Focal Utopia Review (collective stream of consciousness)

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

  1. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    The fact that the HD-650 lists for $499 and is occasionally available for slightly south of $300 new (a 40% discount)

    40% off $4k is $2,400.

    Maybe Focal has more control over distribution/retail pricing than Sennheiser?

    Maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges, but I still think that there will be deals to had on Utopias sometime in the next 12 months.
     
  2. Out Of Your Head

    Out Of Your Head Friend

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    FYI, I heard back from the design firm that either builds or designed the Utopias. They are in Camarillo, CA: http://www.orcadesign.com/

    Here's the part numbers for the Lemo connector if you want to build a balanced cable. (They didn't give me the pin outs, but I can figure that out from the existing cable, I think.)

    FGG.0B.302.KLAD52Z - black finish - This is the one that Focal uses, but the black finish is not readily available.
    FGG.0B.302.CLAD52Z - chrome finish - This seems to be the most common part and is in stock from the usual suspects like Mouser, Allied, Newark, etc.
    FGG.0B.302.NLAD52Z - nickel finish

    The chrome connectors are $20 from Allied:
    https://www.alliedelec.com/lemo-fgg-0b-302-clad52z/R1039306/

    You can also get them on Amazon for $40.

    Here's a link to the Lemo catalog:
    http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/232/unipole_multipole-9707.pdf
    Go to page 14 of the PDF.

    -Darin
     
  3. Gravity

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    HD650 is pretty old, Utopia is brand new. I'm not gonna complain if I can get it for arround $2000 in a year though.
     
  4. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    Me too :)

    I'm just speculating here, and to be clear I'm almost always an Early Majority adopter of new technology/products and somewhat biased to believe that there will be lower prices on cool shit if I just wait a year or so. Bless you Innovators and Early Adopters tho!
     
  5. Out Of Your Head

    Out Of Your Head Friend

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    Correction, that firm had nothing to do with the Focal headphones. Somehow he saw my request to Focal and responded even though they only do Focal car audio stuff.
     
  6. Wolfgang

    Wolfgang New

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    People get ready
    There's U-topi-a coming
    You don't need no other
    You just sell 'em all
     
  7. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Actually, just found out mine IS coming - shipped today :)
     
  8. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

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    How does it compare to the stax in your opinion?
     
  9. Out Of Your Head

    Out Of Your Head Friend

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    I have compared the Utopia to my Stax 009's:
    Windows JRiver --> USB --> Lyr2 --> pre out --> Carver m4.0t amp --> Stax SRD-7 w/ OJ pro-bias mod --> SR-009
    Windows JRiver --> USB --> Lyr2 --> Utopia

    The 009's are brighter and leaner. Still tons of detail, airy-ness, speed, and smooth (plastiky?).
    The Utopias are more balanced. The highs are not elevated. To me, just right. Still similar speed, detail. Super smooth on the highs. Not strident or sibilant at all.
    The Utopias have more bass and mid bass which adds more body and richness. Makes the 009's sound leaner by comparison. But Utopias are not bass heavy at all. Just right for me.
    Not sure about sound stage or imaging. I guess maybe the Stax are more open sounding, but you know me, I have to use Out Of Your Head to hear any kind of imaging.

    Overall, I prefer the Utopias over the 009's and I have always LOVED the 009's.
     
  10. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    wow, just wow.
     
  11. Out Of Your Head

    Out Of Your Head Friend

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    Bit the bullet and re-terminated the stock Utopia cable with a Neutrik 4 pin XLR. It was super easy. Thanks to @Audio Zenith for figuring out the wiring and doing his first.

    Finally I can hear them balanced out of the Rag. I have to say, the Rag is a step up from the Lyr2 w/ LISST or the Vali 2.

    It just keeps getting better...
     
  12. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    Alright, time to ban the Messiah from anything to do with the Focal Utopia....
     
  13. SanjiWatsuki

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    I'm on day 2 with the Utopia and, I have to say, it's a fantastic headphone.

    I bought them blind, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I expected a very competent headphone that was a bit bass shy and treble shy. Surprisingly, I've found the balance on the headphone to be excellent.

    It's very fast and sounds really pop on it. Great bass quality and the quantity is sufficient for me currently. I might bump up the sub-bass a touch with EQ after I get used to these headphones.

    The headstage isn't quite as expansive as the HD800, but I'll be damned if the Utopia doesn't have a lot of strengths. It's a well balanced, super clean sounding headphone.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Well, a lot of us have you to thank you for bringing the Utopia to our attention. The Utopia is not cheap and I'm at the point where I'd like to be super careful with what we spend SuperBAF funds on.

    It's not just you and me. I get the feeling that many others will feel the same way. While I don't know the exact details of how many or who, it's my understanding that a significant number of members have already placed their orders. We should be hearing more about the Utopia. Yes, it's expensive. But I for one am truly excited. Finally, a manufacturer steps up to the plate and shows us truly what a good traditional dynamic headphone can do. The Utopia is what we have been waiting for for years now and I am glad to be able to celebrate this with you. To measurements! Cheers!
     
  15. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
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    Maybe it's time to rename the thread : Focal Utopa Impressions thread or stream of consciousness. Several of us will receive their Utopia in next days/weeks and as we did for the HEK last year ( Remember ? the 2015 "best headphone in the world" :p ) I think that sharing impressions is an interesting exercice :)
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Done.
     
  17. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Thanks. I'm highly convinced that a collective work is the best way to have the whole picture. Each of us have different tastes in both music and sound and it's always interesting to see what we all hear the same and what are differences between us. HEK Beta was one of the most insightful experience for me.
     
  18. chakku

    chakku Friend

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    How do the cups of the Elear/Utopia compare to the HD800/S in size?

    The biggest turnoff for me on the HD6X0 was the size of the cups and the pads touching my ears, which the Focal headphones appear to resemble. I would go to try them in person but by the time they arrive in New Zealand I'll be rocking a signature santa Hertsens beard unless I order from their site.
     
  19. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    yeah the 6x0 pads and the front foam touch my ears too, but not the case with the utopia for me -- though i suppose ear sizes differ!
     
  20. Out Of Your Head

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    The pad openings on the Utopia are significantly smaller than the HD800's.

    Rough measurements of the interior edges of the Utopia pads are 50mm wide by 60mm high.

    Also the Utopia interior pad walls are straight or perpendicular to the pad surface. Where as the HD800 pads are thinner and then there's even more room inside the ear cups for your ears.

    On the Utopias, my ears definitely touch the pads, but the pads are pretty soft and I don't notice it.

    The openings on the HD6X0 are definitely smaller than the Utopia. Well, narrower front to back and maybe similar from top to bottom.
     

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