Check out the THD+noise measurements on IF:

• They are inconsistent between left and right channels.
• Also odd that bass distortion is lower than midrange distortion for a dynamic driver.

I saw that, they aren't good but I've seen much, much worse, and from long established headphone companies.

design?  Are you talking about the headband and cups?  :p

I'd like to see the amount of money these companies spend on engineering vs aesthetics and marketing.  For phones like K550, the new Denons, the Shure's etc

Denon <cough> Shure <cough>


Well at least the Denons and Shures have bad distortion by design, not accident.

Bad distortion by Design, it should be a slogan. 

Problems not solved yet, but I've been promised an official response and it should be in my hands this week.  Focal is coming to visit me Dec 6.

Evidently the OEM was doing stupid shit in their diaphragm manufacture. The diaphragms had significant built-in stress problems that caused them to crinkle. I've got pix. Should be an InnerFidelity post within the month re: when the problem will be fixed and what current owners can do. But will have to see the official response before I know what's really up.

Thanks Tyll. I'm not entirely surprised that they had issues, as the Spirit One is their first foray into headphone manufacture. I have had few problems with focal drivers in the past (definitely not driver "crinkling"!), so they must have opened new and untested production line just for headphones...

Now, wait a second... Focal's visiting you?
Are they actually sending representatives up to Montana?
Make sure to grill them about any-and-all upcoming developments for us!