I have been listening to my Stellia for over 2 years now, though a Yamaha S1200 amp at home, and a Hip Dac when mobile. They are GREAT. They may feel like a helmet when you put them on, but once the music starts, you will get lost in their sound. They are Very comfortable, but if you are uncomfortable with people looking at you - do not wear them to the beach - because you are going to get a lot of looks.
I am in line to get these shortly and without hearing them yet all I can judge them by is their appearance and I think they are the best looking Headphones out there . I have my Fear Inoculum CD ready to put them through their paces .
I own the Utopias and listened to these for around an hour @CanJam. I really think the two do not defer in brightness as much as your friends indicate. The Stellia are truely the utopia’s closed back version, but the design of an open headphone still beats the closed one by a large margin besides in the bass department. I also feel the Utopias have the better build quality / looks which means a lot since the stellia are great indeed.
Fair enough. As I said,I havent really spent much time with the Utopia,so I can only go by what others,like you,tell me. I will say,that when I did hear the Utopia(@CanJam) I liked what I heard,but I cant recall enough to offer a fair comparison between the two.
Classical music is really ideal to test detail retrieval & tonal balance. If you like violin, baroque music will provide you with the most "metal" flavor of all classical sub-genres; and Vivaldi has some of the most epic compositions. Even on UA-cam there are shockingly good uploads, ...even of live performances ! (take a look at Voices of Music live rendition of Vivaldi's Winter; these guys have 4k video's that cost many thousands of dollars to record) Other suggestions: *Vivaldi's Summer *La Folia * Tartini's devil trill Sonata PERFORMED BY ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER. (you might not "get" this one at first... but listen to the whole song... there are truly intense bits in there) *Saint- Saens' Introduction Rondo Caprisioso PERFORMED BY JANINE JANSEN --- that one's fucking glorious... *Bach harpsichord concerto by Jean Rondeau *Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève by ensemble Fantasticus * There's a shit ton of absolutely epic Vivaldi concertos of excellent quality on UA-cam as well...you should try it... guarantee you it's an acquired taste ;-)
I really disliked the Stellia. Sent it back after a week. The Utopias are way better. As closed back hps, the Denon D7000 is my number one. Love them so much, and now I have 2 sets, just in case.
Thats a question best answered by Feliks. Generally speaking, OTLs and low-z headphones dont mix, but honestly have no idea when it comes to your amp. The Glenn can take 6336 tubes, which not many amps can handle. That does the trick for the Glenn driving low ohm headphones.
Bismillah I tried these last week. I was expecting a warmer sound signature. I found the sub base really lacking and the mid bass lacking a little. I loved the mids and highs and found the detail life changing. I am still on the fence about these though because I already own the Clears and prefer their bass and overall sound signature. What do you think of the Clears? And have you heard the Final Sonorous VIII; they seem like worthy competitors? Thanks.
@@headkarma thanks! I'm returning the Stellia and getting the VC instead. I just got the VO a couple of days ago and i absolutly adore them! Your review is definitly on point👌
Been eyeing these for a while but ultimately went with the ZMF Atticus but am not super thrilled with them...think they’re very good but I need to EQ them to get what I want. Thoughts on Stellia vs Atticus for things like metal, progressive rock, jazz, etc? I find the Atticus doesn’t have enough bass - lots of mid bass which is a little fatiguing for me, but no oomph, so I’m always adding a couple db down on that low end... Doesn’t help that I ADORE the looks of the Stellia...
I used to own the Atticus. The challenge with them is finding an amp with a low damping factor. Too much mid-bass slam,which in turn drowns out the sub bass is the result when you have an amp with too high of a damping factor. Typically most folks want an amp with a high damping factor,but the Attitcus is a different beast. I think for the price differences between Stellia and Atticus,its a bit of apples and oranges. I like the Stellia better,but is it $2k better? I cant answer that. Are you locked into a closed back headphone? If so,the Stellia is hard to beat,but if history is any indication,I would expect a closed back Verite coming down the pipe. When that will happen,i dont know,so if youre in a hurry it might not be a good solution. Bear in mind the Stellia is brighter than the Atticus,and less organic sounding,but is faster(for metal)and has a faster decay. Its also easier to drive than pretty much any ZMF headphone. If youve already invested in a high end tube amp,I'd suggest waiting to see what ZMF does next. If no tube amp,then the Stellia is an easy choice,assuming youre cool with the price tag.
HeadKarma thanks for the reply! Definitely want a closed back or I will drive my wife crazy (I’m pushing it as is with this hobby). I have a JDS Element and am not wanting to get into the amp world because I know I’ll just keep wanting better equipment...very happy with the Element right now and not really looking to upgrade, would rather spend that money on other headphones to be honest. Was also thinking about the Eikon but Zach says it’s less forgiving for badly recorded tracks and a lot of the metal I listen to isn’t great quality so that worried me. I got the Burl Atticus so all told it was about $1500, and I see the Stellia on eBay for abound $2300-$2500...sooo tempting ....
