Focal Utopia 2022 Review, Measurements

[kkrazik2008]

Way too much drama over the Adorma thing, one retailer’s sale does not set a trend, nor indicate negatively around the 2022 unit. I own both old and new, they are different enough for me to justify it as they both excel in different areas and different amp combinations.

 

[Nomax]

Today I use the rainy day at the lake to give my Ears to the Frenchmen
(Without worrying about pricing, because at the end of the day I want to be sinked in the music and the sound performance that Nutopia offers me)

Yes i am not everyone...i am the Golden Ear
(And the strictest of all )




NOMAX

PS.lol

 

[mainguy]

Way too much drama over the Adorma thing, one retailer’s sale does not set a trend, nor indicate negatively around the 2022 unit. I own both old and new, they are different enough for me to justify it as they both excel in different areas and different amp combinations.

He's here to flex boys

 

[kkrazik2008]

He's here to flex boys

Not here to flex at all, only sharing my experience and to bring some reality back to an overreaction to one retailer, selling on a promo for one weekend.

 

[ra990]

It definitely impacts resale values. People from this sale will sell theirs at a similar or lower price, then subsequent buyers will expect a lower price when they buy second-hand. That's how it goes.

Although, if there's one headphone I plan on keeping in my collection long-term, it'll probably be the 2022 Utopia. They are such great all-rounders and can be run off practically anything.

 

[559938]

It definitely impacts resale values. People from this sale will sell theirs at a similar or lower price, then subsequent buyers will expect a lower price when they buy second-hand. That's how it goes.

Although, if there's one headphone I plan on keeping in my collection long-term, it'll probably be the 2022 Utopia. They are such great all-rounders and can be run off practically anything.

The cynic in me thinks they'll sell for much more than they paid if they possibly can. Market value is market value...

 

[mainguy]

Not here to flex at all, only sharing my experience and to bring some reality back to an overreaction to one retailer, selling on a promo for one weekend.

Haha just kidding mate, I am as interested as anyone here to hear comparisons of the two tbh

 

[GryphonGuy]

Utopia is not a "premium" product from the view of Focal. Utopia (headphone) was created as an accessory to Utopia (speakers). How can you tell, easy. Manufacturers typically support their premium products beyond warranty period but they don't give a crap about their mass market consumer line.

Susvara for example is supported well past their warranty period by HFM (you do have to pay a reasonable repair cost and one-way shipping cost). Utopia (headphones) on the other hand is a throw away product past the warranty period if anything breaks (someone corrects if me if I am wrong). Utopia (speakers) are well supported past warranty and you can buy drivers and what not to repair the speakers.

TBH, the best way to own Utopia is buy new and sell after 4 years to some fool who thinks they got a good deal used for $1800-2000. Or you can just toss it away after it breaks post warranty.

The Singapore distributors of Focal support headphones out of warranty very well. A cup of coffee and a chat proves it IMHO. I'm sorry your world location seems to give you grievances.

 

[joseph69]

Utopia (headphones) on the other hand is a throw away product past the warranty period if anything breaks (someone corrects if me if I am wrong).

"A throw away headphone"?
I'm dumbfounded as to why you would say such a thing.
Do you really think Focal will not service the Utopia out of warranty for a cost just like HiFiMAN?

fascinating theory. my utopia "accessory" is more than five years old and i have no intention of throwing it away.

Same here 5+yrs of pure enjoyment with no issues whatsoever with my '18 Utopia and I also have no intention of throwing it away. If anything should happen to my Utopia (which I highly doubt) I'll send it off to Focal to be serviced at whatever the cost may be.

 

[chesebert]

"A throw away headphone"?
I'm dumbfounded as to why you would say such a thing.
Do you really think Focal will not service the Utopia out of warranty for a cost just like HiFiMAN?

Same here 5+yrs of pure enjoyment with no issues whatsoever with my '18 Utopia and I also have no intention of throwing it away. If anything should happen to my Utopia (which I highly doubt) I'll send it off to Focal to be serviced at whatever the cost may be.

Did you ask your dealer how much Focal charges for out of warranty driver replacement (if they repair them at all)?

 

[up late]

"A throw away headphone"?
I'm dumbfounded as to why you would say such a thing.
Do you really think Focal will not service the Utopia out of warranty for a cost just like HiFiMAN?

i don't know where these people get their ideas from

Did you ask your dealer how much Focal charges for out of warranty driver replacement (if they repair them at all)?

why would he if it doesn't require an out of warranty driver replacement?

 

[chesebert]

i don't know where these people get their ideas from

why would he if it doesn't require an out of warranty driver replacement?

According to a dealer a few years back, Focal charges $2k for the Utopia drivers (matched) and $800 for the headband - these are all parts cost alone. I am sure Focal has increased parts price post pandemic like all other businesses. I have seen at least one other report of Focal refusing to repair an Utopia. Don't know the circumstances or the location. My own experiences with Focal/Naim USA has been POS so I am very weary of the brand as to their headphones even though I think they sound good in general. Well, not good enough for me to mentally accept the possibility of tossing out $5k every 5 years. I fully expect to junk my Clear when it bits the dust.

 

[joseph69]

Did you ask your dealer how much Focal charges for out of warranty driver replacement (if they repair them at all)?

Read the last sentence in my post you quoted. Focal does service out of warranty headphones, you even mention the cost in the post above.
I only paid $2750.00 for Utopia BNIB from a very reputable AD w/5yr warranty, so if I had to pay $2k for newly matched drivers I would.

 

[up late]

According to a dealer a few years back, Focal charges $2k for the Utopia drivers (matched) and $800 for the headband - these are all parts cost alone. I am sure Focal has increased parts price post pandemic like all other businesses. I have seen at least one other report of Focal refusing to repair an Utopia. Don't know the circumstances or the location. My own experiences with Focal/Naim USA has been POS so I am very weary of the brand as to their headphones even though I think they sound good in general. Well, not good enough for me to mentally accept the possibility of tossing out $5k every 5 years. I fully expect to junk my Clear when it bits the dust.

for the sake of clarity, i was referring to your assertion that: "Utopia is not a "premium" product from the view of Focal. Utopia (headphone) was created as an accessory to Utopia (speakers)." focal's marketing for the utopia headphone suggests otherwise: https://www.focal.com/headphones/utopia-2022/

do you own or have ever owned a utopia headphone that required an out of warranty repair? i don't see it listed in your profile, which makes me wonder why it concerns you.

 

[chesebert]

Read the last sentence in my post you quoted. Focal does service out of warranty headphones, you even mention the cost in the post above.
I only paid $2750.00 for Utopia BNIB from a very reputable AD w/5yr warranty, so if I had to pay $2k for newly matched drivers I would.

That's a great price, especially if your dealer will go to bat for you with Focal/Naim on communication/service post warranty. Getting a dealer involved can absolutely help with post-warranty service. I suspect without dealer support you would be SOL with Focal/Naim USA.

Here is one example of Utopia owner who is SOL trying to deal with Focal/Naim directly: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/xr3mky/a_warning_about_focal_naim_customers_service/ I think the person finally got his dealer involved after a couple of months of going no where with Focal on his own.