Good to see that this amp is getting more love recently, TA is so underrated and not many willing to try it. Same goes for Z1R.

Wait what? For real?

Ok apparently, there is no difference in tuning compared to vanilla clear. The only difference is just the color, balanced cable and extra pads. that's it...

Yeah, and the funny thing, HD800 is likely inspired by Sony own Qualia 010. HD800 is not bad, i couldnt love it, but i keep considering it. Hope Sony will have something this year.

Not truly closed? I dont know where you got this idea, but Z1R is fully closed and the isolation is very good. Unless, you are mistaken it with Fostex TH900, which is not fully closed.

agreed... in fact, this is actually a trait that all focal totl have

seeing their trend in the recent years (2 years cycle), i think Sony might release a new high end this year. they have positioned Z1R as their signature series, so i really doubt they will launch some high end closed back this year. it has been a while since they release a good open back...

Z1R is unique sounding, nothing in the market is similar to it, except for Z7 of course. it is either you love or hate it.

In other words, if you don't need the sound isolation, there is little reason to buy the HD820, save the $800 and get the HD800S instead.

It does have XLR4, here is the full spec: Balanced: Balanced standard (4.4 mm in diameter) 3-pole mini (balanced connection, 3.5 mm in diameter) XLR4 (balanced 4-pin) Unbalanced: Standard (6.3 mm in diameter) Stereo mini (3.5 mm in diameter) You can have all of them connected, and switch...

Are you sure? Imagine HD800S on the XLR, ADX5000 on the 6.3 mm, Z1R on the 4.4mm, your iem can be on 3.5mm and expanded to another amp via the preout. And you can keep everything connected at the same time.

idk whether i am going to like the closed back trend, but seems focal is really aiming at hd8xx market

p r o f e s s i o n a l 12chars, closed back.

Yup, saw that earlier. I am torn between this and the new HD820, which is the same price as HDV820 amp. And it will cost about 3600 SGD here...

Senn is giving 3 cables in the box

imo, if it can retain or is close to the soundstage of HD800/S, otherwise it will be more make sense to get the older models.

Damn, they really read our discussion about the pricing and set the msrp accordingly lol It looks like a semi closed, which is a good thing imo...

If this keep continues, utopia thread is going to be locked, just like how Z1R was locked. Funny thing, it’s always been the same reason and the same person that is involved.

But... but, M50X sounds better than Z1R

@earfonia thanks for your great review! one thing that i wonder though, the soundstage. I know it's pretty obvious that ADX5000 soundstage is narrower than HD800/S, but how about ADX5000 vs Utopia? Are they similar in width? You also mentioned that ADX5000 is pretty close to Utopia...

mojo and Z1R will make it way too warm

interesting... https://www.massdrop.com/talk/2893/an-upcoming-audiophile-collaboration

I bought it last september, but i baby my utopia so much, and i think just reached >150 hours recently (few days ago), and noticed the difference in sound.

That's what i am experiencing, the sound altered and became warmer and mellowed. This is not my mind playing trick on me, it just so happened suddenly.

Did anyone notice that the utopia became warmer when it's fully burn in? Or is it just me? Or maybe my drivers spoilt? I can't find the metallic high anymore and bass is deeper and tighter. The sounds is fuller and definitely less fatiguing now... I don't know whether i like it now, but kinda...