Chord Electronics Hugo 2 + Focal Stellia Headphones

The Choice for you

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is an exceptionally versatile device that will efficiently drive the focal headphones.

There are two primary types of headphones to consider for your purchase: open-back and closed-back.

Open-back headphones are known for their expansive, Hi-Fi-like sound, offering a more natural and spacious audio experience. They are ideal for quieter, more controlled environments where the listener can fully appreciate the soundstage and detail of their music.

In contrast, closed-back headphones provide superior sound insulation, minimising sound leakage and reducing distractions for others. They are particularly suited to noisier environments or situations where external noise might interfere with the listening experience.

Closed-back designs also help to prevent external sounds from intruding into your music, making them more suitable for use on-the-go or in less tranquil settings.

• Focal Clear MG (Open-back Headphones) - A great sounding pair of headphones with open soundstage, offering more punch in the bass. 
• Focal Stellia (Closed-back Headphones) - Sounding smooth, with nice deep bass and impressive soundstage. 
• Focal Utopia (Open-back Headphones) - The Utopias offer an extremely comfortable fit, with fantastic high end and detail and more dynamism.

A Stellia Combination

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC and headphone amplifier pairs exceptionally well with Focal's Stellia closed-back headphones, creating a high-performance audio setup that excels in both sound quality and user experience.

The Hugo 2 enhances audio quality with its cutting-edge DAC technology, offering flexible connectivity options and an intuitive remote control for seamless integration at home or on the go. Its advanced features ensure superior sound quality and compatibility with various devices.

On the other hand, the Focal Stellia headphones, with their closed-back design and innovative ‘M’-shaped Beryllium dome drivers, deliver unparalleled sound clarity and dynamic range. The headphones' meticulous soundproofing and ergonomic design provide exceptional isolation and comfort, making them ideal for immersive listening.

Together, the Hugo 2 and Stellia headphones offer a blend of excellent sound quality, noise isolation, and comfort, making them a fantastic stellar choice for audiophiles.

The Hugo 2

Hugo 2 is a powerful DAC and headphone amp that builds on the ground-breaking original. Designed for both home and mobile use, Hugo 2 transforms headphones and audio systems’ sound quality with its cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology.

Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on-the-go, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system. Its line-level output and full-function remote control adds real flexibility in full-size and desktop systems.

The device offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB) plus extended-range Bluetooth, with high-resolution file playback up to 768kHz and up to DSD512 (Octa DSD), via its HD USB input. Analogue outputs include 2x RCA, plus 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs.

A four-function switch filter offers a useful degree of user-selectable frequency-shaping, bringing warm and soft or transparent and incisive presentations, giving additional flexibility and user control. For headphone-listening, Hugo 2 retains the popular digital crossfeed function of the original and offers three operation modes. The system duplicates the effect of listening to speakers and is based on advanced binaural audio research.

Focal Stellia Headphone

Focal's Stellia closed-back headphones are a culmination of four decades of acoustic innovation, featuring cutting-edge technologies to deliver unparalleled sound quality. Equipped with ‘M’-shaped pure Beryllium dome speaker drivers, a new surround, and a frameless 100% copper voice coil, these headphones ensure stunning dynamics and precise reproduction of even the most subtle audio details. The integration of electrodynamic drivers allows Stellia to maintain clarity and detail across an extensive frequency range of 5Hz to 40kHz, preserving the original audio signal for a remarkably realistic listening experience.

The closed-back design of the Stellia, combined with its advanced soundproofing features, enhances both isolation and comfort. The earpads are crafted with a dual-layer approach: one half is made from non-perforated full-grain leather to diffuse sound, while the other half uses acoustic cloth over memory foam to absorb and manage audio signals. This design significantly reduces external noise and prevents audio leakage, providing a pure, immersive sound experience. Additionally, the high-resilience memory foam and ergonomic design ensure a comfortable fit, adapting to various head shapes for prolonged listening sessions.

Chord Hugo 2 Specifications

Focal Stellia Headphones Specifications