I recently upgraded to the Utopia 22 from Clear Mg and had mixed feelings at first. Wasn't blown away at the difference. Then I listened to only the U22 for a week and realized how much of an upgrade they are when going back to the MG. More resolution, clear and refined highs, vocals sound realistic, bigger soundstage, and bass is better controlled and balanced throughout. Instrument separation/macro dynamics/detail retrieval is vastly improved yet very musical/refined and not overly analytical like some other high end offerings. Excellent phones. I believe this is the first headphone I have owned where theres times I forget I have headphones on because the music at times feels like its coming from elsewhere in the room.
You have absolutely right, I also had similiar experience with Clear Mg vs Nutopia, and it takes little time to notice that Nutopia is better in absolutely all aspects you mention, sound sophisticated is on Another level !
i also have the clear mg's do you think its worth im a bass head mainly listen to emo/rap/edm/expieremental music I really enjoy the mg's but wanted a taste of the utopia because ive heard really good stuff but the price is high haha but im looking for endgame considering i listen to music a ton
@@abal11 They're two different sound characters. The MG has more bass slam, engaging dynamics, and a very good match for those music genres. The Utopia is a more reference sound. It has less bass than the MG but the bass is articulate, balanced, and accurate. If you want even more bass than the MG and the musical resolution/fidelity that a beryllium driver can provide I would say the Stellias are a better fit especially for those genres you mentioned but keep in mind these are closed design so no airy soundstage as the Clear/Utopia.
Great vid brother. I had the Utopia 2022 and it is mind-blowing at imaging specifically. Some songs had such an amazing spherical tornado around me. It was amazing even with a D90 A90 stack. Endgame for many ❤
I recently compare Utopia Og vs Utopia 22 Side by Side for over 3 hours on the same chain, and Utopia 22 is more dynamic than Og. Richness and depth of sound is also far better on Utopia 22, while Utopia Og has crisper treble and airier soundstage, but Nutopia soundstage is bigger.
Thank you very much for this detailed review. Just entering the higher end headphones 'hobby' could you perhaps comment on the BOSE QC versus the Focal Bathys?
You said this headphones pairs nicely with Sony DMP-Z1. How you think this will pair with the Sony TA-ZH1ES headphone amp? Just bought a Moon Audio Silver Dragon (4pin XLR) cable for my MDR-Z1R headphones and it sounds so good. I just to try Focal headphones but wonder if it will play nicely with my sony headphones amp. Are you getting the traillii ti? I am working on getting it. Loving the UM Amber Pearl. Keep up the great work. Need more people like you in this wonderful hobby.
@davidpilon9433 I have both DMP-Z1 and ZM2. The DMP-Z1 is worth every bit of money or more. My main DAC is an MSB Premier, and I can confidently say the DMP is no slouch. Since he loves the ZM2 so much I'm very curious to hear his thoughts on the DMP-Z1
Cool vid. There’s different ways of looking at the OG vs 2022 comparison I guess. Although nutopia might be slightly less dynamic, to me it retains enough of the Utopia excitement but sounds more “natural” overall. I definitely find metal and heavier music more listenable on it - on my chain the OG had a grating quality to the upper mids which resulted in fatigue with heavier stuff. On my chain (solid state) bass on the OG had a bit of a flat quality too, lacking dimension and shape, and this is largely rectified on the 2022 version. Ultimately both are great though as you say.
Terrific insight and thoughts. Much appreciated as always. Utopia really does need a good source chain. It is picky. Streaming is awful on the Utopia. It is a ruthless headphone like the HD 800.
Atrium Closed might still be much more fun headphone to for you. Verite Closed got very unusual tuning, for most its either a love or a hate thing. Atrium Closed got enveloping slammy bass, with very natural timbre and great stage for a closed bac.
I tried the focal utopia 2022 wich was my dream headphones but i didn’t like it that much! This hobby is very subjective and money don’t buy you happiness
