Particularly avid audiophiles are in for a treat later this month: French outfit Focal are preparing to launch an evolved version of their Utopia headphones at no cost. Chief among the updates is a design that better suits the company’s flagship, improved comfort and even more accurate sound.
They replace the outgoing model, but Focal wouldn’t do anything so awkward as calling them “Utopia 2” – it’s just Utopia, thank you very much. Handcrafted in the company’s French factory, the new headphones have a honeycomb style that’s both pleasing to the eye and allows for greater full-range speaker movement. Combined with the open-back design, it promises a more open sound than the original version.
The visual upgrade has also helped reduce weight, making listening more comfortable. Each earcup insert is made from recycled carbon fiber, which promises to be both super sturdy and suitably feather-like. The headband uses genuine leather, while the ear cups are made from lambskin and memory foam for a comfortable yet well-sealed fit.
Inside, the 40mm M-shaped beryllium drivers are paired with matching grilles and operate without passive or active correction. The frequency range is exceptionally wide from 5Hz to 50kHz, which Focal says delivers a “stunningly real, accurate and dynamic” listening experience, with an expansive soundstage to match.
Each pair comes with two high-fidelity cables, with locking Lemo connectors for easy swapping: a shorter 1.5m cable with a 3.5mm TRS plug and a longer 3m cable with 4-pin XLR to connect to a balanced amplifier. There’s also a 6.35mm adapter included in the box, as well as a thermoformed fabric carry case to keep your cans perfectly intact when not in use.
Focal calls the Utopia its “ultimate” pair of headphones – and they command a price to match the high billing. Expect to pay €4999 to give your hi-fi setup a premium personal listening upgrade.