I’d love your perspective on which you would select for movie watching, the Stellia or the Verite Closed?
After reading your review of the VC, it seems like the Stellia would be better for movies, since the exaggerated bass and faster timing may make movies more exciting, do you agree?
Thanks
Hard to say. Maybe. I’ve never tried using either to watch a movie with.
If I’m watching a movie and not using speakers (at home or at the theatre), then it means I’m on a plane, and that means ANC in-ears or mechanically isolating IEMs.
Thanks @Torq.
I used to use my Stax SR009 and Blue Hawaii SE for music; but then I designed and had a pair of custom field coil horn speakers, and I have not turned on the Stax since…
But 6 ft tall horns in an open room does not make for a happy wife late into the night… hence my need for world-class closed back headphones that are still engaging.
I get the desire for people to use cans with movies. I’m just not one of them (outside of flights, I don’t think I’ve watched a movie without my wife also watching in maybe six years), so have never bothered to do comparisons in that context.
I have listened to shows, movies and played games with both the VC and the Stellia… I find both do really well… VC has a bigger stage and punchier bass to my ears… while the Stellia is more intimate with speed advantage and a more mid forward presentation with vocals. Both were enjoyable for movies and shows. For games, I like both but prefer the VC for its staging and “3Dness” lol.
Welcome to the forum. The subwoofer is a big part of the home theater experience. Depending on the type of movie, I’d probably lean toward the one with better sub bass, or look into something like a rumble pack: ButtKicker: A Wireless Home Theater Rumble Pack | Gadget Review.
I can’t speak on the Stelia, but between the VC, Eikon, and Atticus, I usually grab my Eikon for movies. It has the most elevated subbass, with great imaging and engagment. The VC and Atticus are also very good, and very engaging, but the Eikon stands out to me for movies specifically. The bass is epic!
Interesting because others have said they the bass is elevated on the Stellia’s relative to the Verite Closed…
Also, based on the freq response graphs above, the Stellia’s are more neutral than the VC’s; but the general consensus is the opposite.
I guess they are very close.
But the Focal’s do seem much better made for an extra $500…
You are the one who got this! I know many people who think this is the best of the stab runs. If you ever decide to sell, you will have alot of potential buyers here. But I am the one you should pick 
Congrats on the awesome pickup!
VC “punches” harder in my opinion, where the Stellia is “warmer” warmth to me is more in the mid ranges of FR… Dark or punch is low FR to me as a reference. Stellia is a sweet bourbon… VC is a tasty Rye both excellent
Personally I tried the VO with movies when I first got it and preferred some others I have, especially the HD 820 and HD 700 which have very wide soundstages and make them seem much more like surround sound with a stereo source. Still, both Verites are perfectly fine for movies but I wouldn’t specifically buy them if using for movies was a major goal. I would think the Stellia suffers from the same feature (which most call a bug) in that they would rattle with heavy sub-bass, especially common in action movies. The Elex does that and Focal has said it’s intentional and present across their entire line and I got through about 5 minutes of a single movie with the Elex.
I’ve never had “rattle” with the Stellia… Nor the Clears/Radiance/Elegia/Utopia… The Elex set I had for awhile, I could force to hit the “limiter” flub deal… but it was usually off head and at volumes that would be un-healthy.
I also really like the HD800 and HD700 for movies and games a lot. Personally they are my favorites for games. For movies specifically I think any number of headphones will be great, really just depends on the movie and what you are trying to get out of it… similar to music I think
Omigod, that gorgeous!!
I just received my Feliks Audio Echo (still IMPATIENTLY awaiting my VC). Wow. What a beautiful amp. I’m currently using Focal Clears and they just sound so “musical” on this tube amp. I also have the 789 which sounded wonderful, until I got the Echo. The 789 is so clinical. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the Clears just sound so wonderful on the Echo. More spacious, and just buttery smooth! I can only hope that the Echo with the VC will be my end game (until it isnt! HAHA).
Welcome to the forum! Patience will pay off. Congrats on the Echo and enjoy! I’ve heard great things about the Echo/Clear pairing, including from @SleepyRhythms. I would think the Echo and VC will play well together, perhaps even more so with more neutral pads and tube roll depending on your sonic preferences.
@stormcloud64, here’s another endorsement with the VO: What's in the box! - #3503 by Deepy
Happy listening.
I loved my Echo. I used Telefunken E88CCs as driver tubes and it took it next level.
Enjoy!
There are many great options out there for that next step up. You picked one of the best places to talk about it. And yes, everything will be fine considering Zach mentions AmpsAndSound and Feliks Audio pairing well with his dynamics. I like the Aeolus and Atticus off the Echo myself. Really though you have a ton of choices. Good luck choosing and welcome to the community!
Welcome to the Community @stormcloud64 . There are many here that love tubes and ZMF, we can’t ALL be wrong…
It depends on what your definition of wrong is @MokhaMark !
Can’t wait to hear your impressions of how SW51+ compares to El amp2! Also, just realised we are also manc. ash buddies 