I want to say that the headband was made from recycled carbon fiber. So maybe that’s why it looks like that? Lol
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Carbon fiber looks like shit in pictures. Like God awful. But after having the RS6 DAP, it actually looks pretty cool in person ngl! So idk I think og utopia probably looks decent!
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LOL i used to think that too, now after a few months with mine i have a love and hate thing with its design, like, if you focus on specific parts of it they are beautiful such as the grills or pads but the entire thing looks awful as a whole.
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I just found a recommendation to vacuum estat speakers in Martin logans info. Anyone know if this can be/should be done with normal cans? Tbh I figured that would just tear up a diaphragm, but if estat speakers can survive it maybe not?
They never lose suction! 
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Does anyone have a preferred leather conditioner/cleaner for your head-fi?
I did an interesting experiment conditioning the leather on my Radiance today using baseball glove leather conditioner, and so far I’m pretty happy with the result.
Back story:
Both of my boys got new baseball gloves this week (and I thought hifi was an expensive hobby, baseball is crazy 
), so we are deep into the glove break-in rituals. We’re using the Nokona glove conditioner:
It does amazing work softening and protecting the leather. I’ve used it to restore destroyed old gloves as well. So today I was inspired to try it on some headphone leather, and applied a very very light amount to my Radiance. The leather wasn’t worn or dirty, mostly did this to protect it and see if it was a feasible option for conditioning in the future. So far I like the result, nice and soft. After rubbing it in, it’s a matt sheen - not all shiny and glossy like some conditioners.
Anyway, give it a couple days to see how it soaks in and wears. But seems like an interesting option to care for head-fi leather.
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For my baseball gloves I purchased some lanolin and warmed it just enough to soften it, then worked it in. I used my bare hands as lanolin is great for your skin, it is commonly used to help breast feeding mothers.
For the smooth leather (suede is different!) on my headphones, slippers, shoes, boots the procedure is the same.
- Wipe down the leather with a lukewarm damp cloth, nothing that will soak the leather! If the leather is real dirty (skin oils too) then you can use a cleaner. I like the zaino leather cleaner I use on my car seats but I have never gotten to this point on headphones. The foams break down way before the leather.
- After it is 100% dried, I use a leather conditioner. Put a little on an old clean cotton tshirt, rub on the leather being thorough, let dry for ~5m then buff off. If it is my footwear I use a brush and give it the ole shoeshine buff.
- I possibly do another quick condition if I feel like it needs it or i missed spots. This is where headphone stiff stops, the footwear then gets some cremes that add color back and a final wax and buff. You dont do this on headphones unless you want the color leaching on your skin while you wear them. Not recommended.
I do this right when I get new items and before I use them. You dont know how long the leather has been sitting or how it was stored so it is best to condition. Then every 6 - 12 months after, depending on use.
Dont use cheap stuff! I use Saphir. It is more expensive but a little goes a long way and it lasts forever. I dont even go with their totl renovateur conditioner as it is really $$$, but their mid level conditioner is really great, and is pretty natural. I suggest something that contains some lanolin and avoids petroleum.
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Lanolin is awesome. It’s like nature’s Vasoline, but non toxic and non petrol based.
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I also should add there are different grades of leather. Most headphones will use your midrange grades, so they are soft but nothing too crazy.
There are some like the Radiance that use a much more supple glove leather. They are so soft they feel almost fuzzy. For these you definitely want a nicer conditioner and to keep them clean as they can tend to loose that nice feel. @NickMimi 's lcd-3pf was real nice, but before returning them I put a little conditioner on them and they were baby butt status.
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