Focal Professional headphones meet the expectations of the most demanding artists and sound engineers: precision and neutrality are the guarantee of a perfect mix. You have to be a serious audio head to consider spending $1,500 on a pair of headphones. Design? Focal has been building high-end audio products for decades, and Focal Utopia is a high-end headphone manufactured by Focal. Their open design makes them a poor choice for any other use cases as they don’t block any ambient noise and don't have a microphone or wireless technology. Orchestral works such as the London Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Haydn’s Symphony No. In just a few short years, Focal has produced both excellent entry-level and uber high-end models, such as the exquisite $4,000 Utopia. There are changes to the surround and motor system aiming to optimise dynamics and detail reso… The black Focal logo on the ear cups is etched in a slightly cratered circle. The earpads are extremely soft. But when I tested them in the store I loved their signature. Being indoors didn’t fare any better, as I could hear analysts speaking during live football games with the TV at low volume. A second vent, located at the back of the ear cup, picks up the rear wave coming from the center of the motor. The ultra-strong structure with carbon fiber ensures that the Focal Utopia will last for years on everyday use. Here’s how Focal thought through the problem. As a bass reflex for the bigger loudspeaker system, the headphones have room for tuning the back vent … This Focal Classic is clearly underrated. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. I chose to use the Focal cabling for this review, one is a 3-foot cable with 3.5 mm plug and ¼" screw on adapter, while the second set is a 10-foot cable using a 4 pin DIN termination arrangement. By continuing to push the boundaries of acoustical engineering to the limits, Focal’s expertise with great-sounding materials and artful craftsmanship has inspired its product-line of headphones.The French company achieves all of this within the walls of its facilities based in Saint-Étienne, and Burgundy, France. French audio brand Focal is known for its super-high-end luxury headphones, with prices to match, and its latest model, the Focal Stellias, are no exception. Even with such a thick barrel, however, the threaded neck allows you to plug in the 3.5mm adapter through many (but perhaps not all) smart devices or high-res digital audio players when they’re in cases. “World’s Best Headphone.” This was the proclamation made by the man who gave me my first job doing headphone reviews, my mentor and predecessor at Innerfidelity, Tyll Hertsens.As a young teenager I remember learning a lot from Tyll and Innerfidelity, and the exciting discussions of his reviews and measurements that made their way onto the forums at head-fi and … I find myself turning my head sometimes when listening to music as I'm trying to locate an instrument. TechHive |. The acoustic guitar on Oasis’ “Wonderwall” pulled me in with every strum, but it was the different string arrangements sprinkled throughout the recording that made the listen more enchanting. It was tough listening to music outside due to all of the environmental interference that made its way onto the soundscape; car horns and construction tools sounded like background effects on hip-hop songs. It will require a lot of force to bend. Two vents help this headphone deliver outstanding frequency response, rated from 5Hz to 23kHz. Audio is also more uniform with smoother frequency response. Focal’s Utopia headphones are a bleeding-edge statement from a pedigreed loudspeaker manufacturer that has made the most of its speaker-designing experience. Note: Focal’s Australian distributor Busisoft A.V kindly lent us the Arche for this review, along with Focal’s Stellia and Clear. I can’t think of another speaker manufacturer that has embraced the headphone movement as effectively as Focal. 3 were majestically rendered. Expect nothing different than what comes bundled with the Elegia. The memory-foam ear pads covered in plush microfiber create a spa-like cocoon. Disclaimer: The Focal Utopia sent to us for the purposes of this review is a loan sample that was returned after this review. While some models go for a workmanlike design, you’ll find nothing of the sort here – even at this price. Despite its massive frame, the Clear does make for a pleasant wear, as long as you limit listening to a reasonable time frame; I recommend 1 to 2 hours max. The headphones boast a strong metal frame that should be able … Focal’s continued foray in high end headphones hits another high note with the Elegia. We were really impressed by the all-round performance of the Spirit Pro phones back then, with, perhaps, the only misgiving being the fit. The closed headphones in an ear-enclosing design come with a handy carry box. I have those headphones and I have to say they are expensive. These are not headphones designed to be worn outside, and if worn inside, you’ll want to be in a secluded area to fully enjoy them. Given its stellar audio performance, the Focal Utopia is a fairly efficient headphone at 80 Ohms impedance with 104dB sensitivity specs, so any great headphone amp should do it full justice. Theo Nicolakis is a C-Level technologist and digital communications professional. In addition to the natural difference between an open- and closed-back design, I felt as though the Focal Clear had more sizzle and shine on the top end, a hair more bottom-end control and dynamics, and slightly more resolution and air around instruments and vocals. I much prefer headphones featuring this driver orientation. Focal Utopia. Separation between frequencies was impressive, but it was better on plantar magnetic drivers; the transition from lows to mids was smoother on the Audeze LCD-3. I used a Fiio X7 Mark II and Astell&Kern Kann DAPs for my testing. Up Next NAD VISO HP70 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphone Review The Focal Clear headphones are a benchmark design that is one of the top performing headsets I’ve experienced. But it’s the slate-gray finish that gives these headphones their charm. To simplify the technical jargon, the driver doesn’t just optimize volume levels across different audio sources (e.g. However, the Clear has zero noise isolation and lacks extra features that help personalize your listening experience, which may sway you to consider other expensive models like the Audeze LCD-3. The Focal Utopia and Clear headphones are tuned to be used in an open configuration – what Focal calls a low acoustic impedance environment. When I did get the chance to pull up Spotify in a private setting, hip-hop songs had more oomph to them. These are open back headphones Alex. They come with a great hard carrying case and detachable braided cables that include a 1/4" TRS adapter and an XLR cable. © The latest addition to Focal’s stable of headphones is the Stellia. Look no further than the intro to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for confirmation. Was it intriguing to hear The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army” without its signature distorted effects? This design, which is also common to Focal’s Utopia, Clear, and Elear headphones, creates a solid soundstage that feels less “in my head” and more akin to traditional loudspeakers. They are expensive for a reason. The only other noticeable difference in design between the Elegia and Clear are the earcups. Note: The Radiance – made in collaboration with high-end automotive manufacturer Bentley – was kindly loaned to Headfonia for this review by Busisoft AV, Focal’s local Australian distributor.Our thanks go out to them as always for their support. 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