I actually went Elite -> Utopia 2022. Will you be keeping both? I think they make a good pairing / counterpoint to one another.

So I received a Verite Silver cable for these and think I might prefer the 2K Copper and maybe even the OFC cable, sonically, on my set up. I perceive improved dynamics and staging however something in the tonality and/or timbre has been thrown ever so slightly off kilter. Interesting! Time to...

Yes. Mojo 2 pairs well with all Focals tbh.

Delete

Look into the ATH-AWAS?

Official replacement Radiance pads...

Yeah as fun as the Elegia is (and good value for money) it definitely has a sandpaper-y quality to its timbre

Yes sir that’s the one. It does not sound like the other focal closed backs - strongly recommended. I’m also getting the D9200 again haha

Did you ever try the Radiance?

I have only ever heard / owned Sapele and not coincidentally love the VC for heavy music. The weighty decay effect is sort of fundamental to the VC’s sound for me.

In terms of sound quality, the Bathys are not going to match what you can get from a Radiance or Celestee-level of closed back when powered from Mojo 2. Let's just say for argument's sake you get roughly 70% of the sound quality - some people are fine with that trade off given the added...

Could this be a synergy issue? I’ve seen some people say Utopia OG and Hugo 2 make a bit of a funky pairing

Highly unlikely there’s something wrong with their set - I had same issue and in my case was with various solid state amps (tried a few dacs including R2R (Metrum Onyx) which in the latter case helped but didn’t fully remove the sibilance).

The VC isn’t perfect? News to me tbh…

You’re quite right. But frankly it’s done more than resolve the issue (in terms of removing the harshness) - the overall sonic improvements make it worth the outlay for me