Not sure if this is really the right thread, but I’m currently taking apart my broken Focal Clear cable. Here’s a pic of the internal composition if anyone’s interested:
Fun tidbit: My resident electronics expert informs me that the white plastic wrapped around the wires ensures that the copper isn’t stretched out during the manufacturing process. It’s terribly annoying to remove for soldering.
The neutopia are fucking fantastic. Running weiss → aic → neutopia (from speaker taps) currently. Also have oldtopia here to try against once i can bring myself to take the new ones off my head.
Worth the asking price vs the other TOTL?
fantastic you say?!?
Nothing is worth RRP because thats just a fake price. I would say well well worth 3500 or so though.
Honestly, they feel more banaced vs old utopia. Still slam like a truck but less grating up top. There is a little but more midbass warmth so that may not apeal to some people but it feels much more pleasent of tuning IMO. It does a better job at getting me into the music than the old one did since its not as prone to thinness or bittlenss. It also is far far less source picky now which is real nice. Only other thing people may not like is that the smoother trebble means its less agro with detail. Still quite forward just not as crazy emphasized on sizzle of snares and such. Detail feels a vwry slight step up overall as well
So basically you think it’s just tuned differently and about the same in terms of performance to the old one?
Has bass texture been improved you think? It’s probably my main criticism of the og when compared to d8kp or even a mysphere.
Its been improved but its not d8kp level. But tbh i dont thinj anything outside of estats and sr1a has that level of bass texture tbh
Thanks I’ll prob give it a try when it drops to that $3.5K range… never got enough time with the old Utopia but I think the treble would’ve been too much for me
can’t wait for you to compare oldtopa and neutopia as the oldtopia prices are tanking.
Honestly, they are super super close. Its basicaly just a slight tonality shift and what comes with that
The treble was my issue with the original Utopia. From what @Draaly is saying, I think the update may be something I’d like.
@Draaly, how’s the staging in comparison?
slightly larger (still small mind you) but much more nautral. Stuff like snares and cymbals are not quite as clearly defined, but that is traded off by vocals being more clearly defined with image defenition being more consistent over all. IMO it also does a better job of not getting overwhelmed when there is something like electric guitar and maintining its nice deep stage.
That’s kind of similar to how the Clear changed with the MG revision. Pretty sure it’s the new grilles (m-shaped interior and outer).
It sounds like Focal made some good choices with the direction they took the revision.
Thanks for the impressions.
I think the Radiance is Focal’s second best headphone after the Utopia. The Stellia really needs an update.
I have heard some discussions of modders taking the stelia driver and putting it in the Radiance housing with real good results. (Or it was the radiance driver into stellia housing).
But i have said my peace on it, the Radiance as is fits my portable chain near perfectly and gets the second most ear time. Its very satisfying to be done with at least that audio need… and to have something to block out other people at work.
I really like the radiance too. Excellent for the price imo. Stellia was a little better at times(maybe a little more detail/texture/clarity), but that’s a large price difference for a small performance increase in only certain areas at certain times/depending on recording. Radiance mids are better imo. Stellia can get a little odd at times.
Still have the Utopia 2022 in house? Still enjoying them?
I just went to demo at a local shop. I didnt buy
OK, cool. Well I have a pair coming soon. Hopefully I’ll enjoy them. I haven’t heard the OG so not sure how they’ll compare but hopefully it’s not a let down.
Introvert and extrovert. Brothers, but different 
Update on the Utopia. After some burn in all day yesterday and last night, they’ve come alive in the lower FR. Much more weight now. Makes them feel like they have a soul. The dynamics and imaging seem to have improved as well. Haven’t heard og but I feel these are right where they need to be for me in the upper FR. I don’t think I’d want more. Very musical, punchy, and engaging. Oh, and I’m very surprised by the stage. Not too narrow and great depth imo.
Compared the bass to radiance and the Utopia is where it needs to be. Radiance is a little much but fun as a closed back, especially in that price range.
