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Author Topic: Focal Spirit Professional  (Read 3136 times)

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Azteca X

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Focal Spirit Professional
« on: October 15, 2014, 01:43:13 PM »
First, thanks to Ultrabike for sending them my way.

I've listened for an hour or two out of my Geek Out 1000's 0.47 ohm output. A few FLAC rips I have at work, a lot of Spotify with it's high quality setting.
I'm enjoying it. Strong but appropriate bass - I'm never really looking for emphasized bass but bass-shyness is a bummer if you listen to a lot of electronic music. EDIT: Bass is a little indistinct, though honestly. Big fat synth sub bass can sometimes sound one-note and kind of nasal. I suppose I'm used to hearing less but more controlled/pitch-specific. Seems imprecise.
I was really concerned about comfort as it was a frequent complaint in online reviews. So far it's alright but the gel pad on the headband is pretty small. I haven't had it on for more than 30 minutes in one go so far. I can imagine it would be fatiguing after an hour, similar to my regular headphone for doing audio work, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. Unlike the HD 280, the cups are just small enough to be semi on-ear - I can feel them smushing my earlobes a little bit. Not intrusive but that will certainly add to the fatigue after an hour.

The construction is indeed kind of terrifying - I don't have a freakishly large head but I am very tall and have a proportional head. Looking at the construction of the headband there is a gap between the various plastic parts when I stretch it to put it on my head. I read about quite a few people having cracking issues (particularly on Gearslutz) and I can see why. I'm going to be very cautious with this loaner pair. I definitely dig the removable cable.

So, preliminary findings: really like the sound, wish the cups were larger and the headband was more robust. I will spend more time with them and hopefully receive my Geek Pulse in time to give this thing some real juice.

Some recordings I've been listening to:

Lil Silva - Mabel EP
Wen - Signals
Takuya Kuroda - Rising Son
Noriko Ogawa - Debussy: The Solo Piano Works
Academy of St Martin in the Fields - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
« Last Edit: October 15, 2014, 02:19:58 PM by Azteca X »
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CEE TEE

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2014, 08:57:45 PM »
I'll add some fit help that works for me:  I will take the pads and ensure that the cups/pads sit somewhat on my jaw so that my jaw takes some of the pressure of the clamping force.  This helps the ears and is worth the "monkeying around" if you want to use these.


At times, their size/voice cable/closed form is good to have around. I do NOT listen to them after I have listened to my "good mids" cans/iems in the same day, though.  The sig can be fun, okay if I haven't listened to my other phones that day.  Why I can't vote for them on the Leaderboard.  But they have some good qualities if you don't need plastic surgery to enjoy them.
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Azteca X

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2014, 11:26:52 PM »
Thanks for the input, Cee Tee! I'll try the jaw trick.
Yes, the sound is "fun" in a reasonably accurate way. Pleasing to listen to but still with plenty of detail. From the way Tyll was talking I expected something else but I believe they could make a great all-around headphone, including for mixing on the go, using in the office, grading audio assignments in the coffee shop etc. I don't know of any other reasonably-sized closed headphone with a sound like this for under $400.

The other closed headphone that I ogle at is the Paradox. Cee Tee, or anyone who has heard both, how would you say they stack up? I expect the answer will be that Paradox is super neutral and more resolving.
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zerodeefex

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2014, 11:48:39 PM »
CEE TEE and I both traded our original Paradox cans for the FSP. I actually really regret it. The Paradox was more resolving, more neutral, but was definitely less "fun" and more difficult to drive. It's also more comfortable.

I actually picked up the Paradox Slants and my FSPs have been relegated to a drawer. I've owned all the LFF cans so far and the Slants are my favorite pair (I have the Code-X on the way so I can't comment on that yet).

I don't even pull them out for video calls anymore now that I have the boompro mic for my M80s and a pair of Bose QCi20s for calls.
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AustinValentine

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2014, 12:23:38 AM »
Quote from: zerodeefex on October 15, 2014, 11:48:39 PM
CEE TEE and I both traded our original Paradox cans for the FSP. I actually really regret it. The Paradox was more resolving, more neutral, but was definitely less "fun" and more difficult to drive. It's also more comfortable.

This. The Paradox is better in every way sans the need for amping and weight. While the Paradox *is* more comfortable, it's also a T50rp mod and just can't be used very effectively as a daily driver.
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Marvey

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2014, 12:30:27 AM »
Quote from: zerodeefex on October 15, 2014, 11:48:39 PM
CEE TEE and I both traded our original Paradox cans for the FSP. I actually really regret it. The Paradox was more resolving, more neutral, but was definitely less "fun" and more difficult to drive. It's also more comfortable.

I actually picked up the Paradox Slants and my FSPs have been relegated to a drawer. I've owned all the LFF cans so far and the Slants are my favorite pair (I have the Code-X on the way so I can't comment on that yet).


I'll give you my FSPs for your Slants.
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zerodeefex

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2014, 12:38:07 AM »
I'll give you my FSP and my slants for your Ragnarok or Abyss.

Luis, if you're reading this, after Marv confirms I'll be ordering one of those pretty painted Slants.
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CEE TEE

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2014, 01:22:39 AM »
LOL.  I have ZD's Enigma hp in the house and I do like them a lot, but still hanker to hear the Slants.  I like the Enigma sound overall (better than Paradox for my tastes), but wouldn't mind just a touch more "air" or "openness"...   
Nice.  Now I know that I may end up trying ZD's used/basic Slants later since he plans to upgrade to "slicker" Slants.
I don't want to feel like I am sacrificing much when I am wearing closed cans, just so that I won't bother my SO late at night.
After 5+ hours of calls during a day with QC i20 (have them too), I often want closed cans instead of something else filling my ears. (When open cans might be an issue.)
For me- I don't regret trading for FSP but do "keep an ear out" in case something that is closed & better comes along.
(I happened to pull the FSP out last night and am using them today, good timing of this thread...Azteca X!)
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zerodeefex

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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2014, 01:24:22 AM »
I used mine today and switched right back to Slants. Different league entirely.
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Re: Focal Spirit Professional
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2014, 08:50:00 AM »
What's the FSP's price for you in the US guys ?
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