The Focal Stellia are PURE LUXURY

Подписаться 340 тыс.

Просмотров 94 тыс.

50% 1

This video is brought to you by Roon: land.roonlabs.com/introducing...
Camera: Olaf von Voss | Editor: John Darko | Motion GFX: John Darko | Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
PATREON: / johndarko
for associated music playlists + exclusive video content
0:00 Intro
0:52 Why?
4:08 Packaging, comfort & driver tech
7:30 Sound 1
11:55 Coffee break
12:45 Sound 2
15:04 More why?
Featured in this video...
Focal Stellia:
www.focal.com/headphones/stel...
Focal factory tour:
darko.audio/2020/02/onsight-f...
Dan Clark Ether 2:
• DAN CLARK Ether 2 vs. ...
Rosson RAD-0:
darko.audio/2021/01/podcast-a...
Meze Empyrean:
darko.audio/2019/02/a-short-f...
Chord Hugo2 + 2go:
darko.audio/2020/04/a-short-f...
dCS Bartók:
darko.audio/2019/07/a-short-f...
#luxury #headphones #audiophile
__________________________________________________________________
Darko.Audio FAQ:
darko.audio/faq/
Why are/were comments turned OFF?
darko.audio/2020/10/why-im-sw...
What the bloody hell am I talking about?
• What the bloody hell a...
How is Darko.Audio funded?
darko.audio/funding/
__________________________________________________________________
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A PODCAST?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
open.spotify.com/show/1mnKixp...
/ johnhdarko
__________________________________________________________________
Darko.Audio is a web magazine covering new and exciting developments in the audio world and we aren’t afraid of indie rock or techno.
Web: Darko.Audio
Instagram: / darkoaudio
Facebook: / darkodotaudio

Развлечения

Опубликовано:

10 июл 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 277

@DarkoAudio 2 года назад

*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY* Please be a decent human being and keep your sexist/racist thoughts and conspiracy theories to yourself. External links are also a no-no. Comments that *advance* the conversation are most welcome.

@johenkay1129 2 года назад

I love my Stellia so much. Absolutely my favorite pair of headphones.

@CleveDawgPound 2 года назад

While I will likely never own a $3k pair of headphones I still thoroughly enjoy your content. First of all, I really enjoy hearing what you are listening to. Second, I do like how you also review entry level equipment, like your recents looks at entry level DACs. Can’t wait for your thoughts on entry level headphones. The value there will be immense considering your exposure to so many high end sets. Great work, thank you.

@aceofspades6667 2 года назад

They can be had for 1.6k off headfi

@st200ol 10 месяцев назад

@@aceofspades6667 Or 1 year later 2.2K brand new in the current 600 trade in offer period.

@mrg1911 2 года назад

I bought the Stellias this year and am extremely happy with them. I use a McIntosh MHA150 amp and also run Harbeth P3ESR-XD’s speakers when not using the Stellias. At my age this was the smallest, simplest, decent system I could assemble. Thanks!

@seanwelsby62 2 года назад

Hope you haven't missed hearing this - Toy Planet: Irmin Schmidt & Bruno Spoerri (1981). Thanks for all the content.

@corneesmit7205 2 года назад

What I love about your video’s is that I get exposed to all these new (to me) albums! With all the pausing your video last hours ;) Great stuff! Thank you

@EEM131E 2 года назад

Yes I agree; that System 7 album is superb!!

@tedjensen8841 2 года назад

Thank you for continuing your headphone series. Much appreciated.

@marc6652 2 года назад

I love Hifi and music since I was a teenager, and I'm 61 currently. Previously I had a combo B&W 802 + Amp Classè Audio A class. I just bought a Stellia and I listen to music with MacBookPro + Dragonfly black henceforth. To shrink the story a bit, I've never heard such an amazing sound. DAC + Stellia gives you the best, without dispute. Pure emotion. Period.

@MarcelNL Год назад

I haven't tried this one myself, but for me the Audeze LCD-X with Decware taboo MK III was pure heaven! I had (and still have) a rather simple DAC though. When I have the money for it, I want a Denafrips Ares II. (A higher model of theirs unfortunately always will be out of my reach.) Actually right now I only have an AKG K845 without any amp at all. Priorities: having a family does cost quite a bit of money. ;-) Maybe some day in the future I might take a look into the Focal Celestee.

