Focal Grande Utopia Grand Analysis: Efficiency!
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- The most iconic High End loudspeaker of all time... yes, it's published measurements are being analyzed by Real World Audio!
What these data and intimate knowledge of loudspeaker mechanics tell us of these speakers?
Let's find it out together!
Imagine putting a focal utopia in a room like in that picture. lol. Great channel. very informative, thx.
Thank you for watching! Indeed, it fits right in! We could use a pair in our conference room at my workplace LOL ;) Janos
so even utopias need REL subwoofers by each side of speakers 😎
These are fast approaching LS3/5a or IMF speakers in efficiency or ????
Wish more speaker companies were honest about this issue. Makes it hard to determine what a 20 to 30 watt amp can really drive without straining or having compromises with sound quality.
I totally agree! The point of ratings should be to determine what amplifier is needed for a pair of loudspeakers. Sadly, the ratings mean less and less, and we need to read the reviewers comments on what their experiences are... or do the math, in case measurements were published. ;
I have had 3 different Utopias(yes there is a whole Utopia family) and you are absolutely right, they are not “high efficiency” speakers. But to be fair they are in fact quit high efficiency “normal speakers”… and still needs a ton of amp power to fly! But compared to say B&W 800-series and some of the other competition they are not that bad or hard to drive at all. Crazy expensive and hyped up speakers are the norm of todays hifi-marked… designers just assume the you have kW(1000) and not single W at your disposal. I’ll be back with some more comments on the Utopias as we go along…
Bro are there any focal utopia dimensions available I always wanted to make a.different box for.each speaker
Hi Klaus, thank you for the superb feedback! Very curious that the 800 series is harder to drive, but it does make sense - bigger size ultimately gives an easier load to drive, and I think the 800 series dB/Wm would be around 82-83dB/Wm... quite lower compared to 86dB/Wm of the Utopia ; I agree, in today's world of low efficiency speakers the Utopias are quite efficient!
@@IDontExist14 The key feature of Utopia is the material used and the bracing. They have not made any of these public.... for the individual cab size, the size of each cab is defined by the efficiency and frequency range desired from each driver, so each is highly specific to the driver used, cannot be copied for different drivers with success. Basically, for different drivers you need different cab sizes for the individual drivers...
@@realworldaudio at the same time as I had the Utopia I allso had a pair of Klipsch Palladium P-39F. Fun fact! the Focal in the same room/position the the same amp/s had almost the same loudness! The Klipsch Palladium P-39F has a horn loaded mid and top but it’s very far from being any way near a high efficiency speaker.
@@klausnielsen7102 LOL, that's fun! :) Indeed, most speakers with horns as tweeters / mids have grossly exaggerated efficiencies. People tend to forget that it's the bass that limits efficiency... ; )
Eliminates the use of a "budget" flea powered amp(s)!??
Actually, if you can find an output transformer with 2R secondary tap, that would make the flea power amp eligible for a superb late night quiet listening, with peak volume at 85dB or so... that translates to 60dB average loud bits with headroom to 85dB... would in all likelihood butcher most high power amps for the late night experience. Of course, loud parties, and daytime sessions, and big impressive feats are off the table. ;
@@realworldaudio Hi Janos if you use the 4 ohm and the 8 ohm taps you will have a 2 ohm tap. For example 4 ohm tap becomes the 0 ohm and the 8 ohm tap becomes the 2 ohm tap. Regards Lou
@@loureda5443 Thank you Lou, yes, that's a superb idea! The 4R and 8R taps give a 2R connection. ; ).