elisiX_ Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 (edited) For Stellia and Utopia, I would just let the leather patina. I don’t see any need to ‘clean’ it other than maybe water alone. No chemicals or detergents should be used IMO. As for Elegia, I’ve seen a man A2A demo's get cleaned up quite nicely. They said they used water, rubbed it, dried it and it looks like the above Elegia example. All the massive clumps of ‘lint’ are gone. Edited June 25, 2020 by elisix_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sly_bastard Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 1 minute ago, elisix_ said: For Stellia and Utopia, I would just let the leather patina. I don’t see any need to ‘clean’ it other than maybe water alone. No chemicals or detergents should be used IMO. You may want to consider a leather cleaner and conditioner if you want to extend the life of the leather. Could just it from super cheap, the conditioner is helpful if the leather dries out or just buy another set of pads might be the better way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 1 minute ago, elisix_ said: For Stellia and Utopia, I would just let the leather patina. I don’t see any need to ‘clean’ it other than maybe water alone. No chemicals or detergents should be used IMO. As for Elegia, I’ve seen a manly A2A demo get cleaned up quite nicely. They said they used water, rubbed it, dried it and it looks like the above Elegia example. All the massive clumps of ‘lint’ are gone. I'll leave it and let it age as I do like the ageing look. The edges of the headband have darkened which I like but I just gave them to my dad to listen and now there's a dark spot right in the middle. It bugged me at first but it's something I can easily get over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwurb Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 28 minutes ago, zxSwifty said: Couldn't be happier with my work setup So, Utopia or Stellia? Which one wins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 4 minutes ago, sly_bastard said: You may want to consider a leather cleaner and conditioner if you want to extend the life of the leather. Could just it from super cheap, the conditioner is helpful if the leather dries out or just buy another set of pads might be the better way to go. When you say set of pads do you mean ear pads? I'm not worried about those, it's more the headband. The ear pads have darkened a lot compared to stock and I really like that . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 (edited) 9 minutes ago, gwurb said: So, Utopia or Stellia? Which one wins? I like the Stellias for being more laid back. The Utopia definitely has more detail and feels more "open" as expected but as I mainly listen to EDM, the Stellias are the go for me. The Utopias are amazing headphone of course but they are more foward and in your face. You could potentially find this fatiguing after awhile especially if you listen at loud volumes like myself. EDM did sound superb on the Utopias too, I couldn't stop listening to Deadmau5 on them the other day. If you don't need the headphone to be closed back and have auditioned the Utopias and don't find them fatiguing go for the Utopias. If you need closed back and / or listen to exclusively edm / hip-hop the Stellias are probably the go. Both headphones are superb and I'd be happy with either. Edited June 25, 2020 by zxSwifty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 I'm waiting to hear Elisix_'s impressions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Use a comfort strap wrapped around the headband. Pads are replaceable at least. So dumb the headband isn't replaceable. Literally can take the Verite apart, replace every component, and screw it all back together! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 6 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Use a comfort strap wrapped around the headband. Pads are replaceable at least. So dumb the headband isn't replaceable. Literally can take the Verite apart, replace every component, and screw it all back together! Any comfort strap you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 (edited) They have informed me that the beyerdynamic pad will not fit the Stellia. 1 hour ago, Bengineer said: Use a comfort strap wrapped around the headband. Pads are replaceable at least. So dumb the headband isn't replaceable. Literally can take the Verite apart, replace every component, and screw it all back together! found these guys, maybe one of these would work for the Stellias. https://turbulentlabs.com/category/leather-headbands/ Edited June 25, 2020 by zxSwifty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Depends how dorky you want to look. Those. ZMF make two kinds of leather ones. eBay is has heaps of the wool/cotton type ones. It adds a bit of comfort but mostly is there to protect the suede, and the fabric ones are washable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Just now, Bengineer said: Depends how dorky you want to look. Those. ZMF make two kinds of leather ones. eBay is has heaps of the wool/cotton type ones. It adds a bit of comfort but mostly is there to protect the suede, and the fabric ones are washable. Hahaha would the leather look dorky or the wool? Feel like the cotton/wool would look weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 They all look dorky. Just different levels of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 10 minutes ago, Bengineer said: They all look dorky. Just different levels of it. Luckily I always look like a dork so it'll just add to the aesthetic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Ha. To just protect against the head oils, just use whatever is the thinnest fabric. To add comfort I'd go something like the ZMF pilot pad (note they recently released a new one, has more padding and two like hotspot relief thicker parts). Ain't cheap