Preview: New Focal Diva Utopia Integrated Speaker System Preview

[@charliecroker2541]

I went active with the Meridian DSP9, couldn't be happier, is straightforward, does not mess up my living room all the equipment/cabling required. I personally believes active will become more popular. I don't buy the argument DAC's/Amplification etc can come obsolete as I do not want to be chasing the latest, happy with what I have.

[@bradburnside7644]

I also have, and love, Meridian DSP9 which boast six amplifiers (one for each driver) totaling 1,260 watts inside each cabinet. The electronics are accessible behind a removable panel for future upgrades, just like the ones Meridian provided for my earlier SE series active speakers in 2020.

[@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.

[@Nobodyanybody778]

Thank you for such a balanced and articulate preview and discussion . It was both entertaining and enlightening . One can see that the trend of active speakers is picking up . Especially when KEF , Dynaudio , B&O et al and now Focal is investing in the concept . Many more of our favourite speaker brands will be soon to follow .

[@georgeballow7028]

This is for the living room of the audiophile who has Maestros in his listening room.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Good preview - Tom looking forward to the review.😊

[@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.

[@fatdoi003]

unless it's modular.... the tech is locked in today's standard can't be upgraded in the future..... anything they say it's "future proof" is pure BS

[@guus007]

Definitively a point here. My B@O Level is modular and then we are talking a WiFi speaker.

[@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.

[@klaymoon1]

Great preview. Does anyone know if Focal offers the matching surround speakers?

[@scottmackey4182]

Thank you for sharing the price on these. Extremely helpful.

[@jldotson5873]

WOW love these speakers!! ... A worthy investment ❤

[@carlhayes-ze5nd]

Are those covered in felt? Looks really nice and my cats would love them! Self amplified speakers? I can’t imagine why not. Looks better than mono blocks sitting on the floor.

[@TheTASmagazine]

@@carlhayes-ze5nd We don’t think it is felt; it appeared more like a woven material.

[@beaucauchemar]

While this would be a much more appropriate comparison with the latest Meridian, I’m curious how this would stack up to the LS60 given the large price disparity albeit similar IO/feature set.

[@charleskingReal]

I'm pretty sure the primary driver for the sonic merits you heard is the quality of the DSP calibration. Good DSP can absolutely transform a system, but it requires some effort from the user or the dealer. Given the price, I'd expect the dealer to play a large role in installing these speakers.

[@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’ 😊

[@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...

[@johnlehew8192]

Yep, It’s a $40k scratching post lol

[@mitchparker7652]

Like electric or hybrid vehicles, active speakers do seem like a logical future as does this particular driver configuration. The felt like covers are clever. We seem to be at a tipping point.

[@thinkIndependent2024]

We Balanced Review thanks. That being said capped in both amplification and speaker along with streaming services is not for everyone

[@gtrguyinaz]

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

[@carminedesanto6746]

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

[@ssjlkrillin]

I've had active Focals for years now, albeit they're studio monitors [Trio11 Be], but you're just about getting the Utopia Scalas for much cheaper. Add a pair of Sub12s, and you could have a sound rivaling the Grande Utopias for no more than $15k. They're not meant to be showcased in a listening room, but rather in a recording studio, so the appearance will be more utilitarian in this way.

[@valgehiir]

Large part of lack of distortion is active crossover, every driver has its own amplifier and no nasty passive crossovers.

[@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.

[@bradburnside7644]

Meridian has been offering user-friendly active speaker upgrades for years, which I have personally installed. Their new DSP9 is twice as expensive as the Focals, but sonically worth it IMO.

[@lights80088]

I really love and enjoy my audio equipment. Let's face it, businesses spoon feed us technology to keep us spending money. Every week there's a new company with better technology. Baloney!

[@meesmo4]

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

[@kingtubbyleeperry]

And your point is? Those magico’s aren’t that great.

[@meesmo4]

@@kingtubbyleeperry wait a minute... Am i supposed to care about your opinion?

[@kingtubbyleeperry]

@@meesmo4 Devialet says it all.

[@meesmo4]

@@kingtubbyleeperry Luckily for you and for me, I don't care much about opinions from a KEF LS60 owner. Do you wake up and watch cheapaudioman every day? 😂

[@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.

[@Cakebattered]

Looks like a very good system for wealthy consumers who want good sound without becoming a hobbyist. I just wish it offered support for advanced room correction like DIRAC.

[@timboz2569]

Are they serviceable? In 20 years when a component fails, will it be repairable? Or cheaper just to buy new 🤷‍♂️

[@Nobodyanybody778]

LS60 wireless on steroids ? 😎

[@RiCHeeGee]

Why are they covered in grey felt that wouldn't look out of place on the floor of a Ford Fiesta?

[@michaellatta]

I wonder how this compares to a meridian system with its similar all digital cross overs?

[@cayboy420]

Not really for people with cats, that’s a 40 grand cat scratching post right there in that finish! Really want to hear them soon tho.

