Technics EAH-A800
Focal Utopia
What Buyers Say
Technics EAH-A800
The Technics EAH-A800 headphones receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional sound quality, which many users compare favorably to wired headphones, especially when using the LDAC codec. Reviewers praise the comfortable fit, effective ANC, and the ability to create an immersive soundstage with clear stereo separation. However, a few users report durability concerns, such as the headband material loosening within a month and faulty components after a year, while others suggest minor improvements like larger ear cups and more EQ bands.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Immersive soundstage with stereo separation
- LDAC codec support for high-quality audio
Cons
- Durability concerns with headband material
- Faulty components after a year
- Ear cups could be slightly bigger
- Headband feels hard on scalp
- Only 5 EQ bands (wants more)
Focal Utopia
The Focal Utopia 2022 is widely praised for its exceptional clarity, detail retrieval, and realistic sound that reveals new layers in familiar music. However, several users caution that it requires high-quality amplification and DAC to shine, and some find the treble harsh, the headband creaky over time, and the soundstage narrower than competitors like the Sennheiser HD 800 S. Overall, it is considered a top-tier audiophile headphone but not universally enjoyable for all music tastes.
Pros
- Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Realistic, immersive sound
- Reveals new layers in familiar music
- Tight, articulate bass
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Requires high-quality amp and DAC
- Harsh treble for some listeners
- Heavy weight
- Headband creaks over time
- Narrow soundstage compared to HD 800 S
Scores
Specifications
| Technics EAH-A800 | Focal Utopia | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.30 kg★ | 2.70 kg |
| Ear Cushion | super-soft earpads | Perforated lambskin memory foam |
| Headband | — | genuine leather |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | Beryllium |
| Driver Size | 40 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 5 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz | 50 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 34 Ω | 80 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | AAC, LDAC, SBC | — |
| Surround | Technics - Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones with 2 Device Multipoint Connectivity - EAH-A800-S Silver | Technics - Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear | Technics | Silver | Over Ear | Over | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | Dual Hybrid feedforward & feedback | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.2★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | — |
| Detachable Cable | ✓★ | — |
| Cable Length | 1 m | — |
| Range | 10.100000381469727 m★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 50 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 15 Minutes for 10 Hours | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓★ | — |
| Mic Count | 8★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Alexa | — |
| Touch Controls | ✗ | — |
| App | Technics Audio Connect | — |
Pros & Cons
Technics EAH-A800
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong sound (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong anc (94th percentile)94th %ile
Focal Utopia
- Below average connectivity (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 19 of 38 specs.