Focal Utopia 2022 Review, Measurements

[PrTv]

@PrTv, my 9yr old daughter has a relatively small human head, and she listens to her OG Utopia’s and a Danacable Lazuli Ultra cable with just a woven headband cover on them.

I have that exact headband cover (but in black) and my head still hurted. This is not to blame Focal though as not many people seem to have this issue.

 

[PrTv]

Well I just received the Nuggets today.

I was about to attach the nuggets directly on the headband like this (pic from Dekoni website).


But I had an idea... to adapt that wool cover to hold the nuggets. This way I won't have to attach anything on that nice lambskin headband.


For the comfort... only time will tell but at first try I felt that it's not as comfortable as the co-pilot.

 

[ra990]

Well I just received the Nuggets today.

I was about to attach the nuggets directly on the headband like this (pic from Dekoni website).


But I had an idea... to adapt that wool cover to hold the nuggets. This way I won't have to attach anything on that nice lambskin headband.


For the comfort... only time will tell but at first try I felt that it's not as comfortable as the co-pilot.

My solution, kind of similar https://www.head-fi.org/threads/focal-utopia-2022-review-measurements.964903/page-29#post-17176170

 

[Spawn300Z]

Here's my headband setup

That’s what I have on my Stellia. Works great.

 

[PrTv]

My solution, kind of similar https://www.head-fi.org/threads/focal-utopia-2022-review-measurements.964903/page-29#post-17176170

Thanks for the link to your solution mate. I read that thread and have also ordered this one!

Seems neater than my nuggets implementation.

 

[botmann]

Well I just received the Nuggets today.

I was about to attach the nuggets directly on the headband like this (pic from Dekoni website).


But I had an idea... to adapt that wool cover to hold the nuggets. This way I won't have to attach anything on that nice lambskin headband.


For the comfort... only time will tell but at first try I felt that it's not as comfortable as the co-pilot.

You could try attaching velcro straps to the nugguts. Then you can wrap the strap around the headband, adjust the spacing. More importantly, you don't have any sticky residue left or them permenently attached the headband. I would test it out with the velcro straps you can get for cabling. Heck, you can get velcro at Walmart, Micheal's or any similar place like a Yarn Barn

 

[headstef]

The center top of the head is the most sensitive part of it and is prone to ache from prolonged contact or weight. Some makers, like Sennheiser, leave a central gap in their headbands especially for that reason. I think that any self made solutions for the rather heavy Focals should follow this concept. In any case, a solution with 3 points of touch, (one is central) sould be avoided.

 

[duas2noites]

Utopia is a good choice for media, like movies?

 

[kkrazik2008]

Utopia is a good choice for media, like movies?

You would be paying a premium for dialogue, grab an ANC type headphone for media viewing. They got some cool tricks up their sleeve.

 

[dfiled]

Utopia is a good choice for media, like movies?

I’d think you’d want something with good imaging and a nice wide soundstage for movies. Utopia has the former in spades, but not really the latter. For movies I’d think either zmf opens or one of the egg shaped Hifiman offerings (Arya, He1000, etc) would serve you better.

 

[Drewligarchy]

Back on the wagon!

I just ordered a Focal Utopia 2022. It's my first head fi purchase in about 3 years.

I could never get completely on with the OG Utopia, but my source gear and amplification was quite different. Previously I was running through a Violectric V281 and it was ok. The only problem I had last time was the slightly hot treble and a little dryness to the sound. Based on what I read the new version addresses these things, and my tastes have changed a bit. Thinking that the Wa33 will also make the headphone sound a little "wetter"

Now I have a Wa33e, an Enleum 23r and Dave's headphone out to try. If I local the Utopia, I'll sell my Susvara.

Next step is Amps; depending how the Utopia sounds on the Wa33/23r - I'm either gonna stock up on tubes, or sell my 23r and buy a new solid state amp.

I love my 2-channel system, but the thing I love about head fi is it's much easier to tweak and try new things. I may eventually move to separates with my ESLs, but with 50-100 pound amps, it's more of a commitment

 

[alekc]

Back on the wagon!

