Focal Utopia 2022 Review, Measurements

[RustyGates]

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

Thats great! My two cents:

1. I thought the Utopia 22 was a much more engaging and significantly better built headphone than Susvara. I spent almost 4 hours at the dealer in Melb AU auditioning both with various amps including the WA23, in the end went with the Utopia 22. I, like you, owned the OG for 4 years and always thought it was a bit too hot in the high end, I prefer sound signatures like my HD650 driven well, and the U22 to the OG.

2. I own an AMP23R (v3) and Zahl HM1, and used to own Holo Bliss; I think the 23R is a more enjoyable sound than the HM1 or Bliss. HM1 is about precision, the 23R is about enjoyment (with the same level of transparency). If backed by an extremely high res, fast and PRaT precise DAC (e.g. I own a Tambaqui), the 23R is the best SS I've ever heard.

 

[Rhodey]

Thats great! My two cents:

1. I thought the Utopia 22 was a much more engaging and significantly better built headphone than Susvara. I spent almost 4 hours at the dealer in Melb AU auditioning both with various amps including the WA23, in the end went with the Utopia 22. I, like you, owned the OG for 4 years and always thought it was a bit too hot in the high end, I prefer sound signatures like my HD650 driven well, and the U22 to the OG.

2. I own an AMP23R (v3) and Zahl HM1, and used to own Holo Bliss; I think the 23R is a more enjoyable sound than the HM1 or Bliss. HM1 is about precision, the 23R is about enjoyment (with the same level of transparency). If backed by an extremely high res, fast and PRaT precise DAC (e.g. I own a Tambaqui), the 23R is the best SS I've ever heard.

With you Rusty, I like the 22 and 650 signatures as well. Owned the 600 and 650, always reached for the 650. Had the 22 and picked up the OG to see if I’d like it more for less money, and just preferred the 22 more.
Too bad they don’t still offer the OG signature tho, because some do like it more.
And if you guys get a chance to try a utopia on a DNA, definitely give it a go. Excellent synergy.

 

[Drewligarchy]

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.

I think I need to keep both the Nutopias and the Susvara.

I think my issue with the Susvara was two fold. 1) on the Enleum 23r low gain and high gain are like completely different amps. I am finding high gain much better in all ways. 2) Mitch at Accurate Sound’s convolution filters and help! In addition to using his filter I was experiencing a slight glassiness. He pulled out the measurements and was able to guide me through EQing them just right above 6k. This guy is great.

The problem is I love the Utopias as well through both the Wa33 and Dave. I did not get along as well with the old Utopias. I remember them being brighter but also grainier. This could be due to my DAC and amplification at the time.

Even with the slightly warmer tuning - I am still experiencing slight fatigue I need to work out, but I need to run these in a little more. They don’t sound bright to me at all, it may just be that I’m not used to the punchiness if a dynamic driver headphone. All my others are planars, except the OG clear but I just use them for gaming.

I am back off the wagon in a big way!

 

[ra990]

I think I need to keep both the Nutopias and the Susvara.

I think my issue with the Susvara was two fold. 1) on the Enleum 23r low gain and high gain are like completely different amps. I am finding high gain much better in all ways. 2) Mitch at Accurate Sound’s convolution filters and help! In addition to using his filter I was experiencing a slight glassiness. He pulled out the measurements and was able to guide me through EQing them just right above 6k. This guy is great.

The problem is I love the Utopias as well through both the Wa33 and Dave. I did not get along as well with the old Utopias. I remember them being brighter but also grainier. This could be due to my DAC and amplification at the time.

Even with the slightly warmer tuning - I am still experiencing slight fatigue I need to work out, but I need to run these in a little more. They don’t sound bright to me at all, it may just be that I’m not used to the punchiness if a dynamic driver headphone. All my others are planars, except the OG clear but I just use them for gaming.

I am back off the wagon in a big way!

Have you tried Mitch's filters for the new Utopias? He has a neutral and a treble extension, both help make the headphone even more neutral and bring up the bass in the sub region.

 

[Drewligarchy]

Have you tried Mitch's filters for the new Utopias? He has a neutral and a treble extension, both help make the headphone even more neutral and bring up the bass in the sub region.

Yes, I have ALL of Mitch's filters. They are pretty incredible. That's half the reason I like the Susvara now. He also personally helped me EQ the treble above 6k on the Susvara to get it just to my liking.

In my opinion the Susvara and LCD-5 NEED the filters. But I am not a huge fan of the Hifiman house sound, and the LCD-5 is too hot. That said, I like the Abyss and LCD-4 significantly better with the filters.

I have the Utopia filters, but I am going back and forth at this point because I want to get a sense of the headphones itself before I make a ton of changes.

The interesting thing is 2 fold:
1) his flat filters sound better to me than the harman curve. I've always thought headphone need a preference curve. His filters are proof that flat sounds very natural. I always find a huge improvement in imaging and soundstage as everything is in the right place and can breathe a little.
2) even with the convolution filters tuned to neutral (at least below 6k), all of these headphones sound vastly different - so you can focus on what the headphone does well with frequency response being somewhat the same. This is how it is with speakers, why not with headphones.

Anyhow, I HIGHLY recommend Mitch's filters (I have LCD-4, LCD-5, Susvara, Abyss and Utopia 22). They reignited ,my passion for headphones!

 

[meomap]

Yes, I have ALL of Mitch's filters. They are pretty incredible. That's half the reason I like the Susvara now. He also personally helped me EQ the treble above 6k on the Susvara to get it just to my liking.

