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Focal Utopia Review (collective stream of consciousness)

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

Page 15 of 35
  1. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA
     
    brencho, Sep 30, 2016
    #281
  2. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    Saints preserve us.
     
    zonto, Sep 30, 2016
    #282
  3. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    You're paying for diamonds and gold. It's the same for high end watches. Up to a certain point you pay for engineering and precision. But to get to 6 figures you need precious metals. I don't actually have a problem with this because they aren't claiming that this version sounds better then the $3999 version.
     
    Cspirou, Sep 30, 2016
    #283
  4. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Oh, but it does! :)
     
    MisterRogers, Sep 30, 2016
    #284
  5. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    WTF!
     
    ultrabike, Sep 30, 2016
    #285
  6. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    @GUTB's head must be exploding at the increase in sound qualityz from such expensive headphones jewelry. I just think of this:

    [​IMG]

    Rather than continue down this rabbit hole, I'll pose another question that's been on my mind re: the Utopia/Elear cable. I get the potential rationale for Focal using a thicker cable to reduce resistance given the increased cable length. But what is the rationale behind using a shielded headphone cable?

    From the Utopia product page:
    Found a few resources.

    Empirical Audio, Myths and Snake Oil:
    Audioholics, Audio Interconnect and Speaker Cable Myths and Facts Revealed:
    Much less helpful:
    Given that headphone/speaker cables are much less susceptible to EMI/RFI than line level interconnects, I don't get it. I can't imagine the shielding is warranted simply because (1) the cable is longer than 3m or (2) the 80 ohm nominal impedance of the Focal headphones is higher than the typical 4-8 ohm nominal impedance of most speakers (especially given higher impedance headphones from Sennheiser/Beyer).
     
    zonto, Sep 30, 2016
    #286
  7. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    It's like they said: "To respect the original audio signal".

    Do not. Dis-respect. The audio signal.

    (Also, do not invoke the gutb-man.)
     
    ultrabike, Sep 30, 2016
    #287
  8. k3oxkjo

    k3oxkjo Friend

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    It is possible that a headphone cable close to large power transformers or in relatively intense RF fields such as from a Broadcast Station in your backyard (I had this exact situation in an apartment I lived in at one time) or close to an Amateur Radio operator or, worse, a CB operator using an illegal amplifier could suffer effects from EMI/RFI in unusual cases. But it's probably safe to say that, generally, not having the shield would be fine and having it is OK too. I would chalk it up to Focal trying to give the impression that no stone went unturned...

    Kevin
     
    k3oxkjo, Oct 1, 2016
    #288
  9. perkele

    perkele Acquaintance

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    110k€ for headphones. I love it! HF machinated Massdrop request commencing in zero minutes. Does it come with Man servant?
     
    perkele, Oct 2, 2016
    #289
  10. manatworks

    manatworks Friend

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    [​IMG]
    Ah, i thought i've seen something like that before. No wonders!
    (At least that kinda look classy, this abyss btw......)
     
    manatworks, Oct 2, 2016
    #290
  11. ibzrg1570

    ibzrg1570 Facebook Friend

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    Is this real?! Looks like an Abyss x Mattel Barbie collaboration.
     
    ibzrg1570, Oct 2, 2016
    #291
  12. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Looks like something Die Antwoord would wear.
     
    Cspirou, Oct 2, 2016
    #292
  13. The Life

    The Life Facebook Friend

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    Abyss: Ed Hardy Edition
     
    The Life, Oct 2, 2016
    #293
  14. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Shared these with a buddy of mine (co-worker) who is also into music. He definitively is more of a speakers kind of guy and is much more into subs. His current HT setup consists of the Aperion Verus (Grand Tower), and HSU VTF-15H. He is considering going DIY on his sub using perhaps an 18" driver, though he is having a hard time selling the idea to his wife. His can stable includes SR-60, HD518, and ATH-M50. Of all of these, the M50s are his favorites. With that in mind he is a self declared bass head and is proud of it. He does not consider his system the awesomest, but awesome enough.

    Here are his Focal Utopia thoughts:

    "Here are my decidedly non “golden eared” comments on the Utopias.

    I liked the bass and midrange end of things, which was surprising for a bass head like me. However in orchestral music, I couldn’t help but get annoyed with how the upper frequencies sounded. Brass instruments sounded utterly unnatural. They sounded hollow and too airy, and unnaturally so. Cymbal crashes seemed to have a lot of hiss, but not much else. Similarly with trumpets, trombones etc. hollow sounding with no meat. To make sure there was nothing wrong with either the recordings or my ears or the 02 headphone amp, I listened to the same sections with your HD600s, my poor Grado SR60s & my ATH-M50s. They all sounded far better in this regard. I am actually liking your HD600s far better than these overall. I am really not sure what the fuss is all about with these headphones. I would not be willing to pay more than $150 for these, let alone $4k."

    Obviously this was far from a rave review. He does own an O2 that he considers an upgrade over his previous "No-Amp" option. But he does not seem to give two shits about upgrading, because he mainly listens to his speakers.

    While it is possible that his O2 was holding back things a bit, I'm afraid I do concur with him regarding the less meaty and somehow airy presentation of these relative to other cans.

    My friend was not primed in anyway to like or dislike these cans. He actually prefers his ATH-M50s to the HD518s and HD600s. Dude is well known for calling things like they are, according to how he sees things. He is also an engineer type, but definitively attends live concerts, loves classical music, rock and all sorts of good and bad shit.
     
    ultrabike, Oct 3, 2016
    #294
  15. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    @ultrabike , powerful review from your buddy. I would love to hear more reviews from folks not part of the headphone crowd. You would think a 4k$ headphone should impress just about anyone. I wonder how Focal and other brands test listen before release.




     
    Case, Oct 3, 2016
    #295
  16. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    That is a good point. I don't know how Focal (and pretty much any other manufacturer) handle their subjective evaluations.

    My friend is definitively not active in any headphone forum and stuff. But does appreciate good music. Now that I think about it, he can get pretty critical about performances and recordings.
     
    ultrabike, Oct 3, 2016
    #296
  17. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    @ultrabike Have you heard his speaker setups? Not sure how to read what was written in relation to what I've heard from live classical. Maybe he wants it to be more dynamic or forward? I wonder what his take will be on the HD800s.
     
    Wfojas, Oct 3, 2016
    #297
  18. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Haven't heard his speaker setup. But I have heard all of his cans (SR-60, HD518, and ATH-M50).

    Based on what I know, I think he would probably put the HD800S in the parking lot and run them over with his car.
     
    ultrabike, Oct 3, 2016
    #298
  19. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Feed needles to the Utopia, you'll get needles to your ears...
     
    Clemmaster, Oct 3, 2016
    #299
  20. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    LMBO

    Give him a high end Grado and record it.

    Viral!
     
    gbeast, Oct 3, 2016
    #300
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