[TSAVJason]

I expected my post to rattle a few feathers with current utopia owners that spent 4k or so on a pair but that wasn’t my intention. I never said their would be a demise, I’m saying if the majority prefer the sound sig of the clear with not as much brightness and a little more punch at half the cost with better cables an actual carry bag accessories etc then RIP = why spend 4k when you can spend 1500 or whatever to get a better experience, sure that experience isnt for everyone but for the majority? Maybe. Common sense prevailse here.

You don’t work for them, they don’t pay you so not sure why you feel the need to defend them they are a corporation like any other just trying to make money after all.

As far as the price drop, it has dropped because the clears are coming and they want to “pull their prices more in line with one another” retailer quote there for ya.

As for the promotion it is only in place for this month “to bolster sales” like I said and is on top of the current price drop. Listen, I have no skin in the game, I buy what sounds better for me, I’m not having a dig at anyone I’m just stating facts, and even after the focal warranty fiasco prices dropped on the secondary market and you can snag a pair at 2500 just look, and as for you saying “head-fi'ers buy and sell cans all the time, including totl models. that's not a trend unique to the utopia and it might not even constitute a trend at all” I never said it was a trend unique to any specific headphone, I’m saying I’m seeing a lot more utopia headphones for sale than I have before which is completely normal when a new product launches or from the warranty issues annoyed a lot of people, there’s even a poll on this thread asking “has your utopia needed a repair from your dealer” lol.

I don’t need to be loose or a fortune teller to state the obvious, all though to some who are about to get burnt by the threat to the TOTL utopias with Clears coming out I might appear that way. But if a certain headphone sounds better to you then who cares honestly? If i listened to all the stupid audiophile terms on here I would of ended up spending money on things I dont like. Its all personal preference, I’m not digging at anyone.

Really? And this data comes from where? From what Focal has been expressing to us, it’s 180 degrees out of phase with your post. I’m more inclined to believe them than an arbitrary supposition if that is what your post boils down to.

 

[flohmann]

On a different topic, can anyone point me to threads about the best and/or most popular balanced cables for the Utopia? Seems like the logical first purchase after getting the headphones (surprised they didn't include one), since both my amps are balanced. The Silver Dragon and the Heimdall 2 come to mind, but I'm sure there must be others, as well?

 

[FLTWS]

On a different topic, can anyone point me to threads about the best and/or most popular balanced cables for the Utopia? Seems like the logical first purchase after getting the headphones (surprised they didn't include one), since both my amps are balanced. The Silver Dragon and the Heimdall 2 come to mind, but I'm sure there must be others, as well?

I had a copy of this saved from a while back (not sure why the copy I made has the Nordost in red)

Also, use your search engine to find a comparative review:
Best Headphone Cable for the Focal Utopia?
March 22, 2017 Jay

 

[buzzlulu]

Add my name to the Kimber Axios. A big fan as I own a set for my Utopia's and Z1R's.

 

[TSAVJason]

I had a copy of this saved from a while back (not sure why the copy I made has the Nordost in red)



Also, use your search engine to find a comparative review:
Best Headphone Cable for the Focal Utopia?
March 22, 2017 Jay

I also said PlusSound was a great cable option in the lower cost range. We’ve found that Effect Audio is making very nicely made cables for many headphones and from what I’ve experienced they are definitely a serious contender. In fact Effect Audio is so good we’ve agreed to be their first dealer here in the USA.

 

[bflat]

Headphonelounge.com would be my choice. I've gotten most of my IEM and Headphone cables from there and they are all reasonably priced. The owner Ted Allen is very responsive and can customize to your exact details. Among the list of truly unique custom cables I got from Ted - TH900 MK II with correct polarity and Audeze Sine with those crazy 120 deg bent connectors.

 

[csglinux]

Headphonelounge.com would be my choice. I've gotten most of my IEM and Headphone cables from there and they are all reasonably priced. The owner Ted Allen is very responsive and can customize to your exact details. Among the list of truly unique custom cables I got from Ted - TH900 MK II with correct polarity and Audeze Sine with those crazy 120 deg bent connectors.

+1 on that - I've had many happy transactions with Ted

 

[dontfeedphils]

Really? And this data comes from where? From what Focal has been expressing to us, it’s 180 degrees out of phase with your post. I’m more inclined to believe them than an arbitrary supposition if that is what your post boils down to.

I'm not sure if he's spent quality time with both sets of cans or not, but to my ear (and just about everyone else that's heard them) the Utopia are quite a step up in terms of raw sound quality, tonal balance/FR aside.

I don't see the Clear being more more resolving than the Elear, just a different tuning with added accessories. I'm currently listening to my new pair of Utopia and they're head and shoulders above any pair of headphones I've listened to, in all aspects. I'm being completely sincere when I say I can't find a thing they do wrong.

 

[TSAVJason]

I'm not sure if he's spent quality time with both sets of cans or not, but to my ear (and just about everyone else that's heard them) the Utopia are quite a step up in terms of raw sound quality, tonal balance/FR aside.

I don't see the Clear being more more resolving than the Elear, just a different tuning with added accessories. I'm currently listening to my new pair of Utopia and they're head and shoulders above any pair of headphones I've listened to, in all aspects. I'm being completely sincere when I say I can't find a thing they do wrong.

