Focal Utopia General Discussion

Jan 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM Post #21,031 of 21,114
We’ve done this dance before. I’m glad you found headphones you like but the vast majority of owners aren’t having this happen, so jumping to the conclusion of faulty design is a huge leap without having the statistical evidence to support it. You even state that a second Utopia OG didn’t have the same issue - faulty design doesn’t seem to be the issue here or the second unit would have also lost a driver.

Far more likely that it’s either a defective individual headphone or user error by overdriving.

Either way, dynamic drivers are poor choices for reproducing LFE in headphones due to design limitations. If you want to use headphones to reproduce ”thundering bass and bombs”, planers are a much safer driver type to use.
You know why they redesigned Utopia 22?
Voice coil from 100% copper to 70 copper and 30 magnesium, I think or Ti, for no melting issue with 2022 version.
 
Jan 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM Post #21,032 of 21,114
We’ve done this dance before. I’m glad you found headphones you like but the vast majority of owners aren’t having this happen, so jumping to the conclusion of faulty design is a huge leap without having the statistical evidence to support it. You even state that a second Utopia OG didn’t have the same issue - faulty design doesn’t seem to be the issue here or the second unit would have also lost a driver.

Far more likely that it’s either a defective individual headphone or user error by overdriving.

Either way, dynamic drivers are poor choices for reproducing LFE in headphones due to design limitations. If you want to use headphones to reproduce ”thundering bass and bombs”, planers are a much safer driver type to use.
See Focals response below

Screen Shot 2022-11-12 at 10.00.35 AM.png
 
Jan 7, 2025 at 11:38 PM Post #21,033 of 21,114
Is this a normal issue? I have both versions of the Utopia and they both crackle with the bass at high volume. Anybody know if this is normal or what can be done? Cheers
I've said this before - I've pushed my '18 Utopia very hard at times and never once had an issue with clipping.
 
Jan 8, 2025 at 12:29 AM Post #21,034 of 21,114
I've said this before - I've pushed my '18 Utopia very hard at times and never once had an issue with clipping.
Not hard enough, apparently. Pardon?
 
Jan 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM Post #21,038 of 21,114
Just curious, are little bits of dirt/dust on the inside of the ear cup like this a cause for concern (where the hexagonal patterns are)? I assume no since it's just fabric protection and not actually touching the driver, but there does look like quite a bit from this picture and it seems kinda difficult to remove. Tried gently brushing with a rag and blowing on it but didn't seem to do anything. If anything worried I made it worse because of blowing it everywhere. Don't want to use compressed air. Not that anything sounds off but wonder if too much over time would cause an issue?

tempImageTjhbPm.jpg
 
Jan 21, 2025 at 9:36 PM Post #21,039 of 21,114
Just curious, are little bits of dirt/dust on the inside of the ear cup like this a cause for concern (where the hexagonal patterns are)? I assume no since it's just fabric protection and not actually touching the driver, but there does look like quite a bit from this picture and it seems kinda difficult to remove. Tried gently brushing with a rag and blowing on it but didn't seem to do anything. If anything worried I made it worse because of blowing it everywhere. Don't want to use compressed air. Not that anything sounds off but wonder if too much over time would cause an issue?

You can use a very soft craft/jewelry brush to lightly brush that off. Just make sure you don't push the brush in at all, just barely make contact to brush the debris off.
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM Post #21,040 of 21,114
We’ve done this dance before. I’m glad you found headphones you like but the vast majority of owners aren’t having this happen, so jumping to the conclusion of faulty design is a huge leap without having the statistical evidence to support it. You even state that a second Utopia OG didn’t have the same issue - faulty design doesn’t seem to be the issue here or the second unit would have also lost a driver.

Far more likely that it’s either a defective individual headphone or user error by overdriving.

Either way, dynamic drivers are poor choices for reproducing LFE in headphones due to design limitations. If you want to use headphones to reproduce ”thundering bass and bombs”, planers are a much safer driver type to use.
I listened to 3 separate OG Utopia units - they all had the same issue. Focal's design just cannot handle bass heavy music and it was the most pathetic thing I have ever seen in a headphone, let along a flagship headphone!

The most recent iteration of the Utopia also had the same issue. When I listened to the Stellia, it was also present but it was much much milder compared to the Utopia.
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM Post #21,041 of 21,114
You must listen at ear shattering levels is the only possible interpretation of this problem. I've never heard this "problem" at any volume I listen to. That volume will be a problem in the future for you.
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 5:32 PM Post #21,042 of 21,114
I listened to 3 separate OG Utopia units - they all had the same issue. Focal's design just cannot handle bass heavy music and it was the most pathetic thing I have ever seen in a headphone, let along a flagship headphone!

The most recent iteration of the Utopia also had the same issue. When I listened to the Stellia, it was also present but it was much much milder compared to the Utopia.
You’ll find that most if not all will disagree with you. So what headphone would be your reference that can handle bass?

If you want room thumping sub-bass I suggest buying a subwoofer and a two channel set up. The Utopia isn’t for you.

I suggest a hearing test in case you have hearing loss you’re unaware of that may be confounding your opinion
 
Last edited:
Jan 22, 2025 at 6:23 PM Post #21,043 of 21,114
I listened to 3 separate OG Utopia units - they all had the same issue. Focal's design just cannot handle bass heavy music and it was the most pathetic thing I have ever seen in a headphone, let along a flagship headphone!

The most recent iteration of the Utopia also had the same issue. When I listened to the Stellia, it was also present but it was much much milder compared to the Utopia.

It's a choice of design, they allowed the driver to go full course to allow full dynamic range. The side effect is that the Utopia cannot be played VERY loud.
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 6:58 PM Post #21,044 of 21,114
You’ll find that most if not all will disagree with you. So what headphone would be your reference that can handle bass?

If you want room thumping sub-bass I suggest buying a subwoofer and a two channel set up. The Utopia isn’t for you.

I suggest a hearing test in case you have hearing loss you’re unaware of that may be confounding your opinion
I have never experienced any flagship headphone have an issue with handling bass other than the Utopia.

Playing it loud is a poor excuse that I frequently see on this thread re. this issue. I did not play it very loud and I used EDM and other bass heavy tracks to show this as a consistent issue. For other tracks that did not have a big emphasis on bass, there would be no issue in trying to play it at louder volumes if one desired that. It was only the low-end frequencies! I know I'm not the only one that agrees with this, but I suspect not many will want to point it out publicly so as not to ''offend'' the members on this thread.
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM Post #21,045 of 21,114
I have never experienced any flagship headphone have an issue with handling bass other than the Utopia.

Playing it loud is a poor excuse that I frequently see on this thread re. this issue. I did not play it very loud and I used EDM and other bass heavy tracks to show this as a consistent issue. For other tracks that did not have a big emphasis on bass, there would be no issue in trying to play it at louder volumes if one desired that. It was only the low-end frequencies! I know I'm not the only one that agrees with this, but I suspect not many will want to point it out publicly so as not to ''offend'' the members on this thread.
Have you considered the ZmF Atrium or a planar?

At my usual listening volume I haven’t noticed the issue. But as you say you’ve tried three different sets so the Utopia clearly doesn’t suit your preferences.

Audio is personal.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top