Consider the likes of Chord’s Hugo 2DAC/headphone amp (£1,799) with a suitable source such as a quality laptop with audiophile music playing software such as Audirvana a minimum. The brown/copper look is quite out there, some will love it, some will hate it. Sanjay Sharma & Romain VET from Focal asked my opinion of what should be next for Focal in the headphone market. The Stellias are a forgiving pair of headphones which is partly the reason there are never any harshness or stridencies in poorly mastered tracks. There's a lot of high-end audio tech packed into these headphones, with pure 40mm Beryllium dome-style drivers that contain copper voice coils. Focal Stellia Headphone and Arche Amp/DAC The Stellia headphones have a very balanced, natural, and intimate sound quality. The yokes and back of … Both micro and macro-dynamic gradations of sound are handled with ease and the Stellias really pick up on the subtleties and nuances of multi-instrumental tracks. Focal is currently offering a $4000 for the Arche and the Stellia, which cuts the cost of the amp down to $1000 with the Stellia headphones ($1490 savings) on Amazon. NY 10036. Borrowing from the Utopia, the Stellia incorporates the same geometry M-shaped 40 mm Beryllium driver which is said to offer exceptional dynamics within the confines of a closed-back design. Their wide-open soundstage and detailed, accurate sound treatment means they make any genre of music sound brilliant. However, for a closed back designed for portable use it does provide for a more secure fit. The Stellia has a greater sense of air, and brings out more specificity in the high-mids. The Focal Stellias come with a few connection options – in the box you’ll an XLR lead,  a TRS jack lead, and a jack to mini-jack adapter. Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Headphone Review; Design. An example is in ‘D.A.N.C.E’ by Justice, where cymbals and snare sound tight and shimmery. The midrange of the Stellia rests in the line with the rest of the frequency spectrum; linear, balanced and neutral. The Stellias are no different in these regards with the dimensions of width not feeling like the grandest of presentations. In line with its rather neutral presentation, bass is never offensive but rather agile and stops on the dime. A new and-improved transducer enables the headphones to maintain extreme clarity, even when listening at low volume levels, according to a white paper released by Focal discussing the development of the headphones. Particularly impressive is the ability of the Focals to convey a very dynamic arrangement of music. Given their eye-watering price tag you'd have to be a hardcore audiophile to consider purchasing these closed-back, over-ear headphones. The smooth curves of the headband and yoke provide an ergonomic fit with a sliding mechanism for adjusting. As mentioned, they boast a premium leather and foam in the ear cups and headband, making for a listening experience thats as comfortable as it is great-sounding. Stellia uses the headband and yoke mechanical features originally developed for the Utopia headphones. Speaking of pure tonal character, the Stellia adopts a more focused and neutral sound as opposed to the airy and more diffuse presentation of the HiFiMAN house sound. They have an impressively wide soundstage, which makes you feel as though you're in the same room as the musicians you're listening to, as opposed to the rather closed off, ‘inside your head’ sound that some over-ear headphones can create. The design aesthetic of the Stellia features the same cognac and mocha colour thematic employed in its packaging. The headband is well-padded and covered in full grain cognac leather. And therein lies the problem: the Focal Stellias are prohibitively expensive for most people, at 10 times the price of our current favorite headphones, the Sony  WH-1000XM3s. Despite this, they still seem to retain good levels of sparkle and resolve where the high frequencies are concerned. Coming from a well-established brand, the quality of the Stellia are as expected and second to none. If you listen to songs you think you know inside out, the Stellias' precise separation of the frequencies means that you will probably hear details you’ve never noticed before. Overall, both the Focal Stellia and Sennheiser HD 820 are amazing options for high-end closed-back headphones. netforce MOT: TSAV Friend. If you’re considering upgrading to the Stellia from the Clear, I woul… The Stellia retails for a hefty $2999 price tag and features Focal’s new generation of electrodynamic speaker drivers. No. Receive mail from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors? 1 comment. The first open-back models: Clear and Utopia were soon followed by the entry-level closed-backs