Focal Utopia Review (collective stream of consciousness)

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

  1. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    Haven't heard from Darren G. in more than 12 hours. I'm worried

    :)
     
  2. Tobes

    Tobes Acquaintance

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    Doesn't sound like the Utopia - the mids are nicely robust but shouldn't be "very warm" or "gooey".
    Wonder if it's not liking the MHA150 for some reason? Which output setting (ohms) are you using for the headphones?
    I've only briefly compared the Utopia and HE1000 v2 (15-20min) the latter had a bit of extra sparkle up top, which sounded a bit bright to me, but didn't sound nearly as precise, clear or fast as the Utopia. System was unfamiliar though.
     
  3. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    I've been using the 40-150 ohm setting on the MHA150, and have also used the utopias with a Vali 2 and Magni 2, all sourced from the Yggdrasil. Very similar results. Starting to wonder if maybe I got an oddly tuned set of drivers.
     
  4. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    If you like the sound and it makes you happy then that's all that matters.
     
  5. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Channeling @HitmanFluffy: You are doing an immense disservice to your Utopias.
     
  7. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    I agree and defending this HP because it costs a lot is lame.

    It does a lot well and I'm keeping the Utopia, because of the laser focus microscope abilities. It is too focused on the treble though and that is not how real music sounds.
     
  8. Galm

    Galm Still looking for Little Red Riding Hood

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    Because they're on the table?

    It's never happened again :) Was solely for that photo. I liked it better that way for some reason. The HD800s were out the door like the next day. So I suppose I wanted to give them one final moment on the stand.

    I personally still absolutely love them. Don't need to mod the sound sig.
     
  9. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I think he's referring to the decorative set pieces by Woo.
     
  10. Galm

    Galm Still looking for Little Red Riding Hood

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    Oh duh... Sorrying currently recovering from a migraine... Not firing on all circuits.

    WA7s are also gone (sold them a little after). I have a Yggdrasil/Raggy for now and an Aficionado ordered that should arrive early next year. I agree the WA7s weren't worthy. I'm super excited for Aficionado though. Going to back to tubes will be fun.
     
  11. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    well... the Utopia sounds absolutely wonderful off an Eitr -> Gungnir Multibit -> Mjolnir 2. There's crystal clarity and warmth.
     
  12. phaeton

    phaeton Acquaintance

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    chiming in again just to say that after almost a full year, my Utopia is still here, and still my preferred headphone :)
    even after having tested many other headphones, even after having bought a couple of them, still this Focal is by far my preferred one. really it has everything I'm looking for and let me enjoy my music the way I like it :headbang:
    maybe in the future something better will appear (Stax 010 maybe ;)) but for now I'm completed satisfied

    ....and yes, I know this post is useless, sorry for having wasted precious bw, was just to say :D:)
     
  13. ductrung3993

    ductrung3993 Facebook Friend

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    Anyone tried Crack (w/speedball) with Utopia yet?
     
  14. AllanMarcus

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    Yes. Not good, unless you want a pretty bassy, muddy, sound. Maybe with some very thin sounding tubes it might be passable, but the crack is for higher impenance cans.
     
  15. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    Now that I have sorted out what annoyed me about the Utopia, they have become my favorite HP. A change of tubes and a small tweak with the equalizer, and I love them.
     
  16. ductrung3993

    ductrung3993 Facebook Friend

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    Hi Marv, would the synergy be still good if I sub Modi AKM4490 with Modi Multibit?
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Even better.
     
  18. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Guys apologies if this is not relevant to the thread but I've seen an Ebay listing from a guy who claims to be a new Focal dealer.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focal-ut...887433?hash=item4d68551209:g:zyIAAOSwIFtaGv4i

    I emailed him and he has offered me a good deal. Good is an understatement. The only condition is that he needs a headphone in good condition as a trade in and he is very insistent on that. Does not accept Paypal, bank transfer only.

    If he's a scammer how does he have such great Ebay feedback? Why the hell would he post an add like that and also insist on a trade in?

    Any French friends heard of this guy? @sorrodje ?
     
  19. digitaldave

    digitaldave Acquaintance

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    If it sounds too good to be true...
     
  20. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Not 100% sure, but "new Focal dealer", "trade in" and someone called "Ming" with a french hotmail sounds like a scam to me, treble boost and 3rd order distortion included.
     

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