[buzzlulu]

The Mac computer sites are up and linking to reviews of new Focal earbuds - the Spark, Spark Wireless, and a new version of the Sphear (wired unfortunately)

Obviously the Spark and Spark wireless are brand new however the Sphear is already out.

Anyone have feedback on these - or comments on the Sphear to get an idea of the sound (as I myself am interested in wireless)

 

[TSAVJason]

Totally. For our big meet coming up in July I am going to make sure people try out that combo! Its going to be a lot to take in

Awesome! It's nice to see MTME grow the local community

 

[kingkikapu]

Awesome! It's nice to see MTME grow the local community

Thanks for the feedback from both of you!

 

[TSAVJason]

I have to chuckle a little. One of my favorite applications on the mac is BBEdit, a programmer's editor. The motto for BBEdit is "It doesn’t suck.®" I even have a t-shirt from them that that says that.

Not sucking is a key requirement for audio gear with a set of $4k headphones!

I have to break that habit. I've been saying that since Vietnam in 1970

 

[bidn]

The Mac computer sites are up and linking to reviews of new Focal earbuds - the Spark, Spark Wireless, and a new version of the Sphear (wired unfortunately)

Obviously the Spark and Spark wireless are brand new however the Sphear is already out.

Anyone have feedback on these - or comments on the Sphear to get an idea of the sound (as I myself am interested in wireless)

Thank you for these exciting news! I will look for more information.

Re. the Sphear:

They are incredible given their very low price, I have them since a year
I take them to work, as I don't want take expensive IEMs with me there.
At work I prefer using headphones over IEMs, I take the foldable Oppo PM2 with me,
and use the PM2 when I want to listen to atmospheric metal (no need of punch)
of where I don't mind missing the punch,
but I often want punchy, then I grab the Sphear.
I wish the Elear were foldable, I would use then them at work for replacing both the PM-2 and the Sphear.

where the Sphear shine:
- cleanness, purity (much better then PM2, LCD-X...), sounds perfect, I am always surprised again each time I put them on
I have much more expensive IEM and none has a purely clean sound like this,
as if there is zero noise floor
- very punchy (drums feel so real)
- neutral
this is where they resemble the most the Utopia

where they are great:
- very detailed (e.g. superb sound from string instruments such as acoustic guitars) (of course no match for the Utopia)

where they are fine:
- fine bass extension for an IEM (full volume at 45 Hz, about half volume at 32 Hz, zero at 20 Hz)
- fine passive noise isolation

where they could be improved: (e.g. compared to Final very expensive earphones Piano Forte series or Lab II)
- angular soundstage
- angular imaging
( depth soundstage and depth imaging is fine)

where they are bad:
- fast, complex high frequencies of electric guitars in many metal songs get deformed (aliased?)
still this is not sibilance as it is not unpleasant and definitely not harmful
(AKG K3003 are really sibilant, impossible to listen to metal with them),
so no TOTL hifi here, but I am picky, the electric guitars in general are powerful and great fun.


Listening to metal with planar magnetic phones: they lack punch, the energy and ultimate "vitality" of metal is gone,
there these inexpensive earphones beat expensive planars...

They are incredibly inexpensive, but are manufactured in China if I remember correctly, unlike Focal usual products.

 

[Allanmarcus]

Folks, this is the "Focal Utopia (& a little Elear) impressions and discussion" thread. There are threads for other headphones, or you can start a new thread for those other headphones. As has been mentioned many times but he admins, please stay focused on the thread topic.

 

[TSAVJason]

Folks, this is the "Focal Utopia (& a little Elear) impressions and discussion" thread. There are threads for other headphones, or you can start a new thread for those other headphones. As has been mentioned many times but he admins, please stay focused on the thread topic.

Hahaha at least you're polite about it. Hope all is well buddy

 

[buzzlulu]

OK - guilty as charged. I just thought that I would let Focal owners know about the new releases. I will keep this to a Utopia only thread.

Hey Jason - The British are coming!

Axios copper on the Utopia - sounded GREAT from the get go into the WM1Z - as I told you better than the Wireworld and Axios Copper/Silver imho
Axios copper 4 meter into the Moon 430 - I will start breaking it in next however I am sure it will sound the same as the previous 3 meter one I had - its just longer!
At least it allows me to sit comfortably in my listening chair and be intoxicated by the Linn Klimax DS

Everyone else - sorry however kudos once again to the TSAV team for 5***** customer service.
Axios Copper/Utopia/Sony WM1Z - I simply cannot imagine any portable setup beating this combination! The Axios is a match made in heaven for the Utopia.

 

[TSAVJason]

OK - guilty as charged. I just thought that I would let Focal owners know about the new releases. I will keep this to a Utopia only thread.

Hey Jason - The British are coming!

Axios copper on the Utopia - sounded GREAT from the get go into the WM1Z - as I told you better than the Wireworld and Axios Copper/Silver imho
Axios copper 4 meter into the Moon 430 - I will start breaking it in next however I am sure it will sound the same as the previous 3 meter one I had - its just longer!
At least it allows me to sit comfortably in my listening chair and be intoxicated by the Linn Klimax DS

Everyone else - sorry however kudos once again to the TSAV team for 5***** customer service.
Axios Copper/Utopia/Sony WM1Z - I simply cannot imagine any portable setup beating this combination! The Axios is a match made in heaven for the Utopia.

Now that's a quite humbling, thank you so much. I have to give the credit to my staff, notably Wayne. I guess we'll have work hard to maintain that 5star rating

 

[yoghurtlidlicker]

I've got the trilogy 933 quality

Is it good good?

It's on my list....!

 

[paul2qute]

Is it good good?

It's on my list....!

It's amazing mate you will love it

 

[yoghurtlidlicker]

It's amazing mate you will love it

awesome.
I will get it and trial it! wooo

 

[doggiemom]

Everyone else - sorry however kudos once again to the TSAV team for 5***** customer service.
Axios Copper/Utopia/Sony WM1Z - I simply cannot imagine any portable setup beating this combination! The Axios is a match made in heaven for the Utopia.

Very true...... got the Axios Copper from Jason and Wayne today. I was happy with the Utopias before, but they really opened up with the Axios out of the balanced output of the Liquid Gold. I had to turn the volume down though....... the Utopias are so easy to drive that the LAu can blow your head off!

Now just waiting (impatiently) for the second part of my order, which Jason has termed "The McDAC."

 

[up late]

i gave the utopia another listen last week and again was very impressed. I've tried most of the totl cans currently in production and the utopia is the one that i would choose if i were prepared to part with that much coin for a headphone.

 

[buzzlulu]

Very true...... got the Axios Copper from Jason and Wayne today. I was happy with the Utopias before, but they really opened up with the Axios out of the balanced output of the Liquid Gold. I had to turn the volume down though....... the Utopias are so easy to drive that the LAu can blow your head off!

Now just waiting (impatiently) for the second part of my order, which Jason has termed "The McDAC."

And just what is Jason calling the McDAC??