The Mighty Utopia: Focal Utopia Revisited

Maybe I haven't been paying close enough attention, but have there been impressions of the original versus 2022 versions of the Utopia? I'm still very happy with my original pair that are coming up on 7 years old, but am curious nonetheless.

 

If you’re happy, stay. It’ll be a sidegrade.

I like the new one better. The original was very fatiguing to me, a bit too shrill and metallic in the highs. Very few people report such pain.

 

My take on it last year to my customers was if they had an OG Utopia and were still enjoying it, to hold onto their OG. The 2022 is different but not major enough warrant it unless you were wanting a slightly smoother Utopia or the new extra balanced cable.

If their OG had a bit of wear or were out of their 5 year warranty, the 2022 could be worthwhile.

 

I can't believe it's taken this long for me to give my take on the Utopia (particularly the OG). If I had one piece of audio gear that I'd likely never part with, it's this.

The journey started with Tyll's review, which was around the time the Utopias just got released. I already had a taste of the Focal sound through their home speakers and a friend's car stereo, and was looking forward to their take on headphones. At the same time, we had a local audio show here, which is basically the largest gathering of audio enthusiasts in the Philippines, and it just so happened that Focal brought a demo Utopia with them. Ironically, Focal didn't have a dealer for their headphones yet at that time, but just wanted to shop it around to one or two retailers here to try. I excitedly put on the demo unit, and immediately played a song I've listened to countless times. Within a few minutes of listening, and I normally don't do this, I immediately go to one of our local dealers and tell him to get me one at all costs. And he did. The first one in our country in fact.

Up to now, even after taking a lengthy audio hiatus of around 2 years, and only recently getting back into the hobby, I'm still drawn to the Utopias, and this after having gone through the gamut of Summit-Fi headphones. You name it. Susvara, DCA Expanse, HD800, Caldera, LCD-4 and LCD-5 and various Staxes. I still keep going back to the Focals, small headstage be damned.

The criticisms of the Utopia are valid. The headstage is small and it can be metallic up top (with poor matching of components). That being said, for the kind of songs I listen to, which are not the usual audiophile fluff, it does better at the things I personally look forward to in a headphone or in speakers at that matter. The engagement factor; coupled with an addicting sense of slam, macro and macrodynamics make for an immersive experience I've only found in one other headphone system, namely the Warwick Aperio, which costs 15 times as much. This is a headphone that sounds like it's on steroids, and while tastes and opinions may vary, personally it's perfect for the genres I usually listen to. I want to be engaged when listening, and this provides me with that in spades. Resolution remains first class amongst dynamic headphones, especially when partnered with synergistic components, and while the lateral stage isn't the widest, the Utopia's ability to layer busy passages and to project front to back depth is crazy good. I love how it images, and presents a very solid center image. None of that diffuse, ghostly imaging here. Each component in the mix is so solid, so tactile, as if they're just a few meters away from you.

I've had this headphone for years now and have tried it with multiple DACs and amps, but never have I felt the urge to sell the headphone due to anything deficient. It's so transparent, but at the same time versatile to changes in components. Changing from say, the Yggdrasil to the Holo May was extremely apparent. The insipid amp section of the Chord Hugo TT was clearly below that of amps such as the Luxman P-750u, the Ferrum OOR or the EC Studio Jr. At the same time, those 3 amps mentioned were also easily exposed by the Utopia for their individual characteristics. The P-750u had a warm Japanese-Fi flavor to it, while damping the Utopia's overexcitedness. The Ferrum plays it straight down the middle as neutral as it gets. The SJR, meanwhile amps up the Utopia's strongest traits; the clarity, speed, engagement and resolution. While some may say this sensitivity to component changes is a con, I personally like the fact that I can use it on multiple chains and come out with a different experience each time, as well as highlighting truly great amps and DACs.

I understand that headphone pricing nowadays is getting out of hand, but considering the current prices on the second hand market, I think the Utopia is still every bit as good as advertised. It still offers a unique experience amongst Summit-Fi in general, while being versatile enough to be used across multiple sources. At the same time, it healthily rewards those who seek great pairings for it.

(I've tried the 2022 version and it's still a Utopia; albeit warmer and maybe more forgiving, at the expense of that "magic" up top and it doesn't have the same dynamic contrast. I didn't find the OG grating to the ears, so the 2022 is a sidegrade at best to me.)

 

For the Utopia ‘22, the best amp I’ve tried is the MHA-200. I have them perma-attached now.

 

I may have missed it, but it would probably be helpful to indicate the other amps you're tried and why you think the MHA-200 is the best pairing... or add a link if you've reviewed the amp somewhere else on the site...

 

Sure, see the MHA200 thread.

 

Curious what you all would think could be the minimum viable dac/amp to drive a OG Utopia? Apple dongle is actually pretty decent with its warmth and clarity. Modi multibit 2 + Piety? Some sort of higher end usb dongle dac/amp?

 

Meridian Explorer2 did okay. So did HEL and Jot2. I’m guessing the AAA 789 would do better in terms of synergy, which is the “problem” (driving them is not hard).

 

Any chance you could bring one to a show and try different amps? Utopia’s sensitivity and malleability is both its greatest strength and greatest weakness. It’s a personal preference thing. After hearing Utopia on tubes, all solid state amps were ruined for me.

 

I haven't come across much discussion about Envy on this forum. I've been experimenting with Envy paired with Utopia headphones, and I must say, it offers a unique and immersive listening experience. The sound feels three-dimensional, with music coming from different directions and distances. Soundstage depth is pretty incredible on Utopia.

When using Focal Utopia headphones with Envy, you'll notice an impressive level of detail in vocal nuances, instrument articulation, room ambiance, harmonics, overtones, and studio artifacts. Envy handles the Utopia's precise bass response, emphasizes the midrange nicely, and maintains a well-balanced treble, making for comfortable extended listening sessions. This combination enhances the emotional connection to the music.

However, I get the feeling that Utopia may not be reaching its full potential with Envy. It’s possible that Envy is better for less sensitive headphones and it’s possible that the 300B richness may not be ideal for the Utopia either. I'm still considering the Stellaris, and it's not guaranteed that I'll keep Envy in the long run, but for now, I'm enjoying Utopia with WE300B and Sylvania 6sn7gts tubes when not listening to Susvara.

 

I auditioned Susvara and a few other flagships on an Envy at a dealer and was pretty impressed. Probably not much talk about the Envy here, b/c it's $$$, and SBAF leans toward more value-forward choices. That said, the likes of the Stellaris, at a similar price point, do get repped here. I'd like to hear the Envy again, or at least hear more about it.

 

So I've narrowed down that Modius E is a good match for the Utopia 2020. Now looking for THE $300 - $500 amp for it. Not many options. Essentially just need something clear, extended in each direction, dynamics focused with a touch of warmth. Oh and bonus points if I don't need to have it turned on all the time, which is why I like the Modius E. I'm thinking maybe Midgard? But wondering if there's something out there that has stood the test of time.

 

I’m wondering if the Midgard might fit the bill.

 

It's definately high on my list. I actually liked the Magnius, but my setup was a bit different with HD580. Which I think helped a bit because Modius E and Magnius was super clear and dynamic and the HD580 being the timbre king might have hidden the gremlins.