Focal Utopia Review | Magnifique!

[@metal571]

You clearly spent a lot of time listening to these, and it shows. I thought I was crazy when I heard Utopia not that long ago at my local dealer in a quiet environment and said wait...where's the 4 grand of resolution? Guess it really doesn't get significantly better than this for a summit-fi open back dynamic. The very high end planars do seem to clearly out resolve the dynamics, but have other issues like FR tuning and/or weight, so it depends. Verite will be a fascinating comparison so I'm looking forward to that.

[@allansh828]

metal571 I compared Utopia to my friend’s beyerdynamic T1. Utopia sounds less detailed at first, but when I AB tested both, I can hear more stuff actually going on with the Utopia. I talked to many dealers and to summarize, Utopia need the correct amount of amplification, not as crazy as LCD4 but still a good amount to control that super fast beryllium driver. They also need the best DAC out there, even Chord DAVE is not overkill.

[@rustygates3367]

Remember, resolution is a function of all parts. "Resolution" originates from the DAC.

[@metal571]

@@rustygates3367 at this headphone tier, it also originates with the original recording. One thing I notice every time when I have something like LCD4 around is that most of the stuff I actually listen to doesn't sound a whole lot better than on the LCD2 or 3 just due to the mastering of the recording itself. That's yet another problem - the recording starts to become a bottleneck

[@gibgun]

Nice comparison. Looking forward to seeing you review the ZMF Vérité!

[@jross1798]

I sent him my Verite , so hopefully soon 😉

[@gibgun]

J Ross nice! Great that people do stuff like this for people. Hella wholesome of you

[@jross1798]

@@gibgun I want to see his channel grow. He's one of the best audio reviewers imo

[@jekken333]

The fact that HD800 can hold its own against the utopia is a great compliment considering it was released more than a decade ago. With that said, sennheiser needs to release a new flagship to catch up with the competition, hoping for a planar set from them.

[@leviathan5207]

planars are overrated imo

[@jekken333]

@@leviathan5207 like every driver types, it depends on the tech implementation.

[@x32i77]

I got the hd800 and the hd800s at home. Focal clear does Beat both already. Sound better because the base has better details . Soundstage got Sennheiser better but the overall package is better on focal clear. Let alone focal Utopia lol

[@eduardmikhailov4020]

@@x32i77 clears suck because no treble, midrange detail. Bad uppermids . Soundstage much worse on clears.

[@Brandon-qs3jq]

The Utopia actually does have a 6K peak, but the EARS measurement rig isn't accurate and doesn't show it. Great review though - love the comparisons.

[@aluxannar]

Ok but is it as good as the AudioQuest NightOwl?

[@russb3n]

Great review I also can concur with your thoughts on the HD800 and the Utopia. I have found the sweet spot for the Utopia's that really make them shine. Any DAC with Feliks Euforia OTL amp really helps the small soundstage. I would say increasing them at least 20% which will give you a better over sound not to mention the depth as well. Also with the wrong DAC/AMP can make them sound shouty in your face. So far my finding so far they pair very well with my Holo Spring LVL 2 KTE DAC with the Monoprice THX 887 amp sound amazing. Very airy with a great sense of space depth. And just recently bought the Chord Dave which are really made for each other. Just amazing amount of detail with the combo.

[@heatontom1]

Awesome comparison, as always!

[@jross1798]

I had the same issues with fit on the Focals. They weren't bad, or good. Weird middle ground. They never melted away like my ADX5000, whick for the record is imo the most underrated, under talked about headphone recently. It's pure magic.

[@chuckyfox9284]

Crin ranked it A so it got something going for it at least

[@celestialdrums486]

OMG! I didn't know a headphone like this exists. I thought BOSE is already very expensive 😂😂

[@x32i77]

There is Sonoma Aperio and t+a Solitaire P with its own amp unit 😉

[@allansh828]

I think Utopia needs to be plugged into the very best sources ($5k - $10k) to shine, but at that point, you should probably get a better pair of headphones.