@Genoflesh 2 года назад

I really like how John sprinkles nuances of albums to explain the features of the headphones. It also enables me to explore those parts of the music with my own headphones. But John's taste and mine are polar opposite, but good for me since I get to discover more of a foreign genre. Thanks, John and Olaf has quite beautiful camera angles.

@jonlevinson3000 2 года назад

I agree with you - I enjoy when he mentions what music he auditions, but in my case there is much overlap in tastes so it serves to remind me, or inform me, of music that has fallen off my radar.

@newgoblin49 2 года назад

Can I speak to you about the Indian Audiophile initiative

@flava1981 2 года назад

It’s really ace isn’t it? Way to go Darko.

@simonamyot-bourgeois6982 2 года назад

Haha I listen to this more and more to simply discover some music.

@cillyede 2 года назад

Wieder ein großartiges Video, dankeschön.

@test40323 2 года назад

If you are experiencing hearing loss and you don't want everyone to join your club, headphones are a great way to go! :-)

@soulfulfool 2 года назад

yea closed back headphones because my Audeze still can perform like a little speaker :) (open back)

@mattygraham 2 года назад

Super enjoyable to watch mate. They're pretty special cans.

@dlorbieski 2 года назад

Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts and observations on these...as always informative and well presented 👍👍

@deadline7610 2 года назад

Nicely Done. Looking forward to the entry level vid. Hopefully not to long in the making :)

@PastorHinChrist 2 года назад

G/day John, another super awesome video- thank you for your effort!

@s111nps 2 года назад

Thanks for another great review. Also, you have introduced me to many artist’s that I wouldn’t have found. I appreciate your dedication to the listening experience. Enjoy your musical journey.

@unaortottista 2 года назад

Thanks John for your videos, such great audio equipment and amazing music tips 🚀

@professorcalculus5315 2 года назад

Thanks John and Olaf. Love the alchemy of music and head-fi (and coffee!)

@benpit2762 2 года назад

No one commented on the incredible coffee transition… loved it! On a more serious note, I auditioned the Stellia and the Utopias and I just got charmed and hooked by the Utopias, best investment to date, they really just stand out for me. They’re Focal’s top end headphones, you get what you pay for. Another great video from John Darko.

@matticeverhoeven6539 2 года назад

Welcome to the club!

@anthonyclark4569 Год назад

Not impressed with that V60 technique, I feel a collaboration with James Hoffmann would be next level! 😂

@douglaspcollins4987 2 года назад

Love John's intellectual agility, his ever inventive language, his infectious enthusiasms. Have never tried the Stellias, but I own the Utopias that I use with the Bartok. The surprise for me is that cables matter greatly. I swapped out the stock cables for cables made for them by Transparent. The difference was HUGE.

@jimgardner5129 2 года назад

Thanks John for always pushing me in new musical directions.

@stevejessemey8428 2 года назад

After spending around €9000 on my surround sound system in my previous apartment, where I could crank up the volume and I felt like I was in heaven as one would. To now living in another apartment where I cannot use my system because of the neighbors, I am feeling somewhat sad knowing that these beautiful headphones would have been a much better purchase 😂 . If only we could see the future wouldn't that be awesome. Nice review by the way 👍

@peter1987 2 года назад

Nice review, thanks. Plenty of information and valid comparisons

@njalbrekke4861 2 года назад

Brilliant! Great nuances when comparing the headphones👍

@thomasandersen6014 2 года назад

As allways, thanks for a nice and detailed review. Cheers.

@Sampardhanani 2 года назад

Looks good on you John. Beautiful device.

@69Muscle 2 года назад

I bought Focal Clears a few years ago. They are stunning. The quality of materials and sound never ceases to amaze me. Great video - love your enthusiasm and expert insights!

@ivandubov2537 2 года назад

Recently got Clear OG as well. Just curious - what are You using as source?

@69Muscle 2 года назад

@@ivandubov2537 I listen from my MacBook connected with Audioquest evergreen cable to Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M. Tidal MQA sounds amazing.

