Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity Circumaural Headphones
Brand | Focal |
Model Name | Focal Utopia Open Back Over-Ear Headphones (Black) |
Color | Black |
Form Factor | Over Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
About this item
- Designed and manufactured in France and equipped with exclusive technology resulting from more than 35 years of expertise
- Open back circum-aural headphones dedicated to low noise environments
- Reference pair of headphones featuring full range loudspeakers made of a pure Beryllium "M" shape dome
- Mechanical design offering a full compatibility to any size and shaped head
- Balanced cable with channel separation for fast and easy custom-made solutions (bi-amp)
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This Item Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity Circumaural Headphones | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | Currently unavailable. | -8% $239.00$239.00 Typical: $259.86 | -24% $379.00$379.00 List: $499.00 | $109.00$109.00 | -35% $149.95$149.95 List: $229.25 | $129.93$129.93 |
Delivery | — | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
Noise cancellation | 3.7 | 3.4 | — | — | 2.6 | 2.8 |
Comfort | — | — | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
Quality of material | — | — | 3.7 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.6 |
Value for money | 3.2 | — | — | 4.7 | 4.5 | — |
Sold By | — | Ronin Distribution | HIFIMAN | HIFIMAN | ARF Tech | Amazon.com |
connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | — | Over Ear | Over Ear |
connector type | 3.5mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 6.35mm Jack | 1/4-inch, 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack |
headphones jack | 6.35 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
cable feature | Retractable | Without Cable | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable |
control type | Volume Control | — | Media Control | Media Control | control | — |
From the manufacturer
About Focal
We Focal, strive to create sound equipment that honours the artist’s musical creation and empowers you to feel a new dimension of the music. We want every nuance to be revealed with precision and purity.
To do this, we push the limits of the current boundaries in sound technology, and go beyond the traditional approach thinking differently. With Focal, let the sound thrill your senses until you go beyond the usual perception of music and discover new fields of emotion.
ABSOLUTE ACOUSTIC PURITY
UTOPIAOPEN-BACKED CIRCUM AURAL HEADPHONES
Utopia are the reference pair of headphones from Focal. As a world first, it features the only full-range and fully openback loudspeaker, built within a pair of headphones, using pure Beryllium formed in the brand new 'M' shape dome. The acoustic quality of this exclusive solution allowed Focal to avoid the use of any crossover or passive filtering process to achieve a frequency response from 5Hz to 50kHz.
- Made in France
- Open-back circum-aural headphones dedicated to low noise environments
- Reference pair of headphones featuring full range loudspeakers made of a pure Beryllium 'M' shape dome
- Mechanical design offering a full compatibility to any size and shaped head
- Balanced cable with channel separation for fast and easy custom-made solutions (bi-amp)
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ACOUSTIC SOUND PURITYUtopia embodies the experience of intensely personal listening sessions at home. They are Focal’s reference headphones, the result of forty years of innovation, development and manufacturing of speaker drivers and loudspeakers in France. The listening experience is outstanding in its realism, natural sound reproduction, dynamics and clarity. When listening to them, the headphones virtually disappear and the audio signal is revealed with a level of precision never achieved before Utopia. |
'M'-SHAPED PURE BERYLLIUM DOMEUtopia are unique they are the world’s first audiophile headphones featured totally open-backed full-range speaker drivers with ’M’-shaped pure Beryllium domes. The acoustic quality of this exclusive solution allowed Focal to avoid the use of any crossovers or passive filtering processes to achieve a frequency response from 5Hz to 50kHz! The equivalent of two tiny loudspeakers over your ears… |
HIGH-END DESIGNParticular attention has been paid to the design of Utopia, in terms of use, comfort and overall aesthetics. These audiophile headphones feature elegant, high-quality materials, and comfort has been greatly enhanced thanks to the mechanical design which has been optimised to the smallest detail: the constant bend of the headband, an even distribution of weight, the design of the yoke and the memory foam ear-pieces. |
What's in the box
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 5 x 5 x 5 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 5.95 pounds |
ASIN | B01LX4RNQB |
Item model number | UTOPIA |
Customer Reviews |
3.8 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #587,608 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #10,340 in Over-Ear Headphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
Date First Available | August 25, 2016 |
Manufacturer | Focal |
Item Weight | 6 Pounds |
Units | 1.00 Count |
Number Of Items | 1 |
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Product Description
Utopia are the reference pair of headphones from Focal. As a world first, it features the only full-range and fully openback loudspeaker, built within a pair of headphones, using pure Beryllium formed in the brand new 'M' shape dome. The acoustic quality of this exclusive solution allowed Focal to avoid the use of any crossover or passive filtering process to achieve a frequency response from 5Hz to 50kHz The listening experience is outstanding in terms of realism, natural sound reproduction, dynamics and clarity. When listening to them, the headphones virtually disappear and the audio signal is revealed with a level of precision never achieved until Utopia. Design is also a key point, be it in regards to the way of using the headphones, comfort, as well as the aesthetic. The true lambskin leather, used on the cushions, reinforces the character of classically elegant lines, as well as the expression of comfort and overall performances
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, sound quality, clarity and value of the headphones. For example, they mention it's a world-class product, sounds more 3D instead of flat and that the music is effortless. That said, some say the headphones are expensive but worth the price.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They say it has spectacular sound, with more bass, depth, warmth, and stage. They also say the sound is more 3D instead of flat, and the music is effortless.
