Focal Utopia 2022 Review, Measurements

[Slim1970]

I don't think the Clear or the Clear Mg come close.

I had a good listen to the Clear during the A2A Australian clear-out. I ended up walking away with a pair of Utopia 2022. The Clear just wasn't good enough. Everything that defines a high-end headphone (as described above) is better in the Utopia. Is it 3x better? No. Value for money is not $5000US. Do I love them? Especially having re-cabled it with a 4.4mm Norne Audio Vykari. Yes. They're the one I pick up the most. The Utopia 2022 tuning is more forgiving than the Utopia OG and less fatiguing listen. Whilst retaining the technically excellent aspects for when you want to stop and immerse yourself in the music.

Listening to the Utopia 2022 and the Top Gun Maverick Soundtrack. Hans Zimmer is just magic.

I still own the OG Utopia's, but agree that the Clear or Clear MG are a few steps behind them in overall performance. I imagine the same gap in performance is still exists with the Utopia 2022

 

[bells]

Does anyone who owns a 2022 Utopia also have a Clear or Clear MG they came from prior to purchasing the Utopia? Curious to hear of that specific upgrade path and differences observed

I would say that the OG clear falls pretty short in contrast to the Utopia 2022's.

The clears are fantastic in their own right. Most things are good, and some are great. The bass at the price is really good - I'd describe it as full, and pleasing to the ears but not necessarily the cleanest. Its sound staging is intimate, but it never feels too narrow. It's not really a spacious headphone and instrument separation isn't its strong point. It's a warm, inoffensive headphone that presents a good majority of music well IMO. Vocals are a strong point of this headphone.

The utopias are similar in some regards. Most things are great, and some are fantastic. The bass has a lot more impact but also has a lot more clarity. The sound staging is wider. You get a clear image of where things are on the stage. The timbre is in a league of its own by contrast. The vocals on the 2022's dwarf the clears. It's like being in the same room as the vocalist.

I bought the clears before the MG made it drop in price. I'd say the current price you can get them for now is an absolute steal. They're a fair bit off the performance of the utopia, but they're also a fraction of the price. Like others have said the utopias aren't really worth the money for priceerformance. You're best to get them on a sale (if you're in the US, headphones.com has them for 1k off right now). I got mine open box for £3800 rather than £4800 - someone returned it brand new because the xlr cable was faulty, so the shop RMA'd it and sold it on.

After owning them idk if I could say to someone get them at retail, because it's a lot of money. It doesn't make much sense at that price.

 

[Tanalasta]

After owning them idk if I could say to someone get them at retail, because it's a lot of money. It doesn't make much sense at that price.

Agreed. I purchased mine for <$2500US ... whilst up for debate, I concur that they are an improvement on the original. Both in build quality (less creaks in the headband ; not known for driver failure ... yet) and in the sound tuning.

 

[Alboxhen]

Thanks again all. I think I would pull the trigger if I can get a really good used deal. just gotta be patient.

 

[chesebert]

Thanks again all. I think I would pull the trigger if I can get a really good used deal. just gotta be patient.

Wouldn’t buy used for warranty purposes. Find a dealer that will work with you on discounts for new or open box (there is a flat 20% discount promotion and you may be able to get additional discounts). Not sure I trust Focal on 2nd hand warranty repair.

hope the rest of your system is up to par. Wrong dac could make the cans too forward sounding or fatiguing in an extended session.

 

[Alboxhen]

Yeah my backend system is pretty entry level otherwise, would need to level that up big time

 

[chesebert]

Yeah my backend system is pretty entry level otherwise, would need to level that up big time

First priority is a dac that does not overly emphasize leading edges, with good sound density and weight. Good luck.

 

[silversurfer616]

Sold the Utopia22 after a couple of months and went back to OG. There was something about the tuning I didn’t like from the first moment I put them on. The 22 is a smidgen brighter which gives the illusion of a wider soundstage and more detail, and therefore lose density and this focused punch compared to the OG. Feels like having an old friend back. My ears only, of course.

 

[chesebert]

Sold the Utopia22 after a couple of months and went back to OG. There was something about the tuning I didn’t like from the first moment I put them on. The 22 is a smidgen brighter which gives the illusion of a wider soundstage and more detail, and therefore lose density and this focused punch compared to the OG. Feels like having an old friend back. My ears only, of course.

Which dac and amp?

 

[silversurfer616]

Which dac and amp?

Well, I had 4 different OG versions before but thought I had to take advantage of the A2A Focal sale in AU.
Had the 22 with Lampizator, Wyred4sound and a Violectric Dac/Amp combo. My other amps are Burson Soloist GT with supercharger and ifi signature . I just don’t like the new tuning…it’s appealing to the mainstream listener I would say but lost what made the OG so unique.

 

[Clemmaster]

Interesting you hear the 22 as brighter than OG. Most people report the opposite and that’s how I hear them too.

 

[kumar402]

Sold the Utopia22 after a couple of months and went back to OG. There was something about the tuning I didn’t like from the first moment I put them on. The 22 is a smidgen brighter which gives the illusion of a wider soundstage and more detail, and therefore lose density and this focused punch compared to the OG. Feels like having an old friend back. My ears only, of course.

I thought they made it warmer and darker as compared to OG …I have only heard them in Canjam so my assumption was based on feedback on forums

 

[silversurfer616]

I thought they made it warmer and darker as compared to OG …I have only heard them in Canjam so my assumption was based on feedback on forums

Not to my ears but we all hear differently.

 

[up late]

as i have posted previously, the nutopia's treble sounded attenuated compared to the og to my ears

 

[joseph69]

as i have posted previously, the nutopia's treble sounded attenuated compared to the og to my ears

This is the consensus--for sure.
Still haven't heard the Nutopia--maybe I'll make it to CJNYC '24 and give them a listen too get a basic idea of their sound.
My '18 Utopia is still my all time favorite headphone with my chain.