condolences. As an early adapter on my 3rd pair, I'm curious as to what the serial number is on your pair. If you don't mind could you please share the serial number, you can leave out the last 3 numbers. I'm wondering if this may be a earlier pair that my have some how remained in stock for...

The problem with audio equipment reviews is their dependent on the reviewers personal tastes. If the person conducting the review preference leans toward a slightly rolled off treble, they may describe Utopia's treble as being bright when in reality it tends to be very accurate or natural. The...

Nice, sounds like you found the headphones that were made for your ears. I've owned the PM-2's since their interdiction and plan on keeping them for the long run. Still think the Utopia's on a whole different level when comes to realism and unfortunately price as well.

I agree with the dedicated headphone amp part, not sure about it having to be high end. Currently using a Nuforce Icon/DAC (no longer in production) for a bedroom amp with the Utopia. The pairing definitely works without any detectable shortcomings or at least to my 60 year old ears. Not saying...

Wouldn't you know, the one that disappeared only showed up after I posted a correction. Damned tablet !!

Focal USA has a "find a dealer" feature on their website. There may be a dealer nearby which would allow you to audition the headphones before considering a purchase. Not sure about Amazon but some online dealers may not handle warranty issues in house. In other words, you may end beinthe one...

1 No, after three years of production, Focal sould have the voice coil issues worked out on their high end headphones. 2 Cable information can be found pertaining to Stellia under Headphones (full-size) in the Equipment Forums. 3 Yes, Focal has dealers in the USA.

Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to try Utopia with a lower impedance tube amp, only the LD MK6. Definitely something to avoid at all cost due to the MK6's not so low, low impedance setting. Thanks for all the compatible tube amp suggestions, I'm using the Ragnarok and V280 currently...

Welcome aboard. Wish we had a place locally to audition audio gear. I always assume people maybe listening at excessive volume levels when they say the HD800S/Utopia are fatiguing. HD800 and T1, now that's a different story.

I'm actually on my third pair due to voice coil failures on the two early production pair I owned so I've probably spent more time with earlier and now a later production unit than most. Honestly, I can't tell any real difference between my current pair and the two early production pair. There...

True, from my experience the Violectric amps tend to be a little on the warm side which would effect tonality. My comment was actually made in an attempt to shed light on the Utopia's efficiency and how using a powerful speaker amp woujd not be necessary. Although, I'm not saying speaker taps...

One of the things I enjoy most about the Utopia is it's ability to produce clear full sound at relatively low volume levels. At age 60, I'm trying to preserve what hearing I have left so it's doubtful I will ever feel the need to resort to using a speaker amp. The Ragnarok set on low gain is...

Yes, the V280's sibling the V281 definitely wins the popularity contest due to it's additional pre-amp section. It's nice Vioelectric provides the option of obtaining the amp with or without the pre-amp.

No apologies needed, I understand. We all have different tastes and expectations when it comes to audio equipment. I spend the majority of my listening time with speakers, headphones are used more for analyzing and detail retrieval plus I kind of like the way their not effected by acoustic...