Glass toslink is great stuff. Be extra careful with them. They don’t like getting kinked or crushed…I have some old IXOS Ixotica glass toslink cables.
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After a week with the Stellia I came to the conclusion that I prefer the Utopia (I know that I’m not supposed to “compare” them due to the differences in design - open vs closed back). The Utopia still edges the Stellia on technicalities and I prefer the overall sound presentation. The bass on the Stellia is a nice touch but can feel a bit “excessive” (or intrusive for lack of a better word) at times and the resolution on the Utopia is clearly superior (not night and day difference but easy to notice).
The efficiency, low impedance, weight and comfort of the Stellia are the stars of the show for (trans)portability, one can literally drive them from a phone (LG V30 and iPhone 11 Pro in my case) or from a DAP without needing gobs of power. However the efficiency and low impedance can also be a down side for desktop use, it will pick the noise floor of amps with ease, specially the powerful Class A ones and tube amps…the frequency response can also be affected by the output impedance of some amps.
IMO, all things considered (sound quality, build quality, comfort, noise isolation, efficiency, portability) the Stellia is the best closed back HP currently available. Well done Focal!!
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Well, you did a very good thing IMO. Those are beautiful. The VO is a very evolved design with rather amazing sound. I may get one someday…
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I also think the Utopia is technically better… but I’m on the side of liking the Stellia more lol… maybe I’m a closet bass head:thinking:
Great write up!
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I think the comparisons are important as these are often touted as closed Utopias so knowing the differences, even if subtle, are important. Especially at this price range.
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How much better is the Utopia over the Clear? 10%-ish?
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Very informative and helpful impressions. So Stellia is top closed dog over VC and will be replacing your VC?
Curious about this myself. I really like the Utopia so I’m wondering about other focal cans now.
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A while ago I demoed the Elear, Clear, and Utopia back to back – when owning the Elex. The Utopia kind of drew a precise defined border around everything, but in a way that is at odds with the standard speaker/headphone monitoring quality used in music production. I honestly didn’t prefer the Utopia over the Clear at that time, and ended up buying the Clear. With more experience and listening time that may change.
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I have a set Clear on my head right now. Just popped a new “Cardas Clear” cable on them last week. I really like them. Right there with my HD800S. TBH, I actually think I like the Clears better.
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Nope. I’m keeping both. I said all things considered, the Stellia is more versatile and practical than the VC…I still prefer the VC on tubes for pure music enjoyment.
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Got it - testament to notion of specialization. I’m standing by to see if your max 5 cans rule is still in play or whether the Susvara is formally assigned to your better half for quota purposes 
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You nailed it. The Susvara is hers now! If Abyss comes up with a great closed back, then I might be forced to let either the Stellia or the VC go…the 1266 TC and the SR1a are definitely staying. If RAAL-requisite releases the circumaural version of the SR1a then I might be forced to come up with an exception to my rule or offer another set of cans to the missus.
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Yes, I have a pair of HD 800 and I prefer the Clear for almost everything everything besides soundstage and resolution of the senns.
My understanding from too much time spent on various forums is that the Utopia need to be paired with good sources to realize their full potential whereas the Clear are more forgiving of poor sources because they resolve less well. I think this makes the Clear a solid choice for many; I have mine paired with a modest DAC and a sub-$200 amp. I wonder if the Utopia would amount to a much greater leap upwards, when it comes to investing in a synergistic system.
I’d be interested to hear more about the relationship of the Vérité to the Aeolus as an equivalent comparison of the Utopia to the Clear.
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I have HD800 and HD800S. I probably should sell the earlier ones. They don’t get a lot of use.
The Clears have been my go to headphone since I bought them.
I have a set of Aeolus Bubinga, and am looking to add an Auteur come November if Zach has something that suits me.
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Bunch of Canare 4S6 Starquad 20 AWG wire.
Will start by making some DC umbilicals…
0919201459 by drjlo2, on Flickr
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Spoilers…
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I liked them so much I ordered a pair for my Clears. 
Silver hybrid with Amphenol connectors, and custom paracord.
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Nice. And it comes with a cookie too? Or since it’s a UK company, a biscuit?
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Yeah! I thought that was a pretty cool touch. Kind of like how Sweetwater sends candy, I think.
They’re really good cables, imo. And JT and the crew at Oidio are really good people.
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