[Gadget67]

They didn't listen to the Stellia when reviewing this DAP, so alas, it does not answer my question

Also, Ian Dunmore (@Torq) over at headphones.com appears to have some experience that would help. Here’s a link to the Stellia thread over there. You’ve probably already seen it, but in case you haven’t, here’s a link.
https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-stellia-closed-back-headphones-official-thread/2704/121

 

[noplsestar]

Also, Ian Dunmore (@Torq) over at headphones.com appears to have some experience that would help. Here’s a link to the Stellia thread over there. You’ve probably already seen it, but in case you haven’t, here’s a link.
https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-stellia-closed-back-headphones-official-thread/2704/121

I have already read everything and I value his reviews very highly ... but he has no LPGT
Thanks anyways!

 

[noplsestar]

Send Marcus a tweet; there’s a link in the article.

They haven't reviewed the Stellia. So that's not an option, either ... but Headfonia has, so I might ask there

 

[ZU Luke]

I was interested in this one, but after hearing it, there is a large gap between Stellia and Utopia... So I bought an Utopia instead...

 

[Resseh]

How was the utopia better?

 

[jlbrach]

many like the sound signature of the stelia better...

 

[MacedonianHero]

many like the sound signature of the stelia better...

I would be one of those.

 

[CANiSLAYu]

I would be one of those.

+1
To be fair I’ve only heard the Utopia at shows though.

 

[jlbrach]

I have heard both, I find the stelia is a bit less forward and strident...a bit easier to listen to with similar levels of detail....surprisingly a better soundstage and better bass performance but that is only my experience...

 

[vonBaron]

Now when i sell my Clear's i think Stellia will be good step up, don't you guys think?
I listen them and i was amazed how detalited and non-fatiuging it sound was.

 

[MacedonianHero]

+1
To be fair I’ve only heard the Utopia at shows though.

I've owned both (actually owned the Utopia for 2.5 years FWIW).

 

[MacedonianHero]

I have heard both, I find the stelia is a bit less forward and strident...a bit easier to listen to with similar levels of detail....surprisingly a better soundstage and better bass performance but that is only my experience...

Pretty much sums up how I hear it. A tad less transparency overall, but for the things you mentioned, well worth it for me.

 

[ZU Luke]

How was the utopia better?

I would say it is not at the same level. Utopia has a much more natural sound when it is fed with a good amp and dac.

 

[up late]

many like the sound signature of the stelia better...

and i suspect that there are also those (possibly many) who like the sound of the utopia more than the stellia - they're just not posting about it here. that said, if i was looking for a totl closed-back can, then i'd look no further than the stellia.

 

[Gadget67]

The comparisons of the Utopia and Stellia are interesting to me since I own both. Based on a wide variety of factors I would keep the Stellia if forced to make a choice between the two. In a noise free environment, I prefer the Utopia but only by a small margin. As soon as ambient noise enters into the equation I absolutely prefer the Stellia. The conventional wisdom seems to be that open back headphones have an advantage but that advantage is narrowing as newer closed back Headphones enter the market. Check out the following two links for more on the topic:

https://www.headphones.com/pages/open-vs-closed-headphones
https://www.headphones.com/blogs/ne...io-aeon-2-vs-focal-elegia-vs-sennheiser-hd820