@falcodarkzz 2 года назад

Clear user here. The Stellia are even more amazing by a mile, wish id never tried em lol

@aceofspades6667 2 года назад

@@falcodarkzz not by a mile.. focal radiance can be had for around 800. They are not as technical as Stellia but more enjoyable tuning than Stellia imo.

@syanhc Год назад

I enjoy the way John brings out the music as he discusses the sonic qualities of the product. ❤

@PotentChr0nic 2 года назад

Love what you're suggesting with the coffee interlude.

@szulzykk 2 года назад

Another great and simple as it should be. Thanks. Amazing headphones ; )

@lewisatkinson7277 2 года назад

Lovely review John. Very Pleasant. They really are exquisite headphones 🎧

@markjmacrae 2 года назад

Great review, will be working my way through the back catalogue!

@Aki-or9gi 2 года назад

John, you are to high-end audio as Nigella is to eating strawberries...and I mean that in a good way. Watching you introduce a headphone jack to a socket is, quite simply, sublime!

@stephantranquille6681 2 года назад

These Focal headphones sure are beasts to behold. I love the way they look and all I have to do is experience them for myself.

@MrNypdblue911 2 года назад

John, thanks for your video brilliant as always, best reviews & production by a country mile ......

@Tony-pk6ql 2 года назад

Great review. With the wife and daughter working from home now (due to Covid), headphones are my musical lifeline.

@phillipscott7634 2 года назад

Thanks John for talking about Metallic Spheres, I had forgotten I had it in my CD collection and had to go and put it on a re experience its sublime soundscapes

@technics-n-thuiast8346 2 года назад

I’ve been wanting those Stellias 🎧 since they’ve been announced. After this review, I want them even more. Gonna have to pull some night shifts to save up 😬

@marksoftime Год назад

Hope you managed to get some

@cassiecat7038 Год назад

Just got them 3 days ago very much enjoying, once growing accustomed to the closed back sound.

@techmed-rainer Год назад

Thank you so much for this nice review. I don't own those beautiful Stellias, but I bought the Celestee just about 2 weeks ago, and I'm really really happy with them. They look beautiful, they are extremely comfortable, but most importantly they sound so good. I didn't expect this from a closed back.

@seviyorumABD 2 года назад

Another great video, especially the coffee interlude. Agree entirely about the Stellia sound. It’s the only Focal headphone I truly enjoy; the comfort and its character , wonderful. Awesome music choices throughout.

@Kah0ona 2 года назад

Lovin' your music selections, again. It's because it's outside of my 'recommendation pool'. Playing these tunes on Tidal, hopefully makes my recommendations a bit wider. And, of course, it yields a few album picks for immediate enjoyment. Really love Calexico's Hot Rail at the moment. Thumbs up! Oh and: not in the market for a 3 grand pair of headphones, but something about your videos makes me want to watch (the gear part) still :-D

@johnrobins795 2 года назад

Had only thought about headphones as for late night don't disturb the Spouse listening; thank you enlightening me to the acoustics in comparison to listening to loudspeakers within a room🎶

@free5sole 2 года назад

Love my Stellia's. I had the Empyrean's before and loved them too but the Stellia's are just as sharp and dynamic, less airy but most importantly for my use case, closed back.

@nikikefalas 2 года назад

Love Prefab Sprout! When love breaks down was the first tune heard. brilliant

@devenmajmudar839 2 года назад

Love you videos. I use Stellias with Mojo when travelling. Amazing sound listening to Tool / Pink Floyd. Great video.

@athathsonty2925 2 года назад

Best part of this Video - The Luxurious Coffee preparation !

@esperla123 2 года назад

Excellent video

@russellnewton6660 2 года назад

I’m seriously thinking of the focal celestee it’s nearer to what I could push for, but these look and I’m sure sound absolutely gorgeous.

@nieledwardmckeeable 2 года назад

Did you get the Celestee's in the end? Interested to know what you think about them. Getting mine this week.

@ismael5310 2 года назад

great video I was still hesitating between the stellia and the meze. lots of information and always so professional in your attitude. You can benefit from a 3-year additional warranty to the official website by registering your product

@egit2427 2 года назад

When i used to fly in the military we used Dan Clarks and it was with that brand i first came across voice activated and sound canceling. A very comfortable headset. Am also challenged with glasses, i no longer use behind the ear frames because of aviation headsets.

