[ftllens]

I had the Lazuli and the Kimbers but ended up selling them and just using the stock cables. I did try some customs off eBay with my original Utopias and found them to be just as good.

 

[ARCXENOS]

I kinda miss the stock pads, I have been using dekoni for awhile after the goop started to form on my og's pads, that I thankfully caught very early.

I do recall that Focal has "fixed" the pads later on, and I would like to buy a replacement set, but how do I know the replacement pads are the "fixed" version?

 

[Salter]

Hello folks. I've posted the same to the Utopia 2022 thread. I am wondering if anyone sporting the Utopia also owns the Meze Elites and enjoys both in different ways. I love my Utopia to bits. They're here to stay of course. But curious about adding very good headphones that present differently for the sake of variety. Possibly a bit more of a relaxed sound profile that could work with less than perfect record productions. I have an opportunity to buy the Elites used, at a price substantially below RRP.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[Exekuhtor]

Headphones that go in the opposite relaxed, more laid-back direction with a way bigger soundstage: Meze Elite, ZMF Verite Open, Hifiman HE1000v2 / Arya Stealth or Organic (Susvara too, but you probably don't want that), Sennheiser HD800S. All of those have a recessed midrange that do not put the vocals straight in your face like the Utopia.
If you have not heard Hifiman before, i very much recommend them, i am not a fan of the Meze Elite myself but i see its point (i think that the Verite Open does everything it does and better). The HD800S is a very niche pick and a specialist, but it's worth mentioning.

You can also put the Utopia on an OTL tube amp, that way you get more bass and soundstage (still not as open and big as those listed above).

Oh, and the Abyss stuff has also a recessed midrange, but they're also niche and only their weird flagship 1266 has a big soundstage.

 

[mainguy]

All of those have a recessed midrange that do not put the vocals straight in your face like the Utopia.

Do people really feel that? I was comparing Utopia to Andromeda earlier and found vocals more prominent and intimate on Andros, they sounded less pronounced on Utopia. Perhaps I need to compare with more artists.

I felt vocals on Utopia are just where they ought to be if a tad under emphasised. Compared to say a VC which really lends them that intimacy and thickness. But the realism of vocals on Utopia is absolutely spellbinding. I think it's the most in the room sensation I've ever had from a headphone, and I've spent a bit of time with susvara too

 

[Exekuhtor]

In the room, yes, but it's a small room (with a bigger depth). The VC has also very upfront vocals, yes. I found it shouty from time to time, i wasn't a fan, and it brings a bit of warmth into them, which the Utopia does not, it is very neutral. I am sensitive in that 2-3k region, so Harman neutral for me is often borderline shouty and brings the vocals very close to the face, that's just how it is, being intended or not, the Utopia does that (along with many other cans). Of course there are exceptions, but the Utopia is in no way a laid-back headphone.

Oh, and i'm talking OG Utopia only btw, the newer version seems to be a bit less aggressive, but i've not A/B'ed it in my own environment.

 

[Salter]

You can also put the Utopia on an OTL tube amp, that way you get more bass and soundstage (still not as open and big as those listed above).

Thank you for this: Interesting point about tubes. I had a taste of Feliks Audio's other end of the spectrum, the Envy. I listened to the Utopia 2022's through the Envy for over 20 hours with my RME as the DAC. I was blown away, but not for the obvious reason: I could not, for the life of me, see the value of this particular pairing. I may have tin ears, but the Envy was essentially sounding like the RME when I plug the Utopia directly to its headphones output. A complete surprise. And clearly showing the Envy to be very competent technically (not bloated etc.). But then again, OTL is very different approach that I may try.

 

[Exekuhtor]

I listened to the Envy at Munich for a good ~15 minutes (in a closed room) with the Susvara (which is my daily driver), and the difference was big (compared to sth like an Oor).
I also think the difference is ENORMOUS with the Utopia on my Echo MKII (compard to a solid state amp), but yes, it's an OTL, the Envy is not, i actually plan to keep the Echo when the tube effect of the Envy is not that large for my two dynamics. Seems like you can't have an OTL that has all the tube traits and on the other hand enough juice for very hard to drive planars.
I also upgraded my tubes in the Echo, so that also helped, but now i'm listening to my Utopia on it 80% of the time, i just prefer it so much more (and as i said, the difference is clearly audible).

 

[Salter]

I also upgraded my tubes in the Echo, so that also helped, but now i'm listening to my Utopia on it 80% of the time, i just prefer it so much more (and as i said, the difference is clearly audible).

Fascinating. Can you describe the difference of listening through the Echo vs. the RME (or any other SS)? What is it about it that you like?

 

[Exekuhtor]

Bigger soundstage, you will notice that immediately. More bass, just more quantity, like a decent bass shelf (some guys actually think the Utopias' bass gets too much on an OTL). A bit more relaxed midrange, i can't tell if it's only the perception because of the increased bass (and soundstage), or if it actually pulled them a bit back.
The headphone relaxes and sounds more fluid and less fast and aggressive, because an OTL is also not as fast, you get a better decay of the notes. You lose like 5% detail, who cares. Imagine that the fast and agile and clever monster (a raptor for example) transforms into a bigger, slower, harder hitting (or biting) T-Rex (that's not as smart).
It still is aggressive and a carnivore, but it's a different beast now.

 

[Salter]

Imagine that the fast and quick and agile monster (a raptor for example) transforms into a bigger, slower, harder hitting (or biting) T-Rex .

Well said. I can get behind this description. Thank you.

 

[up late]

i liked the elite and think it would complement the og utopia. not sure about the nutopia tho as i found its treble attenuated.

