Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective. I haven’t had the opportunity to try the Utopia, but the more datapoints I collect from videos like yours, the better I understand what it brings to the table. Thanks again for adding to that knowledge and propelling this hobby forward for many of us at home.
You're a level of headphones above me. Right now I have a pair of Focal Clear headphones and a pair of Focal Celestee. I just recently found your channel and subscribed, so I'm not sure if you've ever reviewed either of those models. I am giving serious thought to moving up to the Stellia. If you do happen to have any experience with the models I've just mentioned, do you think the upgrade would be noticeable? I really enjoy your videos.
I have both, but to my ear, they’re too similar to warrant it. I do like this kind of review, comparing a closed back to an open back by the same manufacturer. -really, comparing any two headphones in the same line is helpful
very nice comparison thanks!! I look forward to trying both of these soon. From this video it seems for me it will be a case of whether the focal utopias technicalities outweigh the stellias portability. Look forward to LCD 5 comparison too, as that is also a very exciting headphone
Hello, I know this is 1 year late, but I found the Stellia to be too polite and boring. I bought the Utopia as I found them more lively and I use them outside with a hiby RS6 DAP. Their portability is the same as the Stellia - but I found the Utopia to be more comfortable. I am aware of the open vs closed designs, but to be honest having open back head phones on the London underground has never bothered me. Obviously there is some sound leakage that others can hear, but I think this is mostly drowned out by sound of transport that you might be on anyway... and if you are walking down a quiet street then most likely you are only going to be next to someone who can hear what you are listening too for a short period of time. For me Utopia wins hands down for home and outdoor listening.
tried both of these for a week each, and preferred the utopia. So far utopia is the best headphone I have heard, however it had a weird effect where it felt harsh to my ears, and gave some irritation in my left ear, that wasnt audible, the headphone sounded completely smooth to me, but I could feel a burning sensation during listening even at low volumes. The stellia didnt do this but felt abit muted in upper frequencies. On this point I wanted to ask if you have tried Utopia on tubes, and whether that tames some of the aggression. Im kind of linking this feeling due to the extra punchiness and more treble energy of utopia compared with stellia. I could get the stellia, but id feel im settling. There is ofcorse, LCD 5 (which I havent tried) but the complete package of Utopia im content with calling it my endgame. The comfort, driveability, and amazing flat tone, whilst still being lively, makes every song i listen to sound pleasant.
This is exactly why I'm looking at Stellia instead! The Utopia feels painful, even at low volumes. For no clear reason. I've EQ'd the treble peaks down, and listened at low volumes, they just "hurt" for no reason. But they only sound good at high volumes imo. That brings the true immersion and realism. So I just can't. I want a TOTL headphone I can actually listen to without dying. Ordered a used Stellia today, I'll see how it compares
@@attomicrooster7823 They're both similar but very different! I can't decide which I prefer tbh. The Stellia is less fatiguing to me (the macro-dynamics are less intense). I could sum them up differently: Utopia has the "better" sound quality. It's mind-blowing. But once my ears adjust to it, I stop enjoying it. It's laser-precise and realistic, crystal clear. But the macro-dynamics are so high, it buries the quiet parts. And it slams so hard it honestly hurts. The Stellia has the "nicer" sound. It's not far behind Utopia for technicalities. Intimate, but tall soundstage. Every sound feels big and noticeable. It's dreamy and surrounding. Smoothest midrange I've ever heard, ever. It makes the Elegia sound like sandpaper. And it's really detailed and textured (more physical texture than Utopia). The Utopia just goes further with its jaw-dropping sound. But the Stellia is more enjoyable, slightly tamed-down but wayy more pleasant to listen to!
@@adamgreenhill110 So, in the end which one you get? (I am between Utopia and Stellia) Also, what do you recommend Hifiman H1000se? Or IEM U12T? Thank you
Good question. My use case was basically for days I don't want IEMs sticking to my ears. But sooner or later, the Stellia will go and I will retain the IEMs.
I would love to have Utopia For music and Something like Fostex th900 or Denon D9200 for movies and gaming, but i wont ever gonna get Utopia, because of Driver clipping.
Uh, I have both, and the Stellia is noticeably behind the Utopia in detail retrieval and tone. Not even close to be honest. I'm very surprised that you gave the Stellia the edge on tone. Stellia sounds like the music is coming from a metallic chamber, while the Utopia from a more "open" place while considerably less metallic sounding. Interesting comparison nonetheless.
Stellia is highly sensitive on placement on your head- - impacts the seal and causes what you describe - music coming from a chamber. Once the placement is correct, sound from the headphone is as described in this youtube video
This was a very very accurate review and comparison. I had both of these and you are dead on. Concise and great comparisons… Well done!
Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective. I haven’t had the opportunity to try the Utopia, but the more datapoints I collect from videos like yours, the better I understand what it brings to the table. Thanks again for adding to that knowledge and propelling this hobby forward for many of us at home.
Welcome! Thanks for watching
I have the Stellia and was looking at getting a utopia really helpful comparison thanks.
Thanks for an easy to understand comparison of the two without over complicating it.
You are welcome!
How about Focal Clear MG versus the Utopia? They are both open back.