@GA-zp5vf 2 года назад

I recently got Focal Elegia's and coming from my previous best headphones, the Sennheiser HD 6XX, the difference in build quality and presentation is astounding.

@kurthedrich3894 2 года назад

While I'm not really a headphone guy, my (only) audiophile friend owns a pair. With his FiiO DAP and my own Pontus II DAC it was simply the best headphone experience of my entire life.

@yamman93 2 года назад

High end audio and coffee go well together. You should try adding like 30-60 grams of water to the coffee and letting it sit for 30 seconds before adding the remaining water. It helps improve extraction. I love the video. I am constantly discovering new music from you and it is a real joy.

@DarkoAudio 2 года назад

Thanks for the coffee tip. I will try that.

@brightondude9327 2 года назад

I really like headphone reviews as I use headphones a lot myself. I think it is very true that you get a lot with really good headphones. I have Sennheiser HD 800 S and the sound quality with these is breathtaking. I do listen to a lot of classical music, they are really good for that of course. Headphones are a very different presentation from loudspeakers, but I find I like the immersion that you get with them. I first started using headphones a lot in the 90s when I lived in London and I had a tiny flat (apartment in US). If I played music with loudspeakers then my neighbours in their tiny flats were listening along as well. So, I started listening to music with headphones almost exclusively each night and I developed a great love of using headphones.

@Cyba_IT 2 года назад

Seems everyone is getting into headphones at the moment or maybe it's just me and the RU-vid algorithm. Also, it has just occurred to me that John is living the ultimate bachelor lifestyle.

@regispeltier922 2 года назад

I meant your whole approach brought me back to hifi... and I did not need this problem!!! More seriously, Thank you for your work.

@filipedecarvalho3390 2 года назад

Tested these on a store a few months ago and I completely agree on what you said about the layers in music. Especially vocal separation, there's simply nothing like it. It does lack warmth though and I guess for this reason it could never be an all-round pair of headphones for me.

@AndrewWardell 2 года назад

Wow, I haven't listened to 'Metallic Spheres' in so long! Thanks for the reminder :)

@foupax 2 года назад

Nice review, thank you. Can’t wait for your thoughts on entry level headphones. By the way have you heard of the love and hate Fidelio X2HR ?

@pete6705 2 года назад

I'm not an audiophile, but I just think these are so cool. I bought some Focal tower speakers because I've just read about and watched so many videos on Focal, and love the brand. I could never justify spending that kind of money on headphones as I don't really even listen to headphones that much, but they're definitely on my dream list of stuff

@AKelly-wd4lj 2 года назад

Love getting album/track recommendations, and will get them on my listen list. That's what it's all about at the end of the day

@mrpositronia 2 года назад

I like headphones, like most people, but I can't relax with them if my partner is in the living room watching the TV. When she's not in the living room, I listen with my speakers. As a side note, room correction is a nice way of fixing room modes (if not the reflections) and hearing the sound stage with more clarity. I think we will start seeing a lot more digital amplification employing room correction soon.

@soulfulfool 2 года назад

Cant imagine how they can not be pure luxury for that price :) Focal got that stylish look for their headphones, adding great sound quality make them solid choice

@darreng279 2 года назад

Very nice.

@5nakedoc 2 года назад

Hi, I owned Focal Stellia for one year. They are the best closed back Headphones you can buy. But I sold them again, because wires. Those thick wires are annoying AF. And you also need a pretty bulky amplifier to drive them and that repelled me from using them. But if you take your time and put in the effort they are. a dream.

@rhodey2952 2 года назад

They are definitely one of the best closed backs. Cable swap is an easy fix. And these are pretty easy to drive. My hiby r6 pro ran them very well.

@5nakedoc 2 года назад

Sure yeah, you can drive them with almost everything, even a phone will do it, but if you want to actually experience the full deal, you have to go all in. And that is what ruins the experience in my opinion. I’ll be the first in line when focal releases Airplay or Wi-Fi capable headphones (because of the bandwidth) but until then I’ll use Bluetooth headphones. Because although the sound of these Stellia headphones is really really good and can never be matched with Bluetooth headphones, the wires and the AMP is what ruins the experience

@robm321 2 года назад

LOL or you could have just swapped the cable easily instead of "get rid of them".

