I have been comparing my now broken in Focal Utopia headphones with my Pioneer SE-M1 this evening. Remember this is in my opinion your mileage may differ!
I have had more head time with the SE-M1 than the Utopias.
Gear used:
Digitally ripped wave files uncompressed unless otherwise described below.
Source Sony Walkman NW-WM1A using the Sony Walkman adaptor into
Sony Headphone amplifier & dac TA-ZH1ES using DSEE HX setting.
Focal Utopia single ended
Pioneer SE Master 1 single ended.
Build & Comfort
SE-M1 the headphones feel more comfortable 9/10 Utopia 8/10
Build quality of both headphones is magnificent the Utopias cable however has much better build quality. BQ Focal 9/10 all SE-M1 H/P 8/10
Following comparisons were made in quite bedroom environment in the dark, eyes closed most of the time, with no distractions.
I alternated track by track unless mentioned below
First Tracks came from digital rip of Rush Moving Pictures album
Moving Pictures
Label:
Mercury – 800 048-2
Format:
CD, Album, Reissue
Country:
UK & Europe
Released:
25 Feb 1987
Tracks:
Tom Sawyer dynamic range (dr) 14
Red Barchetta dr 14
Tom Sawyer
Utopia
Serious detail - this is an extremely good recording for a rock cd from the eighties. The recording on most non flagship headphones will sound decent. On the Utopias it sounded hyper-detailed, this might be distracting for some, however it was coherent and overall very enjoyable. The synthersiers sound really awesome with great texture, Neil Perts drum roll pan really well in the mix on this h/p. The song IMO felt a little over caffeinated with the Utopias.
SE-M1 Slightly less detail - but not by very much, these h/p ceramic drivers are nipping at the Utopias beryllium drivers heels. On this recording and song I preferred the SE-M1 slightly more relaxed and less caffeinated presentation. The drums and bass guitar sounded IMO more enjoyable. The guitars were equally good, the Utopias were more accurate on the Syntherzers.
Red Barchetta
This track is a wonderful test for any headphones capabilities with guitar riffs - and this one is an air guitarists dream complete with duck walk!
Both headphones performed really well with the edge going to the SE-M1 because of the previously mentioned contrasts. I would say the Utopias did sound more realistic, so technically slightly better. The SE-M1 sounded more enjoyable.
The Ruts
Something That I Said - The Best Of The Ruts
(I first heard this on vinyl in 1980)
Label:
Virgin – CDOVD 454,
Virgin –
7243 8 40194 2 6
Series:
Virgin Choice Cuts –
Format:
CD, Compilation
Country:
Europe
Released:
20 Feb 1995
Track
West One (Shine on me) dr 14
This track IMO is The Ruts - Magnum Opus song & Malcolm Owen’s - (RIP) their former vocalist’s finest moment.
The SE-M1 sounded a bit veiled (duller) on this track compared with the Utopias. The SE-M1 slightly relaxed presentation did not work as well here as previously. Overall I much preferred the Utopias brighter signature. The reason why, is because this song is served best with pure adrenaline. It has great pace, guitars, awesome drums with wonderful layering throughout and particularly at the end of the track, when the song has a dramatic pause, only to recomence with a stirring drum roll, followed by bass guitar, lead guitar, synth effects, Gary Barnicle’s wonderful saxophone followed by Owen’s distinctive great vocals. The Utopias really brought the best (read excitement) out of this cut and their ability to shine a light deep into the mix was really appreciated for me. Great track to test any decent headphone on.
The La’s - The La's (with bonus tracks)
Label Go! Discs
2001
Tracks
I.O.U dr 12
I.O.U (Bonus Track - Alternative Version dr 11
Vocals - Lee Maver‘s scouse accent is more distinct on the Utopias. These cuts are acoustical driven tracks, and sounded great on both headphones. The Utopias piped the SE-M1 at the post on both of these tracks with just a bit more agility shining through. The SE-M1 were not embarrassed at all but were IMO bettered by the Utopias ability to render the vocals and guitars more realistically.
So there you go. Early days for me at this stage and neither headphone disappoints. Imagining I find very similar, soundstage is a bit more spacious on the SE-M1.
I find them both very complimentary, I am surprised at how detailed yet musical the Utopias are unlike the HD800s except aside from a few tracks.
I will try both headphones on a better rig and perhaps in balanced config(GSX MK2 & Mirus Pro dac) at a later time (as I’m working away from home atm)
I hope this will be of some use to headfiers and at least encourage you all to have a listen to the tracks listed above. Have a great & musical weekend all.