You're a level of headphones above me. Right now I have a pair of Focal Clear headphones and a pair of Focal Celestee. I just recently found your channel and subscribed, so I'm not sure if you've ever reviewed either of those models. I am giving serious thought to moving up to the Stellia. If you do happen to have any experience with the models I've just mentioned, do you think the upgrade would be noticeable? I really enjoy your videos.
I have the Stella’s, they are amazing, but given that, what flagship open back should I buy next?
very nice video, always appreciate your perspective
Thanks man
I have the Focal Utopia 2022… which one is the best DAP for it? (between the price range of 1000-2000USD)
I have both, but to my ear, they’re too similar to warrant it. I do like this kind of review, comparing a closed back to an open back by the same manufacturer. -really, comparing any two headphones in the same line is helpful
Hello, do you think is it worth to get Utopia? (I consider to buy Stellia but Utopia is way expensive for me)
very nice comparison thanks!! I look forward to trying both of these soon. From this video it seems for me it will be a case of whether the focal utopias technicalities outweigh the stellias portability. Look forward to LCD 5 comparison too, as that is also a very exciting headphone
For sure!
Hello, I know this is 1 year late, but I found the Stellia to be too polite and boring. I bought the Utopia as I found them more lively and I use them outside with a hiby RS6 DAP. Their portability is the same as the Stellia - but I found the Utopia to be more comfortable. I am aware of the open vs closed designs, but to be honest having open back head phones on the London underground has never bothered me. Obviously there is some sound leakage that others can hear, but I think this is mostly drowned out by sound of transport that you might be on anyway... and if you are walking down a quiet street then most likely you are only going to be next to someone who can hear what you are listening too for a short period of time. For me Utopia wins hands down for home and outdoor listening.
Ordered the Stellia yesterday. So excited!
What do you think of it?
@@attomicrooster7823 not there yet…
@@attomicrooster7823 The Stellia is the best headphone I ever heard. This is my endgame and worth every dollar.
@@marchaberberger4464 have you managed to compare it to the utopia at all?
@@attomicrooster7823 Sorry, no. I need a closed one. And this is the best for me.
pretty great summary and comparisons under 5 min.
Thank you
tried both of these for a week each, and preferred the utopia. So far utopia is the best headphone I have heard, however it had a weird effect where it felt harsh to my ears, and gave some irritation in my left ear, that wasnt audible, the headphone sounded completely smooth to me, but I could feel a burning sensation during listening even at low volumes. The stellia didnt do this but felt abit muted in upper frequencies. On this point I wanted to ask if you have tried Utopia on tubes, and whether that tames some of the aggression. Im kind of linking this feeling due to the extra punchiness and more treble energy of utopia compared with stellia. I could get the stellia, but id feel im settling. There is ofcorse, LCD 5 (which I havent tried) but the complete package of Utopia im content with calling it my endgame. The comfort, driveability, and amazing flat tone, whilst still being lively, makes every song i listen to sound pleasant.
The Utopia is indeed an appropriate endgame. Most complete HP I have heard.
This is exactly why I'm looking at Stellia instead! The Utopia feels painful, even at low volumes. For no clear reason. I've EQ'd the treble peaks down, and listened at low volumes, they just "hurt" for no reason.
But they only sound good at high volumes imo. That brings the true immersion and realism. So I just can't. I want a TOTL headphone I can actually listen to without dying. Ordered a used Stellia today, I'll see how it compares
@@adamgreenhill110 how did it compare?
@@attomicrooster7823 They're both similar but very different! I can't decide which I prefer tbh. The Stellia is less fatiguing to me (the macro-dynamics are less intense). I could sum them up differently:
Utopia has the "better" sound quality. It's mind-blowing. But once my ears adjust to it, I stop enjoying it. It's laser-precise and realistic, crystal clear. But the macro-dynamics are so high, it buries the quiet parts. And it slams so hard it honestly hurts.
The Stellia has the "nicer" sound. It's not far behind Utopia for technicalities. Intimate, but tall soundstage. Every sound feels big and noticeable. It's dreamy and surrounding. Smoothest midrange I've ever heard, ever. It makes the Elegia sound like sandpaper. And it's really detailed and textured (more physical texture than Utopia).
The Utopia just goes further with its jaw-dropping sound. But the Stellia is more enjoyable, slightly tamed-down but wayy more pleasant to listen to!
@@adamgreenhill110 So, in the end which one you get? (I am between Utopia and Stellia)
Also, what do you recommend Hifiman H1000se? Or IEM U12T? Thank you
Great quick comparison, txs! What is your use case for the Stellia if you already have amazing in-ears (eg. EE Legend Evo)?
Good question. My use case was basically for days I don't want IEMs sticking to my ears. But sooner or later, the Stellia will go and I will retain the IEMs.
I would love to have Utopia For music and Something like Fostex th900 or Denon D9200 for movies and gaming, but i wont ever gonna get Utopia, because of Driver clipping.
Uh, I have both, and the Stellia is noticeably behind the Utopia in detail retrieval and tone. Not even close to be honest. I'm very surprised that you gave the Stellia the edge on tone. Stellia sounds like the music is coming from a metallic chamber, while the Utopia from a more "open" place while considerably less metallic sounding. Interesting comparison nonetheless.
Stellia is highly sensitive on placement on your head- - impacts the seal and causes what you describe - music coming from a chamber. Once the placement is correct, sound from the headphone is as described in this youtube video