@@billmazza1568 Yeah,I mean if you dont want to invest in tubes,I would suggest Stellia. ZMF headphones really shines with OTL amps. With solid state,not so much IMO. And I can relate with the wife,and pushing it...LOL
@@billmazza1568 The closed back Verite will debut @ CanJam London. You should have an official announcement next week. Price will be about the same as the Verite.
If I get the chance to review the Elegia I certainly will review it. However I dont like to compare headphones to one another unless I have them here at the same time. My music memory isnt that great.
I didnt have them both at the same time to do a direct a/b,so I really cannot say much other than I really liked the Stellia,but in comparison to the VO,it had a metallic flavor to the sound,which I wasnt thrilled with. At the time,it was the 2nd best headphone I had hear behind the VO. Now the VC I like better than all of them . Torq had them both and did a direct a/b. Perhaps you can read his thoughts on the matter. www.headphones.com/blogs/news/zmf-verite-closed-flagship-artisan-closed-back-dynamic-headphone-review
So you prefer VC than VO, damn it. I dont know which one now. For me am planning to go for the Atticus and Verite. One is for mid bass slam, realism and musical laid back. The other is for reference flagship end game.
0:44 you just don't get it *Monster* the *real* audiophile, the *true connaiseur* pronounces it *Ĉognāc* also known as *eau-de-vie de vin* get out of here you heathen barbarian
I have been listening to my Stellia for over 2 years now, though a Yamaha S1200 amp at home, and a Hip Dac when mobile. They are GREAT. They may feel like a helmet when you put them on, but once the music starts, you will get lost in their sound. They are Very comfortable, but if you are uncomfortable with people looking at you - do not wear them to the beach - because you are going to get a lot of looks.
I am in line to get these shortly and without
hearing them yet all I can judge them by is their appearance and I think they are the best looking Headphones out there .
I have my Fear Inoculum CD ready to put them through their paces .
I really enjoyed my time with them,and theyre not hard to drive either.
The looks are rather subjective,but glad you like it!
nothing can beat ZMF looks
I own the Utopias and listened to these for around an hour @CanJam. I really think the two do not defer in brightness as much as your friends indicate. The Stellia are truely the utopia’s closed back version, but the design of an open headphone still beats the closed one by a large margin besides in the bass department. I also feel the Utopias have the better build quality / looks which means a lot since the stellia are great indeed.
Fair enough. As I said,I havent really spent much time with the Utopia,so I can only go by what others,like you,tell me.
I will say,that when I did hear the Utopia(@CanJam) I liked what I heard,but I cant recall enough to offer a fair comparison between the two.
Classical music is really ideal to test detail retrieval & tonal balance. If you like violin, baroque music will provide you with the most "metal" flavor of all classical sub-genres; and Vivaldi has some of the most epic compositions.
Even on UA-cam there are shockingly good uploads, ...even of live performances ! (take a look at Voices of Music live rendition of Vivaldi's Winter; these guys have 4k video's that cost many thousands of dollars to record)
Other suggestions:
*Vivaldi's Summer
*La Folia
* Tartini's devil trill Sonata PERFORMED BY ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER.
(you might not "get" this one at first... but listen to the whole song... there are truly intense bits in there)
*Saint- Saens' Introduction Rondo Caprisioso PERFORMED BY JANINE JANSEN --- that one's fucking glorious...
*Bach harpsichord concerto by Jean Rondeau
*Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève by ensemble Fantasticus
* There's a shit ton of absolutely epic Vivaldi concertos of excellent quality on UA-cam as well...you should try it... guarantee you it's an acquired taste ;-)
Hey thanks for the rec's. I do have some classical,but I rarely listen to it. I will check out your suggestions!
I really disliked the Stellia. Sent it back after a week. The Utopias are way better. As closed back hps, the Denon D7000 is my number one. Love them so much, and now I have 2 sets, just in case.
I'm contemplating re-buying the Stellia. How do the Stellia's run of tubes? I own the FeliksAudio Euforia with stock tubes(Gold PSVane)
Thats a question best answered by Feliks. Generally speaking, OTLs and low-z headphones dont mix, but honestly have no idea when it comes to your amp.
The Glenn can take 6336 tubes, which not many amps can handle. That does the trick for the Glenn driving low ohm headphones.
@@headkarma my Feliks Elise works perfectly with Focal Clear
Bismillah
I tried these last week. I was expecting a warmer sound signature. I found the sub base really lacking and the mid bass lacking a little. I loved the mids and highs and found the detail life changing. I am still on the fence about these though because I already own the Clears and prefer their bass and overall sound signature.
What do you think of the Clears? And have you heard the Final Sonorous VIII; they seem like worthy competitors? Thanks.
Ive heard neither the Clears,nor the Sonorous.
