betty boop Posted June 9, 2021 Posted June 9, 2021 if you ring and ask for a discount...with most retailers ... that usually works also if want a bargain these things also do come up 2nd hand, some meticulously looked after ...
Kevy Posted June 15, 2021 Posted June 15, 2021 (edited) The Utopia has always been transparent and revealing of the elements in the entire chain. Take the detail, layering and DAC from the Hugo2. Modulate the sound signature by painting a warmer, relaxed tonality whilst improving the soundstage with the Cayin C9 in Class A/Tube mode. And I have an Utopia that sounds like a it has been cross bred (in a good way) with my Meze Empyrean. Or my Trailii I don’t think I’ve come across a more versatile (trans)portable solution better than the Hugo2 and C9. Edited June 15, 2021 by Dr_Kevy 3
Ehrmantraut Posted June 29, 2021 Posted June 29, 2021 Team SNA, I've had both Utopia and Stellia and been able to drive them with Hugo 2, TT2 and various tube and SS amps. To me, both HPs represent the pinnacle of orthodynamic drivers, up there with HD800s and ZMF. I would go back to either in a heartbeat with my sonic preference probably being the Stellias. Now that Focal have introduced the Radiance, Celestee and Clear MG, I'm keen to learn what people are thinking about the range. Is it still Utopia/Stellia? Or do the new Clears represent the sweet spot? Cheers. 1
Bengineer Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 Clear MG considered not really an upgrade on the original Clear it seems. More a slight tuning shift, colour scheme. @Mightygrey Has a Radiance, might comment. I believe the Clear MG, Radiance and Celestee would still leave you wanting as far as resolution. Tuning aside. From my readings, I believe the Utopia/Stellia to still very comfortably be ahead. 1
peppy Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 Utopia and Stellia still the 'The Supreme Leaders' of Focal world. Compared to original Clear, the Clear MG was considerably warmer.... to the extent, it was suppressing details.
gibbo9000 Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 Have both the Clear MG (Hi-Fi) and Utopia in my setup at present. Driven by Topping DX7 Pro through single ended connection I am not hearing a huge difference between the two. Not obviously missing details on the Clears. In critical, back-to-back comparison the Utopia's are slightly 'tighter' in presentation and more precise in sound stage, but nothing I would really notice in day-to-day listening. A bit surprising given reviews. Perhaps differences will be more noticeable when I get balanced cable for Utopia's and new Headphone amp turns up (Burson 3XR). Given price difference I would happily live with the Clears (and will keep them as second/spare in system with the Topping). Gibbo
Bengineer Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 SE output on the DX7 Pro wasn't great though. XLR it was clean and not bad. It's a solid unit but not doing either full justice. I had one for a while, neat desktop unit for sure. 2
gibbo9000 Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 On 30/06/2021 at 8:56 AM, Bengineer said: SE output on the DX7 Pro wasn't great though. XLR it was clean and not bad. Expand Acknowledged. Looking forward to cleaner comparison - both across XLR, and better amp and see if they both improve and differences magnify. But with 'average' amp not big difference.
Mightygrey Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 IMHO both the Clear and Radiance are ridiculously better value than their flagship older brethren. Also IMHO, the MG Clear is a step sideways and slightly backward from the OG Clear. 1
Ehrmantraut Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 Seems to be a lot of love for the Clear OG vs MG. Seen some reviews that mention Clear MG as a challenger for Utopia!
