[AussieMick]

which seems a fairly non-controversial goa

Experience tells me that this might actually be a goal which isn’t a pragmatic one. How can the average person even know what that sound in the studio was? I don’t think the vast majority of us are hanging out in the final mastering session of every album we own. As a result we can’t possibly know what the sound was, so how can it be our goal? Surely we have to aim for something?
It’s another oversimplification that is founded on a false premise. Hifi seems full of them.

Personally, I much prefer the goal of assembling a system that pleases me. That will naturally be informed by all of my experiences of music both live and recorded, and also experiences with different equipment.

 

[AussieMick]

Crystalline ease, lol

Crystalline clarity. Easeful presentation. An absence of grit/grain, glare, that sound of electrical noise, etc. The kind of quality people value from hood vinyl playback. Sorry to be unclear.

 

[kkrazik2008]

If our fundamental intention with high-fidelity music reproduction is to hear as close as possible to what the production team in the studio heard when they played back the mix and said, “That’s the one” – which seems a fairly non-controversial goal – then we have to address this imbalance. How do we make listening on headphones sound like monitoring on loudspeakers?”

I gotta say it, or post it. This quote is a flawed assumption, and a rather oversimplification as there is no right or wrong way to enjoy your music. Some enjoy re-living a live experience, some enjoy it in their car, some in their bathroom, some on a crap pair of speakers or headphones. Not for any one company to dictate a goal as vast as how one should consume what they enjoy.

These recent posts are quite unfortunate as they take away from the topic of the Utopia, and have an air of self-righteousness on how we should be enjoying the gear more than the music. Why can’t be both and also be different for each of us?

 

[Donald D]

Unfortunate choice of words by dCS perhaps. Nonetheless, if one changes headphone cables, the Focal Utopia may go from having a microfocus, i.e. one can focus on the vocals, to having a macrofocus, i.e. one zooms out and focuses on the entire presentation, and that could be more revealing of how the vocals are mixed with the rest of the instruments in a recording. In some cases, the vocals may move too far back on the soundstage. dCS basically claims that their DAC/Expanse technology restores a macro- and microfocus at the same time.

 

[ClicketEKlack]

In Paranoid Eyes by Pink Floyd on the other hand the vocals were very present. I’d say that one sounded perfect.

FWIW, that track sounds perfect -- with present vocals -- through a Topping DAC.

 

[gerelmx1986]

Finally got my. DHC adapters and like my lavri grand cable on them, zero weighr compared to heavy stock cable

 

[ardilla]

Hi all!

I know there are strong and well-founded opinions what's the best amplifier for the Focal Utopia.

I did a write up of my experiences here, hope some find it worthwhile reading

https://www.headphoneer.com/the-best-amp-for-focal-utopia/

 

[pervysage]

The pads on my original launch Utopia's are in dire need of replacement. What's the general consensus on pad replacements, best to source a pair of original ones or are there any decent third party options that people like?

 

[ardilla]

The pads on my original launch Utopia's are in dire need of replacement. What's the general consensus on pad replacements, best to source a pair of original ones or are there any decent third party options that people like?

Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin is a significant upgrade.

 

[r343]

The pads on my original launch Utopia's are in dire need of replacement. What's the general consensus on pad replacements, best to source a pair of original ones or are there any decent third party options that people like?

Tried some pads in the past

- Dekoni Elite Sheepskin = Honky tunnel sound and super bassy.

- Fenestrated Sheepskin aliexpress copy = Not as atrocious as above but not great either, slightly honky.

- Elex/Clear pads = more bass, thicker sound, less treble/soundstage, bit worse imaging, more comfortable and less hot, these pads work well with rock/metal.

- OG pads = Biggest and best soundstage, clarity and imaging, least quantity of bass.

 

[hafzz123]

The pads on my original launch Utopia's are in dire need of replacement. What's the general consensus on pad replacements, best to source a pair of original ones or are there any decent third party options that people like?

I always prefer OG pads on Focal headphones, it is quite expensive though..

 

[chrisnyc75]

I always prefer OG pads on Focal headphones, it is quite expensive though..

They are expensive, but Utopia is so spot-on balanced that any change to the presentation throws the whole thing into chaos. You THINK you want more bass until you hear what it actually sounds like with more bass and then you're like "nope, they had it right to begin with."

 

[hafzz123]

They are expensive, but Utopia is so spot-on balanced that any change to the presentation throws the whole thing into chaos. You THINK you want more bass until you hear what it actually sounds like with more bass and then you're like "nope, they had it right to begin with."

Exactly, i always feels something's off when i use other than OG pads

 

[pervysage]

Ahh, I shoulda grabbed some OG pads when they were readily available in Canada. Looks like I will have to source some from the U.S.

 

[chrisnyc75]

Ahh, I shoulda grabbed some OG pads when they were readily available in Canada. Looks like I will have to source some from the U.S.

headphones.com has them in stock - I think they are based in Canada? Though they might ship from the US? Not really sure.