In my opinion the Susvara and LCD-5 NEED the filters. But I am not a huge fan of the Hifiman house sound, and the LCD-5 is too hot. That said, I like the Abyss and LCD-4 significantly better with the filters.

I have the Utopia filters, but I am going back and forth at this point because I want to get a sense of the headphones itself before I make a ton of changes.

The interesting thing is 2 fold:
1) his flat filters sound better to me than the harman curve. I've always thought headphone need a preference curve. His filters are proof that flat sounds very natural. I always find a huge improvement in imaging and soundstage as everything is in the right place and can breathe a little.
2) even with the convolution filters tuned to neutral (at least below 6k), all of these headphones sound vastly different - so you can focus on what the headphone does well with frequency response being somewhat the same. This is how it is with speakers, why not with headphones.

Anyhow, I HIGHLY recommend Mitch's filters (I have LCD-4, LCD-5, Susvara, Abyss and Utopia 22). They reignited ,my passion for headphones!

Hi,
Where can get or look into Mitch's Filters ?
Thanks.

 

[Trance_Gott]

The Envy and the Utopia 22 are an incredible combination! Today I heared a lot with the Immanis and after 2 hours switched to the Utopia 22 with 4 Pin XLR Palladium Cable from Invictus and the tone, the dynamic impact is incredible. This headphone is still one of the best out there! Maybe the soundstage is not the biggest but everything else is world class!
I love it over the Niimbus US4 but today with the Envy the tone it plays is mind blowing really, wow! So not necessary to change my avatar lol.

 

[Drewligarchy]

Hi,
Where can get or look into Mitch's Filters ?
Thanks.

Accurate Sound https://accuratesound.ca/

Not cheap but highly worth it, IMO. They are convolution filters so you either need a player that can use them (Roon or JRiver), system wide EQ (Equalizer APO), or you he has software you can use as a VST plugin I believe.

 

[meomap]

Accurate Sound https://accuratesound.ca/

Not cheap but highly worth it, IMO. They are convolution filters so you either need a player that can use them (Roon or JRiver), system wide EQ (Equalizer APO), or you he has software you can use as a VST plugin I believe.

Thanks.

 

[Drewligarchy]

I am really enjoying the Utopia 2022. I will say despite a warmer sound than the original Utopia's I have experienced some slight listening fatigue still. They don't sound bright though.

While it's lessened, these still have a peak at 6k (at least on my head). I checked out Oratory's EQ and he has a -5 db filter at 6k which sort of confirmed it for me. Taking that much off changes the sound too much for me, but I found a small notch filter of -3 db Q of 5 eliminates any fatigue entirely, while not changing the sound tonally of the headphones.

With these, I am not using other filters (other than the small notch I mentioned) as I want to get to know the sound of the headphone - it's very engaging. I have a ton of high end planars, and while the Utopia doesn't have that last bit of resolution they do - they are incredibly enjoyable to listen to - which matters most IMO. Nonetheless, they are incredibly detailed and having that last bit of resolution can sometimes be too much for just standard enjoyment.

Most importantly, I can just walk around my house with these and a hugo 2 / 2go, which is a good thing because I don't want to take them off my head!

 

[Barnstormer13]

I am really enjoying the Utopia 2022. I will say despite a warmer sound than the original Utopia's I have experienced some slight listening fatigue still. They don't sound bright though…

…..Most importantly, I can just walk around my house with these and a hugo 2 / 2go, which is a good thing because I don't want to take them off my head!

I find the U22 a hair fatiguing on my SS amp, but I think for me it’s because the resolution and imaging are so good that it demands a lot of brain engagement to process all the musical information I’m getting. It’s not really an issue on my tube amps with their lower resolution.

The efficiency is really nice. Pretty much anything drives it, though it does show the weaknesses of my DAPs.

 

[Drewligarchy]

I find the U22 a hair fatiguing on my SS amp, but I think for me it’s because the resolution and imaging are so good that it demands a lot of brain engagement to process all the musical information I’m getting. It’s not really an issue on my tube amps with their lower resolution.

The efficiency is really nice. Pretty much anything drives it, though it does show the weaknesses of my DAPs.

If you can eq, try a notch filter at 6k. It completely solved it for me.

I've found that resolution makes it more likely that you can experience fatigue, but you don't have to. It's just a little bit harder to get it to that point.

I continue to love the Utopia 2022 way more than the original Utopia's. I like them on both SS and Tubes. Part of it is the warmer signature, part is I have better amp pairings for it.

Really an incredible engaging headphone.

 

[PrTv]

Just took delivery of Lazuli Rhapsody today. First impression was good, and I liked it better than the Reference. For me, the Reference with OG Utopia is just perfect and I didn't want anything more. However, with the 2022, I think it's a bit too slow with the Reference.


Will see how this new one fares after 100 hours break-in.

 

[Spawn300Z]

Just took delivery of Lazuli Rhapsody today. First impression was good, and I liked it better than the Reference. For me, the Reference with OG Utopia is just perfect and I didn't want anything more. However, with the 2022, I think it's a bit too slow with the Reference.


Will see how this new one fares after 100 hours break-in.

Congrats, it gets better. I have the Lazuli Rhapsody interconnect and headphone cable for my transportable set up using Chord Hugo 2/ Cayin C9. It’s like a baby Nirvana cable. Your going to love it.

 

[Contrails]

@Drewligarchy I am using the WA33 with a Rockna Wavelight and I am experiencing no fatigue. WA33 is running KR274B, WE417a and stock 2A3s. I listen at moderate volumes. But I did experience fatigue when I used an Auralic Taurus amp. Maybe trial a R2R DAC?