Focal Elear and Utopia Review / Preview With Measurements - Head-Fi TV

[TWerk]

Is the Abyss, the "wow" effect headphone to you, draytonklammer?  
 
That's what it sounds like.... the headphone you put on and it just makes your jaw drop.

 

[MacedonianHero]

  I feel like from a majority of what I have read, you've mainly tried it at shows. I have owned every one of these headphones and spent very quality time with them.
 
Even if you have had one for review, how long did you have it for and how much did you listen? What gear was used?
 
Now this is laughable -- I have tried to be accommodating, but I own a DT 990 and it was my longest owned headphone ever.
The treble on the Abyss isn't even close to the DT 990 -- either you did something very wrong with the fit in accordance with your head, or did not take the time to fiddle with it yourself. Just because Joe says it goes one way, doesn't mean much honestly -- he has his own fit, and you need to find yours.
 
Something must have been VERY wrong. I have actually (for giggles) compared the two, and will gladly post pictures if needed for proof.
They are two very different headphones with different trebles.

 
The steely-like feature is there for both headphones for me. That was what I was referring to. Nothing else in terms of other qualities. But that tin-like sound in the treble was reminiscent for me. I'm not in any way saying the DT990s are as good.
 
With regards to fit, I've tried them several times and with several different methods (even with Joe's recommendations), but nothing has changed my findings yet.
 

  So the gear is fine as I see. I expected as much considering your website and prestige in the community.
Hell, even I value your opinions on many items, but this was one of those few that I can't wrap my head around from my experiences.
 
You did however manage not to answer the other questions which to me shows a bit of edginess. I am not trying to prove you wrong considering opinions cannot be, I am merely picking your brain to see how you can compare the treble of a product of a much higher caliber to that of much lower.

Other questions? lol, you've asked so many its hard to keep up. I'm not trying to be edgy...this is only gear. 

 

 

[draytonklammer]

  Is the Abyss, the "wow" effect headphone to you, draytonklammer?  
 
That's what it sounds like.... the headphone you put on and it just makes your jaw drop.

My jaw dropped and my room mates all looked at me like I was crazy while I jammed out during my first listen.
It's impressive.
 
The Utopia took some time, but so did the LCD-4 and HEK for me. The LCD-4 has a bit of wow factor though originally.
 
Now that I have heard what I have, the wow on the Abyss is bigger for sure. It is the biggest I have ever had in this hobby.

 

[MacedonianHero]

  My jaw dropped and my room mates all looked at me like I was crazy while I jammed out during my first listen.
It's impressive.
 
The Utopia took some time, but so did the LCD-4 and HEK for me. The LCD-4 has a bit of wow factor though originally.
 
Now that I have heard what I have, the wow on the Abyss is bigger for sure. It is the biggest I have ever had in this hobby.

And I'm glad you've found that. I think to this day, my SR-009s are that for me (thought the Utopia/LCD-4/HE100V2/SR-007 are next up for me).

 

[draytonklammer]

If only the wows were easier to come by.
 
Heck, now a headphone that originally didn't wow me is my main (Utopia)
I do listen to it more than the Abyss.

 

[MacedonianHero]

  If only the wows were easier to come by.
 
Heck, now a headphone that originally didn't wow me is my main (Utopia)
I do listen to it more than the Abyss.

I miss the days were "wow" cost $500 or less. 

 

[TWerk]

  I miss the days were "wow" cost $500 or less. 

 
That "wow" is why I'm here... just a real euphoric feeling.
 
I get it often with my current stuff, so I think I'm doing alright for now.

 

[draytonklammer]

  I miss the days were "wow" cost $500 or less. 

I wish I were here for those times.
 
I joined this hobby more or less a year and a half ago with the HD 800 and Valhalla 2.
Before that I did use a DT 990 and Xonar Essence STX and Final Audio Design Pandora Hope VI.
 
