I doubt that they would make any new “OG” drivers once whatever the service holdback stock runs out. The cost in time and retooling wouldn’t make sense for Focal or the buyer. At that point, scavenging drivers from another existing unit would make more sense.
The original CF yokes looked SO MUCH BETTER IMHO. I was going to purchase, but seems like a set of OG Utopia may actually be a better deal. Then the DCA Expanse came out and OMG that just might be the solution. If only the ear cups were not glued on those. Oh well.
The original CF yokes looked SO MUCH BETTER IMHO. I was going to purchase, but seems like a set of OG Utopia may actually be a better deal. Then the DCA Expanse came out and OMG that just might be the solution. If only the ear cups were not glued on those. Oh well.
I also like the looks of the original better, but there are advantages to forged composites beyond recycled material. With a higher fiber content that traditional woven CF, forged CF is stronger, more flexible, and has less shape variability (shape stability over time).
Not saying that the original headband was insufficient in these areas, but forged CF is definitely a better material for a headband, mostly due to the increased flexibility with lower clamping force near max bend.
has anyone gotten their retail order sets in/shipped? not the pre-release sample sets. I pre-ordered a while back, but my dealer is still waiting for Focal to send him his allocation..
I can only give a general comment. I heard the Focal 2022 at CanJam on Naim HE. Same setup as I have at home. I brought my new Expanse with me but didn’t do a direct comparison, since was at Focal booth. Without a direct comparison, I felt my original Utopia with Danacable Reference had better mids and more resolution playing the same tracks on the same system.
At home, doing back and forth with the Expanse and my Utopia, the Expanse is easily more technical with better bass control, more resolution in mids and highs. It has pretty good impact and great bass texture in my system. Soundstage is somewhat the same size with better positioning going to the Expanse. The Expanse is more balanced. With all that said, it’s a matter of preference which you’d prefer. And it’s also possible the 2022 model was doing things I didn’t pick up at the meet. Utopia probably still wins for weight and impact but the Expanse isn’t that far behind. I decided to keep the Expanse and sold the Utopia. It’s just that the Expanse did more things right for me while still staying fun and musical in my system. The Utopia and the new model are still amazing headphones, sound great out of more setups, and have they own unique sound.
What I will say is the new 2022 didn’t seem to do anything noticeable better that would make me want to sell the original to trade up but the Expanse did.
has anyone gotten their retail order sets in/shipped? not the pre-release sample sets. I pre-ordered a while back, but my dealer is still waiting for Focal to send him his allocation..
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