How Good is the Focal Utopia 2022?

[@stereo-nomad]

I recently upgraded to the Utopia 22 from Clear Mg and had mixed feelings at first. Wasn't blown away at the difference. Then I listened to only the U22 for a week and realized how much of an upgrade they are when going back to the MG. More resolution, clear and refined highs, vocals sound realistic, bigger soundstage, and bass is better controlled and balanced throughout. Instrument separation/macro dynamics/detail retrieval is vastly improved yet very musical/refined and not overly analytical like some other high end offerings. Excellent phones. I believe this is the first headphone I have owned where theres times I forget I have headphones on because the music at times feels like its coming from elsewhere in the room.

[@BilllieJean-e9y]

You have absolutely right, I also had similiar experience with Clear Mg vs Nutopia, and it takes little time to notice that Nutopia is better in absolutely all aspects you mention, sound sophisticated is on Another level !

[@abal11]

i also have the clear mg's do you think its worth im a bass head mainly listen to emo/rap/edm/expieremental music I really enjoy the mg's but wanted a taste of the utopia because ive heard really good stuff but the price is high haha but im looking for endgame considering i listen to music a ton

[@stereo-nomad]

@@abal11 They're two different sound characters. The MG has more bass slam, engaging dynamics, and a very good match for those music genres. The Utopia is a more reference sound. It has less bass than the MG but the bass is articulate, balanced, and accurate. If you want even more bass than the MG and the musical resolution/fidelity that a beryllium driver can provide I would say the Stellias are a better fit especially for those genres you mentioned but keep in mind these are closed design so no airy soundstage as the Clear/Utopia.

[@james_tiberius_kirk73]

Excellent review and far better than the waffle this bloke came up with.

[@BilllieJean-e9y]

I recently compare Utopia Og vs Utopia 22 Side by Side for over 3 hours on the same chain, and Utopia 22 is more dynamic than Og. Richness and depth of sound is also far better on Utopia 22, while Utopia Og has crisper treble and airier soundstage, but Nutopia soundstage is bigger.

[@brothatwasepic]

Great vid brother. I had the Utopia 2022 and it is mind-blowing at imaging specifically. Some songs had such an amazing spherical tornado around me. It was amazing even with a D90 A90 stack. Endgame for many ❤

[@chungang7037]

I love Marty Friedman's solo albums as well on audiophile gear.

[@ahmedshafiul3851]

My third favorite! (first and second being the Caldera and the Susvara)

[@brothatwasepic]

Hi guys try to shine a uv light on your utopia or 2022 and watch the carbon sparkle ❤

[@jiyadas]

So curious to see your review about the Sony DMP-Z1 you never commented on it anymore after the initial unboxing!

[@davidpilon9433]

Maybe is just OK !

[@jiyadas]

@davidpilon9433 I have both DMP-Z1 and ZM2. The DMP-Z1 is worth every bit of money or more. My main DAC is an MSB Premier, and I can confidently say the DMP is no slouch. Since he loves the ZM2 so much I'm very curious to hear his thoughts on the DMP-Z1

[@amplifyaudioreviews]

Review coming soon

[@CaoimhinKay]

As good as the trifecta? The stock cable is not up to the calibre of the headphone. Utopia has and always will scale.

[@khhoaiii]

You said this headphones pairs nicely with Sony DMP-Z1. How you think this will pair with the Sony TA-ZH1ES headphone amp? Just bought a Moon Audio Silver Dragon (4pin XLR) cable for my MDR-Z1R headphones and it sounds so good. I just to try Focal headphones but wonder if it will play nicely with my sony headphones amp. Are you getting the traillii ti? I am working on getting it. Loving the UM Amber Pearl. Keep up the great work. Need more people like you in this wonderful hobby.

[@ahmedshafiul3851]

It should. Newtopia is not power-hungry but amp picky. And it pairs amazingly with Sony devices.

[@ahmadmatar2698]

I tried the focal utopia 2022 wich was my dream headphones but i didn’t like it that much! This hobby is very subjective and money don’t buy you happiness

[@TheVeganVicar]

Agreed 👍🏻

[@60beats44]

Thank you very much for this detailed review. Just entering the higher end headphones 'hobby' could you perhaps comment on the BOSE QC versus the Focal Bathys?

[@anirbansaha5162]

Tried utopia 2022with dx320 max ti...it sounded awesome

[@jessieharris3915]

is it worth the price for buying the dcs lina dac system for mixing and mastering

[@marcustomlinson3582]

Cool vid. There’s different ways of looking at the OG vs 2022 comparison I guess. Although nutopia might be slightly less dynamic, to me it retains enough of the Utopia excitement but sounds more “natural” overall. I definitely find metal and heavier music more listenable on it - on my chain the OG had a grating quality to the upper mids which resulted in fatigue with heavier stuff. On my chain (solid state) bass on the OG had a bit of a flat quality too, lacking dimension and shape, and this is largely rectified on the 2022 version. Ultimately both are great though as you say.

[@hemispherecompensation]

I preferred the 2020 to the 2022. Sometimes newer is not always better.

[@marcustomlinson3582]

@@hemispherecompensation Indeed. It's about which signature you prefer.

[@TheVeganVicar]

It’s good but far too heavy for a dynamic. 😢

[@TheVeganVicar]

In other terms, it sounds as good as a planar, but at the expense of being as heavy as one. :(

[@sumanthduggirala1887]

between zmf atrium and verite (closed), which have better holographic sound

[@hemispherecompensation]

VC. Atrium is not holographic

[@sumanthduggirala1887]

@@hemispherecompensation ok

[@amaya897]

Atrium Closed might still be much more fun headphone to for you. Verite Closed got very unusual tuning, for most its either a love or a hate thing. Atrium Closed got enveloping slammy bass, with very natural timbre and great stage for a closed bac.

[@sumanthduggirala1887]

@@amaya897 thanks, but some say it miss the midrange like vc and atrium, is it true ?

[@amaya897]

@@sumanthduggirala1887which headphone "it" are we talking about

[@anirbansaha5162]

Do you consider utopia as an endgame?

[@Nephilim-81]

Terrific insight and thoughts. Much appreciated as always. Utopia really does need a good source chain. It is picky. Streaming is awful on the Utopia. It is a ruthless headphone like the HD 800.

[@abhtv1297]

I would love for someone to donate me a pair

[@EricRhodeslives]

So sick of hand videos.

[@mhortop1]

The OG Utopia is much better, the new version is too dark and lacks personality like the OG. The OG had a really addictive treble and resolution that made it such a great headphone.