such as the Focal Elegia and now the more high-end Focal Stellia headphones. Given a few days to run-in, the Focals deliver … The Yggdrasil does well to provide those extra micro-detailing and attack while the Mjolnir 2 and Freya Plus infuse a natural and holographic sound signature which make the whole listening experience a blissful addiction. But are they worth the high asking price? Choral vocals also sound brilliant; we played Edward Elgar’s The Snow, Op.26, No.1, and the different harmonies sounded well-blended without being indistinguishable. With this combination, there is more of a reference tilt with outstanding levels of detailing, transients and separation. Please refresh the page and try again. The Focal Stellia provides a distributive headband which is both wide as it is nicely padded. The consistent curve between these two elements offers flawless comfort, regardless of the shape and size of the listener’s face and head. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Finally, there is a thin leather wallet which contains the user manual and other necessary paperwork. However, with its fantastic build and engineered look along with the balanced frequency response, it would be hard to forgo an audition of these. The blend of high resilience memory foam ear cups and well-constructed metal allows for a comfortable fit despite its 435-gram weight. The slight upslope in the 7k to 10k territories gives the upper midrange some needed sparkle to add some life to tracks. Introduction. but without having to resort to any over-the-top or in your face design elements. Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Jul 18, 2020. Closed-Back Utopia? It incorporates many of … That works out at around AU$4,200 based on current conversion rates, although at the time of writing this review we've yet to learn when the Stellias will be available in Australia. Nec plus ultra finishes While testing the Stellias, we listened to pretty much every musical genre we could think of to see how they handled different timbres and frequencies, and we were impressed by everything we played. Closed Society With the introduction of the „Utopia“ headphones, the loudspeaker manufacturer Focal succeeded in a rare feat: to right away conquer the top position a a segment that was still very new to the French company. Given the source electronics such a premium pair of headphones deserves, these Focals turn in a superb performance. That model was quickly followed up this past February by Focal's new flagship closed-back model, the Stellia ($3,000). They are by no means for everyone – in fact, those musically inclined or those seeking for a tilted presentation should look elsewhere. Wanting to try something a little more bass-heavy, we listened to artists like Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Janelle Monáe and Billie Eilish, and were similarly impressed. Inside, is a large zip-up hardshell carrying case ideal for the longer commutes along with a similar cognac colored leather leaflet box featuring two cable options (a 1.2 metre one with 3.5 mm termination and another of 3 metre length and terminated in 4-pin XLR). Stayed tuned for more…, DethonRay DTR1 Prelude Digital Audio Player Review, Lotoo PAW 6000 Digital Audio Player Review, Mytek Audio Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier Unveiled, 5 Headphone Driver Types Explained In Depth, Bone conduction – from headphones to Bluetooth sunglasses. Let me now explain in detail. One thing that could be improved however is the clamping force which does come in a … The Focal Stellia are a relatively efficient pair of headphones coming in at 35 Ohms impedance and 106 dB sensitivity. The design of the headphones probably won't appeal to people who prefer a more minimalist look for their audio devices – the Focal Stellias are made to be looked at – while their large size could make them a bit too unwieldy for listening on a packed commuter train. Instead, the emphasis here is placed on a precise but capable low-end which never muddies or overwhelms higher frequency ranges. Of course the music files should be at least CD standard or above. Joined: Aug 1, 2016 Likes Received: 2,098 Dislikes Received: 4 Trophy Points: 93. Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Analog DAC and Mjolnir 2 Amp & Schiit Freya Plus Pre-amp. In fact, every aspect of the Stellias just screams opulence, right down to the leather-effect box they come in. Thanks to the padded headband and plenty of padding in the ear cup, we were able to wear the headphones for hours on end. In this review, we are taking a look at the stunning Focal Stellia Headphones from the famous french speaker company that has been making a significant impact on the head audio world. For those wishing for visceral impact and thunderous lows, the Stellia is not the headphones to appease. © Tonally, the frequency response is very even akin to the Stellia’s overall neutral character. At $2999, they represent a huge investment for those seeking for the Focal house sound in a more portable and convenient format. Originally versed in loudspeaker technology, the brand have made use of their extensive R&D knowledge to create a line-up of game-changing headphones. The Focal Stellia provides a distributive headband which is both wide as it is nicely padded. With Stellia, Focal has attempted to produce the world’s best closed-back headphones that are designed with high-end portable use in mind. Inside you’ll find a sturdy woven carrying case that could easily pass as a designer handbag, as well as a leather-style wallet containing user manuals. We have to start with the unboxing experience which reminds me of when I got my Leica X1 camera. There’s also plenty of room for adjustment for those with larger heads, and while the headphones are heavy, they’re not tooheavy, coming in at 0.96 pounds, or 435 grams. However, the biggest difference is in the midrange and highs and where the two emphasize things. The cascading organ melodies sounded sweet and sonorous, while the electric guitar felt gutsy and full of detail. Drawing on Utopia’s level of success, the Focal Stellia represents Focal’s latest answer to closed-back designs. It is an extremely revealing headphone, on par with the best ones I've heard, the sound is warm with an excellent body in the lows, mid-range, and the trebles are extended and super detailed. This does improve slightly with tube-amp pairings which add necessary harmonic distortions to add some body and depth to the overall soundstage. According to Focal, the aluminum yoke is also designed to mold to your head shape. The Stellia’s come in a strong cognac-coloured leather box which lifts to unveil a darker brown insert. In Monáe's Django Jane, the bass frequencies were warm and punchy, and her attacking vocal sounded clear and defined. I think the colour two works very well in this regard. Comparison with Focal Stellia. The blend of high resilience memory foam ear cups and well-constructed metal allows for a comfortable fit despite its 435-gram weight. This is a review of these Focal Stellia headphones. Focal Stellia Review and Measurements. It’s this attention to detail that makes the $3,000 price tag almost feel justified… almost. Focal Stellia review We’re excited to be giving Headfonia readers our impressions on the Focal Stellia – the $3,000 USD flagship closed-back headphone from … Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Overall, there are a lot of similarities between the Focal Stellia and Focal Clear. Focal Stellia Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories: The Stellia are quite bold when it comes to looks, the colour scheme is unlike most high-end headphones. The Stellias offer a capable soundstage for a closed-back model. Whether that’s something you’re willing to pay for is largely down to your lifestyle – and your bank balance – but if you ever find yourself with $3,000 burning a hole in your pocket, the Focal Stellias could well be a sound investment. The outer ear cup design features a honeycomb metallic lattice which surrounds a circular steel Focal logo with the Stellia branding and Beryllium material engraved. There is great sound-staging depth with some of the leading transients being rounded more to aid the smoothness of this headphone’s delivery. It’s hard to say whether the yoke does actually change very much after long periods of use, but it certainly felt very comfortable, thanks partly to the generous and breathable padding. That works out at around AU$4,200 based … Together with the headphones, Focal have a clear and unified two-toned colour theme which helps the brand be distinct and defining in a world of generic audio gear. Schiit Audio Gungnir Multibit DAC and Mjolnir 2 Amp (LISST and tubes). Headphones provided on loan for evaluation by headphones.com. The Focal Stellias combine high-quality craftsmanship with a stunning open soundstage, and they sound mind-blowingly good – but that $3,000 price tag could be a tad excessive. You will receive a verification email shortly. In ‘Differences’ by Ginuwine, the low-end is very tastefully done with bass which quickly fades as it enters. You can preorder them now for £1,199 (about $1,430 / AU$1,980) from the Bentley website.]