"...for the ability to “keep listening” — while you’re deeply immersed in an audio experience unlike any other...." Read more
"...I believe the bass is punchy, detailed, and well textured, but is a bit light for my preference. Are these the worlds best headphones?..." Read more
"...Bass and mids are good however. Still, these are not 3-4K headphones. Get good headphones within 600-1K range and you will be just fine." Read more
"...I have been now playing with dif vacuum tubes, and noticed a more pleasing sound, it doesnt sound so on your face, it increased sound stage and depth..." Read more
Customers like the quality of the headphones. They say it's a world-class product, flawless, and superb. Customers also mention that the built quality is great and the sound is spectacular.
"...These are world-class headphones that will unlock every song you’ve heard before — in a new way and better than ever." Read more
"...Utopia is extremely fast and extremely revealing, the quality of the sources of music is equally if not more important...." Read more
"...car audio, I mever thought the experience would fall so flat and disappointing. With too many words, the headphones are beautiful and lightweight...." Read more
"...Top quality headphones.I replaced the pads for the Clear and I find that I prefer the Clear pads over the stock...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the clarity of the headphones. They say that it offers better detail, depth, and dynamics than other models. They also mention that the bass is punchy and well textured. Overall, customers are happy with the performance of these headphones.
"...I believe the bass is punchy, detailed, and well textured, but is a bit light for my preference. Are these the worlds best headphones?..." Read more
"...AWESOME!!!!! Balance, clarity, all the sounds that you dream to hear are there.There is one problem, I must hear all my music again." Read more
"...In fact I prefer my Grado RS2e over these - they offer better detail and clarity (although the overall sound is "thinner")...." Read more
"...More bass, depth, warmth and stage. it sounds more 3D instead of flat sound. I absolutely LOVE these headphones.Update: Dec. 25/17..." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the headphones. They say it's worth the price and a great seller.
"...Simply AMAZING. Do yourself a favor, run and buy it. They are cheaper if you compare the sound that they deliver to your ears and soul...." Read more
"...Expensive but I think it is worth the price? Open boxes in good to mint condition is well worth the investment?..." Read more
"Great headphones and great seller. These headphones have the best sound and range of any I have tried. Superb." Read more
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In early January I had a chance to listen to an early production (bright sounding) pair of Utopia headphones in a quiet retail location using a Unison Research vacuum tube headphone amp. I had one of my own audio CDs that I was very familiar with. Upon listening to it with the Utopia I was taken aback as to how identical sounding the Utopia was to my Beyerdynamic T1 (original). It was like I was sitting at home listening to my T1 (original) with the treble turned up. Its transparency (clarity) was as high as outer space just like that of my T1 (original). Its dynamic response was super high, also just like that of my T1 (original). Later on, when I was listening to a Utopia with high depth of perception in my home environment, I noticed that the Utopia is slightly more lush sounding than the T1. However, I could match this characteristic with the T1 by driving it with a vacuum tube amplifier having a moderate amount of harmonic distortion.
When I evaluated a current (bass heavy) Utopia at home I used my T1 (2nd Gen) headphones for comparison. I did this because both headphones have a tilted spectral balance in favor of bass. Their bass has been mechanically tuned up. This tune up is broad and boosts the lower midrange along with the bass. Since both headphones are super transparent through their whole midrange this lower midrange boost makes classical and other minimal bass recordings seem more dynamic. The drawback to this is those recordings will not sound natural and the lower midrange boost is not correctable with tone controls. It was with this at home comparison that I determined that the Utopia has a slightly more lush sound than that of the T1. Also, the Utopia's bass is far more tuned up than that of the T1 (2nd Gen). It is tuned up so much that it is boomy. I love bass but the current Utopia's bass is too boomy for me. Tuning up the bass of a headphone blurs detail. A better solution is the T1 (original) with tone controls. A bass control will boost bass without blurring detail.
