Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000. It ranks #303 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $3,499. The Focal Stellia ranks #370, rated 2.9/5, at $2,999, $500 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 is the better-sounding option. Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The catch: Presence sits about 3.6 dB low with a 10.1 dB dip near 5.0 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Why pick the Focal Stellia: A closed-back design with a beryllium dome driver keeps sound in and outside noise down, and the 35 ohm, 106 dB/mW load runs well from a phone or portable player. The catch: Presence, treble and air all fall 4 to 7 dB below target, and oratory1990’s measurement shows a 12.8 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and recessed.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $500 you would save on the Focal Stellia does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Amazon $3,499.00 eBay
A closed-back design with a beryllium dome driver keeps sound in and outside noise down, and the 35 ohm, 106 dB/mW load runs well from a phone or portable player.
Amazon $2,999.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 | Focal Stellia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,499.00 | $2,999.00 |
| Ranked | #303 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #370 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic (beryllium dome) |
| Impedance | 490 ohms | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 106 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (275 g) | 1 lbs (435 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.59 dB standard deviation | 3.04 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 from aden, gadgetrytech, ish, kuulokenurkka and listener; the Focal Stellia from aden, daemonxar, gadgetrytech and vsg, all via squig.link.
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