A new FLAGSHIP KING? Focal Utopia 2022 review
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
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A review of the Focal Utopia 2022 version including frequency response measurements and comparisons to the Meze Elites with the angled Alcantara pads and the Stax SR-007 Mk2 electrostatic headphones with the SRM-500T energizer.
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00:00 Introduction
00:34 Glamour video
01:30 Accessories
03:10 Design, specs & build quality
07:58 Sound quality
12:51 Amp pairings
14:28 Focal Utopia 2022 vs Meze Elite
22:16 Focal Utopia 2022 vs Stax SR-007 Mk2
31:09 Final conclusions
#audiophile #audioreview #headphones - Наука та технологія
Hello, I have watched many videos on the Utopia's and decided to purchase the OG pair( brand new )at the discounted price of $3,500 many people stated that the 22 model wasn't,t very different from the OG so I got them.I have to say I paired them up with a McIntosh MHA200 tube amp and put High res- lossless streaming to them .... absolutely heaven! I can't say for sure how much better the new ones are, but as I sit there I,m in total sonic bliss. It all costs a good buck, I have to say every time I listen to them I,m glad I cut loose of the short change from my fruit jar!
So glad you're enjoying them so much! They are definitely an awesome headphone and some people feel that the OG is better than the 2022. The OGs are particularly good with tubes (as you clearly know) 🙂
Paired that amp up with the Stellia and heard magic. Can agree, good pairing with Focal cans
I own Elite, Caldera and Utopia 2022. I love all of them. The Utopia 2022 are perfect for live music. They present the music like a pair of speakers. This makes them alwo great for looking at movies and playing video games. They are very fast and handles bass shift really well. I can recommend trying them with Two steps from hell, flight of the silver bird.
I completely agree. Thanks for the music suggestion
I have both Utopia 2022 and Susvara. I am surprised when you say that Utopia 2022 are transparent and uncolored because that’s how I would describe Susvara. In direct comparison, Utopia sound darker, congested, but sweet as a ripe mango and much fuller and dynamic. Returning to Susvara brings brightness, openness and clarity. I am still getting familiar with both but I would say already that Utopia sounds like an beautiful, intimate cave, and Susvara like a meadow basked in daylight. Resolution, transparency and realism-wise, Utopia vs Susvara is like watching a movie vs being part of the movie. Chord DAC and McIntosh tube amp
I believe what you're hearing is the wonders of tube amps. On a particularly neutral chain, the Susvara's emphasis in the upper mids makes them a bit dry and overly textured to my ears. The Utopias don't have this degree of emphasis anywhere throughout their response. Ultimately, no headphone is perfectly flat, but the Utopias sound subjectively more neutral to me across multiple neutral systems.
@@PassionforSound thanks Lachlan, the TT2 and amp-23R are on my list :)
My first impressions match yours exactly what you said in the beginning, the Utopia 2022 really is like viewing the music through a clear glass lens. It actually reminded me of an ultra resolving and dynamic HD600 when I had them in on tour. I absolutely love them, and even though I have a Clear MG with Utopia pads right now, it’s just not the same as the actual Utopia 2022. I will own them one day, hopefully soon. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for sharing your impressions. I hope you're able to get them soon!
An interesting take on the utopias. I’ve never owned either but do appreciate what they bring to the table. The best part of what the new Utopia has does has dropped used prices of the Og Utopia down to an affordable price for many more people. Another experience is that utopias tend to be the most amp/chain synergy pickiness in existence. It doesn’t need the power of the sus but it is far more tonally picky. Finally it also rewards the owner with cable choices as the higher priced cables really do help this set out. Danacable, lavri, brise, norn, and Kimber all have great options.
I'm grateful for the new Utopia for that reason you mention: I could finally afford a second hand pair of the Ogs which I'm loving. They're working great with my Burson Soloist 3XGT from a Gustard R26. I can now forget about upgrading for a few years!
Not only tonally picky - its impedance curve demands a strong SET tube amp.
Having owned both, I think the OG Utopia can benefit from a source chain that tames the high end a bit - much like the other "amp picky" headphone in the HD800. Basically, when I see people describe any headphone needing a specific type of amplification, it tells me that the treble and/or upper mids are too hot and need smoothing over. That was the Achilles heel of the OG Utopia, but is no longer a concern with the 2022 version.
Great review & comparison. This channel has become my go-to review channel for audio equipment.
Thank you for letting me know that. I'm so glad I can be helpful in that way!
spot on. I'm thrilled every time I put them on. ive worked my way up the Focal food chain over a few years and these are the ones that are keepers.
