[Dillan]

I'll be posting my complete comparisons in the next day or two between Utopia and LCD4. So far I'm not impressed with Focals flagship. It's a good headphone, but to me it's not worth the overwhelming praise it receives. Both in technical specifications and to my personal taste these are just "pretty good". Objectively and subjectively these seem less than other top of the lines.

Sorry to be harsh. Look for my fully detailed write up within the next two days.. I encourage everyone to audition before buying.

 

[Smazz]

I can't agree with Dillian just yet since its only been like 2 hours, but I do have a very minor gripe. I like to sit back and put my hands behind my head when I listen, and the cable connectors to the headphone are not angled enough so they poke at my shoulders. Minor gripe, but thought I'd share in case anyone else likes to do the same lol.

 

[goldendarko]

I'll be posting my complete comparisons in the next day or two between Utopia and LCD4. So far I'm not impressed with Focals flagship. It's a good headphone, but to me it's not worth the overwhelming praise it receives. Both in technical specifications and to my personal taste these are just "pretty good". Objectively and subjectively these seem less than other top of the lines.

Sorry to be harsh. Look for my fully detailed write up within the next two days.. I encourage everyone to audition before buying.

:eek:

That's literally the first negative impression I've read of the Utopia's. Hope you didn't get a bum pair because you are shipping them to me next!

 

[Dillan]

:eek:

That's literally the first negative impression I've read of the Utopia's. Hope you didn't get a bum pair because you are shipping them to me next!

It is very possible I guess. It just doesn't seem right to be honest. My impressions aren't negative though still. I just think everyone's so forgiving of its faults because this happens to be the flavor of the month. To me it sounds like an HD800 with worse imaging.

Still a nice headphone. Perhaps this one is faulty?

 

[Kiats]

It is very possible I guess. It just doesn't seem right to be honest. My impressions aren't negative though still. I just think everyone's so forgiving of its faults because this happens to be the flavor of the month. To me it sounds like an HD800 with worse imaging.

Still a nice headphone. Perhaps this one is faulty?

Or you are just unfazed by the hype surrounding the can. Look forward to your detailed impressions... It'll be helpful for me to decide whether to wait for this can before I pull the trigger on the LCD 4.

 

[up late]

It is very possible I guess. It just doesn't seem right to be honest. My impressions aren't negative though still. I just think everyone's so forgiving of its faults because this happens to be the flavor of the month. To me it sounds like an HD800 with worse imaging.

Still a nice headphone. Perhaps this one is faulty?

dissenting opinions are allowed (or should be)

 

[Hifi59]

Burson's are pretty bright sounding amps IMO, being a former Conductor owner myself.

The latest Burson CV2 amps sound more refined than the previous models. I listened to them side by side.
A more relaxed ,refined sound but without losing its acclaimed energy and drive. They did a great job, I believe.

 

[goldendarko]

Ah I see. Might have to check them out again if I get the chance. The conductor was my first real amp and I loved it at the time but I always had issue with glare requiring me to turn the amp down, though it paired really well with my lcd2s at the time.

 

[rgs9200m]

There are some mixed reactions about the Utopia in the Stax and Grado threads, but these are for strong fans of these respective headphones.

 

[mulder01]

Still a nice headphone. Perhaps this one is faulty?

 
Surely not.  Tons of times I've listened to things and disagreed with everything I've read.  We all hear differently and all want to hear different things and there is no one 'headphone suits all' solution for everyone.  It is absolutely possible that you just don't love it.  That's good news - means you don't have to buy one.  

 

[Dillan]

I feel a little self conscious about my quick writeup. After only having a week to listen and a few hours to write I don't think I explained my thought clearly or in detail enough. Maybe this can serve as a decent impression for you guys going forward though. Here is my comparison of the Utopia to some headphones including the LCD-4.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/817662/focal-utopia-loaner-program/15#post_12854436
 
One thing I didn't mention is the best thing the Utopia does is reproduce Piano extremely well. I might make an edit to that original post or make another post entirely regarding that.

 

[BoyNamedSue]

I feel a little self conscious about my quick writeup.

I appreciate balanced impressions, especially in the face of hype. No headphone is perfect and so much of this hobby is subjective.

 

[Whazzzup]

Lcd4 still interests me more

 

[ufospls2]

After a lot of consideration I pretty much agree with Dillan. The Utopia is a great headphone, but I'm glad I own the LCD-4 instead of it. When the Utopia was announced a week or so after I bought my LCD-4, I thought "Oh no! What if I just bought the wrong $4000 headphone!" As it turns out, the LCD-4 just fits my preferences better. 

 

[Kiats]

Thanks dillan! Nice to read a balanced review. And it was most useful because I already have theHD800, 009 and HE1000. And I had been pondering the LCD 4 for tonality. Thank you for your impressions.