[gintamafans]

Keep that in mind guys, the experience of listening to Utopia at home or at a noisy environment is totally different. As from a lot of reviewers had pointed out, Utopia is not a beast of sound stage nor super appealing at any range of frequency response(no peak no drop). Therefore in a noisy environment you wont hear anything catchy at all. But when you listen to your own headphone at home, it could be a completely different story. For example, when I first heard my hd800 at the dealer everything sounded great, but as soon as I listened more to it at home, I realized the sparkling of highs was super annoying. And this kind of sound is usually hidden or distorted when you hear them in a noisy environment. So just imagine a detail revealing beast got all of its advantages distorted or hidden by the crowd of noise, what is left there for you all to think its a good headphone?

 

[TWerk]

Yeah, the whole idea of listening to a completely open back headphone that costs $4,000 in a noisy environment does not make much sense to me at all. They should have separate quiet rooms/areas for listening.
 
Open back headphones and noisy environments do not pair well. That's what closed back headphones are made for!

 

[moedawg140]

Most meets and events do offer quiet rooms for listening, but it depends on the products and manufacturers that implement the quiet rooms.

 

[Niaron]

I am no expert in headphone technology nor sound engineering. But I found that Elear with Utopia pads making Elear sounding very similar to Utopia. Is this what people are experiencing?

 

[Preload]

Anyone know where I can order a pair of extra Elear earpads?

 

[Niaron]

I don't think you can order either pad at this moment.

 

[SearchOfSub]

Keep that in mind guys, the experience of listening to Utopia at home or at a noisy environment is totally different. As from a lot of reviewers had pointed out, Utopia is not a beast of sound stage nor super appealing at any range of frequency response(no peak no drop). Therefore in a noisy environment you wont hear anything catchy at all. But when you listen to your own headphone at home, it could be a completely different story. For example, when I first heard my hd800 at the dealer everything sounded great, but as soon as I listened more to it at home, I realized the sparkling of highs was super annoying. And this kind of sound is usually hidden or distorted when you hear them in a noisy environment. So just imagine a detail revealing beast got all of its advantages distorted or hidden by the crowd of noise, what is left there for you all to think its a good headphone?

Yes I agree with this. Heaephones sound completely different when auditioning and at home. From my experience it comes down to how a heaephone does little minscule things right and that sets headphone apart. For instance, you won't catch and tizzy treble when auditioning and won't think it's a big deal, but once your at home and listening, it can drive you absolutely nuts. It's really a different experience listening on the go (auditioning) vs. comfort of your own home. Little things, like how it extends a little tiny bit further, or how a bass has a tiny bit more detail, or how stage has a little more depth all coming together in the moment will hit your euphoria level vs. none at all. Atleast that's how it works for me.

 

[TSAVJason]

Yes I agree with this. Heaephones sound completely different when auditioning and at home. From my experience it comes down to how a heaephone does little minscule things right and that sets headphone apart. For instance, you won't catch and tizzy treble when auditioning and won't think it's a big deal, but once your at home it can drive you absolutely nuts.

While the dealer base can't solve the problem for everyone, if you're a serous buyer there is TTVJ doing his tour, The Souce AV has its in home preview policy Music to My Ear has this policy coming soon and soon there will be an Official Focal Tour. So if you're a real perspective buyer you could have this chance if you choose to take that step.

 

[NWRain]

I can not wait for an opportunity to demo a Utopia.

 

[up late]

looking forward to it too. should be next month for me.

 

[Preload]

I don't think you can order either pad at this moment.

This is really unfortunate. I have a pair of Utopias, but they're terribly bright and the bass is lacking. The Elear pads sound like they would solve both problems. How are other people demo'ing Utopia's with Elear pads? Anyone have any secret hookups? 

 

[TWerk]

  This is really unfortunate. I have a pair of Utopias, but they're terribly bright and the bass is lacking. The Elear pads sound like they would solve both problems. How are other people demo'ing Utopia's with Elear pads? Anyone have any secret hookups? 

 
Maybe the warmer sounding Elear would be more suitable for you.

 

[TMRaven]

Words like terribly bright and bass lacking make it sound like you wouldn't want the Elear either, or other headphones tuned to be relatively neutral. 
 
You spent 4000 on the Utopia though, so I hesitate to recommend any of the cheaper bassy headphones.
 
Best solution I think would be to first get the Elear pads when they're available, then EQ the Utopia after that.  That way you get to retain your Utopia technicalities but get a warm sound that you desire.

 

[SearchOfSub]

While the dealer base can't solve the problem for everyone, if you're a serous buyer there is TTVJ doing his tour, The Souce AV has its in home preview policy Music to My Ear has this policy coming soon and soon there will be an Official Focal Tour. So if you're a real perspective buyer you could have this chance if you choose to take that step.

I'd love to be in the tour Jason! Where can I sign up? Yes I am a serious potential buyer for the Utopia.

 

[TSAVJason]

I'd love to be in the tour Jason! Where can I sign up? Yes I am a serious potential buyer for the Utopia.

Wayne@thesourceav.com. Give him your contact information and he'll get you in the in home preview program.