Review - Focal Stellia - Are these the best Closed-Back Headphones ever made?

We do a deep dive into a months-long try-out period with the Focal Stellia, the much hyped headphones that promise open-back performance with the advantages of a closed-back form factor. Find out whether they live up to the incredibly high expectations from such a premium product.
Plus, mid-way through we had a visitor who shows up on the thumbnail - even Zissou wants to take part in these listening sessions!
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[@johnmedany9294]

I've paired my Stellia with a Uniti HE - fed by Roon HD content - very happy with them

[@palodoxaliqua5809]

This review was informative and just nice to listen to. Thanks for your insight!

[@risumorino1876]

Nah, verite closed or E3

[@WSmith-lp8jd]

Nah….I’m returning the E3. It is power hungry and requires massive power.

[@KillaHafiz89]

I actually prefer stellia to both!

[@F.S.111]

I think Stella is best closed back. Susvara is the best open. I have tried them all too over the years. I have no budget either. That said I am running some high end stuff too with Stella. When connected to lesser systems they may not be best I really can’t comment on that. I use Burson Audio Soloist Voyager Amp, with 5 amp supercharger, 7 Vivid Op Amps in input and V7 Classic op amps in other 4 spots. I also have the SP2 silent upgrade. chord Qutest DAC and Hugo M scaler, nordost BNC cables, Audioquest Water RCA, upgraded linear power supplies to DAC and M Scaler, Moon Audio Black Dragon 4 pin XLR cable to headphones.

[@risumorino1876]

@@F.S.111 what do you think E3 lacks that stellia can do better? I hear that stellia can't match E3 in tonality even if EQed to the same target. E3 also has a better soundstage

[@F.S.111]

@@risumorino1876 Greetings. Well a couple things first. I listen to closed backs 90% of the time and can really give you better reasons for me why nothing really is good as Susvara for me. That I am 100% sure of. It’s harder when you don’t listen to closed backs much. I have them only for when my wife is around and I always play fairly loud so it annoys her. lol. I currently own in open backs Susvara (my personal fav) Focal Utopia original and 2020. The original have better highs and prefer them. I should sell the newer ones. I also have Audeze LCD5. Nice as well but I don’t think they have as good highs or mids as Susvara. They do have more bass I think. I tried Abyss didn’t care for much about them especially the highs. have several headphone set ups in the house. The main one uses HiFiman EF-1000 amp, Denafrips Terminator Plus and Audioquest water cables, Moon Audio Black and Silver headphone cables. So to your question I have tried a lot of closed backs to find best one for that 10% of time I actually use them. I’ve come to realize none will sound as good as closed backs. None have beat the Stellia to my ears but I’ll tell you I’m not in love with Stellia. Perhaps I should visit E3 again. So many brands out there. I have bought and tried Sony, Fostex, Meze Lyric Focal radiance etc. I have not owned E3 but was able to listen to them briefly with a friend. They didn’t seem to have as much detail or separation of instruments imo. They weren’t horrible but nothing said sell the Stellia and get these lol. I will also tell you I don’t EQ anything. If they don’t sound good flat I don’t want them. I’ve tried to play with EQ and to me it colors sound and always sounds worse.