I like the Utopia's leather ear cushions. The T1 has velour ear cushions. Beyerdynamic has leather ear cushions that will fit the T1. Their part number is "EDT 5pLB".
The Utopia and the T1 both have cavernous ear chambers. The outer rim of the Utopia ear cup is made of glossy black plastic which will over time dull due to finger print stain.
In my reviews I never use the terms "timbre", "imaging", and "depth of soundstage". The reason for this is that those characteristics are a function of or dependent on transparency. How good or bad those characteristics are is proportional to transparency. "Width of soundstage" is dependent on a stereo recording's original multi-track mixdown.
I like the early production version of the Utopia. But, I am reluctant to recommend a product that one cannot knowingly purchase. So, this is what I would do if I wanted to simulate the sound and feel of the early production Utopia:
a) Keep my Beyerdymamic T1 (original).
b) Keep my integrated amplifier with tone controls.
c) Acquire a budget priced vacuum tube headphone amp to embellish the T1's sound with harmonic distortion.
d) Purchase leather ear cushions from Beyerdynamic.
Now I can have the "sound signature" and feel of the early production Utopia without its heavier weight.
Embellishing the sound of a headphone with harmonic distortion is like taking a picture of a maple tree during winter and painting in leaves to make it look better.
Update: April 29, 2017
The current Utopia can best be described as a super transparent headphone with audible harmonic distortion and a boomy bass. Manufacturers by specifying the percentage of harmonic distortion imply that it is an unwanted attribute when, in reality, many audiophiles love the sound of harmonic distortion. It adds a lush, silky, and sparkly (from Bryan - Dec 16) character to sound. That is why they love tube type amplifiers. The original purpose of measuring harmonic distortion was to calculate the degree of non-linearity in amplifier waveform amplification.
A partial history of top flight headphone models that were recently modified with a tuned up bass and labeled "Second Generation":
a) 2015 - Beyerdynamic T1
b) 2015 - B&O H6
c) 2016 - Beyerdynamic T5p
d) 2016 - Focal Utopia (Except not labeled and not disclosed)
If one cannot swing the $4000 cost of the Utopia there is a cheap alternative. That alternative is the Nobsound MS-10D paired up with a Beyerdynamic T1, all for around $1000. The MS-10D is a tube type amplifier with tone controls and a headphone jack.
For those who are frustrated by having purchased the early production Utopia, instead of killing the messenger with negative feedback go buy an integrated amplifier with tone controls. The early production Utopia will have better bass detail with bass boost than the current Utopia will have without bass boost.
Update: June 14, 2017
I have increased my star rating from 4 stars to 5 stars. The issue of Focal's modification of the Utopia without notification is now old news.
Update: June 30, 2017
Tyll Hertsens Blog of May 6, 2017 has been updated with a note from the editor. I don't know when the note was posted but this is what it states. "Through a long and tedious process it was found that the Focal Utopia and Audeze LCD-4 reviewed here at InnerFidelity in numerous articles were found to be not representative of currently manufactured product."
That being said, the Utopia does things I don't believe I heard a headphone do before. The frequencies seem to gel together into a ball of sound and spins around your head. It's a unique experience. But is it worth 4,000? Only the buyer can say. It also does a good job of getting out of the way of the music The music is effortless. The Dynamics and clarity are probably the best I heard in a headphone. Tonally, the midrange is very similar to my DT48. The DT48 are my reference headphones when it comes to the midrange. I believe the bass is punchy, detailed, and well textured, but is a bit light for my preference. Are these the worlds best headphones? I have not heard enough headphones to say, but, I would say they are one of the best you can buy. I currently own the LCD X, Sony MDR ZR1, Focal Utopia, and DT48. I have owned many other headphones like the HD650, AKG 701, DT880, etc..
I'm up dating my review.
I ordered a balanced cable on Amazon. I believe there is a noticeable improvement . I believe the Utopias sound like a 2,500-3,000 headphone in balanced mode. Honestly, I have a problem with a 4,000 headphone. IMO, a 4,000 headphone should do more then the Utopias. I don't believe they do one sonic area you can consider best. The Utopias seem to do everything very good. That isn't enough for a 4,000 headphone.. But in balanced mode, they are worth paying 2,000-3,000 grand IMO. I also upgraded my dac to the Schitt Yggorasil.
In balanced mode, everything seems to be improved. I encourage every Utopia owner to get a good balanced amp, and get some balanced cables.
AWESOME!!!!! Balance, clarity, all the sounds that you dream to hear are there.
There is one problem, I must hear all my music again.