Focal Stellia Headphone Review

Let's take a look at Focal's TOTL closed-back!
Thanks to Head-Fi user @sa11297 for the loan of Stellia!
Buy from Apos Audio (affiliate link): apos.audio/col...
Written Review: forum.hifiguid... or www.head-fi.or...
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Review library: docs.google.co...

[@mrg1911]

I bought the Stellia's earlier this year and couldn't be happier.
Thanks!

[@saxtant]

I have the Stellia, I modded it slightly by swapping the pads for fenestrated pads and then surrounded each pad with a Velcro strip to mostly seal it back up. This opens it up a little, a little more soundstage and the Velcro puts the bass back in big time. It now feels unsealed and so feels more like an open back plus the new pad covers tighten the head stability, they are now awesome.

[@edmundoa1935]

I just received the Stellias yesterday. I didn't love them, and the sound was somehow uncomfortable. Because of the rave reviews, I questioned myself if I had a bad unit. Now with your review may know what is happening, and I hope with a little time the sound mellows because right now is not that pleasant.
Thanks for your honest review.

[@wavetheorysound]

Thanks for the kind words! Are you thinking they need some break in?

[@edmundoa1935]

@Reviews By WaveTheory
It's funny that you mentioned it, after some listening hours indeed are becoming better. Better enough to update (edit) my yesterday's comment, but just this mention will suffice. Thanks again for your review and I wish you the best.

[@delta9k]

So, you are going to keep Focus on Focal, at least through the shoot-out. Nice!
I was fortunate to audition a Stellia a while back. I liked the headphone overall, really was impressed with the stage "feeling" much larger than it was and the holographic effect, but there was something going on in the upper mids that was enough of an issue for me to be a deal breaker. Still, it is a really nice piece, and I understand why it is liked by so many.

[@cassiecat7038]

Just got them yesterday a bit of adjustment to the closed back sound (my others are all open) but loving them

[@gregoryggood]

I would like to know what frequency range is meant here by the term "upper mids ". Many folks have differing ideas of where mids end and treble begins.

[@עידןתמיר-ה3ס]

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

[@sumeetagarwal6561]

nice thumbnail, i think ill use it :p

[@wavetheorysound]

COPYRIGHT! Lol. I'll give it to you...loaner privilege

[@khoocheepeng]

i think i should stay with my audio technica 50 years anniversary headphone.

[@bunozen1]

You must ab test with the Denon D9200. The Stellia sounds like 600 bucks.

[@edmundoa1935]

Denon's are great too and so different that it is difficult to compare. Stella's technicalities blow the Denons apart, however. $3K is definitely overpriced and the $1.6K Denon are a little underpriced (fortunately).

[@WSmith-lp8jd]

I had the Dennon9200 and the Stellia is FAR SUPERIOR…..

[@aceofspades6667]

Verite closed if you want to enjoy the music Stellia if you want to analyze it.

[@Beni_Best]

Never heard verite but I enjoying stellia pretty much. I would like to see comparison between verite and stellia

[@falcodarkzz]

I tried both and enjoyed stellia more tbh, more energy and wow factor