I feel very much the same. I've only owned the two Clear versions and both Utopias, but these are easily the best of the bunch IMO
I was hoping you would do a review of these Lachlan. I found this review very interesting. I, for a while, had a set of Stax 009 but l just never got all the way down the rabbit hole with headphones. It's lucky we have you.🎧👍😁
Thanks Shane. I feel like I'm actually peering into the Stax rabbit hole myself at the moment. That's a whole other world. 😁
The video showcasing the headphone and its details really speaks volume about Focal’s design, quality and workmanship. It is very pretty. I remember when I unbox the Clear MG, first impressions were excellent and led me think about LV, Hermes
Yes. I think their design team have gone from strength to strength over the years.
Yes! I was dying for your review of this Lachlan. I have had these since March and wow the imaging is so pinpointable and swarming around me it is so specifically S+++ class on that one feature. Sometimes on the right chain I swear it beats my somewhat underpowered Susvara. Great review Lachlan ❤
Glad you liked the review and that you're loving the Utopias. I know that I'm reaching for them way more often than I used to reach for the Susvaras so that's saying something I think. They're a great combination of technical excellence AND musical enjoyment.
@@PassionforSoundhave fun!
I love my Utopia 2022s. Especially their treble presentation. I use them with my LCD-5s, which I use if I want to focus more on the mid range. Both have sound signatures that really work for me. I’m curious about the Caldera.
The Caldera has a very different sound: ua-cam.com/video/A-g8LiCHB-4/v-deo.htmlsi=qR_iI_9uJI2bYt6W
Both are great. The Caldera is tonally more fun (and less "neutral") while the Utopia 2022 wins for technical aspects like imaging and depth in the soundstage.
Nice honest review as always..Diana MR please 😊
I'll have to see if someone will lend me a pair because I doubt Abyss will send them out. ☹️🙂
Hey!!!! thanks for the content great as always! is it the xduoo ta 20 plus that I see there? I bet is one of your next review right? exited for it :)
It's getting very close in the production queue. It's still a week or two from being produced though. It'll be here before Christmas, but perhaps not in time for Black Friday. ☹️
Already kind enough to awnser. thanks!@@PassionforSound
I've shuffled my schedule and the TA-20 Plus review will be out on 24th November. 🙂
NO WAY !!!!! great thanks sir!@@PassionforSound
Wonderful review 👏 the Utopia is a phenomenal and luxurious choice
I agree about the Utopias! Glad you liked the review.
Great review as usual Lachlan! I wonder how the Utopia compares with other dynamics such as the Atrium, HD800S? Anyone with experience to share
It's in a totally different league compared to any other dynamic I've tried. The speed, transparency, imaging and staging are all phenomenal. I'd say that these are the very best headphone I've ever owned (not necessarily the most fun because the Elites, Empyreans, Calderas and Atriums could all hold a claim to that spot).
Another great review. I bought the Og new 1 year ago. I’m one likes treble on the Og so may prefer it over the ‘22. Would pairing the Utopia with a ‘23 Burson Soloist 3X GT be noticeably better sound-wise than a good DAP such as the iBasso DX300? Focals don’t seem to need extra power. Would you recommend tubes over either of those options? Thanks.
If you like the treble then the OG will be better for you and the 2022 isn't clearly better in other ways to me - just the smoother/lower treble. As for upgrading the amp, the DX300 is a great DAP, but a dedicated headphone amp can bring significant benefits. I'm not sure how big the step will be if still driving it with the DX300 as the source though.
What could I do instead of driving it with the DX300? Use a different DAC?
Yes, unless the DX300 has a line output. I can't recall if it does.
One of the few times I agree with your review. I know your a fan of Chord but their weight isn’t as good as a great tube amp like my Woo WA33 Elite with KR tubes. The weight and separation on the Utopia 22 are fantastic. I prefer them over the Elite and Expanse that I own. Only the Susvara are more enjoyable for me but obviously they are more demanding when it comes to power. My Final D8000LE are very good, have a larger soundstage than both and great bass texture but the treble can be a little bright at times.
I'm yet to try the D8000s of any sort, but would love to.
I would actually love to get your take on the Utopia vs Stellia
Me too. I've been keen to try a Stellia for ages, but haven't had the chance
Excellent video :)
I just have one question I just ordered a Utopia 22 and since I don't have an amplifier yet I was wondering what to get between a Topping dx7 pro+, mojo 2, Questyle cma 12, hugo 2, Fiio k9 pro,... the list is long I am looking for a dac amp with value for money to already benefit from the Utopia while waiting to improve the system, if you knew how to help me I would be honored, thank you good luck .