 

[Coolmoose]

Hey guys, looking for a few suggestions. So I have had the OG Utopia for a few years and loved every minute with them. Now I'm thinking of trying something different, so out of Hifiman HE family ( v2, SE, Stealth) or ZMF family (Verite, Atrium) which do you think would best compliment the Utopias? I welcome other suggestions as well.
(P.S I don't use tube amps)

 

[Exekuhtor]

Scroll up

My suggestion would be
#1 HE1000v2 (Hifiman has more treble than Utopia, recessed midrange, sounds "huge" and "tall")
#1.5 Audeze LCD-2 (Oldschool Audezes do have less treble than Utopia, recessed midrange, like a warm hug with good bass)
#2 Verite Open (only very different in the midrange to the Utopia which is recessed, with a slight warmth, and of course a way bigger soundstage)
#3 Arya (Stealth or Organic, Egg-shaped Hifiman are not identical sounding but they do have a similiar signature)

And again, same question, have you heard Hifiman? Have you heard planars in general? If not -> go get some !
Even a Sundara will give you a big enough hint what Hifiman's sound like.

ZMF's are tricky, the VO is laid-back, the Atrium has a good amount of midrange energy, maybe not ideal to pair it with the Utopia, the Caldera is a super good allrounder and very enjoyable, but also a bit more neutral (which you already have with the Utopia) with a bit of added warmth.

Meze (Empy & Elite) is super laid-back, but the sound was just veiled for me (too much technical losses), everything sounds "good and enjoyable", but for that price you can get "great". The 109 Pro is better, i can actually recommend it, i tested it for a week, it was good (but i didn't feel the need to get it ultimately) !
Some like the bass of the Empy, i did not, ymmv.

Oh: AUDEZE LCD-2(f)
Fantastic headphone! The LCD-2C is not as good (the LCD-X is also good, but the LCD-2 is REALLY enjoyable and would be a great pairing with the Utopia!)
The typical old school Audeze sound signature is a big relaxed warm hug with very enjoyable bass. The new models (MM-500 & LCD-5) are neutral and shouty, don't get them. The LCD-3 has more treble (i've sadly not listened to it longer), but i owned and loved the LCD-2 (fazor). You get way less treble than with a Hifiman, so for genres like metal the Audeze is better, the Hifiman stuff excels in jazz, classic and vocals in general.
Be aware that for some people the old Audeze's are heavy, for me it wasn't a problem.

HD800S is just a soundstage monster that i would not recommend unless you have tubes and / or want the biggest soundstage, it has extremely detailed treble, "okish" mids (sth like Hifiman just blows it away) and a weak bass. It has insanely good imaging though.

That would be my suggestions. There are more niche picks like DCA (zero dynamics but good tonality), Kennerton (fun but wonky midrange), Abyss (expensive and fun, the 1266 has the best dynamics & bass of any headphone), Denon (Hifiman signature with good dynamics) etc.

If you don't need a closed back, get an open back planar if you have the Utopia, Audeze or Hifiman (or both) and see where it takes you! You can read about a lot of stuff in comparisons to them and see what you like / dislike.

 

[Coolmoose]

Scroll up

My suggestion would be
#1 HE1000v2 (Hifiman has more treble than Utopia, recessed midrange, sounds "huge" and "tall")
#1.5 Audeze LCD-2 (Oldschool Audezes do have less treble than Utopia, recessed midrange, like a warm hug with good bass)
#2 Verite Open (only very different in the midrange to the Utopia which is recessed, with a slight warmth, and of course a way bigger soundstage)
#3 Arya (Stealth or Organic, Egg-shaped Hifiman are not identical sounding but they do have a similiar signature)

And again, same question, have you heard Hifiman? Have you heard planars in general? If not -> go get some !
Even a Sundara will give you a big enough hint what Hifiman's sound like.

ZMF's are tricky, the VO is laid-back, the Atrium has a good amount of midrange energy, maybe not ideal to pair it with the Utopia, the Caldera is a super good allrounder and very enjoyable, but also a bit more neutral (which you already have with the Utopia) with a bit of added warmth.

Meze (Empy & Elite) is super laid-back, but the sound was just veiled for me (too much technical losses), everything sounds "good and enjoyable", but for that price you can get "great". The 109 Pro is better, i can actually recommend it, i tested it for a week, it was good (but i didn't feel the need to get it ultimately) !
Some like the bass of the Empy, i did not, ymmv.

Oh: AUDEZE LCD-2(f)
Fantastic headphone! The LCD-2C is not as good (the LCD-X is also good, but the LCD-2 is REALLY enjoyable and would be a great pairing with the Utopia!)
The typical old school Audeze sound signature is a big relaxed warm hug with very enjoyable bass. The new models (MM-500 & LCD-5) are neutral and shouty, don't get them. The LCD-3 has more treble (i've sadly not listened to it longer), but i owned and loved the LCD-2 (fazor). You get way less treble than with a Hifiman, so for genres like metal the Audeze is better, the Hifiman stuff excels in jazz, classic and vocals in general.
Be aware that for some people the old Audeze's are heavy, for me it wasn't a problem.

HD800S is just a soundstage monster that i would not recommend unless you have tubes and / or want the biggest soundstage, it has extremely detailed treble, "okish" mids (sth like Hifiman just blows it away) and a weak bass. It has insanely good imaging though.

Hey, thanks for the detailed reply.
I have heard a few planars before (Audeze LCD3, Meze empyreans and a few others), but it was a while ago so don't remember too well, never heard hifiman though. Guess I'll try the He1000 v2, especially with the huge discount they are offering. Thanks again