Little did I know I would be spending tens of thousands of dollars a short time period later...
Man, this hobby... reminds me of watches -- another hobby I dabble in. Anytime I buy a Rolex, or Omega I frown at myself and then somehow justify it. I guess at least headphones/audio get way more use for me and are more justified.

 

[MacedonianHero]

   
That "wow" is why I'm here... just a real euphoric feeling.
 
I get it often with my current stuff, so I think I'm doing alright for now.

 
I did buy the HD6XX (missed my long gone HD650) and it still wows me too! I think the price points of many flagships have taken away from classic headphones like these that are still quite excellent. 

  I wish I were here for those times.
 
I joined this hobby more or less a year and a half ago with the HD 800 and Valhalla 2.
Before that I did use a DT 990 and Xonar Essence STX and Final Audio Design Pandora Hope VI.
 
Little did I know I would be spending tens of thousands of dollars a short time period later...
Man, this hobby... reminds me of watches -- another hobby I dabble in. Anytime I buy a Rolex, or Omega I frown at myself and then somehow justify it. I guess at least headphones/audio get way more use for me and are more justified.

 
The good old days...when we used to argue over the HD650, DT880 or K701. Now you can easily buy all three for less than one flagship. That said, I think the Utopias are the real deal and I love them!

 

[draytonklammer]

   
I did buy the HD6XX (missed my long gone HD650) and it still wows me too! I think the price points of many flagships have taken away from classic headphones like these that are still quite excellent. 
 
The good old days...when we used to argue over the HD650, DT880 or K701. Now you can easily buy all three for less than one flagship. That said, I think the Utopias are the real deal and I love them!

I agree with the HD 650. I still have one of those and at the price is something I recommend to plenty of people constantly.
 
It's crazy to think those were the arguments. I wish. I guess for many they still are, as many people are able to live with that.
Sadly I caught the bug and decided to throw my wallet into the audio volcano. I do agree with the Utopia though, it gets the majority of my listening time.

 

[TWerk]

   
I did buy the HD6XX (missed my long gone HD650) and it still wows me too! I think the price points of many flagships have taken away from classic headphones like these that are still quite excellent. 
 
The good old days...when we used to argue over the HD650, DT880 or K701. Now you can easily buy all three for less than one flagship. That said, I think the Utopias are the real deal and I love them!

 
Yeah, the 650's will always be a great headphone. Recently for me, it's often been the HE-500's that take me there. Guess I've got a ways to go yet

 

[up late]

  I can try and help:
 
Utopia:
Pros:

1. Reeks of competence. It is my choice of reference headphone right now. I love a nice balanced sound, and this has a fantastic balance between the treble, mids, and highs.
2. Very comfortable. More so than the Abyss, similar to the HEK (might be more or less, depends on the person. For me I might go with the Utopia)
3. This is the first time I am bringing up looks for this list. The Utopia is sexy. I would easily put it above the HEK and Abyss in terms of looks, and personally think it looks better than the LCD-4. Don't get me wrong, the LCD-4 looks crazy good, but the Utopia has sex appeal. Can be compared to Arnold S. vs Ryan G. for example. One looks mean, one looks like you want to put it on (don't let my fiance read this, haha!)

Cons:

1. This is the hottest headphone I have ever owned. Luckily I keep my room cold otherwise it might be an issue.

 
Abyss:
Pros:

1. You haven't heard headphone sub bass until the Abyss.
2. It can be so many different headphones with how adjustable it is. Forgiving to poor recordings.
3. There's something about the imaging/soundstage. I found the soundstage to be more realistic than the HD 800, but still similarly wide. It has a very 3D effect. Now, the Utopia does this very well, too, but I think the Abyss's soundstage gives it an edge in that effect. It's surreal for a headphone.

Cons:

1. To say THE LEAST, the weight and design are both abyssmal, haha... I love bad puns.

 
HEK v1/(somewhat v2)
Pros:

1. Relaxed headphone -- for many, good for listening in the background while doing other stuff.
2. Very comfortable -- I would dare to call it the same/better as a Utopia and for sure better than the Abyss/LCD-4.
3. I thought it was well versed in classical and complex music. Great bass, great treble sparkle.