Nice purchase! Of the list you suggested, I'd go for the Hugo 2. It will be the best DAC and headphone amp you can get. Any of the alternatives you've listed here from Topping, FiiO, etc. will compromise the staging of the Utopias. The Questyle might be a good option, but it's DAC won't be as good as the Hugo 2.
I heard them in Carrollton, TX, and they had missed the mark for me, because they are a "technical" brutally honest headphone that would show the glare of my Sabre DAC. The soundstage wasn't any bigger than Clears. Imaging was really good, but i don't even think music was meant to sound like that. Really good resolution and really good imaging alone, don't make a product a class leader, because the soul of the music could still be lacking. I had heard more of the recording and less of the song, compared to some others I've heard. I'll take LCD-5 or HiFiMan or Caldera or Meze Elite instead. I prefer more body and more warmth. Soundstage is similar in all Focal products: small.but projected out at the listener. Planars have a flatter soundstage that makes you feel like you are listening at a distance
Glad you got to try them for yourself. There will definitely always be an element of system synergy and personal preferences in this hobby so it's always best to try with our own ears. 🙂
I'm suprised you didn't do a full comparison to the zmf caldera. Some folks on head fi picked the caldera over the utopia. As far as estats are concerned the 009 or 009S (these are also easier to drive than the 007) are better headphones to compare to the utopia unless you use higher end amps with the 007 like kgsshv or bhse.
I agree, comparing a Focal flagship headphone to a Stax non-flagship is a bit silly.
Also using the SRM-500T for any SR-007 is like using an Apple dongle to power the Susvara 🤣
The Caldera is a VERY different headphone and not really comparable. The comparison would have been simply: buy the Caldera if you want more bass and you're happy to trade-off stage depth/layering and absolute transparency. Buy the Utopia for the opposite.
As for the Stax comparison, I can only work with what I have on hand and the cost of these was sort of aligned. Adding a KGSSHV or BHSE would have messed up that equation before we even got to sound.
I’m more surprised the Verite Open wasn’t included. Utopia may best it in detail retrieval, but I know several head-fiers who chose the VO over the OG Utopia.
The VO can't match the Utopia in areas like staging, imaging and overall transparency. I like the VO, but it's not on the same level as the Utopias in terms of technical performance. Of course, personal preferences mean that some people might still prefer it, but I never reach for the VO as a general listening headphone since the Atriums, Calderas, Elites and Utopias are all here so it would have been a fairly one sided comparison.
Interesting. I tried both Utopia 2022 and Caldera. I liked the Utopia more. I think it's the more exciting headphone than the Caldera, it has more quantity and a punchier bass, better dynamics overall. I certainly agree that it needs more sub-bass extension. I would disagree with what you said about it not being a 'foot-tapping and head bobbing' headphone. I think it definitely is just that. I'd personally take the Utopia 2022 over the Caldera, Susvara, Meze Elite and considering selling my Abyss 1266 TC for the Utopia 2022.
It's good that you've been able to try them for yourself. It sounds like you might hear a little differently than me (that's a real thing, note having a passive aggressive dig). I thoroughly enjoy the Utopias, but a little more bass would help to get me really grooving.
I can understand your impressions with the Caldera and I do generally agree.
Should I get the new Focal Utopias or the new Meze Empyrean 2s... looking forward to the comparison in the future.
I'm expecting the Utopias to win that comparison, bit we'll see...
And now there's also the Empyrean II in the mix at a far lower price, it's getting interesting up top. We appreciate the comprehensive review Lachlan, from Cape Town, SA, thank you.
Thanks again, Tai Dee. I'm working on getting the Empyrean 2 in for review so it will happen - I just don't know when yet.
What is your opinion on pairing the Focal 2022 with the Zahl HM1?
I imagine it would sound amazing!
I purchased the ZMF Verite Open a few weeks ago, and while I love Focal (I own the Bathys and Elegia as well as the Chora 826 speakers) and I haven't received the ZMFs yet... I have to wonder if the Focals can be that much better even at twice the cost.
😊
Unfortunately it’s best you compare both side by side, if possible
As someone who owns the VO and Utopia 2022, the Utopia 2022 is in a very different league IMO. That doesn't mean that everyone will like Utopia more and the Utopia needs a high end source chain to get the most out of it, but it has the ability to be the technically superior headphone.