@5nakedoc 2 года назад

@@robm321 Yeah but you still have cables, thats my whole point. Anyway as i didnt lose money on the headphones it was okay for me personally.

@TM-fx2pi 2 года назад

I keyed in on your observation that they are closed back but don’t necessarily sound like a typical closed back. That’s nice to know because I’m currently shopping for headphones and have not had the chance to start listening to any yet. Considering Audezey LCD-XC and LCD-3. I will add these to my list as well. Thank you. I own Meze 99 Classic. They are great. Looking to step up.

@josenebrus8183 2 года назад

Hi John, thank you so much for your detailed review of the Focal headphones 😉 BTW, your nonverbal behavior revealed every single detail of the Focal headphones 🎧 and that is such a wonderful thing to see, your enthusiasm is more than obvious 👊👊👊 Thanks again for a fantastic review gentleman 👍 much appreciated 💯👌

@shreyasdharur7748 2 года назад

Great review as per usual, and I appreciate your in-depth coverage of devices with different types of sound signatures.

@brianbieniowski2777 2 года назад

While I'll never find the will to invest in $3000 headphones, this did inspire me to brew with the Chemex and bring out Spanners this morning. I always thought Black Dog records post-Plaid guys were superior to Plaid. Is it just me or do all this era's IDM recordings (GPR Records, Likemind, early John Beltran) lack dynamics from a sound quality standpoint? Speaking of the Orb, John, if you haven't picked up The Grid's recent collab with Robert Fripp, you're in for a treat.

@DarkoAudio 2 года назад

I dunno, man. I prefer the Black Dog stuff before the split. And yeah, the recording quality does vary on some of the earlier stuff.

@MartinPearman 2 года назад

Good evening fella. Great vid as always. Not sure if you’re aware the Gilmore & Orb Metallic Spheres album released with a double CD and the second CD was a headphone specific version of the album. Specifically a 3D60 version. Maybe worth checking out. Also a recommendation which maybe up your street music wise, Craven Faults. Utterly outstanding modular synth stuff.

@kenstephens2955 2 года назад

Hi John, thanks for this. I’m excited! If you know, please tell me how I might get a 2.2mm balanced lead for the Stellias. With love, Ken

@rotaks1 2 года назад

John, What's the headphone stand sitting on top of the PS audio CD transport?

@by14996 2 года назад

Please do the video for entry level soon John, great stuff!! :)

@turbomustang84 2 года назад

The stellias are fantastic and I had them for a couple weeks and have since tried to get something cheaper that came close and the Sony MDR-Z7M2 is what I chose...

@jonlevinson3000 2 года назад

A work colleague had shared a URL with me for the Focal Stella and I balked at the price, but I'm glad to have seen this review. Maybe something a third of the price would be within my pain threshold. Looking forward to your next video.

@steinivarpedersen2316 2 года назад

I you want to spend a third of the price for Stella, maybe you should test Focal Celestee. In my ears they are very similar to Stella and costs about a third.

@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461 2 года назад

👀 LOOKS AND SOUNDS👂 LIKE A LUXURIOUS EXPERIENCE 🤗🤗🤗😎😍😍😍

@indiemichael 2 года назад

I had a pair of Stellias. Then I had two more pair's of Stellias. All three of them had bad drivers, really poor QA on Focals behalf. Decided to give up on the brand entirely and bought a pair of HD800S.

@InternetUser-d7s 2 года назад

Same with the Clear. Awful drivers that distort with the slightest elevation in sub-bass.

@Daaell 2 года назад

The Drop Focal Elex had the same issue, but that's only $700. Looks like spending more on gear won't help you, when the issue is the company.

@60zeller 2 года назад

@@InternetUser-d7s had the Elears for a few years. No issues, still enjoy

@rayludwig1381 2 года назад

Very much out of my budget, but I am looking forward to your entry-level headphone video

@tomsvinyls 2 года назад

Bit of an odd question not sure if it has been covered, but how do you store your digital music and more importantly what do you have in place so you dont loose the data. Backups, Raid arrays ect.

@ecycled3d 2 года назад

Fantastic review on a product that I am so close to investing in but I must say it was at 11:57 that it all congealed and I hit the "Subscribe" button.