Sounds to me like the ZMF Verite closed would be the headphone for you.
I hope you use a mic close to you, any cheep mic will do the trick , great review nevertheless.
Volume too low?
@@headkarma No its fine
No it just picks a lot of ambient noise and echo.
Wich has the biggest soundstage: Focal Stellia, or ZMF Verité closed?
The VC w/ Auteur pads was bigger,but both have great staging for closed backs.
@@headkarma thanks! I'm returning the Stellia and getting the VC instead. I just got the VO a couple of days ago and i absolutly adore them! Your review is definitly on point👌
Been eyeing these for a while but ultimately went with the ZMF Atticus but am not super thrilled with them...think they’re very good but I need to EQ them to get what I want. Thoughts on Stellia vs Atticus for things like metal, progressive rock, jazz, etc?
I find the Atticus doesn’t have enough bass - lots of mid bass which is a little fatiguing for me, but no oomph, so I’m always adding a couple db down on that low end...
Doesn’t help that I ADORE the looks of the Stellia...
I used to own the Atticus. The challenge with them is finding an amp with a low damping factor. Too much mid-bass slam,which in turn drowns out the sub bass is the result when you have an amp with too high of a damping factor. Typically most folks want an amp with a high damping factor,but the Attitcus is a different beast.
I think for the price differences between Stellia and Atticus,its a bit of apples and oranges. I like the Stellia better,but is it $2k better? I cant answer that.
Are you locked into a closed back headphone? If so,the Stellia is hard to beat,but if history is any indication,I would expect a closed back Verite coming down the pipe. When that will happen,i dont know,so if youre in a hurry it might not be a good solution.
Bear in mind the Stellia is brighter than the Atticus,and less organic sounding,but is faster(for metal)and has a faster decay. Its also easier to drive than pretty much any ZMF headphone.
If youve already invested in a high end tube amp,I'd suggest waiting to see what ZMF does next. If no tube amp,then the Stellia is an easy choice,assuming youre cool with the price tag.
HeadKarma thanks for the reply! Definitely want a closed back or I will drive my wife crazy (I’m pushing it as is with this hobby). I have a JDS Element and am not wanting to get into the amp world because I know I’ll just keep wanting better equipment...very happy with the Element right now and not really looking to upgrade, would rather spend that money on other headphones to be honest.
Was also thinking about the Eikon but Zach says it’s less forgiving for badly recorded tracks and a lot of the metal I listen to isn’t great quality so that worried me.
I got the Burl Atticus so all told it was about $1500, and I see the Stellia on eBay for abound $2300-$2500...sooo tempting ....
@@billmazza1568 Yeah,I mean if you dont want to invest in tubes,I would suggest Stellia.
ZMF headphones really shines with OTL amps. With solid state,not so much IMO.
And I can relate with the wife,and pushing it...LOL
@@billmazza1568 The closed back Verite will debut @ CanJam London. You should have an official announcement next week. Price will be about the same as the Verite.
you need good tube amp with quality tubes to really enjoy ZMF headphones
Will you review Focal Elegia and compare with the stelia???
If I get the chance to review the Elegia I certainly will review it. However I dont like to compare headphones to one another unless I have them here at the same time. My music memory isnt that great.
@@headkarma You haven't stelia anymore?
No. I only had it on loan for review purposes.
@@headkarma Focal sent It to you? or you got It from elsewhere?
How would you compare the Stellia to the Sony Z1R?
I havent heard the Sony. Sorry mate.
@@headkarma no worries. I just returned the Z1R and bought the Stellia instead, because of your review. Can't wait!
@@vincenthusvh did you get them yet?
@@nicholas802 no. Unfortenatly Focal says my order is delayed...
@@vincenthusvh I asked cuz I did the same thing you did, lol I returned the z1s last week, my stellias should be arriving tomorrow
lookin good brotha man!!
Yo Dude!
Where you been?
I will be back in D2 come september. Taking a break atm. Gimme a call when ya can.
How does this compete with the Verite Closed ?
I didnt have them both at the same time to do a direct a/b,so I really cannot say much other than I really liked the Stellia,but in comparison to the VO,it had a metallic flavor to the sound,which I wasnt thrilled with.
At the time,it was the 2nd best headphone I had hear behind the VO. Now the VC I like better than all of them .
Torq had them both and did a direct a/b. Perhaps you can read his thoughts on the matter.
www.headphones.com/blogs/news/zmf-verite-closed-flagship-artisan-closed-back-dynamic-headphone-review
So you prefer VC than VO, damn it. I dont know which one now. For me am planning to go for the Atticus and Verite. One is for mid bass slam, realism and musical laid back. The other is for reference flagship end game.
0:44 you just don't get it *Monster* the *real* audiophile, the *true connaiseur* pronounces it *Ĉognāc* also known as *eau-de-vie de vin*
get out of here you heathen barbarian