The Focal Utopia wants little introduction. For years, Audiophiles have praised it for being one of the vital gifted headphones available on the market. Now that the Utopia 2022 has been launched, loads of of us are curious as to what modifications have been made for the reason that earlier mannequin. So, what are you able to count on when it comes to efficiency, tuning and design?
Within the Field
Utopia 2022 headphones
Onerous Carrying case
One 1.5m cable (3.5mm termination) with 1/4” adapter
One 3 meter cable with XLR termination
Look and Really feel
The Utopia 2022 has a couple of noticeable updates price mentioning. The ear cups now sport a trippy hexagonal lattice sample much like the Focal Clear, they usually’ve ditched the silver accents for an all-black look. It’s all very futuristic and Batmanish, if Batman loved somewhat purple aptitude, resembling the fashionable purple brand on the ear cup. I hardly ever run into issues with match. And such was the case with the Utopia 2022. Consolation-wise, it is nonetheless obtained the plush sheepskin leather-based on the earpads and headband. It comes with two cables – a 3.5mm and an XLR. Given the worth level, I want that Focal had additionally included a balanced 4.4mm, however such is life. Lastly, Focal has additionally included laborious material carrying case, which is surprisingly small and transportable.
Design
Whereas preserving a few of the driver attributes from the prior Utopia, a number of recent components have been integrated to reinforce the headphone’s efficiency. The 40mm beryllium driver and the distinct M-shaped dome are nonetheless preserved, however now characteristic a brand new voice coil that goals to repair sure points encountered with the unique design. The voice coil is now made out of 30% copper and 70% aluminum, supposedly prolonging the lifespan of the Utopia’s driver. Moreover, Focal appears to have barely altered the tuning the in excessive frequencies. Provided that the Utopia 2022’s impedance is simply 80 Ohms, it’s tremendous simple to drive. In reality, for this assessment, I paired the Utopia with my small, however surprisingly highly effective Astell & Kern SR35, which offered ample headroom. That being stated, I’m certain the Utopia 2022 would enormously profit from a robust desktop amp, which could convey forth some added richness and depth.
Sound Impressions
Soundstage
The soundstage on the Utopia 2022 is considerably laborious to explain. Whereas not extremely expansive in width, it provides a sensible, but gorgeous degree of depth that enables ample distance between devices with out feeling just like the staging has been manipulated. So, whereas the soundstage might not really feel as huge as one thing just like the Closing Audio D8000, the Utopia 2022 is extremely open sounding. In reality, after I was enjoying a Yo Yo Ma monitor, I used to be sure that the music was coming from my exterior audio system, inflicting momentary confusion till my mind adjusted to the fact of the headphones. This sort of auditory expertise was a primary for me. Unquestionably, there are few different headphones that may match the Utopia 2022’s uncompromisingly genuine and remarkably multidimensional soundscape.
Low-Finish
Having not listened to the Utopia in a protracted whereas, I used to be shocked to seek out the bass extra reserved than I bear in mind. I didn’t have an older mannequin to check it too. However regardless, for individuals who want a particularly juicy low-end with vital affect, the bass might not have sufficient affect. The sub-bass frequencies additionally fall barely in need of offering a deeply visceral expertise. Nevertheless, personally, I feel the low-end has been completely tuned, feeling pure with out being too stingy. It tastefully folds into the remainder of the combination, by no means overpowering greater frequencies. And the tight and quick response ensures that fashionable genres nonetheless get satisfactory punch and liveliness. I’ll additionally be aware that as we transfer up the bass clef, the low-end appears to turn into bolder, as evident in tracks like The Beatles’ “Come Collectively,” the place the upper-bass completely pops out, as you’ll count on from McCartney’s extremely melodic and integral bass performances.
However the low-end really shines in its lifelike presentation of acoustic devices. It provides intricate element and a pure sound with none synthetic coloration or thickening. Regardless of this constancy, the sound by no means feels bland or scientific, and also you’ll definitely sense that fluidity and wealthy decision, which makes the Utopia so famously scrumptious.
Mids
The midrange stability is simply as skillfully executed. Whereas the low-mids don’t take the highlight, there may be nonetheless only a contact of heat and lushness. And though upper-mids get barely extra consideration, Focal avoids distancing vocals too far ahead. So, the instrumentation isn’t misplaced to any protrusions within the stability. Very similar to the bass, the upper-mids make their presence recognized with out punching your within the face. (However will you continue to get snappy snares? For certain). On this vary, it turns into much more obvious that there’s a really cohesive, nearly clean character to the sound. Refined, but extremely real looking on the similar time.
Highs
The high-end is a giant facet of the Utopia 2022’s irresistible character. It’s good and glossy, offering wonderful treble extension with none trace of peakiness. For some, the treble was a tad too shiny on the earlier mannequin, and it looks as if they’ve made some changes right here. Listening to tracks from Daft Punk, for instance, the glint is exhilarating however I by no means felt any discomfort.
However this isn’t a very ethereal of buoyant high-end. Moderately, vocals from powerhouse performers like Rihanna and Whitney Houston possess a wealthy, honey-like high quality. And it looks as if the smoothness reaches its pinnacle after we creep up into this vary. Nonetheless, the fluidity is completely balanced with a degree of element and transparency that one ought to count on from a headphone on this echelon.
Abstract
At first, it may be laborious to justify spending this a lot money on a headphone. However when you take heed to the Utopia’s jaw-dropping expertise, you’ll in all probability agree that few different headphones come near the Utopia 2022’s efficiency. With its mystifyingly real looking soundstage, life-like bass, deliciously tuned mids and sparkly, but forgiving highs, there’s little to dislike. For some, the bass could also be too lean, however for individuals who need a extremely pure supply with out skimping on sweetness and elegance, the Utopia 2022 is unattainable to beat.
You should buy the Focal Utopia 2022 at Audio 46.
