[purk]

I've spent several hours with the Utopia. It is without a doubt better in every way over the STAX 009. Allow me to be clear, I own the STAX SR009 and I'm definitely getting the Utopia when my stock allows. I have to feed all you guys before I take a pair home. We sell many brands and many brands ask us to sell their gear. We try our very best to carry just the cream of the brands and at all price points from $150 - the sky is the limit!

What amp do you have for the sr-009?

 

[Stillhart]

   
Can anyone really hear significant distortion in the HD800 such that the Focals could be "way better" in that regard? I don't doubt that Focal has made a couple of fantastic headphones here, but this kind of hyperbole just increases my skepticism about early impressions.

 
What you hear when you go back and forth is a sense of greater clarity overall on the Utopia.  I've said before that I thought the Cavalli Liquid Gold and HD800 were like matter/anti-matter and they just canceled each other out to leave nothing between the DAC and your ears.  After using the Utopia, the HD800 just doesn't quite feel as transparent as it used to.
 
I can only assume this is a distortion thing?  I'm not an engineer, but perhaps that's what they're saying.
 

Hmm sweet. I wonder how the Utopia would sound driven by the Yggdrasil and Liquid Gold? The Utopia has me intrigued lol. However the Elear al s sounds exceedingly very nice too. Damn this hobby and its ability to destroy my wallet lol.

 
I heard that setup.  Given how much I like the Utopia and the LAu and R2R DAC's, you can imagine what I'll say about that combo.  

 

What amp do you have for the sr-009?

 
He's got the Woo Audio WES at the shop.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

   
Those are Bendyhead stands, from Peter James of HeadAmp.  They're nice!  

  Peter is @Iron_Dreamer here on Head-Fi, you can probably PM him here.

 
Thanks, @warrenpchi!  As ever, @jude is one of the first with our new stands in his hands, and thanks for putting on display in this video!
 
We've got some cool stuff coming soon just for the Head-Fi community!  For now, check out our stands at www.bendyhead.com!
 
I hope to be at the Utopia launch even in Torrance Saturday, at least for an hour or two!

 

[TSAVJason]

Can anyone really hear significant distortion in the HD800 such that the Focals could be "way better" in that regard? I don't doubt that Focal has made a couple of fantastic headphones here, but this kind of hyperbole just increases my skepticism about early impressions.

I'm happy to answer. In ambient we notice it more when it's taken away. In distortion its exactly the same thing. Distortion can be source generated and so testing on the same material at relative gain should allow average to better ears hear the omission or reduction in distortion from a compared component with all else static.

 

[Khragon]

Look like the hype engine is firing on all cylinders... Looking forward to giving these a try this Saturday.

 

[lukeap69]

Look like the hype engine is firing on all cylinders... Looking forward to giving these a try this Saturday.

Just wait until Mr. Excitable joins this thread. Peace.

 

[TSAVJason]

Look like the hype engine is firing on all cylinders... Looking forward to giving these a try this Saturday.

Awesome be sure and let me know what you think when you're there. I look forward to it!

 

[mtoc]

About the distortion, found them from the net 
hd800
<0.02% (1 kHz/ 1 Vrms)
focal
<0.2% (1kHz / 100dB SPL)

 

[TSAVJason]

What amp do you have for the sr-009?

Woo WES

 

[TSAVJason]

I really appreciate the perspectives given on these headphones by the big players on this site. Personally though, I would rather read multiple consumer only reviews before making a decision to buy these. (EXTREMELY interested in the Elears).

1 pound and 13 ft cable though? Neck muscles will get one hell of a workout. The specs look excellent (amping for sure)...

I think you should audition before you buy. I also think buying blind is often times a mistake. Your opinion of what you use is all that matters so find a place where you can check them out. If you're in the SoCal area come on down!

 

[raypin]

   
The Source has all the AK players so I can test with whatever.  The 320 and 380 are the same DAC and Amp tho, FYI.
 
The Utopia is easy to drive to loud volumes.  It's very sensitive.  To me, it didn't scale down as well as the Elear did.  I feel like the Utopia really needs a solid amp to drive it with authority.  It's not BAD right out of the players, but there are much cheaper headphones that perform about the same from a portable (e.g. the Elear).  
 
Since the amp in the QP1R is pretty good, it sounds good right from it with no extra amp.  The amp in the AK players leave a bit to be desired.  The Spark should be good but I'll reserve judgement until I hear it.

 
mmmm.....thanks, again! Invaluable info. Aids me in my decision tree.

 

[purk]

Woo WES

Thank you.  Have you tried the SR009 out of the BHSE or KGSSHV?   The SR009 *may* sound a good bit better out of those two amps.  

 

[Shini44]

so when can i expect some song impressions of the Utopia to be posted here? i hope someone will compare them with HE-1000 and LCD-4.

 

[reddog]

I think Jude is spot on that HD800 folks looking for an upgrade will be interested in the Utopia.  I got an HD800 relatively recently and I've been completely enamored with it off my rig.  Listening to it off the Liquid Gold (or Liquid Tungsten) was a magical experience in transparency for me.  But damn if the Utopia doesn't sound even MORE transparent off the Liquid Gold!  I didn't think it would happen this quickly, but I am ready to upgrade from the HD800 to the Utopia.  Now, what to sell...

Lol you are not helping lol. The Utopia sounds so nice, hmm "what to sell" amply describes my quandary. I might have to sell my Liquid Crimson. Er decisions, decisions , when will I just be a contented audophile? Lol.

 

[Borbarad]

Wow


These are great news. If also got the Meridian Primeand it's good to hear that they match very well. I'm in the market for the higher end stuff and also like the Audeze LCD line. I'm really curious how the will match up.



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