Focal Elear and Utopia Impressions at Source AV

Here is what I have heard:

within the first ninety days, they will fix and issue, even if not the original person who purchased it.
they will fix it for a fee if its out of warranty, which includes not be the original purchaser after 90 days

I'm not sure how it works if you purchase it as a gift. I wasn't the original purchaser of mine, but I registered it. I have an email certificate from focal saying I have 2 years warranty, but I also have to have the invoice (which I do). The retailer has gone out of business (headroom), so if I need repair work, I would have to go to another focal dealer, or send it to an authorized repair center (whoever that is).

I think we can all agree, so we don't have to keep repeating it over and over and over:

1) If would be good if Focal (and every other brand) honored the warranty for secondary buyers. There are a few manufacturers that do, but many do not.
2) Focal doesn't seem to publish their warranty. In fact, it's different depending on the dealer.
3) Focal hasn't clearly stated if it will fix an out of warranty headphone, although one dealer publicly stated they would, and we have heard third hand some dealers say they will not.
4) The Utopia, and to a lesser degree, the Elear, are expensive. To some people the lack of broad warranty and the uncertainty of the coverage is a major turn off.

There, I hope that sums it up and we can move on.

 

After a several day audition I felt that the Elear was way too punchy for my tastes. Do you guys think the Utopia would give me the same reaction? I've only been able to listen to the Utopia for about 5 minutes, which wasn't enough to get a good feel for them.

 

Definitely not, the Utopia's are very neutral and balance sounding unlike the Elear. I actually wish they hit a little harder.