[jackpersonne]

Hi! Is it uncommon in France for resellers to put demo units up for sale? Many retailers in the US do this for all kinds of audio products, selling demos or 'open-box' items.

It is uncommon in France to have no stock. It is uncommon to sell its one and only demo units when shop are closed unless one anticipates that his demo unit will be of no use pretty soon. Next time I have a rumor that is credible, I'll keep it for me.

So everybody, please note, there will be no new Utopia as new version of headphones doesn't exist in the US

 

[dontfeedphils]

It is uncommon in France to have no stock. It is uncommon to sell its one and only demo units when shop are closed unless one anticipates that his demo unit will be of no use pretty soon. Next time I have a rumor that is credible, I'll keep it for me.

So everybody, please note, there will be no new Utopia as new version of headphones doesn't exist in the US

I mean, was this rumor credible?

 

[LarsMan]

It is uncommon in France to have no stock. It is uncommon to sell its one and only demo units when shop are closed unless one anticipates that his demo unit will be of no use pretty soon. Next time I have a rumor that is credible, I'll keep it for me.

So everybody, please note, there will be no new Utopia as new version of headphones doesn't exist in the US

Thanks! I don't know what retailing is like from country to country so this is informative. I would think at some point there would be a new model Focal with a different name that would be a higher level than the Utopia (though I know that Utopia is also what their TOTL speakers are called, too), like Focal's version of Susvara or Abyss 1266...

 

[jackpersonne]

There again you are mentionning a single model "The Grande Utopia" (a different one than in your last post) and not a line and you compare a less than 4K gear against a 230K+ one. Can't you understand the second needs more R&D time and much higher investment to get a significant improve ?

The actual line is called by Focal (not known) "Utopia III evo"
https://www.focal.com/fr/home-audio/enceintes-haute-fidelite/utopia-iii-evo

Everything else is bull including thinking it takes the same time to upgrade a less than 4K headphone than 120K+ speaker (price per speaker).
It took 35 years to deign the Focal Grande Utopia EM. How many years to design the utopia headphone ?

Regarding the pandemic impacting the production, it is also kind of silly : the Focal Clear MG production would also has been impacted. The Stellia production would have been impacted.

Both are in stock.

 

[xand]

The Focal Grande Utopia (speakers) seem stupendous. I've never known they existed because I've never even slightly considered spending anywhere close to that on speakers.

The Focal Grande Utopia (speaker) history is worth looking at because:

(A) they're the highest end Focal speakers since the first was launched - the same way that the Focal Utopia (headphones) are the highest end Focal headphones. Focal has many many lower end speakers, and updates those lower end speakers far more frequently - the same way that Focal has many lower end headphones, and has updated those more frequently. Note that there was a 2020 Focal Utopia (headphone) - but this was actually not a change in the headphones at all, only the pack-in accessories.

(B) the second generation of the Focal Grande (speaker) was the launch vehicle for use of Beryllium tweeters in speakers - just like the Focal Utopia (headphones) were the launch vehicle for use of Beryllium drivers in headphones.

I'm listening to music and procrastinating so, I present to the thread, the history of the Grande Utopia line (prices not adjusted for inflation):

1. First Generation, 1995 (first public demonstration) - Grande Utopia (approx. 180kg - USD 65,000 pair). See page 3 of: https://www.focal.com/sites/www.focal.fr/files/shared/catalog/document/notice-utopia-be.pdf Reviewed at: https://www.stereophile.com/content/focal-jmlab-grand-utopia-loudspeaker

2. Second Generation, 2003 - Grande Utopia Be (210kg, USD 80,000 pair). Reviewed at: https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/921/index.html. As a matter of interest, apparently Yamaha was the first to use Beryllium - Focal was perhaps the second. Note the first link at 1 includes the Focal spec sheet for this speaker.

3. Third Generation, 2008 - Grande Utopia EM (260kg, USD 180,000 pair). Mentioned at: https://www.stereophile.com/rmaf2008/101408focalbest/index.html Specifications: https://www.focal.com/sites/www.foc...ment/grande_utopia_em-specification_sheet.pdf. Part of what is known as Utopia III line.

4. Fourth Generation, 2018 - Grande Utopia EM Evo (265kg, USD 240,000 pair). Press release: https://www.soundandvision.com/content/focal-expands-flagship-utopia-speaker-lineup Specifications: https://www.focal.com/sites/www.foc...ande_utopia_em_evo_specification_sheet_gb.pdf

So on average updates every 8 years - although with only three updates the confidence interval isn't high.

 

[up late]

^ comprehensive! thanks for posting.

 

[AxelCloris]

Let's please bring the conversation back to the Focal Utopia headphones. Thanks everyone.

 

[Progisus]

My Lazuli Reference is finished burn in. As much as I like the stock og cable, the Lazuli takes the Utopia to an end game level. Thanks @iamoneagain for making me consider it.

 

[jlbrach]

the reference was the first cable where I could actually say it made a difference large enough that I considered it a must for the utopia when I owned it...made the utopia sound like a different and improved HP

 

[matanoosh]

Hello everyone.
For the life of me, I can't find a discussion about the differences in Utopias versions over the years since 2016.
I understand the 2020 iteration mainly differ in the accessories? But are there any version of the Utopias where the headphone itself is changed?
My biggest concern is to buy a new one from the dealer and not knowing which version I'm buying (don't trust them to give me the right info).

Also,
Couldn't find impressions on Auris Headonia 2A3 amp with the Utopias. Anyone?

 

[dontfeedphils]

But are there any version of the Utopias where the headphone itself is changed?

No

 

[Pastwa]

Some distributors beg to differ.

 

[dontfeedphils]

Some distributors beg to differ.

Beg all they'd like, the only thing that changed are the accessories included.

 

[XeNoNF50]

Had anyone compared old cable to new cable? Isn't the new cable the microphonic type you get with the Stellia?

 

[matanoosh]

Beg all they'd like, the only thing that changed are the accessories included.

If i may, where is the confidence from? (ask seriously, not tying to be a smartass)