[@CarlVanDoren61]

All-in-One box 📦 solution 😮

[@fizywig]

Buy a Dcs Bartok, a pair of AtC SCM 50s, cables are XLR and a fraction of high end analog cables. This would surpass these focals by a large margin at a 20% extra cost with same " minimal" 1 box count as Focals- the wireless function on the Focals are inferior SQ

[@ryanschipp8513]

The absolutely Better Sound damn good for $40,000. But I've been in this HiFi game way too long to believe that this is going to outperform Tower speakers and separates for let's say 15,000 to 20,000. And please don't tell me the all-in-one solution is worth 20 more thousand

[@gunsandcars3648]

looks like , smells like , Blade, but does it sound better , besides the 801 , its the best Ive heard so far even over quad and sonus

[@artistadrtm]

The logic of using AB amps is not a bias, is about knowledge, Naim does not have know-how in DClass.

[@supergwizzo]

What about vibration 😮 . Best can get sonic bliss😊

[@donello430]

Haven't Bang and Olufsen been doing all this for like a quarter century by now?

[@garethsnaim8174]

yes. And meridian. And in both cases you don't have to strain through listening to focal speakers.

[@Bob-Fields]

Sooo, these are only good until the phone app is no longer supported?

[@TheTASmagazine]

@@Bob-Fields There is a physical remote provided, though we don’t know what setup parameters are confined to the app, if any. As far as the app itself, there is a scenario where the app is no longer supported and the hardware you are using no longer supports apps of that vintage. If this is a concern, you could then keep the hardware of the last gen that works with the last gen app. That would seem to move the point of problems pretty far into the future, but not to t=infinity. It may not be that different from capacitor deterioration or semiconductor failures, or driver surround deterioration, or magnetic degradation. Some of the later lend themselves to repair of course, whereas software probably is a ‘game over’ scenario when the underlying compatible hardware dies.

[@mobill49]

No Roon Ready at this price? Forget it.

[@kingtubbyleeperry]

As a Kef LS60 and Dutch&Dutch owner, I will say this is the future. Having an active design is way more important than what amp or dac you use, as the amps behind the electronic crossover have an easy job. Each amp is designed for the individual driver it has to power. Furthermore, DSP helps in an even frequency response. And room correction helps to deal with the room, because in the end the room is a great part of what you hear. Add some absorption to bring down reverb amount and you are in hifi heaven.

[@Nobodyanybody778]

Great point ! Also , excellent choice of speakers you have there . May I ask , how do those 2 compare ? How close to the D&D8c does the LS60 come , in SQ ?

[@stijnvanderlooy5311]

Also interested in thus comparison

[@kingtubbyleeperry]

I have the Dutch & Dutch in a heavily treated listening / HT room and the Kef LS60 are in my far from ideal living room so it is hard to compare. The D&D can play louder but I think the LS60 can play loud enough. They are both very neutral, and the D&D seems to be a little moren open and spacious sounding. Recently I have added a subwoofer to the LS60 and now they play even better and have more headroom and power in the real low subbass. Both are great active speakers.

[@stijnvanderlooy5311]

@@kingtubbyleeperry you would dare to say the kef comes very close in performance in case you throw in a sub?

[@timboz2569]

They prolly sound sensational, but not much FUN at all. All the warmth of Darth Vader. Why aren’t all the fugly cables plugged in?

[@rgrost1]

So when one element inside the speaker becomes obsolete you throw away the speakers? With separates you simply upgrade that component. Thank God digital audio is not advancing at any high rate (?). Have you listened to modern streamers versus what was out 5 years ago?

[@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

[@川嶋幸男-t8v]

貴方の長い話より 実際の音源からのパフを聴きたい！

[@WardoUSA]

How many people are saying my wiim ultra is probably easier to use

[@henni1964]

For some rich customers for their background music maybe?

[@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.

[@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.

[@charliecroker2541]

Personally I am tired chasing the latest upgrades. I'd be happy to keep my current system 7/8 years before thingking an upgrade if at all. Feel the same way about other electronics, still have my iPhone 11

[@Prometheus1979]

I get what saying and don’t blame you. That’s nothing wrong with that.

[@Laissez_Faire]

I rather buy a used pair of Meridian dsp8000 and still same a few thousand

[@edbrumbaugh9202]

Look like great speakers, but for $40K, there are much better options ...

[@artistadrtm]

Connect a ethernet cable to speakers and then connect the cable to your phone? You must have got some info wrong. What you saie doesn't exist. 🙂

[@rolazabal1]

No wifi?

[@TheTASmagazine]

WiFi 6 is on board. AirPlay 2, Google Cast, UPnP, Bluetooth 5.3, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, QQ Music.

[@Rowuk2024]

CHEIF content officer?

[@TheTASmagazine]

Yeah, it is a combination of chef and someone chiefly (in his dreams) in charge of things. Seriously, Charles made a typo. Video guys...

[@davidrivera2165]

By 2030 it will be an absolutely obsolete sounding system (pun intended). The internal dac, dsp will be ancient by then, and likely the one or more of the built in amps will be a goner ( see history of built-in power subs in towers from Golden ear and Definitely technology ).

[@denisplante2193]

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

[@stijnvanderlooy5311]

Your house does not have windows ? Kudoos to them for setting it up in a realistic environment where they can show the value of their dsp.

[@denisplante2193]

@@stijnvanderlooy5311 You put heavy curtains over them ! It s like trying to show off a Ferrari with bicycles tires

[@jerronimo13]

I will start a youtube channel dedicated to overpriced french highend audio loving everything focal tells me to if I will be invited to a party with beautiful women, drugs, alcohol and viagra.😊