The Mighty Utopia: Focal Utopia Revisited

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Aug 13, 2020.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    ^ This.

    DSHA3F does not conform Utopia into something that's right for "treble sensitive" folks (this includes myself). What the DSHA3F does is take full advantage of Utopia's strengths, its transient response, fidelity, and transparency, for a solid state amp. TBH, most will be better off with a DNA amp which does conform the Utopia into something that more tonally even and agreeable. The EC Studio 45 Custom that I used in revisiting the Utopia lies somewhere in between the DNA and ECP amps. It straddles between them in terms of conforming the tone of the Utopia.

    In terms of support, and this may seem like a shameless plug, but we do have a two long time members of SBAF who also happen to represent retailers. This may provide some reassurance in terms of support, or at the very least allow you to virtually strangle someone should satisfaction not be obtained. Focal is very retailer dependent, and your support experience will come down to the retailer.

    Finally, I advise no one to ever pay retail. This is the way (of SBAF)

    P.S.

    I don't own one myself because I am a cheap bastard. My Grado RS-2s with TTVJ pads scratch my transient response itch. I like my SET amps more than I like headphones or DACs. This is my way. There are many other ways just as valid depending upon your priorities. I will write an entertainment piece on the different ways.
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2020
  2. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    All points carefully noted.

    During my first go with the Utopia in 2018 I had no idea how to implement an EQ but after discovering Oratory1990 and the AutoEQ project on reddit I had to give the headphone another chance.

    So far I'm 95% happy with the results. I think changing my chain to Bifrost 2>DSHA-3F (Nickel transformers) may deliver the slight change in character to get to 100%.

    Note on the cost of gear cycling:

    To echo Marv's point above I bought my first Utopia for 40% off from an authorized dealer. Sold it for what I paid.

    Second Utopia I bought lightly used (10 hrs) for 48% off the MSRP in the EU. The transferable 5 year warranty really helped make up my mind to try this headphone again.

    I'd say never buy TOTLs at MSRP unless you want to pre-order it the day Jude releases one of his 45 minute long advertisements :D
     
  3. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Maybe its the Norne no name cable. The bass from my Utopia can not be described as "gentle" It has the best bass I have ever heard from a headphone. NOT exaggerated bass. Its slam when its called for and always articulate. In other words, real bass. This is only from my Stratus system. Breaking in on my Matrix/Phonitor E it did not have the visceral punch of the Stratus. It was OK bass, but nothing out of the ordinary for decent headphones.
    The Norne no name cable is constructed of larger than normal gage strands of copper and silver. D27C1108-8F8A-449F-B9C6-7D95AEAE1835_1_201_a.jpeg
     
  4. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    Based on my experiences with the the MHA150 and Starlett, I think it's mostly the influence of the DNA house sound that you're hearing through the Utopia.
     
  5. crenca

    crenca Friend

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    I agree that the Starlett has a full and detailed bass, if a touch (only a touch) 'slow' in attack like everything else about the Starlett. Maybe it's a touch humped as well...maybe. When I had the BW2, it made the Clear's (did not have Utopia at the time) bass "gentle" (and diffused) and perhaps this is what @jexby is remembering, but I agree with @Claud in that the Utopia's bass can not be described as gentle, though it not going to give you the weight of some planar's in the 20-40 Hz region (what dynamic does?)

    Edit: Would you say the Utopia is light in bass out of the MHA150?
     
  6. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    I didn't own it, but I demo'd the Utopia with MHA150 and found it a bit bass light personally. It was punchy but not high in quantity
     
  7. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    It's not a great match. I used to use the MHA150's tone controls to bump 40Hz up by 5 db. Even then, the bass quality doesn't match the richness of the bass coming from the Starlett.
     
  8. crenca

    crenca Friend

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    Interesting. I was listening last night to some cello concerto recordings I have and I found myself almost wanting to EQ the bass down with the Utopia/Starlett combo, as the cello's and double bass seemed a little too close miced - the balance was off...too much bass! With electronica, the Starlet/Utopia combo is all there, again excepting a planar weight (though "slam" is there IMO) in the sub-bass...
     
  9. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    @crenca what's your source? Are you using Unison by any chance?
     
  10. crenca

    crenca Friend

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    No, I am using a Pi/Pi2AES (fed via wired ethernet from Roon) > coax into Gungnir MB A2 > Saga OG (passive - for remote volume control) > Starlett. I suppose a possible wildcard is Saga OG, though I don't think that is enriching bass or anything else...
     
  11. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    I don't think so. One of the first things I noticed about the Utopia was how dynamic and impactful it sounded.
     
  12. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    You're using the low impedance setting on the Starlett? Stock pads? I'm using Pi2AES with a Yggdrasil A2, which based on comments here should be a bit warmer than the Gungnir Multibit A2.
     
