betty boop Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 doing best to support the economy I got to say WOW. One is the pure quality in engineering of what these headphones are, and then that they are so exquisite in fit & finish. They have this bespoke feel about them... theyre like from another time... when they made things like they should. So amazingly well put together ! I am a massive focal fan, have been for years for in home and in the car. And these are one of my first pair of focal headphones. What an intro ! I was a bit late on the B stock at A2A so thought I'd try them anyhow. And glad I did. I am also glad they pair well with the A&K DAP. Now what is it is doing a great job in how this pair sound ... is it the DAP or the headphones... thats all left wondering anwyss this should get me through lockdown ! ps thanks @Martykt for the little nudge... 3
elisiX_ Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:28 AM, betty boop said: doing best to support the economy I got to say WOW. One is the pure quality in engineering of what these headphones are, and then that they are so exquisite in fit & finish. They have this bespoke feel about them... theyre like from another time... when they made things like they should. So amazingly well put together ! I am a massive focal fan, have been for years for in home and in the car. And these are one of my first pair of focal headphones. What an intro ! I was a bit late on the B stock at A2A so thought I'd try them anyhow. And glad I did. I am also glad they pair well with the A&K DAP. Now what is it is doing a great job in how this pair sound ... is it the DAP or the headphones... thats all left wondering anwyss this should get me through lockdown ! ps thanks @Martykt for the little nudge... Expand Congrats! Can I ask, you are saying they sold to you at the B Stock price after B Stock had finished? @Bengineer, precedent my friend
Bengineer Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:39 AM, elisix_ said: Congrats! Can I ask, you are saying they sold to you at the B Stock price after B Stock had finished? @Bengineer, precedent my friend Expand Tried. No dice! 1
betty boop Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:39 AM, elisix_ said: Congrats! Expand Thank you ! none of you guys have helped one bit in all this On 14/08/2020 at 6:39 AM, elisix_ said: Can I ask, you are saying they sold to you at the B Stock price after B Stock had finished? Expand oh no nothing like that all, but it is still worth getting in touch
Swifty Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 (edited) On 14/08/2020 at 6:28 AM, betty boop said: doing best to support the economy I got to say WOW. One is the pure quality in engineering of what these headphones are, and then that they are so exquisite in fit & finish. They have this bespoke feel about them... theyre like from another time... when they made things like they should. So amazingly well put together ! I am a massive focal fan, have been for years for in home and in the car. And these are one of my first pair of focal headphones. What an intro ! I was a bit late on the B stock at A2A so thought I'd try them anyhow. And glad I did. I am also glad they pair well with the A&K DAP. Now what is it is doing a great job in how this pair sound ... is it the DAP or the headphones... thats all left wondering anwyss this should get me through lockdown ! ps thanks @Martykt for the little nudge... Expand Such a stunning pair, would have loved to get a sp2000 myself if I could justify it. I recommend you replace the Stellia cable, I got myself a cable from Artic cables. It's the only place I could find a brown cable to match the Stellia, highly recommend. Edited August 14, 2020 by zxSwifty 1
Swifty Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 @elisix_ I bought a ZMF pilot pad and co pilot pad, neither fit the Stellia btw. 1
elisiX_ Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:44 AM, zxSwifty said: Such a stunning pair, would have loved to get a sp2000 myself if I could justify it. I recommend you replace the Stellia cable, I got myself a cable from Artic cables. It's the only place I could find a brown cable to match the Stellia, highly recommend. Expand Link me?
betty boop Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:44 AM, zxSwifty said: Such a stunning pair, would have loved to get a sp2000 myself if I could justify it. Expand thanks, I probably can't justify it and I havent heard difference between with covid restrictions, but I thought do it once than be left wondering
Martykt Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 Congratulations @betty boop !! I'm so glad you were able to get your combo. Stunning photos too, much better than mine. Which Astell & Kern is it? 1
Swifty Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:50 AM, elisix_ said: Link me? Expand http://arcticcables.com/Catalog.asp?Page=NewShowProd.asp&PRodID=1764251 I bought the most basic version, the core and changed the splitter and jacks to silver to match better.
