[jibzilla]

   
that's awesome.  as a happy Utopia owner, i want to try out the Elear, but i also DON'T want to!  
 
i do because i'm now a huge fan of Focal and the Elear is probably the most good-looking set of headphones i've ever seen.  i don't because i'm afraid they'll sound so close to my Utopia that i'll regret dropping the extra $3k on them!  

 
Don't worry your Utopia's are better. The best dynamic I have ever heard but I have yet to try out allot of vintage cans. I would go $3k on the Utopia but when you can get a demo hd800 and brand new elear for $2k from ttvj it is hard to justify $4k.
 
One big advantage with the elear is that you can pair it with the hd800 and have a nice darker sounding compliment. The Utopia as you can tell in this thread is redundant as it is bright as well with the hd800. There is the lcd-4, he1k, and abyss you can pair with the Utopia but I have found those headphones lacking compared to even the hd800 in terms of build quality and comfort.

 

[AppleheadMay]

   
Check out the Z1R thread. I was only like a month or two since they were released and they showed up in Italy for $1400. I think one or two people snagged pairs for only $1200. Half price after just a month or two. Early adopters usually get ripped off pretty good but that's bad.

 
 
Thanks, just checked and was from Amazon. But seems like the price has gone up again.
 
Have you been able the Pioneers to the Sonys and maybe one of the Focals as well?

 

[astrostar59]

Allow a supplement; source components were consistent. AK380 & QP1R. Mostly 24/192. The amps are nicely conditioned and outfitted. Cables were Axios & Heimdal 2 for the Utopia. I've haven't heard a bad BH so far. It and the WES have always been good amps on the 09's IMO. IMO my company sells nearly every great headphone, IEM & CIEMs available. We don't take sides other than our personal choice. I'm never going to say the 09 isn't a good estat. I will say the 09's have build quality issues that they shouldn't have at their price point. I also think the repair costs on those defects are out of line just in parts. If you are in the US and you have to get service from the US entity it's a nightmare. Cheesy things like yoke clip repair at a cost over $400 to repair and take weeks. From that perspective I warn my clients. Otherwise it's a individual taste.

I've been told there a specific glossary, I've not seen it. To that extent I apologize.

As always I've stated IMO. I was asked my option.

You a dealer??

 

[TSAVJason]

You a dealer??

We are dealers.

 

[astrostar59]

   
Very, very well actually. Tonally I prefer the Utopia, but for clarity and detail retrieval, the SR-009s pull ahead. Along with the HE1000 V2 and LCD-4, these 4 headphones are the best I've heard.

Do you think you will sell your 009s then? Or is it nice to own 2 different systems?
 
I have yet to get to hear it, as no dealers near me, but I have followed the Utopia threads since it launched. The speaker itself in the Utopia is quite small which is odd. The soundstage does not seem to be one of it's best points. But most are saying the tonality is good. Tyll in his review had a bass boost of 5dB to get it to the right level low down.
 
IMO the 009 is slightly recessed in the bass but the bass texture and detail and it's speed are first rate. On bass heavy dance type material for example it still drives well but doesn't loose speed or layering.

 

[Shini44]

Focal Utopia + DAVE just happened <3

 

[TheAttorney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrostar59 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I have yet to get to hear it, as no dealers near me, but I have followed the Utopia threads since it launched.

 
My own 009/Utopia/Elear/HEKv2/LCD4/Abyss/Flow/etc shootout will finally be in place this Saturday. I'm a long term electrostat kinda guy, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. Can't wait.
 
The dealer HighEndHeadphones is in Cambridgeshire, which is a bit of a journey for me, but I'm not aware of anywhere else in England that has ALL the usual suspects in one place.

 

[AppleheadMay]

   
My own 009/Utopia/Elear/HEKv2/LCD4/Abyss/Flow/etc shootout will finally be in place this Saturday. I'm a long term electrostat kinda guy, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. Can't wait.
 
The dealer HighEndHeadphones is in Cambridgeshire, which is a bit of a journey for me, but I'm not aware of anywhere else in England that has ALL the usual suspects in one place.

 
Been there, you're in for a treat!
Beautiful setting as well with wonderful people, I'm sure going back there.
Was even a longer trip for me as I live overseas and stayed in Potton for a few days.
 
