I bought the DCA Stealth sight unseen after reading this review. I had an agreement with the dealer that I could return it if I didn't like it. I compared it to the Focal Stellia, which is AUD$1700 cheaper. I also listened to the Sennheiser HD820 which ran itself out of contention within less than a minute of listening because I did not like the tuning. These are my subjective impressions.
Advantages of the Stellia: much more sensitive, much easier to drive, and much more dynamic and exciting than the DCA Stealth. It can be driven comfortably by my DAP without any additional amplification required, which is a huge plus. Spatial qualities was much of a muchness (meaning excellent for a closed back) but I would give a slight advantage to the Stealth. Despite the extra weight of the Stellia, it was a comfortable headphone except that it had a tendency to tip and try to fall off if I turned my head at certain angles.
Disadvantages of the Stellia: that shouty top end was a deal breaker for me. That definitely needs to be dialled back in EQ. I am aware of Amir's testing with the Stellia showing high distortion - I was not sure if it was distortion that was causing the shouty top end or the natural response of the headphone (anyone?). The other deal breaker was the styling, I am not a fan of that shade of brown they chose. Also, the Stellia does not fold as compact as the DCA Stealth which is important for me because I travel frequently. Then again, there is no need to carry a portable amplifier with the Stellia so it makes up for the extra size.
Advantages of the Stealth: as Amir said, tonality was absolutely correct and it is all there. There really is no contest if you compare the sound out of the box with no EQ. The first 20 pages of this thread complained about the price. Having listened to other headphones at this price point, I do not think people should be complaining. You can certainly spend more and get less, so I count that as a win for the DCA Stealth. Whilst the Stealth is by no means uncomfortable, for my head the Focals felt better. At least the Stealth does not try to fall off when I turn my head, so that's a plus. I love how it folds up to such a compact size. The cable supplied with the Stealth is excellent - no microphonics, and it is nice and soft. The same can't said for the connectors (more on that later).
Disadvantages of the Stealth: mostly to do with the low sensitivity, which means you have to shop for matching equipment (and for me, something else to pack in my luggage). This headphone requires amplification, which my RME ADI-2 FS fortunately adequately provides. The Violectric V226 sounds even better (probably because it has more juice) so a purchase might be on the horizon, although I can't see myself packing that in my luggage. With my DAP (A&K SP2000T) maxed out, I get "adequate" listening volume which easily becomes inadequate depending on the track. I tried a few portable amps which were all rejected because they sounded congested, or did not have enough power, etc. Having said that, low sensitivity is the nature of planar magnetic headphones and I don't know if Dan can do anything about that without using a different driver technology.
In the end, the Focal Stellia would probably have won if I could have tuned back the top end with EQ. It is cheaper, sounds more exciting, more sensitive, and its sonic drawbacks can be dealt with. Ultimately I could not find an EQ setting I was satisfied with but YMMV. So the DCA Stealth won this particular shoot-out. I will be keeping them.
Suggestions for
@Dan Clark:
1. The design of the headphone case does not accommodate the cable, which has to be carried separately.
2. The Hirose connector on the headphone is an annoyance, it needs to be oriented a certain way before it clicks. Why not use a standard 3.5mm TRS plug, especially when you have to disconnect the cable every time you stow it away in the case.
3. I am not a fan of the red stitching which others have mentioned in this thread, looks a bit too gamer-y. Would you consider offering replacement straps with more subtle styling?
4. My headphone was supplied with a Vivo 1/4" unbalanced TRS plug. I am waiting for my dealer to get stock of the 4.4mm plug, and I am hoping it will be balanced. Your website doesn't say, and my dealer doesn't know. I want balanced because my DAP will output higher voltage. I hope that this will go some way towards addressing the inadequate volume issues I am having with my DAP. It is that annoying connector again, it means that I can not purchase an off-the-shelf cable.
Lastly I would like to thank Ethan and Dan at Addicted to Audio (Perth) for being so patient with me and letting me use their shop and equipment while I did back to back testing with the Stellia. I would also like to thank Geoff at Hey Now Hifi (Melbourne) for a smooth transaction with the Stealths. And of course, the ASR community without which I would not have learnt about this headphone in the first place.