1.     Don't be a dotard!
    Read these "rules" AND introduce
    yourself     before your first post
  2. A healthy approach to understanding measurements
    Being true to what the artists intended
  3. After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones
    (opinion / entertainment piece)
    Dismiss Notice
  4. $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+
    Dismiss Notice
IMPORTANT: New Members Read This Don't Be a Measurement Fascist Merv's Top 5 Headphones - 2023 Edition $1000 Challenge

Focal Utopia Review (collective stream of consciousness)

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Aug 25, 2016.

Page 14 of 35
  1. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,046
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Oxfordshire, UK
    pedalhead, Sep 27, 2016
    #261
  2. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,114
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Seoul, South Korea
    Sorry if I'm derailing this thread but...

    While I can't say I'm a Taylor Swift fan now, she was one of the few musicians I actually got to high-five in person, back in 2011 at one of her concerts. That was right before I got into this hobby. I think I'm one of the minority who prefers her first 3 albums to the ones released afterwards. It was when she released 1989 that I found out she's the same age as I am.

    And oh yeah, the HD650 is the only headphone I would consider if I were listening to her music.
     
    songmic, Sep 28, 2016
    #262
  3. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    Thank for derailing thread so I won't get further run over :D

    My dream is to mod the Elear to be as good as Utopia...
    |\/|
     
    Maxx134, Sep 28, 2016
    #263
  4. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,114
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Seoul, South Korea
    songmic, Sep 28, 2016
    #264
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    90,144
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Why the f**k did @Maxx134 give me a dislike? Everybody here knows I love the first 2.5 Swift albums.

    The way those albums (CD) are mastered, her voice will sound all honky, shouty, and shrieky on headphones with emphasized 1.5 to 3kHz. It's a good test and why I use them for system evaluations.
     
    purr1n, Sep 28, 2016
    #265
  6. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

    Pyrate BWC MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,595
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near Munich, Germany
    Sting - Nothing Like The Sun is an album that I sometimes use for similar purposes. Works synergestically with upper mid laid back phones, but if it sounds normal, then the phone is most likely too laid-back. I think it also works well at showing the Elear's and (to a lesser extent) the Utopia's shoutiness.
    But generally I think that most music would show faults in the vocal region. If you don't immediately notice that something is wrong, then it's unlikely that different music will change your opinion.
     
    Serious, Sep 28, 2016
    #266
  7. geomaso44

    geomaso44 New

    Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2015
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    8
    ...
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2016
    geomaso44, Sep 28, 2016
    #267
  8. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,345
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I used the King. Not Elvis, but the real king:

    [​IMG]

    KING DIAMOND!

    King Diamond on Mercyful Fate's Don't Break the Oath was more annoying than usual. All of the masters (LP and CD) sound like this despite varying levels of compression mostly affecting the drums and instrumental space:

     
    Psalmanazar, Sep 28, 2016
    #268
  9. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    8,960
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Irvine CA
    Some impressions:

    After some listening it is pretty apparent to me that the tuning of the Utopia cans is neutral. It is brighter than the HD600s, but not terribly so IMO. One gains a more open and lively approach with superior bass response and plenty of resolution.

    There can be some problems with "shshsh" indeed, and there may be some elevation in the 6 to 7 kHz area. But these are a joy to listen.

    On the other hand, these are heavy, and while that may convey a sense of quality, it is also not very comfortable to me. The build quality is impeccable. HiFiMan only wished they build their cans this well. The cable is thick and heavy by itself. Furthermore, it seems a lamb or two were sacrificed in the building of these cans.

    The treble and the mid areas are not as smooth as with the HD600s. In this regard, I feel the old Sennheisers are still superior. But having a can that sounds this good in the mids and treble, while being able to pull out quality bass is very hard.

    It is obvious that these are not a value proposition. But for once a company pulled out a stupid expensive can that does not sound like a screaming banshee, a vato-homie car subwoofer, or a flat out misshapen.
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2016
    ultrabike, Sep 28, 2016
    #269
  10. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

    Staff Member Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,600
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    lake of mud
    Home Page:
    Yeah, TBH the "shshsh" was starting to get to me this morning. Had to switch to the Code X.

    Don't get me wrong, the Utopia is better than 98% of the dynamics out there IMO, but it's not perfect. There is no perfect headphone.

    Also for $4k I'm not so sure I wanna keep these around for very long.

    Edit: the Utopia is also a lot more immersive compared to the Code X. So while the Code X has a better tonal balance for me personally, the technicalities and spatial immersion of the Utopia just keeps me coming back. Ugh. Maybe I'll keep them after all haha.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2016
    MuppetFace, Sep 29, 2016
    #270
  11. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    Lol! That was clearly an error as it makes no sense I clicked it obviously a mistake!
    The problem was I just come back to read this.
    Thanks for bringing it to attention !

    There should be a confirm action for dislikes,
    as I most probably fell asleep reading the threads on my phone .
    I usually read at night like now and I use glasses.
    Sorry!
    :D
    I'm on a roll here causing comments,
    Didn't plan it!
    :confused:
     
    Maxx134, Sep 30, 2016
    #271
  12. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    The main thing I can credit Focal for,
    Is to shake up the competition, and hopefully Sennheiser's pride will force them to respond to the "Utopia usurping threat",
    with a real upgrade instead of an 800S...

    So I actually see the Utopia as a benefit in a competitive sense.
     
    Maxx134, Sep 30, 2016
    #272
  13. m.i.c.k.e.y

    m.i.c.k.e.y Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2016
    Likes Received:
    150
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Eternal City
    |\/| that numero 1.....
     
    m.i.c.k.e.y, Sep 30, 2016
    #273
  14. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    Well exactly...
    I didn't know ...
    It makes no sense to dislike Marvey,
    If I did not dislike "brencho" Post in which he rant/burn and shred me about the Utopia stupid pricing scheme.

    If I did not dislike brencho post, in which he made me look unreasonable,
    so why the hell would I dislike Marvey post about a track selection...
    it make no sense.
    And I am reasonable most time lol.
    Plus, look at pic:
    *
    [​IMG]
    *
    this shows how perfectly positioned the dislike button is positioned. *On my phone*
    right where my thumb scrolls in the center of the screen...
    So that dislike button an easy to press if your not looking.
    If possible it would be beneficial to at least make it a double tap to activate...
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2016
    Maxx134, Sep 30, 2016
    #274
  15. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,724
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Home Page:
    No biggie my friend. :cool:
    Did you sell your headphones for the Utopia yet?
     
    gbeast, Sep 30, 2016
    #275
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    90,144
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    OMG. I am ROFL! Don't sweat it. It was pretend outrage for shits and giggles. Congrats on your promotion.
     
    purr1n, Sep 30, 2016
    #276
  17. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,095
    Trophy Points:
    113
    See what Luis can do to the Utopias?

    Disliked for you being a dick.
     
    zerodeefex, Sep 30, 2016
    #277
  18. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    What is a thread without a little drama hehe
     
    Maxx134, Sep 30, 2016
    #278
  19. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,724
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Home Page:
    gbeast, Sep 30, 2016
    #279
  20. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,046
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Oxfordshire, UK
    Sigh, that's f'ing disgusting in pretty much every possible way. Buy a pair of regular Utopias and give the rest to a children's charity FFS.
     
    pedalhead, Sep 30, 2016
    #280
Page 14 of 35

Share This Page