Focal Stellia Review (Closed Focal Utopia?) - In Comparison to the Elegia
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Demo: • Video
Stellia: (USA) amzn.to/2Tp2RXR
(UK) N/A
(Canada) amzn.to/2XGfAE9
Aune S7 Pro: (USA) amzn.to/2VN6Z0x
(UK) amzn.to/2HopXXd
(Canada) N/A
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Great review. If you can, please speak on sound descriptions: from low bass, all the way to high frequencies (mids, high, roll-offs, peaks etc.). Also add some sound preferences like, imagining, v-shape, soundstage etc., which I know you already do, but maybe in order. May you guys also use a reference model that is known to be neutral, like the 6XX or HD-600; this will make it easier for us to understand the sound descriptions. Keep an ordered structure -- price>build>duarabilty>comfort>sound>similar cans>recomendation -- from start to finish, so we know what we will expect in real time. Thank you for your videos. Might have to add you to my Patreon list of headphone reviewers
Will do. Thanks for the input boss !
@@Jayiyagi
...you better, or else! :P
Absolutely enjoy your reviews. Jay, you are one of my top three reviewers. I’ve watched you for many years now and will continue to follow you wherever you go. Keep up the great reviews. TY
I find 1000 dollar headphones plus 3 glasses of wine equal 3000 dollar headphones 😋👍
My mobile combo is an IFI xCAN paired with an LG G7 FIT which is a 240€ smartphone with the same DAC AS
a G7 thinq has(or a V30/40), so the whole combo does not cost more than 600 dollars - which is the price of an IFI micro xDSD Black Label or xCAN/xDSD combo. The difference is you get a smartphone. ;)
How does using IFI compare to listening directly through your phone? I have LG V30 and listen to Focal Clear. It sounds pretty nice so I thought I didn't need to buy a DAC.
@@Draxlar
Hej Gorane ;)
Its better in every way, since the ifi xCAN is primarily a balanced amp with only analog inputs(1000mW into 32Ω!) but has a bluetooth sabre dac which only works when you use bluetooth, the ifi xDSD on the other hand is pimarily an excellent dac with a weaker amp(500mW into 16Ω) but has USB input.
The idea of the xCAN is that if you allready have a nice dac but need an excellent, strong portable amp to complement your rig it is a very goodthe choice if you need the extra power for bigger headphones like yours, and as far as i know there is no better mobile amp/dac combo for the money.
As i am typing this i am listening to radio paradise on my LCD2 Classic single ended and i only have to turn it half way to be loud, and its sounds really good. :)
@@mariodrv Then I know what I have to do. Thanks. :)
Great video. I own the Focal Clear’s. They are absolutely amazing. Pure sublime sonic brilliance.
The leather on the Stellia isn't lambskin, it's full-grain leather from France. The Utopia is lambskin leather from Italy.
So which leather is better, Stellia or Utopia?
@@FreddiMuliantono be it lambskin or cowhides, full grain leather is the best leather treatment. Very minimal buff on surface skin, makes the leather grain and fiber in tact on its original form. More durable and breathable
Not sure what the big thing on unboxing is? Once bought, the sound and comfort are what matters. Plus, we are all paying for the fancy box, etc. I'd rather just get the phones and a quality cable.
I felt the same when I first plugged some Stellia in. Wasted money: small soundstage, grainy course sound. However when you first get them new, they need a little time for the drivers to relax. First thing I noticed after a little time, was some sounds were standing out from others in quality. (Like most sounds sounding still course, but one particular sound being really impressive. Then more, and then more.) Then it's all uphill. Every tonal quality improves from then on until they are fully run in. Apparently running-in, is the drivers needing time for the part where they join the cups, to become soft and flexible. Makes sense if they can't move properly, they won't sound right. (I would not use an amp though: just a Chord DAC headphone port.)
Finally a headphone that will fit my gigantic face.
Lmao. Dead
Hopefully your ears aren't that big. Focal earcups are rather tight.
Nice review, the packaging looks sooooooo luxurious...wow
I tried them first time from an AK380 (in response to your source comments) and they sounded absolutely superb. Not far off the 3k desktop setup I tried them with right after. Just thought I'd mention in case you wanted a good portable source :)
Gorgeous looking cans .nice work boss
Thanks boss haha
Imaging in the bass region doesn't make any sense. Human hearing and ears build in such a way that we cannot recognize where is the bass comes up to 150 Hz. That's why stereo setup with 1 subwoofer is so widely used.
Yes I understand this. thats why i was confused as you see in the video lol. Its super focused, lets leave it at that.
Ps. I was referring to more midbass
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt I agree with you Carlos. If you look to the front and an acoustic bass player is on you right then the sound of the bass will come from the right. It will be the same where ever it's played, the sound of the bass willl come from where the base is situated. However it's not a complete fallacy. In the days of 78 rpm records and with many lps 33,3 rpm the width and deepth of the groove had to be so great as to recduce the playing time of the disc. Roland La chauvinais
Really nice review - thanks bud. I was just about to buy the Elegia but now I'm sure that the Stellia will be my choice!
I bought the elegia a week ago . and satisfied with it . Now do exploring new heights and needs a bit more convincing to get stellia . please let me know your experience with them after purchase. i have tried them in the audioshop with my m11 but run at 3.5 not balanced. goodluck .