I just ordered a Focal Utopia 2022. It's my first head fi purchase in about 3 years.

I could never get completely on with the OG Utopia, but my source gear and amplification was quite different. Previously I was running through a Violectric V281 and it was ok. The only problem I had last time was the slightly hot treble and a little dryness to the sound. Based on what I read the new version addresses these things, and my tastes have changed a bit. Thinking that the Wa33 will also make the headphone sound a little "wetter"

Now I have a Wa33e, an Enleum 23r and Dave's headphone out to try. If I local the Utopia, I'll sell my Susvara.

Next step is Amps; depending how the Utopia sounds on the Wa33/23r - I'm either gonna stock up on tubes, or sell my 23r and buy a new solid state amp.

I love my 2-channel system, but the thing I love about head fi is it's much easier to tweak and try new things. I may eventually move to separates with my ESLs, but with 50-100 pound amps, it's more of a commitment

@Drewligarchy I think that Susvaras and Utopias (2022) are very different and while Utopias can play nicely on both solid state and tube amps, IMHO Susvaras show their full potential only when paired with certain amps. The best I've heard was Feliks Audio Envy. My point is that you may want to keep both pairs, I don't think Utopias can be single cans for everything. On the other hand I preferred Stellias to Utopias 2022.

 

[Drewligarchy]

@Drewligarchy I think that Susvaras and Utopias (2022) are very different and while Utopias can play nicely on both solid state and tube amps, IMHO Susvaras show their full potential only when paired with certain amps. The best I've heard was Feliks Audio Envy. My point is that you may want to keep both pairs, I don't think Utopias can be single cans for everything. On the other hand I preferred Stellias to Utopias 2022.

I agree they are very different, but I'm not sure I love the Susvara (I've tried to for very long). In addition to the two amps mentioned, I've also tried it on a pass integrated. While I do enjoy it with classical and film scores, I just don't reach for it that much.

I would sell one or the other because, generally, I don't really need more than 4 headphones in the rotation. I also have a two channel that I listen to a lot too. So I am listening to the Abyss, LCD-4 and 5 the most, and I am looking for variety more than anything. I do have an OG set of Focal Clear Pros that I used for gaming (the red and black ones, and I've always love them), so hoping the Utopia clicks this time.

 

[Barnstormer13]

Back on the wagon!

I just ordered a Focal Utopia 2022. It's my first head fi purchase in about 3 years.

I could never get completely on with the OG Utopia, but my source gear and amplification was quite different. Previously I was running through a Violectric V281 and it was ok. The only problem I had last time was the slightly hot treble and a little dryness to the sound. Based on what I read the new version addresses these things, and my tastes have changed a bit. Thinking that the Wa33 will also make the headphone sound a little "wetter"

Now I have a Wa33e, an Enleum 23r and Dave's headphone out to try. If I local the Utopia, I'll sell my Susvara.

Next step is Amps; depending how the Utopia sounds on the Wa33/23r - I'm either gonna stock up on tubes, or sell my 23r and buy a new solid state amp.

I love my 2-channel system, but the thing I love about head fi is it's much easier to tweak and try new things. I may eventually move to separates with my ESLs, but with 50-100 pound amps, it's more of a commitment

In my experience, the ‘22 Utopia is a remarkably well balanced headphone in terms of timbre and frequency response. Its impedance is high enough for most transformer coupled tube amps (and fine with pretty much any SS amp). It’s also very efficient so it’s easy to drive. Outside of transformer less tube amps, it’s not going to have a problem with any amp. That said, you will want top quality gear from source to amp to capture what it can do.

For me, it could easily be my only headphone. Nothing else I’ve heard matches it for overall performance, though I do have other headphones that match it or exceed it in one or two ways. It’s only weakness (if you can call it that) is that it’s so resolving you’ll hear every flaw in the recording.

 

[UntilThen]

Almost bought Focal Utopia sometime ago but on a one on one audition with He1000se, I just prefer He1000se by much. So I stuck with He1000se and LCD4 until they gave way to Susvara.