Cons:

1. For me this list includes the laid back tone of the headphone. Never engaged me quite right and didn't stand a chance against the LCD-4 for my taste.
2. Build quality made me laugh when I first opened it up. Surprised it didn't break during any shipping -- oh wait, the hard case fixed that I suppose. Surprised I never broke it during general use. This is a trade off though, considering the weight.

 
For the hell of it,
 
LCD-4:
Pros:

1. It has the bass presence that can be compared to the HEK, but more accurate/better. I love Audeze's bass.
2. The headphone looks good, and feels good for how damn heavy it is. I can sure feel it if I move and when I take it off, but the new headband is great.
3. The mids are to die for, but I don't know if I would quite call it realistic. It is like the LCD-3 in a sense met with the LCD-X and had a better baby. (I gave up both of those phones for the LCD-4 originally)

Cons:

1. Weight could be better, but it is what it is just like the Abyss. I buy headphones for the sound.

 
 
My speed ratings with my gear: Utopia > Abyss (<-very close->) LCD-4 > HEK v1/v2
 
     Your choice to disagree, this is using my gear of course. The Utopia sounds faster than the Abyss and LCD-4 to me. The HEK was never a fast headphone for me.
 
Reference ratings: Utopia > LCD-4 > Abyss > HEK v1/v2
 
     Some people may disagree with my reference ratings, but the LCD-4 got marked for treble and bass, Abyss got marked for treble sparkle and soundstage, and well the HEK never felt like a reference to me.
 

---

 
I have owned everything in this list, and can safely say I sold everything except the Abyss and Utopia.
 
For reference this is using custom silver cables from Ted Allen for all of these headphones. (the stock cables didn't make too much of a difference in comparison, but I have tried each headphone listed with multiple types of cables, both silver and copper)
 
I have custom power cables, USB cables, etc. etc.
 
I use a Simaudio Moon Neo 430HA with optional DAC and a Schiit Wyrd with two Audioquest Jitterbugs.
 
Currently have a Yggdrasil on the way to replace the 430's DAC portion as well -- hoping to eventually have impressions. Don't expect to have it for a couple weeks though.
 
I've owned the Utopia for around 2-4 weeks at this point.
I previously owned the HEK for 1-2 months and LCD-4 for 1-2 months.
I've owned my Abyss for about 9 months making it my longest owned flagship.
 
Let me know if I can write more details/thoughts for you. I have the time at the moment.

 
you have if you've heard the th900. its bass extends further than the abyss's according to innerfidelity's measurements. the abyss's bass hits hard tho.

 

[draytonklammer]

Haven't tried the TH900, so I can't speak for that.
My comment was aimed towards what I have heard personally, and comparing just what is listed.
 
Measurements mean very little to me personally, and the measurements of an Abyss concern me even less considering the different fits and way they fit. That and the original Abyss they tested was not functioning properly.
 
Regardless, I have updated my post, thanks for the thoughts.

 

[up late]

that's better and you're welcome

 

[Currawong]

Mm..read the other experts' opinions. If you want bass, go planer magnetics. Not surprised. If anything, my take on the reviews is it simply piqued my interest on the LCD 4.

 
Nothing to do with being a planar magnetic. The bass distortion from the Utopias is very low for a dynamic driver. However it's not a regular dynamic driver by any stretch of the imagination, but more akin to a speaker cone. If they had tuned it to have a bit more bass, I think more people would be happy. 
 
What I find interesting are the comments about the phase. I know how IEMs sound when they are out of phase, but don't understand enough about it with regular headphones.
 

  Regarding the review, the LCD-4s need a lot more power to reach its potential compared to the utopia. Even audeze doesn't recommend the deckard...

 
If anything, it goes to show the radically different priorities that these recording engineers have versus people listening for pleasure.