I’d like to know your feelings about the CLEAR after you have a chance to give them a good listening session. I’ve spent some very extensive time on the CLEAR. I’ll reserve my impressions until a few have been received by new owners so that what I say doesn’t cloud any other opinions. To your post, as a Utopia owner myself I do like them a lot as my “go to” cans. I will interject that I find the CLEAR more than just an improved version of the Elear with some extra accessories.

 

[dontfeedphils]

I’d like to know your feelings about the CLEAR after you have a chance to give them a good lessening session.

I'll be heading to my local dealer as soon as they email me about demo units arriving. (If you're in the Phoenix area I highly recommend LMC, great group of people).

I was originally leaning towards the Clear as I've grown to notice and dislike the 4k dip on the Elear. They were nice enough to loan me their demo Utopia for the weekend and that was enough for me, had to have them.

 

[TSAVJason]

I'll be heading to my local dealer as soon as they email me about demo units arriving. (If you're in the Phoenix area I highly recommend LMC, great group of people).

I was originally leaning towards the Clear as I've grown to notice and dislike the 4k dip on the Elear. They were nice enough to loan me their demo Utopia for the weekend and that was enough for me, had to have them.

Great choice! LMC in your area is absolutely top drawer in customer service. They are great friends and a valued company in the world of high end audio. I’m sure anyone that shops and buys from them won’t be disappointed but do be sure you understand they only allow returns if you really don’t like the product.

 

[doggiemom]

Great choice! LMC in your area is absolutely top drawer in customer service. They are great friends and a valued company in the world of high end audio. I’m sure anyone that shops and buys from them won’t be disappointed but do be sure you understand they only allow returns if you really don’t like the product.

What, do you mean that I can't just return something because I find a lower price later?

 

[TSAVJason]

What, do you mean that I can't just return something because I find a lower price later?

Hahaha you are so bad! It’s probably best not to reopen that wound for that unfortunate buyer. Good thing is I think that buyer is now better educated on the path to success

 

[wldcohso]

Hahaha you are so bad! It’s probably best not to reopen that wound for that unfortunate buyer. Good thing is I think that buyer is now better educated on the path to success

hahahahaha, too funny. Y’all crack me up....

 

[up late]

I expected my post to rattle a few feathers with current utopia owners that spent 4k or so on a pair but that wasn’t my intention. I never said their would be a demise, I’m saying if the majority prefer the sound sig of the clear with not as much brightness and a little more punch at half the cost with better cables an actual carry bag accessories etc then RIP = why spend 4k when you can spend 1500 or whatever to get a better experience, sure that experience isnt for everyone but for the majority? Maybe. Common sense prevailse here.

You don’t work for them, they don’t pay you so not sure why you feel the need to defend them they are a corporation like any other just trying to make money after all.

As far as the price drop, it has dropped because the clears are coming and they want to “pull their prices more in line with one another” retailer quote there for ya.

As for the promotion it is only in place for this month “to bolster sales” like I said and is on top of the current price drop. Listen, I have no skin in the game, I buy what sounds better for me, I’m not having a dig at anyone I’m just stating facts, and even after the focal warranty fiasco prices dropped on the secondary market and you can snag a pair at 2500 just look, and as for you saying “head-fi'ers buy and sell cans all the time, including totl models. that's not a trend unique to the utopia and it might not even constitute a trend at all” I never said it was a trend unique to any specific headphone, I’m saying I’m seeing a lot more utopia headphones for sale than I have before which is completely normal when a new product launches or from the warranty issues annoyed a lot of people, there’s even a poll on this thread asking “has your utopia needed a repair from your dealer” lol.

I don’t need to be loose or a fortune teller to state the obvious, all though to some who are about to get burnt by the threat to the TOTL utopias with Clears coming out I might appear that way. But if a certain headphone sounds better to you then who cares honestly? If i listened to all the stupid audiophile terms on here I would of ended up spending money on things I dont like. Its all personal preference, I’m not digging at anyone.

don't flatter yourself, you haven't ruffled any feathers or rattled any cages. do i really need to quote your previous post back to you? you speculated that if the clear possessed certain attributes then "R.I.P utopia". if that isn't suggesting its possible demise, then one of us doesn't understand the meaning of the term.　

no, i don't work for focal so your assumption is correct. however, you are mistaken in assuming that i am defending the company, when what i am actually doing is correcting your misinformation regarding utopia pricing in your country. which retailer(s) are you quoting btw? i would be all over a new utopia at a discount price that is also subject to the trade-in promotion. that would be an unbelievable deal, and i've no doubt that's exactly what it is.

of course you'll pick up a used utopia for considerably less money. that's to be expected when you make a secondhand purchase.

you said in your previous post that "so many people are selling their utopia's already". it appears to me that you are trying to establish a correlation between the utopia's that you have noticed for sale and the introduction of the clear, which may not be there. the utopia has been around for a while now, as have i and it's commonplace to see head-fi'ers selling their totl cans for a variety of reasons. again, this is not unique to the utopia and nor is it necessarily indicative of a particular trend or issue.　

you haven't been stating the facts or the obvious, but you sure have been making some audacious claims and predictions, which appear to be based entirely on your desired outcome. if the clear appeals to you more than the utopia then good for you. however, it might be wise to compare both before making your purchase.