[Atriya]

I was just at a headphone show where I heard from the organizer (who sells Focal), that they will be releasing a new flagship headphone to replace (or at least supplant as flagship) the Utopia, in September 2022!!

Apparently demo models will be sent to him a few weeks. Has anyone heard of this (or maybe this is old news and I've been living under a rock?) He also said the price will likely be higher, maybe $5000.

Not naming the headphone show or the person for obvious reasons.

 

[up late]

^ baseless speculation about the next iteration of the utopia has abounded here for years. your post is the first i've seen that actually appears credible.

 

[KelFab]

I was just at a headphone show where I head from the organizer (who sells Focal), that they will be releasing a new flagship headphone to replace (or at least supplant as flagship) the Utopia, in September 2022!!

Apparently demo models will be sent to him a few weeks. Has anyone heard of this (or maybe this is old news and I've been living under a rock?) He also said the price will likely be higher, maybe $5000.

Not naming the headphone show or the person for obvious reasons.

This is strange that if they’ll sell a new model in 1 or 2 months it hasn’t been presented at any show or hifi event (and there has been lots of recently) and that there’s no other leaks likes pics or specs than a potential price (but here it’s surely easier to keep secrets than with new iPhones by example by making their highends products in France in their factory rather than in China in huge factories …). So why not, and this time this is a rather close date so let’s wait and see …

 

[Musicophilesblog]

I was just at a headphone show where I heard from the organizer (who sells Focal), that they will be releasing a new flagship headphone to replace (or at least supplant as flagship) the Utopia, in September 2022!!

Apparently demo models will be sent to him a few weeks. Has anyone heard of this (or maybe this is old news and I've been living under a rock?) He also said the price will likely be higher, maybe $5000.

Not naming the headphone show or the person for obvious reasons.

Now that some high end models from other companies have gone significantly above the Utopia in terms of pricing it would make sense for Focal to produce something even more expensive than the Utopia. Curious to hear what it will sound like.

 

[Tanalasta]

Curious.

The Utopia still very much compete at summit-fi level in terms of dynamic drivers. Whilst the soundstage, separation and detail isn't quite the level of the top-end Planar or electrostatics, I can't think of another dynamic driver headphone that surpasses it.

As a matter of fact, I'm listening to them right now. Amazingly easy to drive. And with the right cable and source, an absolute delight. Love the connectors too.

Not everyone can/will afford to upgrade. The summit-fi price creep is definitely real.

I am reminded of Focal Clear vs Focal Clear Mg ... at this level it often comes down to personal taste. YMMV.

 

[KelFab]

@Tanalasta which Lazuli is this ?

 

[Tanalasta]

@Tanalasta which Lazuli is this ?

Reference Plus. I went with their recommendation for VFM without going top end. As VFM as a Danacable is .......

 

[KelFab]

VFM is very relative here, it depends on how value is quantified and what it represents for the buyer, it’s rather personal especially with products that can bring so much pleasure and emotions…
Too bad I can’t compare their different cables simply where I live, I’d love to …

 

[joseph69]

Not everyone can/will afford to upgrade.

True.
If Focal does release a new flagship "upgrade" is a very strong word.

 

[Paul Noir Culte]

I was just at a headphone show where I heard from the organizer (who sells Focal), that they will be releasing a new flagship headphone to replace (or at least supplant as flagship) the Utopia, in September 2022!!

Apparently demo models will be sent to him a few weeks. Has anyone heard of this (or maybe this is old news and I've been living under a rock?) He also said the price will likely be higher, maybe $5000.

Not naming the headphone show or the person for obvious reasons.

I had a conversation with a dealer friend of mine and he also said a new Utopia is coming this year and should cost at least €5000 or more.

 

[RobertSM]

I had a conversation with a dealer friend of mine and he also said a new Utopia is coming this year and should cost at least €5000 or more.

Yes I was just in Europe and spoke with both dealers and industry members about this.

The unofficial name that I've heard from several different people is the new flagship headphone from Focal will be called, Grand Utopia.

But please know this is all speculation at this point.

 

[Paul Noir Culte]

Yes I was just in Europe and spoke with both dealers and industry members about this.

The unofficial name that I've heard from several different people is the new flagship from Focal will be called the Grand Utopia.

But please know this is all speculation at this point.

Thanks for the info, Grand Utopia makes perfect sense.

 

[b0lt 0ns]

hmm if theres a new utopia coming then maybe they will do what they did with the clear og and drop the price to get rid of their old stocks.

 

[Paul Noir Culte]

hmm if theres a new utopia coming then maybe they will do what they did with the clear og and drop the price to get rid of their old stocks.

I see some dealers in Austria / Germany who offer the Utopia much cheaper online now.

 

[b0lt 0ns]

I see some dealers in Austria / Germany who offer the Utopia much cheaper online now.

What is much cheaper?