Interesting to see that Addicted to Audio have halved the price of the current model Focal Utopia from $6,999 to $3,499.

 

https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/focal-utopia-v2-reference-high-end-dynamic-headphones

Edited August 25, 20232 yr by paranox

Since they lost the Focal distribution in AUS, they’ve gone hard to sell off their remaining stock. Not B stock either (although, we all know that was a way for them to discount - sealed, new in box). Celestee $599, Radiance $699, Stellia on “pre-order” $1799!!!

Considering how they are handling focal and some other brands, I wouldn’t buy from them. Not even tempted with those offerings that they have now and I am very keen on headphones in my setup. 
Neo

2 hours ago, Neo said:

Considering how they are handling focal and some other brands, I wouldn’t buy from them. Not even tempted with those offerings that they have now and I am very keen on headphones in my setup. 
Neo

basically killed the brand ...

32 minutes ago, betty boop said:

basically killed the brand ...

Naim as well

Neo

20 hours ago, Ehrmantraut said:

Since they lost the Focal distribution in AUS

I did not know this. I got the impression their stores are heavily geared towards the Focal and Naim brands.

7 minutes ago, paranox said:

I did not know this. I got the impression their stores are heavily geared towards the Focal and Naim brands.

Certainly were, the SYD store was basically just a Focal/Naim store. I haven’t seen their windows to see if they’ve pivoted. They’re now doing Cambridge Audio, which is hardly in the same league.

Seems to be clutching at straws, selling Siltech cables alongside Cambridge Audio. Classy. 
Neo

Damn feels like I just paid $1k for the radiance, which was still suppposedly half price!
Look if i had the cash I would be uber tempted by those Utopias, even if the customer experience is not always great, you forget about that once you are home with your new cans listening to music.

Edited August 20, 20232 yr by Andre28

43 minutes ago, Andre28 said:

Damn feels like I just paid $1k for the radiance, which was still suppposedly half price!
Look if i had the cash I would be uber tempted by those Utopias, even if the customer experience is not always great, you forget about that once you are home with your new cans listening to music.

Right up to the point where there’s an issue with your focals. 
Neo

Oh wow really? Are they not good with warranty claims?

Can be difficult and now with them not having the brand anymore, hence the rock bottom prices and who are you going to turn to for warranty. Until the new distributor takes the brand. 
Neo
 

Legally they would still have to honour warranty claims one way or another.

Agreed, how long will that conversation take and the resolution could be a long timeframe since they don’t carry the brand. That’s why I’m not even tempted to buy any of the focals that they are clearing and I’m big into my headphones. 
Neo

Wouldn't the new Focal importer/distributor pickup the warranty issues? I think we're making a mountain out of a mole hill. 

Consumer law also states that the retailer needs to provide adequate support for any warranty issues. Within the warranty period. I doubt ATA would damage their reputation based on the one brand. 
My dealing with them have been nothing but 5 stars. 

Edited August 21, 20232 yr by Dolphy

No new distributor has been announced as of yet and that concerns me. Prior to busisoft the person in charge of the Naim and what would later be merger with focal carried the brand for a very long time, service and knowledge was impeccable and instilled great confidence. Not so much with the current custodian who is dumping the brand, eroding the resale value and the brand overall, Naim/Focal. Yes on the surface nothing to worry about warranty wise but otherwise rather disappointing where this is heading with those two brands that are essentially intertwined. 
Neo

On 20/8/2023 at 6:52 PM, Andre28 said:

Damn feels like I just paid $1k for the radiance, which was still suppposedly half price!
Look if i had the cash I would be uber tempted by those Utopias, even if the customer experience is not always great, you forget about that once you are home with your new cans listening to music.

Yeah, that really sucks the big one. Thought I got a good deal on my Celestee s till they dropped them even further. 
 

The real problem is that it has decimated the second hand prices, anyone looking to move on their Focals is going to take a financial blood bath. Thank goodness you are not one of those who bought them for $1,800….

25 minutes ago, Ooogh said:

The real problem is that it has decimated the second hand prices, anyone looking to move on their Focals is going to take a financial blood bath.

Indeed! Super tempting to buy up a heap of the super cheap stock and move onto other forums. Suspect there’ll be a load of “Near new”, “NIB” Focal headphones coming up for sale soon. 

Pity the new distributor - stock prices for Focals are too high, which is why there was always B stock specials. It’ll take 12 months and probably very low supply of new stock coming in to turn this around for the new supplier and SH stock on SNA. Buy NOW!

What a2a is doing by selling these at their cost price is basically scorching the earth approach and the new distributor is going to have a very tough time trying to sell at rrp, the market is going to be saturated for a long time to come.

2 minutes ago, garetz said:

What a2a is doing by selling these at their cost price is basically scorching the earth approach and the new distributor is going to have a very tough time trying to sell at rrp, the market is going to be saturated for a long time to come.

yep $5.5k headphones going for $1799 ?  pretty much killing the brand...

 

dump and run... 

3 minutes ago, garetz said:

What a2a is doing by selling these at their cost price is basically scorching the earth approach and the new distributor is going to have a very tough time trying to sell at rrp, the market is going to be saturated for a long time to come.

 

No surprises there, just typical of A2A and their dog-in-the-manger form.

Still there are some really good bargains to be had.

 

The Stellia's understandably sold out in record time. The higher end headphones sold at prices comparable to other brand flagship headphones.

 

And the Bathys is very, very popular at the clearance price point. I'm willing to take the risk at that price for a pair of travel headphones. Australian consumer law warranties are very much in favour of the customer.

Clearing Focal/Naim at near cost price really does lead one to think that the Focal/Naim divorce was not necessarily an amicable one. The speakers and other hardware are out there for those with bigger wallets than I.

I think "uncoupling" is just another polite term for "falling out" 🤣

https://www.stereonet.com/au/news/busisoft-av-ceases-focal-naim-distribution-in-australia-new-zealand

Love the last bit about Cambridge audio, previous custodian of 25 years, now in the hands of A2A/Busisoft. Anyone for major case of dejavu, cough Naim/Focal. 
Neo

ATA is getting to the highend world. They are not carrying the focal brand. I think it’s understandable.  Utopia is on a massive discount? Then what are you waiting for? Add to the shopping cart!🤑