@josejuanbolanosquintana4055 2 года назад

Can i connect active speakers edifier 1700 bt to amplifier yamaha 501?.Great channel.Thank you very much.

@klepmod 2 года назад

Thank you for this review. I'm trying to decide on my next closed back headphone. Your thoughts on the Stellia are much appreciated. I'm currently leaning towards the ZMF Verite Closed but the Stellia is in the running.

@allansh828 2 года назад

I am a Stellia owner and I am eager to try Denon D9200 and VC. Stellia sound a bit too closed. I blamed its fully closed leather pads.

@klepmod 2 года назад

@@allansh828 That's exactly my concern. I keep reading about how large the VC stage is for a closed. I miss CanJam.

@falcodarkzz 2 года назад

I auditioned those two recently. I found the Stellia jaw dropping. The ZMF was warmer, cosier, more muffled, and sounded like a less accomplished headphone to me. The ZMF creates a kind of single image, which is cohesive, whereas the Stellia has an incredible sense of independence of different strands of the music. The Stellia is much more energetic, and the midrange is more forward and much fuller. The ZMF is softer, and more coloured. I didnt know the ZMF price when I tried it as it was just lying on the counter, but I guessed it at half that of the Stellia, personally. was very suprised to be told it was in a similar category. But i think that says more about my preferences than anything!

@mgrth Год назад

very good take. love the cheeky smiles when talking about being practical. your measured deliberated sauteing of words makes it quite easy to follow what the various headphones bring to the table. thanks. on your cheeky smile, i felt the same way when my focal salesman spent 45 minutes aligning the big speakers to perfection, only to have me bump them out a foot in each direction because i needed to see the teli ... sure, it ruined the perfect sound signature. but .. teli...

@vendornet7 2 года назад

@Darko Audio, can you review the Focal Clear MG? That would be great! Thanks!

@tommyv8584 2 года назад

Fantastic reviewed,the ways you described with the music and how you hear them.......🎼👍🏼🤚...... any chance you can compare this to the Focal Clear Mg.

@jasonmt6314 2 года назад

Will you or have you tried the HD 820s Sennheiser?

@gjermundgiljaras6244 Год назад

Hi there A question regarding headphone amp with "cross feed" is that something you have tested, with the Focal ore other headphones?

@albertonarduzzi8620 2 года назад

Joooohn!!! OMG, I managed to put my hands on the Metallic Spheres thing... I still cannot believe my studio monitors could show such details. The CD is indeed an explosion of microsounds everywhere!!! Fan.ta.stic. Thanks, and keep up with the good job. Cheers, Al.

@joergbrathauer2302 2 года назад

loved the coffee drip - what grinder do you use?

@siphonsnob 2 года назад

It is a Baratza Sette, but I cannot tell if it is the mode 30 or model 270 or 270W.

@revelationsoundstudio Год назад

Great video and explanation of these Focals. Personally I am not a fan of closed back headphones as much. Open back have less ear fatigue and the sound is more airy.

@HKNKRDMR Год назад

Hi, thanks for the detailed review of Focal Stella. I am considering to purchase one. Do you think Astell Kern Maxx can drive these headphones properly in full range, without an external amp? Thanks in advance.

@Merkava76 2 года назад

If I had a spare $4500 Australian to spare I'd definitely grab these, but I'll stick to my focal Elegia for now, I also found them to be extremely detailed and if I want to hear everything, I wear them and 100% agree, with what you said about open backs being the best is pragmatic. Seriously watching that coffee being made, I was drooling 💦

@user-eb5ri3nf9d 2 года назад

Hi, do I have the focal clear and worth upgrading to stellia?

@audioschipper 2 года назад

I missed the Spirit Torino Twin Pulse. It has the same price and sounds wonderfull!

@dovyhk 2 года назад

How long should I run in this pair of headphones?

@litenbrandbil 2 года назад

Is there a Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 in the background at 15:20? "Kallax-fi" review coming up?

@catire98 2 года назад

I love your hi-end headphones reviews even if my budget only allows for $20 in-ear earphones 🤓

@Jimmy-Chin 2 года назад

I listened to some stellias 2 years ago at the Florida audio expo, but I couldn't get myself to like it for some reason. I still prefer my T60 Argon's.