[bigfatpaulie]

Two dead so far?  All we need in another 1198 accounts of dead drivers and it will be as bad as an Audeze product!

 

[TSAVJason]

Not 2 more like 47 if you include the launch failure. However we haven't seen a failure in our inventory since the end of August.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

Not 2 more like 47 if you include the launch failure. However we haven't seen a failure in our inventory since the end of August.

 
I was comparing Head-Fi accounts of failure... And using hyperbole.  

 

[TSAVJason]

I was comparing Head-Fi accounts of failure... And using hyperbole.  

Oh ok, I thought you wanted to know the real data. 47 out of 1200 delivered world wide and most of that 47, 24 of which were the first week of the launch

 

[Tobes]

Oh ok, I thought you wanted to know the real data. 47 out of 1200 delivered world wide and most of that 47, 24 of which were the first week of the launch

Hmm, that's a 4% failure rate which is disconcertingly high for a premium hand assembled headphone. Any idea what lead to the failures?

 

[bigfatpaulie]

Oh ok, I thought you wanted to know the real data. 47 out of 1200 delivered world wide and most of that 47, 24 of which were the first week of the launch

 
If I wanted real data, I wouldn't use Head-Fi as a source 

 
 
But in all seriousness if that's the case, that seems very high indeed.

 

[TSAVJason]

Hmm, that's a 4% failure rate which is disconcertingly high for a premium hand assembled headphone. Any idea what lead to the failures?

Good math! :thumbsup_tone1: So that was while they launched mostly. I'm now aware of 4 since August. So manufacturing defects are significantly reduced since then. I'd calculate its under 1% now. I understand the original solder method had to be corrected and that is what caused the original defects. These 4 new events I don't have input on since I didn't interface on them.

 

[Tobes]

Good to know Focal tracked down the issue and corrected it. I'm hoping to get many years of use out my Utopias to justify the cost - I think they sound wonderful.

 

[TSAVJason]

Good to know Focal tracked down the issue and corrected it. I'm hoping to get many years of use out my Utopias to justify the cost - I think they sound wonderful.

Great news! Have a great Ear Holiday!!

 

[ubs28]

They were probably early production issues most likely. There were big delays which I suppose has something to do with it.

 

[phaeton70]

just joined the team

 

 

 
really impressed on the sound of these french hp.... definitely my new technical reference (former was the 009)

 

[inthere]

It's been a week since I got my 2nd pair and I have least 100 hours burn in now. They sound exactly like my pair that eventually failed. Very good sound, but I think the LCD 4 does slightly better concerning soundstage. Clarity is about even. the Utopia feels a lot lighter.

Comparing the Utopia to the AKG K872, Which is a closed design, it has much smoother treble, I mean MUCH less aggressive while at the same time having more clarity, which is very impressive. It also has more bass while at the same time being tighter and better defined.

Overall, I can't think of a single headphone I've ever owned or even heard that I can say is flat out "better" than the Utopia, however, when I want the ultimate musical enjoyment I still find myself reaching for the Nighthawk. That is a personal sound signature preference though and although I've tested with many friends that agree with me, I think most audiophiles would have the opposite opinion.

 

[Arcamera]

^^^Yeah, I'm still keeping the NightHawk too.

 

[archeryc]

It's been a week since I got my 2nd pair and I have least 100 hours burn in now. They sound exactly like my pair that eventually failed. Very good sound, but I think the LCD 4 does slightly better concerning soundstage. Clarity is about even. the Utopia feels a lot lighter.

Comparing the Utopia to the AKG K872, Which is a closed design, it has much smoother treble, I mean MUCH less aggressive while at the same time having more clarity, which is very impressive. It also has more bass while at the same time being tighter and better defined.

Overall, I can't think of a single headphone I've ever owned or even heard that I can say is flat out "better" than the Utopia, however, when I want the ultimate musical enjoyment I still find myself reaching for the Nighthawk. That is a personal sound signature preference though and although I've tested with many friends that agree with me, I think most audiophiles would have the opposite opinion.

What amp do u find best fit for the Utopia? I found that tube amp seems to have better synergy with Utopia compares to the GSX mk2

 

[phaeton70]

currently using a 300B amp with EML Mesh tubes. I find the sinergy with Utopia is fantastic. I also have a Taurus MKII, very good sounding with the Utopia but without the magic of the 300B.