though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 2 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Ha. To just protect against the head oils, just use whatever is the thinnest fabric. To add comfort I'd go something like the ZMF pilot pad (note they recently released a new one, has more padding and two like hotspot relief thicker parts). Ain't cheap though. I'll may just go with no extra cover, the comfort is already superb with the Stellia. If I was super concerned about not darkening or letting the leather age It would have been better to get a pilot pad or something from the start. Feels like it's too late to go back now Then again maybe it is better to just get the pad and avoid the Stellia headband from ageing or wearing anymore than it has Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elisiX_ Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 1 hour ago, sly_bastard said: You may want to consider a leather cleaner and conditioner if you want to extend the life of the leather. Could just it from super cheap, the conditioner is helpful if the leather dries out or just buy another set of pads might be the better way to go. As a car guy, i've used a lot of products over the years, so i'm definitely aware of what's out there. I've also seen some bloody disasters if the wrong product is used. With a car the side or back of a seat gives you some space to 'try' a product first. The Stellia and Utopia won't and you could mess it up really quickly. So I will look into it for sure. 55 minutes ago, zxSwifty said: I'm waiting to hear Elisix_'s impressions I spent all night on the Utopia last night. I'm home today so haven't taken the Stellia into work, but i'll crack open the box shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elisiX_ Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 (edited) 46 minutes ago, zxSwifty said: found these guys, maybe one of these would work for the Stellias. https://turbulentlabs.com/category/leather-headbands/ I'm not sure they will fit the Focal headband. They're certainly not made specifically for it. I might ask my wife or MIL to make me something lol. Edited June 25, 2020 by elisix_ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Just now, elisix_ said: I'm not sure they will fit the Focal headband. They're certainly not made specifically for it. I emailed them asking if it fits. I think I'll just stick with running it bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 4 minutes ago, elisix_ said: As a car guy, i've used a lot of products over the years, so i'm definitely aware of what's out there. I've also seen some bloody disasters if the wrong product is used. With a car the side or back of a seat gives you some space to 'try' a product first. The Stellia and Utopia won't and you could mess it up really quickly. So I will look into it for sure. I spent all night on the Utopia last night. I'm home today so haven't taken the Stellia into work, but i'll crack open the box shortly. The leather box is gorgeous. I've put mine on my shelf as a display piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elisiX_ Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 My Uptopia came in the older style box, without the carry case. Resolve Reviews (The Headphone Show) on YT posted recently showing that Focal are now shipping the Utopia with the carry case. Not the end of the world to not have one as the Utopia for me is an at-home headphone, but with the Stellia coming with the case I could always use that if I did need to transport the Utopia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 2 minutes ago, elisix_ said: My Uptopia came in the older style box, without the carry case. Resolve Reviews (The Headphone Show) on YT posted recently showing that Focal are now shipping the Utopia with the carry case. Not the end of the world to not have one as the Utopia for me is an at-home headphone, but with the Stellia coming with the case I could always use that if I did need to transport the Utopia. So did mine, bought the case though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesOz Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 2 minutes ago, elisix_ said: My Uptopia came in the older style box, without the carry case. Resolve Reviews (The Headphone Show) on YT posted recently showing that Focal are now shipping the Utopia with the carry case. Not the end of the world to not have one as the Utopia for me is an at-home headphone, but with the Stellia coming with the case I could always use that if I did need to transport the Utopia. Hehe I was worried too when I watched a video about the new Utopia - I had just bought mine and was afraid the new ones would be better. But na, new ones = carry cases and different type of cables. Still think the Utopia at 3k were the bargain of the year, even without carry case and with these annoying cables. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elisiX_ Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Actually I might buy one too. I'm not sure I want to sit the Utopia on a stand all the time and have it collect dust. I don't want to put it back into its box though, so the carry case is ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 13 minutes ago, JulesOz said: Hehe I was worried too when I watched a video about the new Utopia - I had just bought mine and was afraid the new ones would be better. But na, new ones = carry cases and different type of cables. Still think the Utopia at 3k were the bargain of the year, even without carry case and with these annoying cables. The Utopia stock cable is actually a god send compared to all their other headphones. It reminds me of the T1 gen 1 cable, thick and a little heavy. I'm eyeing that Nordost Heimdall 2 cable, used it in the shop while auditioning the Utopias and it was a nice looking a and feeling cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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