Focal Stellia Review, Measurements, Interview - Head-Fi TV

[ZekeAdebayo]

Using this one and like it a lot.
The headband arch fits perfectly on the top.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rooms_audio_line_typ_fs_n_headphone_stand.htm

Thanks so much for the reply, I'll give this brand a shot!

 

[VandyMan]

Thanks so much for the reply, I'll give this brand a shot!

I have their wooden model and it looks really nice, but the top now has a bunch of scratches from normal use.

 

[Verificateur]

A non-sound related question…
I was adjusting the headphones and my fingers happened to move over the metal screws on the cups of the Stellia — I felt ‘jaggedness’ and that something was sharp.

I decided to investigate further and pulled out my electronic microscope (I know… ).

What I saw was some (but not all) screws having uneven / or even somewhat “stripped” star-surface to different extent, per photos below.
Was wondering if the screws could look like this due to over-tightening at the factory? @FocalOfficial

Do any of you Stellia owners with a microscope (or a loupe ) mind taking a quick look at the screws on both sides of the cups to see if you have something similar, or whether all your screws are perfect star-shapes with no signs of stripping/metal wear?

 

[FinalAd]

A non-sound related question…
I was adjusting the headphones and my fingers happened to move over the metal screws on the cups of the Stellia — I felt ‘jaggedness’ and that something was sharp.

I decided to investigate further and pulled out my electronic microscope (I know… ).

What I saw was some (but not all) screws having uneven / or even somewhat “stripped” star-surface to different extent, per photos below.

I bought the headphones used, however they were in mint condition with very little use (and I honestly do not suspect any tampering on previous owner’s part), everything is otherwise great and sounds perfect.

Was wondering if the screws could look like this due to over-tightening at the factory? @FocalOfficial

Do any of you Stellia owners with a microscope (or a loupe ) mind taking a quick look at the screws on both sides of the cups to see if you have something similar, or whether all your screws are perfect star-shapes with no signs of stripping/metal wear?

Mine are in a similar shape and do feel slightly rugged under my finger. You really have to look closely to notice it. Here's a picture, no microscope though.

 

[TooFrank]

Question: I exchanged the stock cable (3.5 mm) with a signum+ from Arctic, very happy indeed, to my ears, much improvement. Now I have bought an amp that have a balanced xlr output, so is the Stellia stock xlr cable ok, or should I look for another?

 

[Caruryn]

If the amp has standard 4 pin xlr you're ok with the stock balanced cable.

 

[u2u2]

Having some Stellia issues with my MHA200 amp. A couple of weeks into a new set of OEM tubes and I am getting intermittent bacon frying type noise from the tubes. The sound was dark and clean early on but became horrid. New NOS drivers helped and now onto some new Russian power tubes to finish the job. These low impedance cans are tube sensitive. Utpoia showed less symptoms, HD800 and 820 almost none... The Stellia are my most used and are developing a nice patina on the headband.
On the topic of fasteners, here are three fast iPhone shots of Stellia screws...

 

[TooFrank]

If the amp has standard 4 pin xlr you're ok with the stock balanced cable.

Many thanks. If the SQ is good then I don’t need yet another cable?

 

[Caruryn]

I wouldn't.I use the 4pin with Arche and it's pretty good.

 

[noplsestar]

I wouldn't.I use the 4pin with Arche and it's pretty good.

But it always COULD be better ahahahahahahaha (there we have it again, our beloved upgradeitis problem)

 

[AudioDuck]

But it always COULD be better ahahahahahahaha (there we have it again, our beloved upgradeitis problem)

Seriously though, the Stellias scale well with better cables and DO benefit from them.

You can always keep an eye out for used offerings from Norne Audio, Cardas, Synergistic Research, Arctic Cables, Forza, Toxic, or others (though those would be on my short list).

I think it’s safe to say it’s a 5+ percent improvement (presuming a resolving source and amplification), but with the quality input in place, cable upgrades can be very noticeable.

That said, I’d put cable upgrades last on the list after source and amp updates. So enjoy your Stellias with confidence!

 

[AudioDuck]

What have all of you experienced with regards to Stellia break-in time?

I ask because mine, bought pre-owned, had low hours (under 50) on them, and I’ve only added 15-20 hours so far. I feel like I’m hearing improvements in bass depth, but it could just be me… Thoughts? (from those who believe break-in is real, that is )

 

[Doug2507]

Drive them hard for a good 24-48hrs on top of what you would normally do. I had 100+ on mine easy then cranked the volume up and they fairly came to life. I suspect the beryllium needs a good kick up the bum to start flexing easily.

I use an audiophile hi-res burn in track that cycles the frequencies but something like hans zimmer OST is usually recommended as well.

Improvements for me were on the lower half of the spectrum.

I'd also highly recommend an Arctic Integra to pair with them. Sounds guff out of the box but after 150+ ish it's quite magical.

 

[AudioDuck]

Drive them hard for a good 24-48hrs on top of what you would normally do. I had 100+ on mine easy then cranked the volume up and they fairly came to life. I suspect the beryllium needs a good kick up the bum to start flexing easily.

I use an audiophile hibres burn in track that cycles the frequencies but something I've hans zimmer OST is usually recommended as well.

Improvements for me were on the lower half of the spectrum.

I'd also highly recommend an Arctic Integra to pair with them. Sounds guff out of the box but after 150+ ish it's quite magical.

Thanks, that is most helpful!

I may just run them in over the next weekend with a varied program of content to add 70-75 hours on them.

I found my Elears improved notably after about 75-100 hours, but those also use the Al-Mg driver, so likely not as stiff as the Be-based one.

 

[TooFrank]

Seriously though, the Stellias scale well with better cables and DO benefit from them.

You can always keep an eye out for used offerings from Norne Audio, Cardas, Synergistic Research, Arctic Cables, Forza, Toxic, or others (though those would be on my short list).

I think it’s safe to say it’s a 5+ percent improvement (presuming a resolving source and amplification), but with the quality input in place, cable upgrades can be very noticeable.

That said, I’d put cable upgrades last on the list after source and amp updates. So enjoy your Stellias with confidence!

Many thanks, I've just begun the journey into balanced stuff when buying the ifi Pro ICAN. I am surprisingly happy with the stock Stellia XLR4 cable (was not with the 3.5 mm stock cable). Before crawling into another rabbit hole, I wished to have some (human) sensitivity brought in Yesterday, I started humbly by ordering a XLR cable from Forza to my HD650. Intersting to hear how it compares with the stock Sennheiser....Next step may be Arctic XLR for the Stellia and Arya....