I'll be able to compare the HD800, M1, Utopia, Elear and LA-900 a few days before Christmas with a fellow head-fier over here as well. Looking forward to it.
With a little luck I might have a Z1R by then as well.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

  Focal Utopia + DAVE just happened <3

 

 
Finally!!  Congrats!

 

[Yoga]

   
My own 009/Utopia/Elear/HEKv2/LCD4/Abyss/Flow/etc shootout will finally be in place this Saturday. I'm a long term electrostat kinda guy, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. Can't wait.
 
The dealer HighEndHeadphones is in Cambridgeshire, which is a bit of a journey for me, but I'm not aware of anywhere else in England that has ALL the usual suspects in one place.

Had no idea they were in Cambs! Will have to pop over myself. Enjoy

 

[AppleheadMay]

So I hear some people actually like the Elear more than the Utopia (especially with Utopia pads) because it has a more fun and engaging sound signature and the Utopia a flatter one.
But that makes me think the Utopia could be better for Classical music. 
 
What are your opinions for classical Music: Utopia better than Elear or not? Any other phones that would be better for classical? (except the HD800, even for classical I prefer more bass)
 
And for other genres ... for which ones would you advise the Elear or the Utopia?

 

[aRRR]

I received the Utopia today... I like it............... a lot.... 
 

  So I hear some people actually like the Elear more than the Utopia (especially with Utopia pads) because it has a more fun and engaging sound signature and the Utopia a flatter one.
But that makes me think the Utopia could be better for Classical music. 

I havent tried putting the Utopia pads on the Elear but in stock form I definitely prefer the Utopia. Like the Elear, the Utopia is also very engaging but combined with its high transparancy and more balanced sound signature = win. Its not like the HD800 which sounds flat in comparison.
Tonally the Utopia is very accurate. Great detail seperation, full sound yet never did I notice a diffuse image where the music would blend together, very precise imaging. Bass is very tight, although I would have preferred slighttttly more.... Soundstage is perfect, the Utopia is a very forward sounding headphone thus giving you front row seats - a natural consequence is that the soundstage is somewhat smaller to more laid back headphones.
 
Build quality is top notch. Compared to the elear it is a step up. Not that the Elear is bad, just the Utopia pads are sooo supple. Also comfort wise I would give the nod to the Utopia despite its heavier build.

 

[TSAVJason]

I received the Utopia today... I like it............... a lot.... 

I havent tried putting the Utopia pads on the Elear but in stock form I definitely prefer the Utopia. Like the Elear, the Utopia is also very engaging but combined with its high transparancy and more balanced sound signature = win. Its not like the HD800 which sounds flat in comparison.
Tonally the Utopia is very accurate. Great detail seperation, full sound yet never did I notice a diffuse image where the music would blend together, very precise imaging. Bass is very tight, although I would have preferred slighttttly more.... Soundstage is perfect, the Utopia is a very forward sounding headphone thus giving you front row seats - a natural consequence is that the soundstage is somewhat smaller to more laid back headphones.

Build quality is top notch. Compared to the elear it is a step up. Not that the Elear is bad, just the Utopia pads are sooo supple. Also comfort wise I would give the nod to the Utopia despite its heavier build.

Give them 75-100 hours and you'll really like them.

 

[MacedonianHero]

 
Do you think you will sell your 009s then? Or is it nice to own 2 different systems?
 
I have yet to get to hear it, as no dealers near me, but I have followed the Utopia threads since it launched. The speaker itself in the Utopia is quite small which is odd. The soundstage does not seem to be one of it's best points. But most are saying the tonality is good. Tyll in his review had a bass boost of 5dB to get it to the right level low down.
 
IMO the 009 is slightly recessed in the bass but the bass texture and detail and it's speed are first rate. On bass heavy dance type material for example it still drives well but doesn't loose speed or layering.

 
No plans whatsover. 

 Plus I own the SR-007Mk1's and love them as well (though they don't get the listening time they deserve with my SR-009s in house). That said, I'm listening to my Utopias right now and these headphones aren't going anywhere either! 

 

[alexdi]

How does the Elear compare to the HD600? I adore the midrange and the mid-high balance of the Senns, but bass definition and quantity could be improved. The original plan was to pick up a pair of used HD800s. The Elear pricing isn't so far away, if it's a better choice.