Preview: New Focal Diva Utopia Integrated Speaker System Preview

Tom Martin and Andy Quint had the opportunity to attend FOCAL's launch event in NYC for their new active, wireless Utopia Diva loudspeaker system. With a short time to critically listen, Tom shares his first impressions and thoughts in this preview.
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[@BlueSilvertone]

A step in the right direction for sure, but a couple of comments regarding attracting Hi End consumers like myself and persuade us away from separates: 1) Analog balanced input (fully balanced built in circuit path) is a MUST to hook up Turntable-Preamp based setups. 2) The cabinet itself needs to be built to higher standards, ie cabinet material and cabinet internal resonances need to be at state of the art standards in order to seduce higher end buyers, think Magico, YG Acoustics, Gauder Akustiks here. Other than that, I’m excited about the minimalist future in High End. If done properly the future is bright, or should I say ‘musically neutral’ 😊

[@Integralista001]

Thanks a lot for preview of this masterpiece speaker. I hope Focal will implement this new technology into some smaller florstander or even bookshelf speaker. And I feel somehow they have now real edge over competitors. They, e.g. B@W will have to react. So there will be another "spannende Rennen" in this range of big active speakers. 😉

[@TheTASmagazine]

Focal strongly hinted that there will be new models with this concept.

[@willbrink]

Actives are the future, even if they have been around for decades. That Focal is an entire system in the box. Pros and cons to that, but cool idea.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Headphones and earphones are the future, I would posit.

[@Integralista001]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas not for everyone. I used my oldies Beyerdynamit 990 headphones so little that I sold them. I do not regret. Now I listen to my turntables, Audia amp and big Cabasse speakers. And I love this sound! 😆

[@Prometheus1979]

Not for me they not.

[@goodboid]

You briefly touch upon it, but I find the main advantage of active speakers is that the amplification is carried out after the crossover. Couple that with a capable DSP, and if the synergy between the drivers and its amps is good, the possibility of dialing in a sound that works for you, is invaluable.

[@fletchermunson6225]

Beautiful but if they are not modular, what do you do with your $40k speakers when streamer or digital converter technology moves on? Anything you can not upgrade the electronics on is an incubating dinosaur . I like the fabric finish but I fear so would my wife's cat. Yikes!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Mould/Mold, here in the tropics, would also be attracted to the fabric.

[@TheTASmagazine]

Focal suggested that the electronics could be upgraded, though the history of modular products is more promise than reality. You can of course trade in the system assuming the idea catches on.

[@fletchermunson6225]

@@TheTASmagazine I'll let you know when I have $40k to spend on audio.

[@TheTASmagazine]

@@fletchermunson6225 Good luck!

[@ms3862]

@@ReverendDr.Thomasyou would assume if you can afford a $40kmspeaker then you surely can afford a $5k central AC and ventilation system

[@gtrguyinaz]

Nice review.. real world placement is definitely something the average listener will enjoy…

[@HiFiInsider]

Is there Hey Siri and Alexa support? If you have cat(s) they will love the carpet cabinet. :)

[@MasterofPlay7]

SIRI? that's junk

[@TheTASmagazine]

Focal says works with automation systems, including Control4, Crestron, Savant and RTI or Homekit and Google Home. Google Assistant and Siri now, Alexa in the spring of 2025.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@MasterofPlay7 wait for Apple AI, it should be here any year now...

[@carminedesanto6746]

I’m hoping to lay an ear on this set up next weekend at Toronto Audiofest 😎

[@serloinoflamm1119]

Love the idea behind these, but worry the dac and streaming platform will quickly become outdated. I would not spend this kind of money unless these could easily be upgraded. Linn has a modular system which allows components to be easily upgraded. Shame Naim/Focal has not taken a similar approach. I think I will wait for the v2 which hopefully will be more modular for easy upgrades.

[@CarlVanDoren61]

All-in-One box 📦 solution 😮

[@meesmo4]

For $40k, you can put a Magico A5 together with a Devialet integrated.

[@MrBravo143]

Properly designed active speakers are superior to their passive counterparts with proper outboard amplification, the reason the active crossover and amplifier made to perfectly match the speaker integration and minimise phase issues. I have compare the Active PMC Twenty5 series with passive counterpart with expensive amps and imo active is superior.

[@Prometheus1979]

My only issue is not being able to swap out electronics makes you stuck with whatever these sound like permanently. These are good for a secondary system and small rooms. These are not for me.

[@rolazabal1]

No wifi?

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

0:35 "...ladies and gentlemen..." Don't you mean "LADY and gentlemen"?

[@TheTASmagazine]

We're running about 4% female, so we should have about 500-1000 women watch. And I think this kind of product, or its successors, might be more appealing (at least that is the intent)?

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@TheTASmagazine, in that case, your subsriber count must be FAR more than I assumed. Anyway, I would be surprised if MANY women would be buying a pair of high-end loudspeakers such as these.

[@denisplante2193]

This set-up is a joke ! Windows,windows,windows.Please fire the incompetent who did this !