Focal Utopia Open Back Over-Ear Headphones (Black)

Everything is there, I can hear everything! I got them for just over 2k and I couldn't be more happy. Expensive but I think it is worth the price? Open boxes in good to mint condition is well worth the investment? I am using a chord 2qute Dac (amazing dac), and an Audeze deckard amp to power them, and it is the most satisfying experience I ever had? Top quality headphones.I replaced the pads for the Clear and I find that I prefer the Clear pads over the stock. More bass, depth, warmth and stage. it sounds more 3D instead of flat sound. I absolutely LOVE these headphones.Update: Dec. 25/17I have now the Utopia for nearly 2 months and I replaced my amp for a Hifiman EF6 Amp, and things are sounding even better. Sound stage improved, bass sound warmer and deeper now, more pleasing than the deckard amp. Have not tried yet the xlr 4 pin output, so I can't comment on that. I wonder about a tube amp, but I dont want to lose the punch that the solid state amp gives. Maybe someday I will try a tube amp.Update: Dec.31/18I have been now playing with dif vacuum tubes, and noticed a more pleasing sound, it doesnt sound so on your face, it increased sound stage and depth, and vocal are so smooth. Perhaps I should give 5 stars back again, but the cost still high.It is one of the best headphones out there, if you have a very good vacuum tube amp and a great dac of course.Update: Dec. 31/19Once you get a Cardas cable, and the Chord Hugo TT2, the Focal utopia is the Best hps I ever heard. The End.

With the Utopias, I’ve never once been compelled to take them off my head because of listening fatigue. It’s about paying for the ability to “keep listening” — while you’re deeply immersed in an audio experience unlike any other. I use Focal Utopias on a Naim Uniti Atom, Qobuz streaming at 24 bit, 88-192 kHz hi-res audio. I’ve A-B tested slowly over time to get to where I am. These are world-class headphones that will unlock every song you’ve heard before — in a new way and better than ever.

Truly disappointed. After talking myself into dropping $4K for a brand that I have trusted for years inside my vehicles for car audio, I mever thought the experience would fall so flat and disappointing. With too many words, the headphones are beautiful and lightweight. However it came damaged and the pin connectors appear to frail and it was not worth me risking a non working product 6 months down the line. If you have it to throw away or risk...by all means go ahead.

These are not "world's best headphones" by any means, regardless of what endless reviews try to tell you. These are mediocre cans, easily beaten by some Fostex or Beyers at around $600 price range. In fact I prefer my Grado RS2e over these - they offer better detail and clarity (although the overall sound is "thinner").The Utopias have plenty of sound but it sounds veiled - lack of clarity and treble is very apparent. Bass and mids are good however. Still, these are not 3-4K headphones. Get good headphones within 600-1K range and you will be just fine.

I would say the advantage is that the headphone is a very fast and revealing pair, the drawback is also its very fast and revealing characteristic of upstream sources and equipment. Let me give you an example, if you drive the Utopia with a solid state amp, it presents fully the characteristics of a solid state amp. On the other hand, if you were to plug into a tube amp, or even an OTL tube amp, it will, in my opinion, change the sound signature of utopia just based on which kind of "brighter" or "warmer" tube you are rolling. Also, I would note that because Utopia is extremely fast and extremely revealing, the quality of the sources of music is equally if not more important. Getting a descent DAC is crucial to experience the full potential of the Utopia.