It would be insane to spend $4k on a headphone without auditioning it. Good thing I only spent $2300 on Utopia...without an audition.
May I ask where did you get your headphone? It's such a deal.
It would be insane to spend $4k on a headphone without auditioning it. Good thing I only spent $2300 on Utopia...without an audition.
Adorama got dropped as a Focal dealer (at least for headphones IIRC) and blew out their inventory in an ‘open-box’ sale about 2 years ago. Total impulse purchase which I’ve been paying for, but not regretting, ever since (cable upgrades, chain additions, tube rolling).May I ask where did you get your headphone? It's such a deal.
Congrats, and welcome to the club!Hey all, after years of bouncing around - I’ve finally ended up with the Utopia, will arrive today. Got a reasonable price on a new on with warranty, so had to jump...
Shockingly, you’re not the first to mention this...Thus far the only downside is lack of case and balanced/better cables like Clear etc. Odd that the lesser model includes that awesome case and cable options...
The answer really has nothing to do with the cans. The question should be, “Will my chain drive these better through a balanced connection?” It’s tempting to ask whether any of your other cans sound better via a balanced cable from that chain. But given the hyper-revealing nature of Utopia, that answer would probably be mis-leading....Anyway, recommend a balanced cable? Of any benefit? Any reasonably priced options that come to mind?...
It spoils the confidence some folk might have to buy without audition.
Congrats, and welcome to the club!
Shockingly, you’re not the first to mention this
The answer really has nothing to do with the cans. The question should be, “Will my chain drive these better through a balanced connection?” It’s tempting to ask whether any of your other cans sound better via a balanced cable from that chain. But given the hyper-revealing nature of Utopia, that answer would probably be mis-leading.
Personally, I run everything balanced and don’t really worry about whether it’s ‘better’. I’m comfortable knowing that it’s probably not ‘worse’. But I would have bought a replacement cable for Utopia anyway as I don’t care for the stock cable.
both the clear and the stellia were released after the utopia, which might explain why they came with a carry case and cable optionsHey all, after years of bouncing around - I’ve finally ended up with the Utopia, will arrive today. Got a reasonable price on a new on with warranty, so had to jump. I’ve owned Elear and Clear as well.
Anyway, trying to decide whether grabbing a balanced cable is a must? I’m currently running the RME ADI-2 DAC and THX 789.
I’d like to replace the cable regardless as I’d like something lighter/shorter. Thus far the only downside is lack of case and balanced/better cables like Clear etc. Odd that the lesser model includes that awesome case and cable options...
Anyway, recommend a balanced cable? Of any benefit? Any reasonably priced options that come to mind?
Thanks!
listening to esperanza spalding's emily's d+evolution at the moment - no shortage of bass to my ears and my toes are tapping as i typeIm in the camp that feels the Utopia is bass light.
Its strength is extracting detail- great for critical listening.
Not a "fun" headphone imo- no head bopping and toe tapping here.
Excellent advice- if at all possible, audition before purchasing.
You don't need to spend $4k on a Utopia. There are plenty of deals to be had for under $3k new, and closer to $2k used. With Focal changing their warranty to be transferable I now have a lot more confidence buying either way. Good on them for doing a pro-consumer move for once.
I would rather think that instead of buying blindly with confidence, and then finding out afterwards that what you bought isn't what you were after, you'd want people to tell you the truth to spare you from having to go through that in the first place. Though of course we all hear differently so there will be some variance in user impressions.
Yes, to me the Utopia is a bit bass light. But only a little bit. It's honestly closer to the HD600 tuning than I would have expected, and the upper treble sounds smoother to me than some FR graphs I've seen would indicate. At the same time, yes there's a bit of a 6khz spike and the midrange tone is slightly cold. But it's reasonably well balanced as is, and I can listen to it without EQ just fine - which is not the case for most other headphones. I would also say that the Utopia actually has less of a metallic coloration to me than the Clear does, or the other aluminum/magnesium driver Focals. Next to them, it's a bit more natural sounding, more accurate texturally, noticeably more resolving and 3-dimensional, better at microdynamics, but also a little dry and a little analytical, at least in my rig.
I think the next move for me is either picking up something like a DHSA-3F to max the rig out, or picking up a Verite to see if the warmer tuning wins me over. Either way, I can no longer deny that dynamics are catching up to electrostatics technically. Exciting times in the hobby, for sure. Now if only the prices came back down...
I suggest you listen to Utopia w/ the stock cable for a while prior to purchasing an upgrade cable. You can nudge the tonality with a cable, but you need to decide which way you want to go. My completely un-scientific review suggests that there’s a fairly even split between folks (like me) who prefer a copper cable to add a little warmth and others who prefer the additional brightness a silver cable brings.Yes, perhaps preaching to the choir in regards to lack of case and cables etc. With that said, good god man, these are some good looking cans... Just getting started with them, but so far so good. Have the Arya and HD800S sitting here as well, time to decide which one needs to go ha! We've all been there eh?
Off to find a balanced cable, as I'm sure these will appreciate the extra oomph.
I suggest you listen to Utopia w/ the stock cable for a while prior to purchasing an upgrade cable. You can nudge the tonality with a cable, but you need to decide which way you want to go. My completely un-scientific review suggests that there’s a fairly even split between folks (like me) who prefer a copper cable to add a little warmth and others who prefer the additional brightness a silver cable brings.
My Lazuli Reference cable does that (along w/ some warmer tubes for my Liquid Platinum).Yes, I'm content for the time being - I'd like to get used to the Utopias sound signature before adding potential tweaks. I'm not treble sensitive, but I'd warm them up a touch if I had the option.
My Lazuli Reference cable does that (along w/ some warmer tubes for my Liquid Platinum).