The Focal Diablo Utopia Color EVO Making Music. A Haunting Demo.

[@HiFiHuff]

Just for fun guys. I have these in for long term review and they are NOT new speakers. These have been around for well over a decade yet these are the latest versions, The Color EVO. This is a two way bookshelf speaker with exceptional build quality. The sound is pure Focal but without harshness. The treble is the star of the show with these. Extended, crystalline and yea refined and smooth as silk. I will have a review on these eventually, after I get some quality time with them in my space. Also have other speakers on the way for review as well as a new high end DAC and other surprises! See ya soon!

[@sandman7849]

I think Focals are best with tube amps.

[@phantom-audio-888]

1 month ago you were raving about the Devilles SQ so know its changed to this?

[@ocme9210]

❤ my Focal Sopra No1s 🔊 🎶

[@JezJerzy22]

How about bass in Diablo w/o subwoofer? Can you clearly hear low notes? Nothing is missing?

[@Jeep_on_audio]

The piece is: 'Misa Criolla' by the Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez. First part 'kyrie'. I like this performance. It sounds very authentic and not as forced as some classical opera singers.

[@pietwentzel007]

Performed by Mercedes Sosa. Album: Misa Criolla.

[@edgarmisplaced7924]

Steve.......Through my Sennheiser headphones, I am floored by the entire presentation. Talk about air, space, and beautiful detail.. I'm jealous beyond belief. Your components gave the speakers the opportunity to really shine. Job Well Done sir. Thank you.

[@HiFiHuff]

Thank you!

[@laurelhardy4064]

I'll bet there are a good match with Pass Labs, the warmth of the Pass and the clarity of Focal, beautiful sound, thanks.

[@HiFiHuff]

Yes indeed. They also sound quite fantastic with the Billie MKII. Not quite as nice as the pass but it’s good.

[@robk5745]

Some of the best looking speakers in the market, they do sound haunting, wow! Love it man

[@bobb.9917]

They are cool looking…especially in that color! 👍🏼

[@jackturtle131]

Very nice sounding piece of music Thanks for sharing Steve

[@jamesj9728]

I am a big Focal fan and my hi-fi journey began with a pair of gently used Focal Sopra N2s. The magic is in the beryllium tweeter, which is very revealing. Detail for days. However, extra careful matching is required. My friend has the Utopia Scala Evo and will be looking next at the Stella. We have tried many amps and have found that we prefer warmer pairings like Accuphase, and tube offerings... certainly warmish class-A shines. I still prefer my DeVille SQs for the emotion, but would love to own a Focal as well for the other flavor I love.

[@Maryaliece]

I’m a classical singer. These are amazing!

[@Antibackgroundnoise]

Apologise for listening on my handheld smartphone, but the audio coming out of it sounds like a dipole speaker. Truly amazing

[@markhusbands6132]

Superb selection of music for the sample Steve! It uplifted my day...thank you!!! Beautiful sound 🧡

[@soumyajitdeb3943]

I have the now discontinued Electra 1008 Be which was one rung lower than this one and trust me when I say this - everyone needs to experience the focal tweeter once in their life. I think they are many miles ahead of the competition in that regard.

[@ocme9210]

The Focal Diablos have such a beautiful sound when paired with Pass Labs amps. I love my Focal Sopra No1 speakers paired with the Luxman L-590AXII, so much rich detail and soundstage, always amazing! Class A solid state amplifers all the way for the Focals

[@ewhite5381]

Thanks for this teaser. On my wish list!

[@audio_acoustic_engineering]

Agreed, great vid as always.

[@rdmeenach]

I would buy these in this color if I could afford them. Beautiful. And I love the stands too.

[@riccitone]

Outstanding. Evocative and uplifting. Even compressed via KZbin 👌🏼🙏🏼

[@TriAmpHiFi]

These channels are spoiling me. 🔈🔉🔊

[@klaverro]

Nice preview! Great song too. My Roon Radio then gave me, among others, Kari Bremnes with A Lover in Berlin and Mari Boine with Gumppet Holvot (The Wolves Howl). This last song seems perfect for your living environment Steve ...;-). Look forward to the review of those Focals!

