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

[raypin]

Mm...can’t locate the emailed invoice (2016/2017).... Query Double Helix for current price.

 

[jude]

I thought some of you would find this measurement comparison interesting -- it's the Focal Stellia frequency response compared to the Harman AE/OE Target* (to read the paper in full requires purchase or AES membership):

For my preferences, in terms of tonal balance, the Focal Stellia is perhaps my favorite closed-back headphone for general listening pleasure. While the Harman Target is certainly not the only sound signature I like, headphones that are Harman-AE/OE-Target-ish (and IEMs that are Harman-IE-Target-ish) seem to reliably be among those I enjoy listening to.

In terms of imaging, I feel the Focal Stellia images precisely, coherently, and relatively airy for a closed-back headphone. However, when it comes to image size and perceived openness, the Sennheiser HD820 and Sony MDR-Z1R remain the clear frontrunners to me. (And between those two, I'd give the edge to the Sennheiser HD820 in this regard.)

Versus the Sennheiser HD820 (with its very large ear pads that are relatively firm), the relatively smaller footprint of the Stellia with its very cushiony, pliable earpads will likely make achieving a good seal much easier to achieve for most users (which is very important especially with closed-back headphones). While I can get a good seal with the Sennheiser HD820, reading community impressions over time suggests that some find it challenging. I think this will be a very rare issue with the Focal Stellia. In my opinion, the importance of this cannot be overstated.

Since shooting the Focal Stellia video, my enthusiasm for this headphone has only grown. The Stellia is my favorite of all of Focal's headphones. And while the closed-back Stellia unquestionably (and unsurprisingly) gives way to its open-back siblings like the Clear and Utopia in terms of pure technical performance, resolution, and imaging, its tonal balance is strong enough (for my preferences) to push it well to the front of Focal's now quite-complete family of headphones. (Again, this is relative to my preferences and priorities, and those who rank all of these factors differently may (of course) come to different conclusions.)

Also, following are the measurements that were shown in the video:

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* S. Olive, T. Welti, and O. Khonsaripour, “A Statistical Model that Predicts Listeners' Preference Ratings of Around-Ear and On-Ear Headphones,” presented at the 144th Audio Eng. Convention, Milan, Italy (May 2018).

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The Focal Stellia and Elegia measurements in this post were performed at Head-Fi's audio measurement lab using:

• GRAS 45CA Headphone Test Fixture, with:
  • GRAS RA0401 High Resolution Ear Simulators
  • GRAS KB5010/KB5011 Anthropometric Pinnae for 45CA (short video illustration)
• Audio Precision APx555 High-Performance, Modular Two-Channel Audio Analyzer
• THX AAA-888 headphone measurement amplifier (custom-built by THX)
• Herzan Acoustic & Vibration Isolation Enclosure

The Harman AE/OE Target plot data was provided courtesy of Sean Olive, Harman International, Northridge, CA, USA.

 

[mixman]

Since shooting the Focal Stellia video, my enthusiasm for this headphone has only grown. The Stellia is my favorite of all of Focal's headphones. And while the closed-back Stellia unquestionably (and unsurprisingly) gives way to its open-back siblings like the Clear and Utopia in terms of pure technical performance, resolution, and imaging, its tonal balance is strong enough (for my preferences) to push it well to the front of Focal's now quite-complete family of headphones. (Again, this is relative to my preferences and priorities, and those who rank all of these factors differently may (of course) come to different conclusions.)

Hi Jude, as we discussed at Can Jam, I very much agree with your conclusion on the Stellia. It's also my favorite Focal headphone.

 

[329161]

Fantastic closed can, probably the best iveI heard. Will wait for the price fall though. Can't justify this amount for any headphone.

 

[AmusedToD]

Mm...can’t locate the emailed invoice (2016/2017).... Query Double Helix for current price.

Found it, they have a whole range or ultrashort adapters for the Focal Utopia cables, so one can basically use a Utopia cable with a multitude od other headphones. The price is $219.

 

[gb21011971]

Found it, they have a whole range or ultrashort adapters for the Focal Utopia cables, so one can basically use a Utopia cable with a multitude od other headphones. The price is $219.

$ 219? L M F A O

 

[raypin]

mm...yeah, the DHC hypershort adaptor works well and saves you money by not replicating your favorite top-tier headphone cable with each of your top-tier headphones. One thing I remembered is it took awhile for DHC to get it done since the Utopia Lemo is not off the shelf. Which is what I did with one of my all-time favorite headphone cable: Nordost Heimdall 2.

Found it, they have a whole range or ultrashort adapters for the Focal Utopia cables, so one can basically use a Utopia cable with a multitude od other headphones. The price is $219.

 

[AmusedToD]

$ 219? L M F A O

Yeah, quite expensive. Probably not worth more than a hundred bucks, but they are the only one that make it (as far as I know). They also have some kind of a 3D printer that allows them to accomplish different sorts of designs and alterations.

https://doublehelixcables.com/customization-guide/3d-printing/

 

[AmusedToD]

mm...yeah, the DHC hypershort adaptor works well and saves you money by not replicating your favorite top-tier headphone cable with each of your top-tier headphones. One thing I remembered is it took awhile for DHC to get it done since the Utopia Lemo is not off the shelf. Which is what I did with one of my all-time favorite headphone cable: Nordost Heimdall 2.

Exactly. Even though the price seems outrageous, it's the only way to save money by not buying another expensive cable with a different set of headphone plugs.

 

[Whitigir]

Exactly. Even though the price seems outrageous, it's the only way to save money by not buying another expensive cable with a different set of headphone plugs.

Wrong, the other way is to start making cable yourself. It is all just simple soldering works, at materials of choices, period. Speaking of materials, DIY will guarantee the highest yield of saving and authenticity of the parts too.

The convenience of saving time ...looking out the windows, surfing the tablets to follow email or tracking number on the delivery. You get it done in a short time by yourself

 

[AmusedToD]

Wrong, the other way is to start making cable yourself. It is all just simple soldering works, at materials of choices, period.

Absolutely not interested in making my own cables. I am no expert in that and don't intend to become one.

 

[Whitigir]

Absolutely not interested in making my own cables. I am no expert in that and don't intend to become one.

Yeah, so a niche products will have an inflated costs. That is just normal then. Be glad that your money can trade for it. If no one made it, then no amount Of money can trade for it

 

[AmusedToD]

Yeah, so a niche products will have an inflated costs. That is just normal then. Be glad that your money can trade for it. If no one made it, then no amount Of money can trade for it

That's true. But it's the way things work for most people.

 

[raypin]

mm...the time it will take me to learn and experiment with headphone cable fabrication/modification/customization I could use productively to earn money and have it done by someone who knows how to do it right. In any case, to each his own. In other words, this headphone cable thingie is not my core competency. I don't do DIY.

 

[Whitigir]

mm...the time it will take me to learn and experiment with headphone cable fabrication/modification/customization I could use productively to earn money and have it done by someone who knows how to do it right. In any case, to each his own. In other words, this headphone cable thingie is not my core competency. I don't do DIY.

Correct, and usually people who think like that will have no problem to pay for the thing they need . I wasnt directing the saving to you though, I was just saying whoever is thinking the adapters are expensive...start DIY then, or else...pay up

Money is king, until the king is out of money