Bengineer Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 Yes, and some reviewers like the Beyer T1 Gen 3. @Mightygrey Thoughts? The Clear is better value no doubt, but it's not better. If you want the best Focal, it's still the top two models. But then no Focal is enjoyable .... 1
Mightygrey Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 On 30/06/2021 at 12:02 PM, Bengineer said: Yes, and some reviewers like the Beyer T1 Gen 3. @Mightygrey Thoughts? The Clear is better value no doubt, but it's not better. If you want the best Focal, it's still the top two models. But then no Focal is enjoyable .... Expand The T1 Gen 3 feels like the result of a government subcommittee, and sounds a bit like Homer Simpson's car as a result. The Utopia is clearly a more "wow" headphone, especially at first listen. All details are hyper-fed, but it's somewhat a bit too much - super metallic and spicey. A bit like listening on cocaine (according to a friend). The OG Clear is just more natural and coherent. The Stellia is a better headphone than the Radiance, but not $2k better. The Radiance looks better and feels better. 3
DrTobiasFunke Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 On 30/06/2021 at 1:32 PM, Mightygrey said: The T1 Gen 3 feels like the result of a government subcommittee, and sounds a bit like Homer Simpson's car as a result. Expand
Bengineer Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 On 30/06/2021 at 1:32 PM, Mightygrey said: The T1 Gen 3 feels like the result of a government subcommittee, and sounds a bit like Homer Simpson's car as a result. The Utopia is clearly a more "wow" headphone, especially at first listen. All details are hyper-fed, but it's somewhat a bit too much - super metallic and spicey. A bit like listening on cocaine (according to a friend). The OG Clear is just more natural and coherent. The Stellia is a better headphone than the Radiance, but not $2k better. The Radiance looks better and feels better. Expand Stick the Radiance in the post for me
betty boop Posted June 30, 2021 Posted June 30, 2021 (edited) On 29/06/2021 at 3:20 AM, BlueOceanBoy said: Team SNA, I've had both Utopia and Stellia and been able to drive them with Hugo 2, TT2 and various tube and SS amps. To me, both HPs represent the pinnacle of orthodynamic drivers, up there with HD800s and ZMF. I would go back to either in a heartbeat with my sonic preference probably being the Stellias. Now that Focal have introduced the Radiance, Celestee and Clear MG, I'm keen to learn what people are thinking about the range. Is it still Utopia/Stellia? Or do the new Clears represent the sweet spot? Cheers. Expand stellia and the Arche, have found to be a wonderfull combination... pretty much my goto and have owned many high end headphones in my time and also own the sennHD800. the stellia is an amazing headphone really especially given its a closed back design. really quite astounded. been my saviour through these lockdowns and mainly work from home.... not needing to worry about any other headphones now... as far as Radiance vs Stellia, headphonia has a comparison quoted https://www.headfonia.com/focal-radiance-review/3/ "Radiance vs Stellia After spending a good couple of weeks listening solely to the Radiance, I thought that they sounded pretty close to the tuning and performance of the Stellia and really ought to give them a solid run for their money. However, playing them back-to-back on a volume-matched rig, again I’m blown away by the sheer technical abilities of the Focal closed-back flagship. While the Radiance sounds rich and detailed, the Stellia takes the same track and is simply able to extract more out of it in every way. The Stellia reaches deeper in bass, hits even harder in terms of dynamics, and somehow manages to take each individual treble track, pull them apart, and create an individual pocket of ‘air’ around them. While the Radiance is certainly no slouch, it just sounds far less layered and brilliant than the Stellia, whose Beryllium drivers are detail and dynamic monsters. " Edited June 30, 2021 by betty boop 1
Bengineer Posted July 1, 2021 Posted July 1, 2021 On 30/06/2021 at 11:57 PM, betty boop said: as far as Radiance vs Stellia, headphonia has a comparison quoted https://www.headfonia.com/focal-radiance-review/3/ "Radiance vs Stellia After spending a good couple of weeks listening solely to the Radiance, I thought that they sounded pretty close to the tuning and performance of the Stellia and really ought to give them a solid run for their money. However, playing them back-to-back on a volume-matched rig, again I’m blown away by the sheer technical abilities of the Focal closed-back flagship. While the Radiance sounds rich and detailed, the Stellia takes the same track and is simply able to extract more out of it in every way. The Stellia reaches deeper in bass, hits even harder in terms of dynamics, and somehow manages to take each individual treble track, pull them apart, and create an individual pocket of ‘air’ around them. While the Radiance is certainly no slouch, it just sounds far less layered and brilliant than the Stellia, whose Beryllium drivers are detail and dynamic monsters. " Expand Written by the one and only @Mightygrey Is the Radiance fit exactly the same as the Stellia? Looks it. 1
Mightygrey Posted July 1, 2021 Posted July 1, 2021 On 01/07/2021 at 12:02 AM, Bengineer said: Written by the one and only @Mightygrey Is the Radiance fit exactly the same as the Stellia? Looks it. Expand Oh yeah, forgot that I'd written that. That comparison sounds about right, seeing as I had them next to each other at the time! They're the same exact form-factor, but the leather on the Radiance pads is super supple. Like, way nicer. I'd send them to you for a listen, but they're parked firmly on my noggin' while my place is getting re-roofed and rendered. Bloody crap timing to have that done with lockdownWFH and all... 2
Bengineer Posted July 1, 2021 Posted July 1, 2021 I'll send you the 64 Audio Nio (or Trio when its back from repair) to keep those ears plugged
Mightygrey Posted July 1, 2021 Posted July 1, 2021 On 01/07/2021 at 12:14 AM, Bengineer said: I'll send you the 64 Audio Nio (or Trio when its back from repair) to keep those ears plugged Expand Yep sounds good. Do you already have a 3.5mm dual mono-entry cable among your collection? I'll pack them with their stock SE cable, but it's super short. Focal really do suck at cables.
