Headphone specialist Focal presents a new edition of its incredible hi-fi model: the Focal Utopia 2022. Successor of the multi award-winning Focal Utopia that introduced new standards for headphone listening, the latest Focal Utopia 2022 model wants to push the limits of high-fidelity by integrating the latest technologies and innovations from the French manufacturer. A prestigious model combining design and acoustic performance.
Focal Utopia: French excellence
Released in 2016, the first Focal Utopia headphones revolutionized headphone listening with their innovative design and acoustic purity. This exceptional model was created with the goal of offering the listener the same sensations as those provided by the brand’s best speakers. To do this, the French manufacturer developed Focal M-dome transducers made of pure Beryllium, a material already used in the tweeters of the world-renowned Focal Utopia speakers. The same qualities were then found in the Focal Utopia headphones, which were quickly considered by many specialized magazines to be “the best headphones on the market”. It was therefore a major challenge for the French manufacturer to perfect this extremely successful model that has been described as perfect. To do this, the new Focal Utopia 2022 relies on the latest acoustic innovations from the French manufacturer and an improved design.
Focal Utopia 2022: new transducers
Combining heritage and modernity, the Focal Utopia 2022 headphones use the iconic pure beryllium transducers that made the reputation of the previous model. Perfectly harnessed by the brand, this metal ensures an exceptional high frequency reproduction and excellent distortion control. For this 2022 version, the beryllium transducers are enhanced with a new copper and aluminum coil. This alloy offers a revamped sound signature that is even more neutral, with generous bass and softer highs. In addition, the earcups’ inner grilles are M-shaped to follow the curves of the transducers and maximize linearity from 5Hz to over 50kHz.
Focal Utopia 2022: a renewed design
The design of the Focal Utopia 2022 moves away from the 2016 model in favor of the more modern and elegant silhouette of the Focal Clear Mg, Focal Stellia and Focal Celestee headphones. Like the latter, the outside of the Focal Utopia 2022 headphones’ earcups is adorned with a honeycomb grille. A new feature: they feature the Yin & Yang symbol, a nod to what the brand describes as “the perfect balance between design and technology embodied by these high-end headphones”.
The materials used in the design of the Focal Utopia 2022 headphones emphasize the premium look of this exceptional model. Entirely manufactured in France, the Focal Utopia 2022s feature a carbon yoke to maximize rigidity while reducing the weight of the headphones. The headphones are covered with genuine leather, as are the earpieces, which benefit from perforated lambskin to let the ears breathe and maximize wearing comfort. The generous padding of the ear cups and headband also contributes to this comfort.
Focal Utopia 2022: two detachable cables
Just like the other prestigious models of the brand such as the Focal Radiance, the Focal Utopia 2022 headphones come in a luxurious leather box alongside a carrying case and a pair of cables. The first cable has an unbalanced mini-jack connector on which the included 6.35mm jack adapter can be screwed. The second cable is a balanced XLR 4-pin model. As a result, the Focal Utopia 2022 headphones can be easily combined with many sources. However, it is important to pair them with a high-quality headphone amplifier or DAP to appreciate all the subtleties of these extraordinary headphones.
Focal Utopia 2022: the price of excellence
The new Focal Utopia 2022 headphones are already available for pre-order at a price of €4,990. A high price for an exceptional piece of equipment whose review you will soon be able to read on the Son-Vidéo.com blog.