[@exact3]

great video, thanks.

[@gwapster13]

The fact that you are even comparing the HD800 to the Utopia reinforces your statement that the 800 is great value for money. And personally, there are certain types of music that the HD800 takes full advantage of that vast soundstage which i enjoy the most. And the comfort of wearing feels almost like wearing no headphones, this is why HD800 would get the most time on the head.

[@x32i77]

I am using my h800s for gaming and meze empyrean for music listening . I am about to get the focal utopia used for 2500€ . I might sell my meze empyrean for 1800€ -2000€

[@mastaluke7272]

Good review, you saved me $4k 👍🏾

[@NiSHAN256]

The HD800 meme is still live and going! :D

[@jekken333]

Haven't seen one lol

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

I always enjoy vids I hope those don't clips like other ones I hope they fix it

[@randomdudeman4782]

Utopia would be a great $2k headphone, and it might make some sense at $2.5k. But at $4k... no. However, there are lots of places that will sell you open box ones at around $2.5-2.7k, and new at around $3k. You definitely shouldn't pay $4k for one. And when it comes to resolution, it's very high, but the SR-007 outresolves it. However the Utopia comes very close, doesn't need an electrostatic amp, and is very comfortable and practical. It does have quite an unpleasant 6k peak and some midrange shout at 1-1.5k, but with a little bit of EQ you can get it to behave and sound balanced. It's a VERY nice headphone, well deserving of flagship status, just overpriced.

[@x32i77]

I am about to get one for 2500€ 🙂 I got the meze empyrean also and hd800s at home right now.

[@heatontom1]

The vocal on the Utopia is magic (sounds like it has emotion and communicates with listeners!!). HD800, Arya and Clear do not do that to me. Switching from Utopia to those cans, it feels like I suddenly driving with flat tyres. For some vocal focused tracks, Classic orchestra tracks. The Utopia sounds much more real than HD800. (I feel I am listening to the real singers and instruments with Utopia while with HD800 I know it analog music, it cant fool me with HDV820 amp) I almost want to say that It is the only headphone bringing you to a world with color while most other headphones are just offering black and white. (I have never heard LCD4 or Susvara, or 009 driven by KG amps.) It is a bit metallic when I use it with my Questyle CMA 400, sounds great 99% of the time tho! When I switch it to Woo Audio WA6SE, immediately the tiny metallic feeling is gone. The vocal is also a bit smoother. The WA6SE makes the Utopia sound stage much much much larger and deeper. Having said that, sometimes I actually prefer paring it with CMA 400. (I also tried it with IFI black label and I don't like it. seems a lot things are missing). I am only new to this headfi world, only 2 years experience roughly. I haven't head enough cans so take it with a grain of salt if anyone is reading this (but I do own Arya, Clear and Utopa for long term listening and comparing). One more thing, the HD6XX sounds really great with Woo WA6SE (more dynamic, vocal even more forward and smoother at same time. Wow! the sound stage is much larger, open, much more airier).

[@rafael6693]

What is your take on clear vs utopia? How much better in percentage would you say it is better that the clear, honestly (if you never new the price) when you change from music between these headphones?

[@heatontom1]

@@rafael6693Generally speaking they are very similar with similar tuning and soundstage. I reckon 5%-15% percent better? It's hard to quantize and it also depends on the people. Some people may find it has no difference. To me the Utopia has clearer yet much smoother treble, more realistic vocal and instruments. 1. The vocal, string instrument, piano on the Utopia are like listening to real people , real instruments right in front of you. In my opinion this is the main difference that sets it apart from the Arya, Clear, Stax 307. 2. Another obvious difference is when playing complicated large orchestra music, Utopia offers sth special. It feels like it generates a very solid and powerful music wave wall coming at you, very dynamic and explosive feeling, very satisfying and that magic immediately goes away when switch to the other three headphones I mentioned above. FYI, I got all my Focal headphones around 50% off. I love my Clear it's so easy to wear for long period time for music, gaming or movies (Utopia is kinda heavy after 1-2 hours). It sounds great, almost similar to Utopia in a lot situations except the cases I mentioned above. So you can get either one when there is a good deal. One more thing I'd like to mention is that Utopia gets so much more fun with tube amps, the Clear does change as much.