Great review, as always, Lachlan!
Reverend Thomas,
The Vegan Vicar.
Thanks VV!
I'm enjoying the '22 on the AMP-23R a bit more than on my Holo Bliss. I think it just does better with tube-like amplifiers.
They definitely benefit from a little bit of character in the amp to add some richness/body/warmth, etc. I haven't tried the Bliss yet, but your comments give me an idea of what to expect if I get the chance
@@PassionforSound To add to that, the AMP-23R has astonishing speed and effortlessness that I have not quite heard in any other amp (I am pairing it with MM Tambaqui). Just for context, I've been using the Bliss exclusively for the past four months, but going back to the AMP-23R, which I packed away and stupidly put up on sale, it was an eye-opening experience with the MMT. I've now let the ad just expire on StereoNET; not selling it anymore!
xduoo ta-20 plus. when? when? :) 11.11 is going, want to decide to buy or not
Sorry! It's still a little way down the queue. I might bump it forward to make sure it's ready for Black Friday if that helps.
Where do you put them in comparison with the Verite or the Atrium?
IMO they’re another level above the Verite. Haven’t heard the atrium but wouldn’t surprise me if that was the case there too.
@@rhodey2952
Nah. I disagree, technically they are about on the same level. I am interested how they compare in tonality.
@@rhodey2952Considering the Utopias and Atrium couldn't sound any more different tonality wise, not sure what "step above" means lol. Maybe in detail retrieval? But theres more than just that when people are picking out a headphone to enjoy
The 2022 Utopia is a clear step ahead of the ZMF dynamics in terms of resolution, staging, imaging and general transparency. They're also more tonally balanced in terms of being closer to neutral. However, some will still prefer the tonality of the Vérité and Atrium. For me, I'd reach for the Utopias over the Vérité every time, but the Atrium has such an enjoyable tonality of its own that it still gets regular head time.
I've heard all. Utopia is better than both.
In terms of ease to drive you are forgetting about their impedance curve. The measurement you mention is at 1khz, however they go up to about 300ohm at bass frequencies. Such variation in impedance makes them trickier to drive
But yes, volume wise they’re extremely easy to drive
With their sensitivity level, they're easy to drive at all frequencies. They need more voltage at lower frequencies than at 1kHz, but it's still a very manageable load for any half decent source.
Tried the OG Utopia and the treble murdered my ear drums. Very amp picky. I'd take the Caldera everyday and twice on Sunday over the Utopia. I'd like to hear the 2022 version to see how they've improved it. Not worth their asking price imo.
I agree that the OG Utopia benefits from a smoother source chain. That was my main reason for parting with it. The 2022 version is far better in that regard.
What was your ideal source chain for the OG Utopia? Ive got mine running out of a magni piety hooked up to a chord mojo 2. Feels... Underwhelming for a TOTL@@PassionforSound
All connectors should be 3.5mm for safety. If they lock and you snag you cable, your headphones will be ripped off your head risking damage.
That's a good point about the locking connectors.
They are truly special, but their inflated price tag is also truly special. I'll get those as a last resort
Sadly, the prices of flagship headphones are all about the same. I don't necessarily agree with the prices being charged, but it seems to be the norm. ☹️
@@PassionforSound I have luckily enough heard the STAX X9000, and I hate to use that word but they dwarf the Utopia, and all flagships cans I have heard so far have flaws, but STAX is flawless. For me personally there's no reason to get the Utopia, as I was thinking about P/P while hearing the Utopia, but STAX's performance is priceless. They are the endgame.
I'm keen to try some more Stax so maybe the X9000 should be on my list.
Funny how nobody ever talks about the biggest problem with Focal headphones. You encounter some bass and they start to clip!! This is absolutely unacceptable for headphones being produced at this level. I had the focal clear and the utopia 2022 - returned them both due to clipping issues!
At safe volume levels, I've never experienced any clipping from the Clear, Clear MG, Utopia or Utopia 2022. I'd recommend that anyone experiencing clipping with their Focal headphones should check the levels they're listening at so they don't destroy their hearing. Of course, it's personal choice in the end.
Would be curious to hear your experience with comparable price point headphones from other manufacturers? When I first stepped up to something like the Utopia I thought I heard clipping on some hip hop tracks, but then I realized it was just revealing more detail and texture in the bass versus previous headphones I had. For better or worse, a good deal of modern producers purposefully put clipping into their bass tracks to achieve a certain kind of sound, for example "Hotline Bling" by Drake.