. The Stellia is better for those looking for a thicker midrange, or for headphones that favor rock, pop, hip-hop, and indie music. This allows it to scale well straight from laptops however dedicated desktop amps/DACs do improve its sound. Yes. Latest Review: https: ... Main: Focal Stellia > UPOCC Silver Cable > Flux Lab Acoustics FA12 Amp > UPOCC Silver XLR > Denafrips Venus 2 DAC > Network Acoustics ENO USB Cable Ag > Stack Audio Link 2 Streamer > Network Acoustics ENO Ag Ethernet Filter & ENO Streaming Cable Ag > Uptone Etheregen Switch > ROON ROC i7 NUC. Beryllium diaphragms in the drivers. Its strength lies in its imaging with great separation of sounds and ability to pinpoint nuances within tracks. First things first: the Focal Stellias are a very expensive pair of headphones, and will set you back $3,000 / £2,799. While we have some practical issues with the Stellias, there are no such doubts about the sound. So, how does all that audio tech actually sound? Open … Additionally, the Stellia is better for those looking to bring their headphones on-the-go because they have a protective travel case, are easier to drive, and has better sound isolation than the HD 820. They are easy to drive whether by amp or by a portable device. Tonally, you might not notice the difference if you aren’t intimately familiar with either. That aside, we found them to be extremely comfortable to wear, even while listening for long periods of time. The Focal Stellia headphones feel pretty darn great too. Mid-bass is more prominent than sub-bass and tracks have good punch with speedy delivery. Listening to the Eikon immediately after the Stellia is a strange feeling – the Focal makes them sound positively laid-back, smooth, and almost veiled in the midrange and treble by comparison. The Stellia offers a low frequency spectrum which extends low with great realism and accurate timbre. Blog Oct 04, 2020. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. One thing that could be improved however is the clamping force which does come in a little snug. The Focal Stellias certainly have a striking design, with a luxurious 'cognac and mocha' color scheme with brushed aluminum accents. In short, the Focal Stellias are an absolutely joy to listen with. In ‘The Outsider’ by Guthrie Govan, notes of the electric guitar seem to soar with great transparency and detailing. Focal Stellia Review - Closed-back Endgame Contender. That luxurious look is matched by the build quality – the headband and cups are full-grain leather, and the cups have memory foam cushions that are designed to mold to shape of your ears. We started by listening to The Doors' Riders On The Storm. New York, The M-shaped Beryllium dome is a tactful addition to exploit use of a light and robust material to counter resonance and aid sound propagation. Excited by the taste of strings on that track, we also listened to Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major. (The use of leather does mean these cans may not appeal to vegans or those who object to using animal products.). Now, the brand new „Stellia“ also wants to stir up the established scene. If you like to keep things minimal in the headphones department, you probably won’t like the showy, opulent design of the Focal Stellias, and they can feel a little chunky for wearing on the commute into work. We had the chance to test the headphones for a couple of weeks, and we were blown away by the quality of both the sound and the craftsmanship. Written by Chrono. Even the cables look luxurious – they're woven in the same color scheme as the headphones, and they felt sturdy and well made. The Stellia is the culmination of years of research with integrated vents to extend frequency responses and foams to absorb excess energy. Page 2 of 3 Prev 1 2 3 Next. There was a depth and warmth to the lower strings, while the higher violins had a sweet and clear tone. Visit our corporate site. All the cables feature an attractive woven design that makes them feel sturdy and well made. Here’s what we thought…, [Update: There's a new pair of Focal headphones on the scene; created in collaboration with British car manufacturer Bentley, the new Radiance headphones take Bentley design elements including copper accents, and recurring diamond lattice design. Overall, this pairing sounds great with the Empyreans despite not costing as much as other propositions. The box itself is leather-wrapped and looks like a squared-off basketball. The Focal Stellias sound absolutely fantastic. We could really hear every squeak and brush of the bow against the strings, and it was wonderful. It is clear that the Stellia can handle complex bass lines and rather than leaning towards a more analytical sound, there is adequate body and depth giving it higher levels of engagement. 