[Toolman]

Just so they could come up with a "Premium Cable" to bury your wallet? LoL

 

[Toolman]

I would say the sound, with the stock cable is fine.

Too thick, too inflexible, too long...and single ended! I hated it and can't wait for my Silver Dragon to arrived next week

 

[lovethatsound]

Too thick, too inflexible, too long...and single ended! I hated it and can't wait for my Silver Dragon to arrived next week

Nothing wrong with long cable's,but really they should put a selection of different lengths of cables in with your headphones.

 

[god-bluff]

Has the Elear cable got a Velcro strap on it like the Spirit Classic?

I find that works well offering great versatility

 

[Kukua]

These headphones should've come with high quality balanced cables for the price especially the UTOPIA!

 

[god-bluff]

The problem is if they did supply a balanced cable there would still be people who would be not satisfied with rhe quality of it and would complain that they have been charged for a cable they don't need. A single ended cable can be used by anyone, balanced is for minority use.

I think it's the right decision for Focal to leave the choice to the users who think cables make a big difference.

 

[musicman59]

I am contemplating getting both Elear and utopia but I already have HD800S and HEK, which have been kicked off the Innerfidelity WOF. Does anyone who has spent time with these four cans think that the Elear/Utopia duo will cover the grounds for a wide range of music genre for me to get rid of HD800S and HEK?

I have the HD800 but replaced the stock cable with a WireWorld OCC Copper cable including the internal wire that connects the connector sockets to the drivers. IMO that fixed the peak on the highs some people talk about and kept the sound stage intact. I listened to the HD800S thinking on upgrading but personally I preferred my HD800. I like the bigger soundstage they present in comparison.
 
Own the HEK and just got the Elear about 3 weeks ago or so. I am seriously thinking on getting the Utopia but If I do that I will probably sell the Elear and keep the HEK and Utopia as my two top open ones. They are so different sounding that will satisfy my listening cravings depending on my mood 

.

 

[deutschemark]

My Norne Zoetic pure OCC copper cord for the Elear just arrived yesterday. It's 5 feet and exhibits excellent workmanship. No cord memory or microphonics!

 

[Toolman]

Working towards my DAVE and had a chance to finally try out Utopia.

I'm in awe right now...

Did a side by side test with my HEK and Elear and the results is not even close. Granted the listening environment is not perfect but the difference is obvious to my ears.

Looks like its bye bye to my LCD-2F, Eléar & HEK now...will just have my HD800 S and Utopia to keep me smiling. That's my end-game sorted (for now)

 

[snk8699]

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a new headphone release!  I am thinking about jumping on board with the Utopia, but really wanted to get some opinions on the DACs everyone is using with them.  I'm hearing it pairs great with DAVE, but what about everything else?  At the moment I own a HUGO and enjoy it immensely, but I have been considering the Schiit Yggdrasil as a desktop solution these past few months.  Anyone heard the Utopia with either of these?

 

[AxelCloris]

A bunch of head-fiers had demoed the Utopia on some Cavalli and Questyle sources at The Source AV's launch event for the headphone. There may have been other pairings but since I wasn't there I can't say what all was available. I very much enjoyed my short time listening to the Utopia through Jude's WA8 and straight from my QP1R DAP. The Utopia was also at the Chicago meet a few weeks back and several attendees added their thoughts to the impressions thread.

 

[TSAVJason]

A bunch of head-fiers had demoed the Utopia on some Cavalli and Questyle sources at The Source AV's launch event for the headphone. There may have been other pairings but since I wasn't there I can't say what all was available. I very much enjoyed my short time listening to the Utopia through Jude's WA8 and straight from my QP1R DAP. The Utopia was also at the Chicago meet a few weeks back and several attendees added their thoughts to the impressions thread.

At the launch we had HeadAmp, Ampsandsound, Questyle, A&K, Cavalli, naim, Mcintosh, Sennheiser, Moon by SimAudio, Marantz and all of Woo Audio for demo. We also had Chord mojo, Hugo and Dave. We still have these on demo with the Focal Elear, Utopia and lots of others in our showroom. If it's not in the display room when you arrive just ask and we'll bring it out for you.

 

[Bambule]

A bunch of head-fiers had demoed the Utopia on some Cavalli and Questyle sources at The Source AV's launch event for the headphone. There may have been other pairings but since I wasn't there I can't say what all was available. I very much enjoyed my short time listening to the Utopia through Jude's WA8 and straight from my QP1R DAP. The Utopia was also at the Chicago meet a few weeks back and several attendees added their thoughts to the impressions thread.

How much SQ do I loose, when I'm playing utopia straight from my QP1R, without any further amping? Is it worth buying these cans, when only considering to drive it solely from this dap?

 

[AxelCloris]

How much SQ do I loose, when I'm playing utopia straight from my QP1R, without any further amping? Is it worth buying these cans, when only considering to drive it solely from this dap?

 
Unfortunately I can't say because I don't have the best frame of reference. I listened via my QP1R when I was at the Chicago meet a couple of weeks back and I heard it through the WA8 when I visited the Head-Fi offices near the end of July. On Jude's setup I was listening to his music and most of what I heard were unfamiliar tracks. I'd have to defer that question to anyone else here who can chime in.

 

[Hansotek]

How much SQ do I loose, when I'm playing utopia straight from my QP1R, without any further amping? Is it worth buying these cans, when only considering to drive it solely from this dap?

Based on the big, goofy grin AxelCloris was wearing after listening to the Utopia through the QP1R, I'm guessing you're not loosing much.