  13. crenca

    crenca Friend

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    Yep, 3 ohms out (according to Donald) via TRS on low, -6db gain almost all the time. Stock Utopia pads as well. I should also add (as possible wild card) I am using XLR out of Gungnir MB A2 > Jensen PI-2XR transformer converter box, to feed the Saga/Starlett SE. Again, I don't think this conversion is doing much to the bass emphasis, other than distorting it a small amount (probably below audible level).

    Yea, based on consensus the Gungnir MB A2 is cooler than Yggdrasil A2, so you should be hearing a bit more bass emphasis - within the realm of DAC difference which is not that much normally...
     
  14. neo_the_one

    neo_the_one Acquaintance

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    Which headphones would have very good slam that are still in production?
     
  15. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    I really appreciate these two posts. I have been considering purchasing the Utopia and debated if the HD 800 S’ wide soundstage makes it the perfect compliment. However, I have consistently found the HD 650 is a workhorse and timeless classic and those are the two I will keep— aside from my A18s, everything else will hit the classifieds. The HD 800 S tonality is so problematic that some recordings are either unlistenable or unrecognizable and that’s what pushed me towards the Utopia.
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2020
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    For slam, which to me incorporates attack, various dynamics still rule (HD800, HD650, even Utopia), especially from a good tube amp with about 10-20 ohms output Z and select hybrids like Liquid Crimson / Cobalt.

    For heft and weight in the bass, go with planars. HE-5, HE-6, Audeze does particularly well here.
     
  17. LuckyX2

    LuckyX2 New

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    Long time lurker here, recently picked up Utopias and ZMF Verite Open to compare. Gotta say I'm ever so slightly leaning to the Verite as they burn in, the fuller body to it is winning me over but it's very close. Both EQed to Oratory1990 specs, from which both saw a noticeable improvement, the Verite became clearer and "opened up" (definitely feels more closed than Utopia stock for stock) while the Focal had that treble spike cut.

    Initial listen on the Utopia was a bit, "why did I spend $3k on these..." But the EQ + amp swap changed that right around and I quite love them now. Surprisingly I wound up finding a lot of synergy (at least to my taste) with the Asgard 3. Felt a bit off connecting these to a $200 amp but damn, it's really quite enjoyable and musical. Modius DAC in front of the Asgard btw (Bifrost 2 on its way). For the same reason I like the Verite, the Asgard improved the Utopias by cutting the harshness a bit and replacing that with a smoother, fuller body.

    Have a Feliks Echo on the way too, mostly for their synergy with the 300ohm Verites but curious to see how the Utopia likes them. Wondering if perhaps Bifrost 2 + Echo will wind up too soft and the Modius + Echo might actually wind up on top. Have a Magnius on hand here too but really don't find myself enjoying music on that the way I do with the Asgard, it does better with the Verite than Utopia but neither go as well as they do with the Asgard. Also I definitely notice improvements with the Asgard as it warms up. Not so much with the Magnius.

    All in all, very pleased with both and it's going to be hard selling one.

    Edit: One thing I forgot to mention. Before EQ, I prefer the Utopia more, it's much closer to perfect out of the box. The Verite however benefits a large amount from the EQ on my setup. Turning the EQ on with the Verite is like going from closed back to open back, it gained quite a bit of air and clarity whereas EQ on the Utopia mostly just cuts the harsh treble.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
  18. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    Recently I also have had some success in using the cheap yet capable MCTH to drive Utopia. Previously I had an Amperex A-frame 6922 tube with MCTH. While it produced an overall open and clean sound quite suitable for headphones like HD650, I felt a need to use EQ to tune down the trebles with Utopia. Now having a Genalex Gold Lion 6922 on the MCTH, I am pleased with its synergy with Utopia without EQ. The trebles seem in control while the mids get fuller and denser.

    Still, like with other amps, including some much more expensive ones like ZDS or DNA Stratus, I feel that Utopia lacks some bite in high mids like in 2-3K Hz range and thus has some smoothing or blurring effects, causing the mids lack some texture as compared to super headphones like Stax Omega, HE60, or more comparable ones like Hifiman Susvara or even HD800. That said, Utopia excels in its overall dynamic signature (including both dynamic range and speed), imaging, and rich sound. Next I am going to try bringing 2-3KHz slightly up to test my postulations regarding Utopia's FR.

    Anyway, MCTH+ Gold Lion 6922 is a good value combination I can recommend for Utopia.
     
  19. Audiophile

    Audiophile New

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    Regarding Utopia vs hd800(I know it's been covered many times, years back),I just wanted to know what is the current general consensus on micro detail/plankton retrieving capabilities of HD 800 vs Utopia?
     
  20. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    Ive lived 2 years with the hd800 + sbaf and sdr mods. The speed, the resolution, the bass impact and bass in general along the nicer treble all goes for the Utopia. Soundstage and timbre goes to hd800.

    hd800 absolutely needs bass boost to sound remotely neutral and still then the resolution and speed is not up the Utopia level.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2020

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