[TSAVJason]

I'm pretty sure Focal doesn't offer direct customer support. All the support is through your dealer. Even if you purchased it second hand, you should have a receipt with dealer info on it. When I registered my Utopia I received a "certificate" via email. It say, in part:



In my case my distributor was Headroom, which has gone out of business, so I have no idea who to contact in case I need support. Also note that the warranty certificate I received states the warranty period is 2 years.

Bottom line, call the retailer the Utopia was purchased from and ask them for a copy of the warranty.

Your dealer was not authorized for the 5 year program. You can still get your service from an authorized Focal dealer or authorized service center should you need it. We will happily assistant those that bought from the now defunct Headroom.

 

[GryphonGuy]

Focal or any Focal authorized service center will service the headphones regardless of how it was purchased as long as it's not a stolen unit. If you are not the original purchaser you will likely pay for service.

With that said, if it comes from a distributor that has a different policy than Focal it may require a little more effort to get a repair.

Well said, and thanks for the sanity in this argument! Consumer laws in different countries will also dictate what is available with any costs etc.

Cheers
GG

 

[MacedonianHero]

Just sitting down with my Utopia and the new Dana Lazuli Reference cable (4 pin XLR termination out of my HeadAmp GS-X Mk2) and I am smiling from ear to ear! I will be reviewing this cable and for those of you who want more sound-staging, clarity, and the utmost in transparency from your Utopia headphones just have to listen to this cable. In short, this is the biggest leap I've heard from a cable upgrade...bar none. I'm actually a bit surprised just how much! The build quality and construction make this cable "functional art" in my opinion too. More to come...

 

[GryphonGuy]

Just sitting down with my Utopia and the new Dana Lazuli Reference cable (4 pin XLR termination out of my HeadAmp GS-X Mk2) and I am smiling from ear to ear! I will be reviewing this cable and for those of you who want more sound-staging, clarity, and the utmost in transparency from your Utopia headphones just have to listen to this cable. In short, this is the biggest leap I've heard from a cable upgrade...bar none. I'm actually a bit surprised just how much! The build quality and construction make this cable "functional art" in my opinion too. More to come...

At the recent Singapore CanJam, I heard the Utopia through a HeadAmp GS-X Mk2 but with a copper version of the Kimber Axios cable (don't remember if balanced or single-ended) and I thought that sounded extremely "clean" and well detailed. I will be waiting for your review using the Dana Lazuli Reference cable.

Cheers
GG

 

[buzzlulu]

I can confirm the Axios Copper balanced version sounds quite good with the Utopia (Simaudio Moon amp and Linn DS source).

Jason will soon send me a Wireworld Nano Platinum balanced end to try out with the Utopia and Sony 1Z Walkman.

 

[twsmith]

At the recent Singapore CanJam, I heard the Utopia through a HeadAmp GS-X Mk2 but with a copper version of the Kimber Axios cable (don't remember if balanced or single-ended) and I thought that sounded extremely "clean" and well detailed. I will be waiting for your review using the Dana Lazuli Reference cable.

Cheers
GG

I can likewise attest that the balanced copper Kimber Axios cable (with GS-X Mk2) is extremely good - actually outstanding. Although earlier I thought the stock and Axios were very close, now after more hours of use (? "break-in"), I'm clearly favoring the Axios -- I think it brings out much more detail and really opens up the soundstage compared to the stock cable (which I still think is pretty good). There is an interesting comparison of 4 Utopia cables on AudioBacon -- https://audiobacon.net/2017/03/22/danacable-lazuli-reference-headphone-cable-for-the-focal-utopia/ ---The comparison included the Kimber Axios and Dana Lazuli, and the latter was preferred over the others, although all were considered "fantastic". The article is a little unclear as to what amps were used and whether balanced or single-ended. There was no mention of the GS-X Mk2. I'm very curious myself about as to how the Axios and Dana Lazuli compare using the balanced output from the GS-X Mk2. I really like the Axios quite a lot, and I'm not so sure that I want to jump to another cable, if the differences are largely subjective. The Focal people themselves have indicated that the GS-X Mk2 was partly used in the voicing of the Utopia, and I would assume they must have used balanced drive - since the stock cable is single-ended, they must have used either an xlr reterminated stock cable or more likely another cable -- could it have been the Axios?