If it was black like your intro I would have bought it so quickly hehe
Pair the Focal Clear with the Silver Dragon headphone cable and you are Very close to the Utopia..
Many thanks for great review. Is it Focal Stellia one of the best headphones to listen deep house music with Astell&Kern Alpha player? Or you can suggest something else? Thanks in advance
Hi Jay, is stellia still your fav closed back headphone? Did you come across any headphone better than stellias
Do these clip with high volumes like the elear does?
Idk how loud you listen to it but to me, at loudest volume, the stellias do not clip
Love your review. Very similar experience to my own. If you ever get the chance, check out how the Stellia sounds on the Sony DMP-Z1or WM1Z.
I don't give a 🌭 about unboxing. Is rather save money.
The cables that come with the Clear, Elegia, Elex, and the new Steila are crap. Super michrophonic and stiff. The only nice thing about them is that the look nice and use high quality connectors/splitters.
I didnt find them microphonic. Maybe cuz I didnt use them for portable as much?
Other than being a bit stiff I really like the Stellia's Cables
What headphone amp would you suggest L.T.A MZ3 or Manley Absolute ?
Hi, do I have the focal clear and worth upgrading to stellia?
Haha . I wont get robbed carrying these headphones with my $800 9mm FN 😂
After having the Stellia's for a week and unfortunately unable to spend $3000 I'm looking to buy the Elegia along with Dekoni leather pads to at least get the Stellia's comfort and hopefully they will get within 30 percent of the Stellia's experience.....
It has taken me a week to be able to listen to my Hifiman and Sennheiser's without wanting to throw them out a window lol
Robbie's Incoherent thoughts I’m sure the elegia is much close than 30%, probably more like 90% if you had a blind comparison. Like with most anything there is a built in bias when you spend a lot or already have high expectations. You hear what you want to and expect to hear. There is a point of diminishing returns on everything including headphones. After a certain level the improvements are very small. Of course those small improvements might be important to you though. So listening is very subjective and depends on many factors. Your ears, age, music choices and expectations. One person loves a particular set of headphones and the next thinks they suck.
90% for sure
After using oratory eq and stellia pads. Elegia sounds 95% of stellia
Stellia are a huge rip off elegias are more like 92-94% not even just 90%...
@@lord.of.veracity 100%, most of focals lineup is completely overpriced garbage imo, elegias are incredible tho.
tried these today, pretty ridiculous. Put them on right after the clears and it was a huge difference
Even after the clears? I own a Clear MG and they sound sharp and brilliant. The sound improvement is noticable on Stellias? Thinking of buying one.
Elegia is closed Elex/Elear imo
What DAC do you use?
Not a fair comparison but someone like me own Arya does Stellia bring anything better
Elegia is not bright or fatigue
What do you recommend if you can't afford this
Depends what you are looking for. Maybe zmf eh?
@@Jayiyagi Thats not affordable at all, Maybe one day who knows, they take awhile to be built.
@@Jayiyagi I had been thinking of getting the ZMF Verites and after watching your review of the Aryas thought I should give those a listen. Now I am tempted by the Stellias. Are they so much better than the Aryas? I have not been a fan of the Focal range hitherto . The Utopia did nothing for me. Any thoughts?
@@wildings1 if utopia didnt do much for you. You are better off with aryas. Right now zmf is still on its way for review. Lol i would be doing a comparison for sure
I did audition focal utopia at canjam 2018 nyc and they sounded good but maybe it was the environment but i didnt get any amazing dynamics that people claim focal has but i would be willing to give it a another go I'm a zmf fanboy but im looking for something that doesnt require a tube amp or insane amping and in a closed back form. Would you recommend any other closed back hps in the 2k and under range or should I shoot up for the stellias.
Hello everyone! Please help me. 2 months ago I bought Denon 7200 and astell&kern kann alpha. Mostly I listening deep house music. I expected from this combination something much better and because I didn't like the bass quality in music I will give that denon to my young brother as a present. So the question is, what are the best top headphones to listen mostly deep house music? I plan listen music on my astell&kern kann alpha. Guy from the shop highly advised Focal Stelia. Is this combination is really good or I need to buy something else? Thanks in advance for any support
Damn I want that. But it won’t sound that impressive if I just plug it into my iPhone?
seems Focal, even their closed back models, are not for those who like.powerful bass.
I find focal cans to be on the brighter side of things, lacking warmth from the bass.
@@bxown3d much like most of their speakers
Imaging with the bass???? Most bass is mixed with no stereo... Don't choke on the snake oil.
Reaching self nirvana with a $3K pair of headphones by asking subscribers for donation... very niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
The joke is on us. The sound stage is so small, sooo not worth it. $600 ok then.
Just buy HD800 then for you
Talkin about soundstage in a closed back headphone? The joke is on YOU. If you want proper soundstage, you shouldn't even be buying headphones to begin with and just go with proper hi-fi speakers.
@@iaintyourgganbu4715 hi, very happy with my Denons hps, and also my latest the Audio Technica awkt....huge sounding hps, so you know.
@@bunozen1Okay lol. Enjoy that little stage between your ears.
@@bunozen1 I'm sorry. It's just that as someone who came over from hifi, one saying their headphone's soundstage is huge just gives me a good chuckle. Not to mention one believing that it's the only quality that matters.