[@christopherwright8179]

I heard the Diablo Utopia EVO’s at a dealer in January and instantly wanted to swap my Sopra No.2’s for these and a sub. The transparency is next level! I was listening to amplifiers, and the Alluxity Int 1 is a great match for the Sopra’s despite being class AB as it has all the detail and some warmth.

[@zizendorf]

They sound great on my Polk Audio 3-way speakers connected to my PC! It's like that music was streaming directly out of my DAC. But, my speakers were free. $24K?!

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

clown 🤡

[@sotocine99]

Sounds great on my phone.

[@attrktmarketing4582]

Hi, very nice video thank you. What is the recording we are listening to? Please could you share the details thank you 😊

[@marclemieux9387]

Loved the track. Sounded pretty good on my Polk Audio R700s. Feverishly trying to find the track on tidal! Lol

[@Ricardo-fs1xe]

Wow. Jaw dropping. I have the Sopra No1. Got a great deal on it, so I simply couldn't let it pass. Thinking if it is worth the upgrade to the Diablo... Do they sound different, I mean the Diablo from the Sopra?

[@scottborenstein8291]

The Utopia line is on another level from the Sopra.

[@Ricardo-fs1xe]

@@scottborenstein8291 👍

[@dhmallet]

A couple of questions: What are the details of the music, and also your gorgeous cabinet? Love your channel.

[@Novilicious]

I’ve always debated on sopra no3 vs these Diablo bookshelf’s. I think the Sopras are better looking with better bass. However, I bet the top end is sublime 1:23 on these!

[@HiFiHuff]

I had the Sopra 2 for a while when they came out. The Diablo brings more bass than the 2 did. Also, top end is smoother and 100% grain free on the Diablo. Even so, the Sopra series is beautiful as well. Can’t go wrong!

[@rasta.j]

@@HiFiHuff wow. Given the Sopra 2 and the Diablo are similar prices... would you be saying that the Diablo wins for you? Surprises to here you comment that the Diablo has respectable bass even when compared to the Sopra 2 floor stander.

[@ofir5000]

Where's the full review ?

[@jamestartaglia7686]

I bought the same buchart speakers you have there but i won't be able to set them up till the end of the month to listen to them I'm hoping they're a good listen.....👍

[@duranarts]

He absolutely should have mercy for anyone spending this much on speakers!

[@HiFiHuff]

This is nothing. I know a few who have over 500k in their audio system : )

[@duranarts]

@@HiFiHuff Fantastic video editing by the way

[@RafaelGrigorian]

How are they compared with something like Dynaudio Heritage Specials? (Which are 4 times cheaper but very pricey on their own)

[@HiFiHuff]

The dynaudios are great speakers. Focal and Dynaudio offer up two different sounds. Focal is always more known for their treble airiness and light footed approach. Dynaudios have more kick and density to the sound. Just because these cost so much doesn’t really mean they are “better”. They are just different. If someone values the top end (treble) above all things and prefers a natural clean sound then focal is worth an audition. If you want more kick, punch and mid bass dynaudios are amazing in these areas.

[@bighanmanjam6927]

I thought I was actually listening to an actual sound track. Woah 😨

[@luisrodrigonunezolguin7038]

Maravilloso…

[@navazismialkeshavjee4501]

Hi Steve,your system sounds great.i have a humble system.i would really love to have that exact recording and am feverishly trying to find that female soloist in that recording.i have a magnam 307 being fed by cambridge cxvn2 with pure silver 16g XLR and through to focal 826w chorus v through kimber 8tc and soliloquy sub.thank you for sharing the music of your heart

[@5thlevelweb887]

Misa Criolla - Mercedes Sosa

[@revanslacey]

Given that they are on stands not shelves is there a reason not to simply go for larger floorstanders?

[@baharam98]

Life is beautiful...

[@LQ-gaming]

when more sound demos!?!?