 

[rthomas]

Focal or any Focal authorized service center will service the headphones regardless of how it was purchased as long as it's not a stolen unit. If you are not the original purchaser you will likely pay for service.

With that said, if it comes from a distributor that has a different policy than Focal it may require a little more effort to get a repair.

Hello Jason,

Thanks for the info. Could you please check with Focal what is the cost of a driver replacement for the Utopia? I have asked Focal UK and they did not have an answer. Maybe they will be more responsive to you. Companies like Sennheiser and Audeze are quite transparent about these costs. I would expect the same from Focal especially as the headphones are $4000 and the warranty is non transferable.

Thank you.

 

[FLTWS]

Purely curious, but I wonder what a replacement stock cable would cost?

 

[musicman59]

I own the Utopia with the Dana Lazuli Reference and also the Nordost Heimdall II. Both are excellent with the Utopia. IMO the Dana provides a tad more warmth and body while the Heimdall provides a tad more transparency. Now, this is splitting hairs since both are great.
I own the WireWorld Platinum Nano Eclipse but not terminated for the Utopia. I am not sure how good will be for it but I am using it in my Z1R and it is for me a perfect match.

 

[jlbrach]

Just sitting down with my Utopia and the new Dana Lazuli Reference cable (4 pin XLR termination out of my HeadAmp GS-X Mk2) and I am smiling from ear to ear! I will be reviewing this cable and for those of you who want more sound-staging, clarity, and the utmost in transparency from your Utopia headphones just have to listen to this cable. In short, this is the biggest leap I've heard from a cable upgrade...bar none. I'm actually a bit surprised just how much! The build quality and construction make this cable "functional art" in my opinion too. More to come...

interestingly,I bought a pair of the Dana cable for my Utopia and quickly sold them because I could not hear an appreciable difference between my Moon Black Dragon and the Dana.....luckily i had bought them used so selling them didnt cost me anything....I do buy after market cables but more for the length and quality and microphonics than for sound...for me the included cable for the Utopia was quite good but the damn thing is so long and difficult to use....

 

[pervysage]

Just sitting down with my Utopia and the new Dana Lazuli Reference cable (4 pin XLR termination out of my HeadAmp GS-X Mk2) and I am smiling from ear to ear! I will be reviewing this cable and for those of you who want more sound-staging, clarity, and the utmost in transparency from your Utopia headphones just have to listen to this cable. In short, this is the biggest leap I've heard from a cable upgrade...bar none. I'm actually a bit surprised just how much! The build quality and construction make this cable "functional art" in my opinion too. More to come...

The Dana definitely blows away the stock cable sound wise, awesome clarity and it just feels like the whole spectrum of sound gets a good boost. It is still on the heavier side though so if you are trying to get rid of the horrible stock vaccum cleaner cable, the Dana isn't exactly a lighter option. But the SQ makes the weight bearable And the materials used in the Dana make it a whole lot more nicer looking and still fairly more flexible than stock.

I find the stock cable just atrocious. It looks ugly, feels ugly, is very stiff and unruly and tangles and you can never forget it's there!

 

[boomtube]

 

[TSAVJason]

Hello Jason,

Thanks for the info. Could you please check with Focal what is the cost of a driver replacement for the Utopia? I have asked Focal UK and they did not have an answer. Maybe they will be more responsive to you. Companies like Sennheiser and Audeze are quite transparent about these costs. I would expect the same from Focal especially as the headphones are $4000 and the warranty is non transferable.

Thank you.

So I'm happy to help anyone in anyway I can. My best estimate would be parts/labor near the $1000 USD price for a single driver replacement. Should you need to pay for it. Part of some challenges are the product history by having multiple owners. New 1st owner service of course should be easy as pie! Please understand that is only my best estimate. Costs vary for each territory based on taxes and ugly things like that. Labor rates vary for that same reason.

I assume you're in the U.K. So take this to my PM. and send me your name and email. I will forward that to your best fastest option at Focal France. I've been able to help a few people through needs like this and I'm sure your need isn't tough to take care of. Focal as with my experience never lets a Focal owner down and in many cases sides with the customer more often than it's own policies.

I don't represent Focal but I know they'll get you the info on parts and provide access to service to any legitimately owned focal product that isn't too old.

 

[TSAVJason]

Pretty!

 

[Allanmarcus]

Very nice! Can you post the specs of the cable? Strand count and wire type?