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While the audio sounds exceptionally good, we can’t say for certain that the Stellias are 10 times as sonically proficient as the WH-1000XM3s – but you do probably get 10 times the luxury for your money. With a well-established vertically integrated base, the French company have a developed a strong foothold in an already saturated marketplace. There was a problem. Thus with such a clear focus on hard science and the delivery of results, it is no surprise that their latest concoction has intrigued both audiophiles and the mass market alike. Vocals sound even and present without being too forward or laidback. Note thickness is not the largest I have experienced and does on occasions lack some body. Percussion was treated with a similar level of precision and delicacy. They share the same design language as the Focal Elegia but have a more retro look with a cognac and mocha color scheme. The Focal house sound, however, does stray towards the more intimate side of the scale. French audio brand Focal is known for its super-high-end luxury headphones, with prices to match, and its latest model, the Focal Stellias, are no exception. However, separation and imaging allow for pinpoint imaging giving a well-defined soundscape despite the inherent constraints of a closed-back design. Elegia was discontinued by Focal suddenly this year without much warning. With the Telefunken E18CCs, there is a good amount of harmonic distortion added which further increase the musicality and emotiveness of these headphones. First things first: the Focal Stellias are a very expensive pair of headphones, and will set you back $3,000 / £2,799. This comfort is enhanced by the high-resilience memory foam used for the earpads. Snare drum hits were enjoyably grainy, while the violin and violas had a stunning analogue quality before melting into sweeping synths and digital disturbance. But if luxury is your thing, the full-grain leather cups, woven cables, brushed copper accents, and matching carrying case are likely to appeal. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices. Stellia, Focal’s latest luxury headphone, however, has been designed with both the exacting standards of the stay-at-home listener and the upwardly mobile – with emphasis on the mobile - … The overall packaging exudes luxury and is reflective of the price of the headphones. While the Focal Stellia does not demand attention from the outset, it is a headphone which capitalises on an inoffensive sound with great tonal balance, dynamics and pinpoint imaging. The only comparable headphone I had on hand for this review was the Focal Stellia, which I reviewed here. The choice of beryllium drivers with frameless 100-percent copper voice coils also offer excellent sound acoustics for sound with low frequency interference and light mass. Focal Stellia Headphones Review. However, where the Stellias really shone was in their replication of the vocals. Receive news and offers from our other brands? I have other Hi-end headphones like Hifiman Arya and Focal Utopia, but lately I only use Stellia. In 2017, Focal came to Moon Audio to introduce the pre-production units of the Focal Utopia and the Focal Elear. The Stellia is Focal’s flagship closed-back, dynamic driver headphone, and it was designed to deliver a high-end, acoustically-accurate listening experience both at-home, and on-the-go. I like how Focal have been bold, and it is definitely refreshing to see someth They have an extensive frequency response of 5Hz-40kHz (most headphones have a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz), an impedance of 35 Ohms and a sensitivity of 106dB. For those who like a more realistic, harmonically complex high-freque… Cyber Monday deals: see all the best offers right now! The overall headphones look and feel very classy and certainly offer a unique and compelling charm. By contrast, the Clear has slightly more emphasis on textures and is more neutral in the high-mids. Utopia? That luxury feel is translated right down to the presentation of the user manuals in a neat little leather-style wallet – and you may well expect to find this level of detail in exchange for parting with $3,000. The Focal Stellia look great. The weight of the products kept the … Office: Sennheiser HD820 or Beyer 1770 pro > … For comparison, our current favorite headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM3s, are around 10 times cheaper at $349 / £300 / AU$499, which begs the question: are the Focal Stellias 10 times as good? TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Share. Drew Baird / Feb 8th 2019. We were blown away by Jim Morrison's voice; resonant and precise, it sat confidently at the front of the mix. Focal Stellia Closed-Back Circum-Aural Over-Ear Headphones (Cognac) Stellia are the ultimate closed-back circum-aural headphones both in terms of acoustic performance and the prestige of the materials used such as the full grain leather of the headband ear cups and cushions.