Bought the Utopia '22 after A/B'ing with Susvara; it was the more enjoyable overall.

That bass punch is what always draws me to Utopia. I really want to hear the Spirit Torino’s.

Thank you so much for this great comparison. As you point out in this review even with the best headphones available it comes down to what equipment you are using to drive them. I am very surprised that you don’t have tons more subscribers on your channel as you do some very well detailed videos.

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, @Joe Allison; we started creating content on this channel a little over a year ago and would love to have more people check out our videos. If you have any buddies you think would enjoy the channel, please tell them about us.

Marcello! You are on a roll my friend! Great content. Thank you. 😊

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!

Already waiting!

Great video. Concise and straight to the point. I have my eye on the Meze Elite; looking forward to moving on from the HD800 (SDR). My system is RME ADI-2 to the Sennheiser HDVA- 600 amplifier.

@x32i77

Жыл бұрын

So what did you choose ? 😃

So can someone explain why Sennheiser HD800/800s not included as it hails being the reference headphones by all audio engineers ? And about Utopia, the older version is better in my extensive testing.

Hey guys I have a super analytical headphone in the og HD800 and HE1000SE and find that when paired with a highly analytical ampdac combo such as the Topping A90 D90 the Focal Utopias actually sound phenomenal

Which stands are the ones with the charms?

The camera work is amazing in this video. Beautiful HD. ❤

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

I'm happy that you are always using the Elites for your reviews 🤗

@diana73654

Жыл бұрын

maybe, because they are the best overall ;)

@mareknowakowski1692

Жыл бұрын

@@diana73654 agree:) Epoque version looks cool but way too expensive just for new painting. I have Elites almost a year now and still enjoying them .

@MikePio

Жыл бұрын

@@mareknowakowski1692 How do they compare to something like the HD800? I like classical, ambient and some electronic. Mainly looking for something more natural sounding yet still detailed and spacious. Do you think the Elite would be a worthy upgrade to the Sennheiser?

@mareknowakowski1692

Жыл бұрын

@@MikePio Hi, I ' m just a user, not a reviewer, never had HD800 before

@pedrogoncalves2948

Жыл бұрын

@@mareknowakowski1692 What amp do you use with elite?

Comfort is the main detractor for the utopia for me, as I find the Clear Og uncomfortable. Would a Chord Mojo 2 or even a Questyle m15 be enough to drive the Expanse adequately on the go?

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

5 ай бұрын

I don’t think so the Expanse needs imo at least the chord Hugo 2 or more to be driven properly.

I’m glad the LCD-5 was the one I went for first out of all of them. I find the upper mids just right. I’m thinking about the Utopia, but I’m gonna take my time with that purchase. I’m kinda curious about the new ZMF Caldera as well. Are you gonna do a comparison with the Stellia like you did with the old Utopia?

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

I think if you like the upper mids of the LCD-5 you may like the OG utopia more than the 2022 Utopia but definitely give them a listen. I don’t think I will have time to do that comparison as they have to go back to Focal next week.

@tiffanyflanagan1892

Жыл бұрын

In your other comparison of the LCD-5 and older Utopia you said (and other reviewers as well) that the older Utopia has less low end than the 5. The 5 already is kinda lean for my preferences. It might be that either aren’t ideal for my preferences, but between the two Clears I prefer the MG even though it is darker. I love upper mid range but I’m more sensitive to treble. Which makes me wonder if I’ll have the same reaction to the old Utopia as a lot of people have, saying the treble is peaky. I’m definitely gonna do some A/B’s and not take a chance with it all when i get closer to pulling the trigger on them. Thank you for your input :)

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

I just meant from an upper midrange perspective, ya A/B them for the win! =). Thank you for watching!

@zxSwifty

11 ай бұрын

What did you end up getting? The Elite is a excellent headphone, highly recommend, also consider the Susvara.

@HiLoMusic

6 ай бұрын

The LCD-5 is extremely flexible, I'd see it as the end-all be-all of headphones with EQ

My LittleDot MkIII SE (this is very different from the MKIII NON-SE), puts out 2.5W at 32 ohm, 1.8W at 120 ohm, and 800mw at 300 ohm. Input impedance is 50 kohms, and it’s a class A amp.

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

11 ай бұрын

👍

Dont know the Audeze LCD-5 but the Utopia outperformed the DCA Expanse and the Meze Elites in regards to base slam, midrange clarity and details in my listening test.

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

Utopia is a great set of headphones! @norbsi

@goodriddance86

3 ай бұрын

How would you rate the midrange of the Utopia 2022 in terms of vocals? Specially female vocals? Thx in advance ^^

Which headphones have the most natural and natural sound so that instruments sound like in real life?

@adamgreenhill110

2 ай бұрын

Definitely HE1000SE (with AutoEQ), or Susvara (with a very expensive system). LCD-5 with EQ comes close, but nothing beats the insane lifelike sound Hifiman can do

Elite is for analytical listeners! Oh, God, strange times we are living in! Just a few months ago nobody didn't dare to say that. 😂

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

Well, that isn’t what was said exactly; what was said is the LCD-5 is the most analytical listen, followed by the Meze Elite then, followed by the other two headphones. I love the Elite, one of my favorite all-around headphones, but if you A/B it versus the 2022 Utopia and the Expanse I think it will make sense why that was said.

@x32i77

Жыл бұрын

@@TheSourceAVDesignGroup you definitely have to compare those headphones to the ZMF Caldera

Weird. Had DCA Expanse. Sold it as it was a warm thick sound that was clearly outclassed by the utopia for speed, clarity, resolution , and imaging.

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

@neilsnyder7915, what amp/dac were you running with it?

@x32i77

Жыл бұрын

Did you try the caldera ?

@norbsi

Жыл бұрын

Me too, Utopia had more clarity in midrange and treble and better base slam than Meze Elites and DCA Expanse. Utopia more lively and engaging where DCA and Meze sounded anemic.

@x32i77

Жыл бұрын

@@norbsi did you try the ZMF Caldera ?

@TheSourceAVDesignGroup

Жыл бұрын

What you are describing sounds like inadequate current delivery for planar magnetic headphones or maybe just the amplifier synergy. I personally wouldn't ever describe the bass of the DCA Expanse or Meze Elite as anemic, the bass of the HD800s I have referred to it as anemic from time to time. @norbsi

Beyerdynamic T1 are the best

@x32i77

Жыл бұрын

No it's ZMF Caldera actually