betty boop Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:50 AM, Martykt said: Congratulations @betty boop !! I'm so glad you were able to get your combo. Stunning photos too, much better than mine. Which Astell & Kern is it? Expand thanks Marty, I was very glad they had both in stock. its the sp2000... thought why hold back keen to try with my Grado and Senn see what like with them as well. Also keen to see how the stellia go off my little valve headphone amp 1
Swifty Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:54 AM, betty boop said: thanks Marty, I was very glad they had both in stock. its the sp2000... thought why hold back keen to try with my Grado and Senn see what like with them as well. Also keen to see how the stellia go off my little valve headphone amp Expand Would you say the 2000 is viable as a portable device? I held it in store and damn it's solid. Another reason why I went for the sp1000m, my pants sag enough as is 1
betty boop Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:55 AM, zxSwifty said: Would you say the 2000 is viable as a portable device? I held it in store and damn it's solid. Another reason why I went for the sp1000m, my pants sag enough as is Expand no its not valid. the things an ingot ! unlikely its going to going much anywhere in my pants though. probably have it in my sling bag if taking anyplace
Martykt Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:55 AM, zxSwifty said: Would you say the 2000 is viable as a portable device? I held it in store and damn it's solid. Another reason why I went for the sp1000m, my pants sag enough as is Expand They certainly are solid, I was quite surprised when I got my SP1000 !! Maybe buy a good quality belt to go with !! 1
Martykt Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:28 AM, betty boop said: I am also glad they pair well with the A&K DAP. Expand For me the pairing seems to do vocals very well which to me sound very natural and quite lifelike. I've also found that they shine with classical music. Tone and texture seem to very much be one of their strengths. Your Stellia's will improve with time too, I've been told about 200 hours before they're fully burned in. Do you have any initial sound impressions to share?
Martykt Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:44 AM, zxSwifty said: I recommend you replace the Stellia cable, I got myself a cable from Artic cables. It's the only place I could find a brown cable to match the Stellia, highly recommend. Expand Where did you find the improvements from the cable upgrade? Which Arctic did you choose? I'm possibly about to commission a cable build for my Stellia...
Swifty Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 7:29 AM, Martykt said: Where did you find the improvements from the cable upgrade? Which Arctic did you choose? I'm possibly about to commission a cable build for my Stellia... Expand I don't believe there's a sound difference, I didn't look for one. I got the custom cable because the stock one is terribly stiff and breaks from feqeuent use.
stewart68 Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 What do people find is the best desktop amp or dac+amp for Focal Clear? at different price points would be great.
Bengineer Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 7:29 AM, Martykt said: Where did you find the improvements from the cable upgrade? Which Arctic did you choose? I'm possibly about to commission a cable build for my Stellia... Expand Forza Audioworks. Claire with black tinted casing. Should match in fairly nicely
Bengineer Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 8:06 AM, stewart68 said: What do people find is the best desktop amp or dac+amp for Focal Clear? at different price points would be great. Expand Something on the warmer side personally.
betty boop Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 7:25 AM, Martykt said: For me the pairing seems to do vocals very well which to me sound very natural and quite lifelike. I've also found that they shine with classical music. Tone and texture seem to very much be one of their strengths. Your Stellia's will improve with time too, I've been told about 200 hours before they're fully burned in. Do you have any initial sound impressions to share? Expand Thanks Marty, yes have found the pairing VERY NATURAL. been listing most of afternoon into evening. These aren't bass monsters or over the top in treble or pushing in the mid range or anything. Clean detailed, expansive.... am quite impressed with the sound stage and detail in ability to place sound across the stage.What is pretty impressive is how composed they stay at different volume levels. not falling apart or going ragged at edges. my context is vs open headphones mainly owned over the years. first closed back of this sort of level have owned and doing very well have to say. I'll let them settle in then do some comparisons down track with the grado and senn open backs... 1
deafenears Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 02/08/2020 at 2:59 AM, betty boop said: am very pleased to hear they have worked out very well for you sound like wonderfull thing... ive never really been into closed head phones but with a B&W pair and a sennheiser pair for daughter ... and the more noisier household with everyone home ... more and more considering myself to buy a higher end closed pair... good to know there is option like this one here Expand Congrats, if I were your daughter, I'd ask for a swap! haha 2
deafenears Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 6:44 AM, zxSwifty said: I recommend you replace the Stellia cable, I got myself a cable from Artic cables. It's the only place I could find a brown cable to match the Stellia, highly recommend. Expand Double Helix has one brownish, orangish, "cognac" - https://doublehelixcables.com/product/dhc-molecule-se-headphone-cable-premium-occ-copper-litz/ Just a long wait, still waiting for mine.
Martykt Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 On 14/08/2020 at 8:43 AM, deafenears said: Congrats, if I were your daughter, I'd ask for a swap! haha Expand Definite short end of the stick !! Nothing wrong with borrowing Daddy's headphones is there ??
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