Bengineer Posted July 1, 2021 Posted July 1, 2021 Nah. Can make a basic one or an extension if req. The Focal have a fairly recessed and narrow socket, not all 3.5mm plugs fit.
Kevy Posted July 3, 2021 Posted July 3, 2021 Having auditioned the Clear, Clear Mg, Stellia and own the Utopia the flagships are still very much the flagship. Utopia is sensitive to the source pairing and even cable. It is remarkable how it Shifts the sonic signature to reveal idiosyncrancies and characteristics of the source. However, the speed, accuracy and dynamics of the beryllium driver are the the best I’ve heard. Whilst easy to drive, it isn’t forgiving. Stellia were technically great but I preferred the open Utopia. The sound stage of the Utopia is intimate enough. 1
Mightygrey Posted August 3, 2021 Posted August 3, 2021 Going to post a mint pair of Radiance shortly for sale - hit me up if anyone's interested before I do so.
nowallet Posted August 11, 2021 Posted August 11, 2021 Hi everyone, just came across this discussion and would love your experience and opinion. I am in the position of being able to purchase either the Focal Clear Professional or the Celestee. I have conflicting thoughts on both and would like someone to help clarify the fog in my mind! Some of the thoughts swimming around... Never had an open headphone - i like isolation but i also want wider soundstage than my Oppo PM-3. The Clear Pro is in a shitty colour combo IMO and this is going to be my end game - I want a nice design - is the Clear's better soundstage and everything worth the sacrifice in colour/design? How significant is the soundstage difference? Will the Celestee's better looks add to the joy of wearing these. Thanks!
Mightygrey Posted August 11, 2021 Posted August 11, 2021 On 11/08/2021 at 11:47 PM, nowallet said: Hi everyone, just came across this discussion and would love your experience and opinion. I am in the position of being able to purchase either the Focal Clear Professional or the Celestee. I have conflicting thoughts on both and would like someone to help clarify the fog in my mind! Some of the thoughts swimming around... Never had an open headphone - i like isolation but i also want wider soundstage than my Oppo PM-3. The Clear Pro is in a shitty colour combo IMO and this is going to be my end game - I want a nice design - is the Clear's better soundstage and everything worth the sacrifice in colour/design? How significant is the soundstage difference? Will the Celestee's better looks add to the joy of wearing these. Thanks! Expand If you're concerned about the black/red scheme of the Clear Professional, the 'standard' Clear is exactly the same headphone. The original Clear (grey one) sounds more open than the new Clear MG (brown one). The Clear is a very airy, open sounding headphone - not super wide, but definitely a marked improvement over the Celestee which is far more congested sounding. If you say isolation is important to you, then maybe open back headphones aren't for you. I'd suggest trying out a modest pair first like the Grado SR60x which ought to give you a good sense of what you're in for.
Ehrmantraut Posted August 11, 2021 Posted August 11, 2021 Hi Dan, I've had the Utopia and Stellia and am now on a MG Clear Pro. I really like it. Excellent tone and resolution, decent bass response, not too bright in the treble. Like Utopia-lite! I tried both the Celestee and Radiance. Radiance is closed and a little too warm and dark for me. The Celestee, for me, has too much of a "mids for the masses" tuning. It feels a bit pumped up in the mids and bass and to some extent in the treble, like it's made for Radio! YMMV
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