[@jctai100]

Question Steve, I see you have new treatments. Will you do a further exploration of such changes like bass traps and such and also will you ever explore DSP for the final mile? Thx!

[@HiFiHuff]

I’ve had full room treatments in here and removed them as they really made the room dead sounding. It’s perfect as it is and I have zero issues. Won’t be adding any other room treatments as I always prefer to do so naturally. Furniture, rugs, etc. I have. I issues here so no need to fix what isn’t broken. : ) thanks!

[@HiFiHuff]

I’ve also tried DSP and again, didn’t need it. Prefer to do the work myself and get it dialed in over time.

[@andrewu66]

They are great but I sold my Focal Diablo after hearing the Raidho D1.1 similar price but completely different class of speakers!

[@ericschoonmaker7222]

How about maybe some Gregorian chant on the next demo.

[@jearley22]

interested in what your digital source is? thanks!!!

[@HiFiHuff]

I use a dcs Lina DAC and Clock. The Lina is also a network streamer.

[@davidfromamerica1871]

You can buy Focal Utopia for a lot less money than $25K. $6K with crossovers and build your own speaker cabinets.

[@freelancer1499]

Do u think these can be used near field?

[@HiFiHuff]

Well, these project pretty well and seem to like being away from walls. Easy to drive as well. I think they could work near field in the right setup. Can sometimes find these used at half off of new as well.

[@sikniss8038]

Good lort these evo's spank my Aria's... I'm jelly. One day the BE's will be within reach. Too many hobbies..lol

[@Temmple]

Not much of a fan of focal but this might have just changed my mind a bit.

[@HiFiHuff]

It’s funny as I expected them to be a bit too forward. I once had Sopra 2”s and enjoyed them. These are a step up in refinement, body and the treble is just fantastic.

[@scottborenstein8291]

I own Focal speakers and with the correct amplifier and yes cables the sound is addicting.

[@bencancio914]

What's the name of the song please 🙏 🤔

[@etk4188]

Kyrie (Vidala-Baguala) de Mercedes Sosa

[@bencancio914]

@@etk4188 thanks man cool diddy 👍

[@Music_time82]

Thin sound.. Thanks dcs .

[@jerrypowers7671]

For 25k i can hire a real orchestra to play in my living room.

[@HiFiHuff]

Sure, one time :) I just saw a pair of these used on Agon for $8500. Previous version but from what I understand not much changed. Today, high end speakers cost high end money. The kicker is that this is the “starter” speaker in the utopia line. The flagship is $300k.

[@mikez5243]

As nice as these sound, they can be equalled or surpassed for $5k (monitors), especially how little bass these ouput. Great track though.

[@ArnaudSiemons]

'Boner-material'.

[@Iuglus]

I bet the buchardt sound better

[@HiFiHuff]

No they do not, but they are awesome little speakers. They sound different. Smaller, not as large but beautiful as well. I posted a sound demo of them in the video I for for them.

[@Ghost-Matrix]

Focal speakers not as good as when they were JM lab

[@HiFiHuff]

Well, depends on model. The had some JM labs Mini utopias back in the day for a while and they were a bit hard sounding up top. The Diablo’s are much smoother and cohesive to these ears.

[@jlo8775]

Interested to know your opinion on these. I demo’d a set and found them fatiguing and analytical.

[@HiFiHuff]

They need very careful matching with amp, DAC, etc. in my space they are in no way analytical, lean or harsh. I expected them to be. The pairing with pass labs is fantastic. As you can hear in the sound demo I posted yesterday they are not analytical in my space. The treble is extended but smooth and airy. If I powered them with a fast amp or even a chord Dave DAC they would be too much. With a neutral to warm amp, neutral/musical DAC and neutral to warm cables they will sound neutral, even slightly warm in the mids and bass. They do best with a sub for the under 45hz material.

[@jlo8775]

Thanks for your insight!

[@garth56]

I just don't like them sorry 🙂

[@JezJerzy22]

Why? On this demo they sound impressive. Not sure about other recordings.