[@divinecurrent9053]

It's interesting, from what I'm hearing from multiple reviewers (Metal, Resolve, and now Max Settings), the detail/resolution from these Focals is not top class. Yet, I am floored by my measly $600 Focal Elex, not because of the detail but because of the sheer impact and lifelike dynamic punch, all with an agreeable frequency response. I much prefer it over the Sundara most of the time, even if it doesn't extend as well. I'm beginning to think it's because both the Elex and the Utopia follow the down-sloped Harman treble curve fairly accurately, with no crazy peaks or elevations above 10kHz except for the occasional bright spot at 11kHz. Above that it is just very smooth and extended. Perhaps this is why the detail/resolution seems less than the brighter HD800? Anyway, thanks for the great review as always!

[@arthurhaywood2184]

I agree with you. I also own the Elex & I've listened to the Utopia. There's no denying that they're from the same family tree. There's definitely not a $3400 difference between the two. The best analogy I an think of is that the Utopia went to an Ivy league school, maybe also attended Cambridge, attained all of the requisite culture & then went on to a successful career. The Elex, while equally as smart, went to Stanford, maybe didn't even graduate but went on to create a startup that hugely successful while still maintaining more pedestrian tastes. The Elex, a little more brash. The Utopia a little more refined...….

[@JTB--]

Recently had the Utopia and the treble was a little much for me. Would take the HE1000se easily over the Utopia.

[@nathanberger618]

How about Abyss headphones?

[@x32i77]

Very good question 🤔

[@x32i77]

How about t+a Solitaire P or Sonoma M1 😃

[@bunozen1]

Please get an authentic Cardas cable. You will be way happier if you do. Since I replaced my cables I never went back to the stock ones. Great review Max.....

[@allansh828]

Which cardas cable do you remember?

[@JTCPingas]

Found the snake oil salesman!

[@frog382]

@@JTCPingas What are you doing watching 4k dollars headphone review, not knowing cable is important? 😂 Ive always said: if you dont experiment with cables because internet told you its a snakeoil, you dont deserve to hear the difference.

[@EirkenElite]

Damn those would look sexy on one of headphone stands

[@fizywig]

resolve reviews thinks the hedd headphone surpasses this utopia. see his review, hedd is 1/3 price

[@x32i77]

Utopia costs sometimes 2500€ in germany 🙂👍

[@minjunkim2707]

Yet another headphone I can't afford....

[@nicktan4530]

you are not rich thats the problem !

[@matticeverhoeven6539]

If that’s annoying then don’t watch these reviews...

[@ninhbac04]

i can buy 2 of these and be alright get your money right

[@moondragon5630]

@@matticeverhoeven6539 wow, someone is salty.

[@frog382]

@@ninhbac04 wow, someone has savings

[@kirjuschaks]

11$ headphone driver beats 4000$ headphone, nice work

[@shadouxg7150]

How do u know that it costs 11$?

[@kirjuschaks]

@@shadouxg7150 internet

[@shadouxg7150]

@@kirjuschaks and why we can't make those headphones?, Let's do it man

[@kirjuschaks]

@@shadouxg7150 aurora borealis headphone has the drivers

[@musicxxa6678]

Is it just me or Focal headphones are ugly AF.

[@zaleskar]

it's you

[@nicktan4530]

Its ugly. nOt you!

[@chuckyfox9284]

It's you

[@nicktan4530]

@@chuckyfox9284 Nope its the headphone.

[@x32i77]

Meze empyrean is beautiful

[@casualmime2792]

These really aren't very good. Please don't spend this much money on something so poorly designed.

[@AlejandroCastroDelgado]

Casual Mime Care to explain why they are not good? I was considering these, but it’s always nice to hear dissenting voices.