Focal Utopia General Discussion

[up late]

^ while i'm sure that there are many og utopia owners who have heard the 'nutopia', you may be hard pressed to find someone who has owned both. good luck with it anyway.

 

[plumpudding2]

I take your point but when my mate comes to visit it would be nice to be able to offer him a pair as the Pathos has two outlets it makes sense plus I'd be able to instantly try one from the other. On e-bay I've seen a few new models for sale at £2500 which is around my budget not the new price.

Why not buy a second amp and a 2nd headphone that complements Utopia well? I have two amps too and a bunch of great headphones and it is a pleasure to listen together with friends, I especially enjoy letting them compare my collection and guess what cost the most. While a second amplifier would be an investment, I think it would give you more variety than two flavors of Utopia.

 

[DJW50]

Why not buy a second amp and a 2nd headphone that complements Utopia well? I have two amps too and a bunch of great headphones and it is a pleasure to listen together with friends, I especially enjoy letting them compare my collection and guess what cost the most. While a second amplifier would be an investment, I think it would give you more variety than two flavors of Utopia.

I'm more than happy with the Pathos Inpol Ear headphone amp and would probably never replace it and the same goes for the DAVE as part of my system. The Pathos Inpol Ear has two headphone outputs so having another set of headphones would suit my needs more.

 

[plumpudding2]

I'm more than happy with the Pathos Inpol Ear headphone amp and would probably never replace it and the same goes for the DAVE as part of my system. The Pathos Inpol Ear has two headphone outputs so having another set of headphones would suit my needs more.

I assume the outputs are not independently controllable? that would limit your second set of headphones to one that has sensitivity similar to your Utopia

 

[gerelmx1986]

Now that the new version of the Utopia has been out for a while I've been looking on e-bay at secondhand 2022 Utopia's. I bought the OG Utopia just before the new version was announced and I'm more than happy with them.
Has anyone owned both for a decent period of time and do you think that there is anything between them that you prefer. My taste in music is blues and early rock/progresive music. I run a Pathos Inpol Ear and have both Silver Dragon and Dana cables. Is it worth me buying a second set? It would be nice to be able to let the odd visitor experience Utopia's as the Pathos has two outlets for headphones

I just review and test difficult utopia 2022 on the local hi-fi shop before I decide to buy the older version. In this job, they didn't have the OG Autopia anymore as I told me that it was his continued a year ago that was in 2023, so I tested the new utopia in the shop and I felt that was more for pop rock jazz as I listen to classical music so I decide to hunt for OG utopia on eBay and I am pretty happy with them

 

[DJW50]

I assume the outputs are not independently controllable? that would limit your second set of headphones to one that has sensitivity similar to your Utopia

That's right they are identical that's why I have decided on second set of Utopias

 

[Matez]

Noir HPC mk2 was superb with Stellia. Gives more airy and focused soundstage, more articulate bass, midrange and treble are more refined.

Thanks! I like Stellia and I also think that a lot can be squeezed out of these cans.

 

[Matez]

I have got a Forza Audioworks Noire Hybrid cable and i am happy with it on the 22 Utopia.

Enjoy and thanks

 

[559938]

Now that the new version of the Utopia has been out for a while I've been looking on e-bay at secondhand 2022 Utopia's. I bought the OG Utopia just before the new version was announced and I'm more than happy with them.
Has anyone owned both for a decent period of time and do you think that there is anything between them that you prefer. My taste in music is blues and early rock/progresive music. I run a Pathos Inpol Ear and have both Silver Dragon and Dana cables. Is it worth me buying a second set? It would be nice to be able to let the odd visitor experience Utopia's as the Pathos has two outlets for headphones

My friends and I are all Utopia owners (I have 2020, they both have OG) and we often get together to listen and compare. We’ve done so through Chord Hugo2Go, HMS/TT2, Arche, and LTA MZ3. We’ve also compared the stock cables with those from Nordost and Cardas.
The 2022 is a bit darker with more weight. I’d sum up my experience as:

OG emphasises the drum head, 2022 gives more of the wooden body
OG throws and more open stage, 2022 is a bit more focused
OG shows you the bow on the string super clearly, 2022 more of the warmth of the wood
OG is fifth row, 2022 10th row.

Yes, there more similar than, for example, Utopia and LCD-5, but I’d not mind owning both. Perhaps, in your situation, having one of each might provide you with some interest, while fulfilling your listening together needs?

 

[DJW50]

My friends and I are all Utopia owners (I have 2020, they both have OG) and we often get together to listen and compare. We’ve done so through Chord Hugo2Go, HMS/TT2, Arche, and LTA MZ3. We’ve also compared the stock cables with those from Nordost and Cardas.
The 2022 is a bit darker with more weight. I’d sum up my experience as:

OG emphasises the drum head, 2022 gives more of the wooden body
OG throws and more open stage, 2022 is a bit more focused
OG shows you the bow on the string super clearly, 2022 more of the warmth of the wood
OG is fifth row, 2022 10th row.

Yes, there more similar than, for example, Utopia and LCD-5, but I’d not mind owning both. Perhaps, in your situation, having one of each might provide you with some interest, while fulfilling your listening together needs?

Thanks, very helpful I plan to keep an eye out for a used pair.

 

[hfi429366999]

Hey folks, hoping someone can chime in here.

Am i correct in saying the OG Utopia 2020 (not the Utopia 2016) came in different packaging than 2016?

Did all 2020 Utopia (I'm in USA) came with the headphone inside the carrying case? The 2016 Utopia did not come with a carrying case and the case with foam interior housed the Utopia.

Thank you.

 

[thecrow]

Hey folks, hoping someone can chime in here.

Am i correct in saying the OG Utopia 2020 (not the Utopia 2016) came in different packaging than 2016?

Did all 2020 Utopia (I'm in USA) came with the headphone inside the carrying case? The 2016 Utopia did not come with a carrying case and the case with foam interior housed the Utopia.

Thank you.

Correct 2016 came with NO carrying case and only one very long cable.

Later on there was a carrying case and a “wallet” with two or 3 cables.

I’m sure if you look at later unboxing reviews on youtube you’ll see what the later package was.

 

[sparkofinsanity]

Hey folks, hoping someone can chime in here.

Am i correct in saying the OG Utopia 2020 (not the Utopia 2016) came in different packaging than 2016?

Did all 2020 Utopia (I'm in USA) came with the headphone inside the carrying case? The 2016 Utopia did not come with a carrying case and the case with foam interior housed the Utopia.

Thank you.

They offered two versions in 2020. One with the new packaging and carrying case, and one a little cheaper without the case. Not exactly sure how the packaging differed though.

 

[Aryzon]

Are there any comfort mods available for the Utopia? I have the 2022 version to be specific. I have tried the carpa strap but even that doesn't really compensate for how brutally heavy they are. And with the strap the weight gets mostly transfered to the earcups instead.

Are there any custom headbands or anything I can do to make wearing them less of a headache?

 

[Meme123]

Are there any comfort mods available for the Utopia? I have the 2022 version to be specific. I have tried the carpa strap but even that doesn't really compensate for how brutally heavy they are. And with the strap the weight gets mostly transfered to the earcups instead.

Are there any custom headbands or anything I can do to make wearing them less of a headache?

i use cushion wrap head band from AE, it's help ( and if you wish , can add thin pad under cushion too)