Focal Utopia Review (collective stream of consciousness)

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

  1. RKML0007

    RKML0007 Friend

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    How long was the turnaround on the cable @TMoney ? Looks like a black dragon?
     
  2. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    Great eye! It is a blue dragon. They had it shipped to me in a day. I've been sitting on it for two weeks waiting for the Utopia to finally show up.
     
  3. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    I thought I was over headphones, but no, you guys have to enable me.
    The Utopia and the new Lambdas will be the first headphones I've heard since the HEK.
     
  4. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Seems you'll have good timed ahead of you.
     
  5. Gravity

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    @Marvey have you tried the Utopia together with BW?
     
  6. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    So does the retail cost more or less make sense? Or to put it another way, a flagship price that actually is worth it?
     
  7. imac2much

    imac2much Friend

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    On H-F, many people are saying the Utopia paired well with the WA8 Eclipse. Now I know that Woo Audio units have a hefty "woo tax" so I'm keeping my expectations grounded. However, I would really love to sell my HA-1 and move to something that is more transport-friendly yet without losing any sound quality. Schiit isn't really an option since I go back and forth between countries using different voltages and I don't want to lug around a transformer. Would the WA8 be a good option or are there better options out there to go along with the Utopia?
     
  8. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    I listened for about 3-4 hours last night. It probably took half that time to get over the feeling of being sick to my stomach for spending this much on another headphone. But, damn! I agree with the consensus. Utopia is, as of today, the single best dynamic headphone. While other flagships may beat it in specific areas like soundstage or bass slam, nothing comes close to beating it as a total package. I hear it as a headphone with no obvious weakness. The balance is phenomenal.

    I can't wait to hear what the other early adopters think.
     
  9. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    I'm hoping mine might ship sometime this week.
     
  10. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Yea. I'm hoping mine in the next 3 weeks as well. before the end is September hopefully. The wait will be long though.
     
  11. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

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    Have you thought of experimenting with an analog EQ circuit (like the one I described here based on the measurements - which is why I made it about 6db) for the TT rig? The coil may seem a little large but I'd say it's needed for the right results based on a quick simulation I did.
     
  12. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Once you get your hands on Utopia, I'm interested in a comparison between it and HD800 on your Stratus amp.
     
  13. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Sure. Don't expect something definitive very quickly though. Probably a stream of consciousness like we did last year during the HEK Beta.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    This one is worth it. It's a traditional dynamic and different from the samo samo releases. We have not seen a great traditional dynamic headphone released in a long time.

    Haven't had the time. An air coil core would be a bit big too. The bump is narrow enough where it's not always a problem and I've been able to acclimate to it. Or maybe it was burn-in.

    Have not heard WA8, but all portable tube solutions have sounded like ass. Too wooly and slow. You'd miss out on one of Utopia's good facets: transient response. The fact that the WA8 is transformer coupled (which is a good thing with big boy tube amps) only has me even more concerned. I'd get a good solid state solution. Find a used Sony ZX2 + PHA3. Good usability with two units that physically stack together well. I would not spend $1800 for a Chi-Fi portable solution.

    The retail price makes no sense. The post I made about used gear prices (which also addressed new gear prices) still applies. I will say no more.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2016
  15. ArcherYC

    ArcherYC New

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    Has anyone compare this beast to LCD4? I currently holding LCD4 and really love it. Please feel free to share your opinion as I'm actually ready to get the Utopia any time.

    The Utopia really growing on me but Australia can only receive 1st stock by October. :/
     
  16. Buyao

    Buyao New

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    No, the MSRP for Utopia is still too high.

    Still would love to own Utopia one day though.
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2016
  17. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    uuuh yeah so ......

    [​IMG]
     
  18. No_One411

    No_One411 Fired by Jude

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    [​IMG]

    Can I join the big-boys club now?
     
  19. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    So you f'ing wave your code-x in my face AND the Utopia? Thanks :)
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Old stock RCA 2A3 black plates?
     

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