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

[musicman59]

  But the Lazuli is not available for the Utopia, only the reference!
Which is too expensive!!!

I am sure if you contact Vinh requesting it you will be able to get it.

 

[Sonic Guild]

Is there a Norne cabel for Utopia?
Recommendation?

 

[nickif]

But isn't the Utopia designed to be used with the stock cable? Any change in sound deviates what the engineers at Focal had in mind? 

As the No. 001 Dana reference cable for Utopia owner, all I can say is every Utopia owner should dump the stock cable ASAP!! Dana is my choice before I hear the DHC Prion, but please please dump the stock cable into the trash can...

 

[a1uc]

I went through the same thing thinking why wouldn't the manufacturers cable be best since they would want their product to sound best , but for sure the Danacable is better . I'd love to hear your thoughts when you get the DHC Prion vs Danacable

 

[nickif]

I went through the same thing thinking why wouldn't the manufacturers cable be best since they would want their product to sound best , but for sure the Danacable is better . I'd love to hear your thoughts when you get the DHC Prion vs Danacable

Well, in headphone world aftermarket cable just started creating some "noise" to those most serious audiophiles but in speaker world it has long become a norm. Even the most exorbitantly priced speakers don't include a pair of speaker cables in the package, how about that? Also in hiend world, most users never ever use the stock cables come with the electronics, and the manufacturers are well aware of that.

 

[a1uc]

Well, in headphone world aftermarket cable just started creating some "noise" to those most serious audiophiles but in speaker world it has long become a norm. Even the most exorbitantly priced speakers don't include a pair of speaker cables in the package, how about that? Also in hiend world, most users never ever use the stock cables come with the electronics, and the manufacturers are well aware of that.

I am fully aware of cables trust me I have a nice collection for my 2 ch setup , I was just pointing out it might cross ones mind that the stock cable should be good enough as it has crossed mine , when buying a pair of 4k headphones . First thing I did when receiving my headphones was order a cable to compare and it paid off . Now on my Abyss hp I tried a couple cables and like the stock cable better . But this is a personal preference .

 

[Sonic Guild]

As the No. 001 Dana reference cable for Utopia owner, all I can say is every Utopia owner should dump the stock cable ASAP!! Dana is my choice before I hear the DHC Prion, but please please dump the stock cable into the trash can...

Please elaborate on the differences.

 

[brams]

Please elaborate on the differences.

Yes very curious as well. Given that the stock cable is very good and that what is pereceived as better as opposed to just different will typically depend on the system, listener preference, etc. I do have trouble believing these cables are better to the extent implied by the post. Having said that I have experienced the opposite where a custom cable I had made up (won't say what cable was used) sounded significantly worse than stock on the Utopia. Anything is possible I guess.

Both the Dana and DHC appear to be extremely well built and presented. Especially loving the Saddleback leather case on the DHC. Although it adds nothing to the sound at this level presentation is important. My main issue is at the price of these cables one wonders if it would not be a better bang for the buck to upgrade one's source, amp or dac.

Not being cynical here, but somebody please buy one of these cables so I can buy it off you when the next big thing in cables or headphones comes along .... standing offer!

 

[a1uc]

To me the Danacable seems more realistic and smooth sounding , the stock cable is brighter sounding and not as laid back .
But this all depends on what equipment one is using and ones taste , everyone is different .
 
Danacable offers a 30 day return why not judge the cable yourself ?

 

[Sonic Guild]

  To me the Danacable seems more realistic and smooth sounding , the stock cable is brighter sounding and not as laid back .
But this all depends on what equipment one is using and ones taste , everyone is different .
 
Danacable offers a 30 day return why not judge the cable yourself ?

Did not know about the 30days return policy, this is really good!
I will give it a try and see.
 
I would be grateful if you tell us more about the sound stage, are there any differences? 
Did u get the 3 pin XLR?

 

[gnarlsagan]

Well, in headphone world aftermarket cable just started creating some "noise" to those most serious audiophiles but in speaker world it has long become a norm. Even the most exorbitantly priced speakers don't include a pair of speaker cables in the package, how about that? Also in hiend world, most users never ever use the stock cables come with the electronics, and the manufacturers are well aware of that.

 
To be fair, cable gauge makes a much bigger difference in lengths used to run speaker wire than it does for typical headphone lengths. Also, the power requirements for speakers are much different than most headphones, again making cable gauge a bigger deal for speakers. 

 

[nickif]

Did not know about the 30days return policy, this is really good!
I will give it a try and see.

I would be grateful if you tell us more about the sound stage, are there any differences? 
Did u get the 3 pin XLR?

Yes, the Utopia sounds much "bigger" through Dana reference

 

[nickif]

To be fair, cable gauge makes a much bigger difference in lengths used to run speaker wire than it does for typical headphone lengths. Also, the power requirements for speakers are much different than most headphones, again making cable gauge a bigger deal for speakers. 

Hearing is believing. I used to be sceptical too, but the moment I heard what Dana reference could do to Utopia I immediately called it a bargain. If you happen to own a pair that can be used with Dana reference, why not just give it a try? If you don't hear the difference just return it and get a full refund. However I do not recommend one to try it if one does not at least prepare to keep it. It's gonna be painful to part with it once one hears it.

 

[applebook]

I'm quite keen on the Elear but have a few strong reservations:
 
Everyone says that they're extremely dynamic and punchy, but numerous users also consider them to be slightly laid back (Tyll). How can a can be punchy and also laid back at the same time? Is it the bass and treble that are punchy, while the mids are smoother and more laid back? This would make sense to me.
 
How punchy are the cans, especially in the upper mids and upper treble, overall compared to the K1000? How is the bass impact (not quality or extension, just intensity of THUMP) compared to the D7000? For prog rock, classic rock, and alt rock, is the big dip in the 4-7KHz region bothersome? This is my biggest worry.

 

[Sonic Guild]

  I'm quite keen on the Elear but have a few strong reservations:
 
Everyone says that they're extremely dynamic and punchy, but numerous users also consider them to be slightly laid back (Tyll). How can a can be punchy and also laid back at the same time? Is it the bass and treble that are punchy, while the mids are smoother and more laid back? This would make sense to me.
 
How punchy are the cans, especially in the upper mids and upper treble, overall compared to the K1000? How is the bass impact (not quality or extension, just intensity of THUMP) compared to the D7000? For prog rock, classic rock, and alt rock, is the big dip in the 4-7KHz region bothersome? This is my biggest worry.

I will answer it through examples and very simple language (no reviewers big words and BS):
LCD3 is punchy and you can feel/listen to all music components as if there are very close to you. Close to you in terms of distance and emotion. At the same time the LCD3 is laid back and easy to listen and enjoy. 
HE1000 is etheral and everything sounds distant. There is no intimacy, which leads to the lose of punch and dynamics. 
 
The whole idea is about the soundstage, LCD are known for small and intimate soundstage. This is why it hits so hard. 
The Elear has small soundstage as well and again this why it hits so hard.