# Focal Utopia 2022 - Dynamic Driver Over-Ear Open-Back Headphones - Official Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Official Headphone Model Discussion\ **Tags:** focal\ **Created:** [September 16, 2022, 12:24pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756 "2022-09-16T12:24:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AceofSpades](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/aceofspades/32/19697_2.png) [@AceofSpades](https://forum.headphones.com/u/AceofSpades)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 1:47am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/21 "2022-10-30T01:47:11Z")
I think this needs to be turned into a Sonus article. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Eskamobob1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@Eskamobob1](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Eskamobob1)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 5:11pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/22 "2022-10-30T17:11:29Z")
> [@Resolve](#): > > I never found the original utopia to be too sharp in the treble. This is a trait that is gretly exacerbated by poor amp synergy. Amps a little on teh spicy side sound _widly_ spicy with OG utopia as a general rule. Its one of the reasons that utopia is so damn synergy dependant IMO. ---
**Author:** ![andris](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/andris/32/41391_2.png) [@andris](https://forum.headphones.com/u/andris)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 4:02am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/23 "2022-10-31T04:02:27Z")
Fantastic review and a fun read. Thanks, @Rhodey! ---
**Author:** ![Rhodey](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rhodey/32/63535_2.png) [@Rhodey](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Rhodey)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 4:12am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/24 "2022-10-31T04:12:35Z")
Thanks! I just made some changes to it a bit ago. Read it over again today and man, I looked like a drunken mess! šŸ¤£ This version is a little better. Prob not the best idea to write/type that off a phone. I did it over time and added to it, but still. Need to knock something like that out off a PC for a better product. ---
**Author:** ![MRHifiReviews](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrhifireviews/32/13974_2.png) [@MRHifiReviews](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MRHifiReviews)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/25 "2022-12-18T16:25:36Z")
Here are my thoughts on the Utopia 2022 vs. the Original Utopia! We hope you enjoy! Focal Utopia 2022 New Flagship Headphones with comparisons to the Original Focal Utopia Headphones! [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/e/0/e0a341de3b214bcfb3bc6f63f81aa08833036ddb.jpeg "Focal Utopia 2022 New Flagship Headphones with comparisons to the Original Focal Utopia Headphones!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQWWrjcQ76g) ---
**Author:** ![MRHifiReviews](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrhifireviews/32/13974_2.png) [@MRHifiReviews](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MRHifiReviews)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2022, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/26 "2022-12-25T16:03:49Z")
Happy Holidays! If you are trying to decide which flagship headphones you want to ring in the New Year check out todayā€™s video premiering at 8 am PT! Focal Utopia 2022 vs. DCA Expanse vs. Meze Elite vs. Audeze LCD 5 Headphones Happy Holidays, TSAV! [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/f/0/f0ba3e6639c86bd8cdd7b9c13e7aafacc8739a8b.jpeg "Focal Utopia 2022 vs. DCA Expanse vs. Meze Elite vs. Audeze LCD 5 Headphones Happy Holidays, TSAV!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7Q0lXK90ts) ---
**Author:** ![orrman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@orrman](https://forum.headphones.com/u/orrman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2022, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/27 "2022-12-25T16:26:55Z")
Nice vid, would be great if you could add chapters in future videos for easier viewing. ---
**Author:** ![Resolve](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/resolve/32/51647_2.png) [@Resolve](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Resolve)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/28 "2023-02-01T16:39:59Z")
Here are the new measurements of the Focal Utopia 2022 done on the B&K 5128: Raw ![Focal_Utopia_2022_5128](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/6/1/61c6205f0a03a4e6d90b386c11321510c575a98a.jpeg) Compensated ![Focal_Utopia_2022_Comp_5128](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/d/f/dfaba0dc14e35de495f303236315b83ea5db95ef.jpeg) This looks about as expected, with a sound signature Iā€™d describe as ā€˜neutral with a bit of characterā€™, notably with that slight mid forwardness to it. ---
**Author:** ![Pr0Xy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/pr0xy/32/18637_2.png) [@Pr0Xy](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Pr0Xy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/29 "2023-02-02T18:34:35Z")
Curious about that treble raggedness. Does is sound like that to your ears? Or is it an artifact like the 9k dip we are used to seeing with the gras pinnae? ---
**Author:** ![Resolve](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/resolve/32/51647_2.png) [@Resolve](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Resolve)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/30 "2023-02-02T19:18:43Z")
Treble raggedness in a graph is to be expected to some extent given that weā€™re using an unsmoothed target, and individual HRTF and positional variation is going to account for a lot. Some may hear those peaks as sharp, but others wonā€™t - I certainly donā€™t for example. Importantly, harmonic balance needs to be intact, and with a series of elevations like that you can bet it generally will be - as long as the shape is reasonable. What may suffer as a result is ā€˜timbreā€™. Edit: to answer your question about the concha effect, Iā€™m seeing a bit of a feature around 8khz that regularly overemphasizes the energy there, but itā€™s not like thatā€™s omitted in the target either, just not quite as strong. So thatā€™s what Iā€™m currently picking at. ---
**Author:** ![BuffaloWing](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/buffalowing/32/34683_2.png) [@BuffaloWing](https://forum.headphones.com/u/BuffaloWing)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/31 "2023-04-16T23:13:57Z")
Has anyone seen or found a headband cover thats extra padded and wide? Something like a pilot pad but fits well? ---
**Author:** ![robson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/robson/32/59145_2.png) [@robson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/robson)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/32 "2023-04-17T02:41:30Z")
Yes. The ZMF Crescent Snap! šŸ‘ It is super comfortable, and (barely) fits on the Utopia headband. Plus it is less ugly than other options. It gives you that ZMF suspension strap feeling. A word of caution - since it is such s snug fit, and the stretch material is so sheer, you have to hold down the snappy part that is on the top of the headband while you un-snap the top snap. I learned the hard way you can tear the fabric if youā€™re not careful when removing it. > **[Crescent Snap](https://shop.zmfheadphones.com/collections/pads/products/crescent-snap)** > > The ZMF CrescentĀ "Snap" is a reply to those who listen for the long haul.Ā The focus is weight distribution, with 6 variable height "moons" to hug your head so that all you have to worry about is what song to pick next.Ā  The Crescent... ---
**Author:** ![BuffaloWing](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/buffalowing/32/34683_2.png) [@BuffaloWing](https://forum.headphones.com/u/BuffaloWing)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/33 "2023-04-17T02:46:55Z")
Can you post a photo of it? Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![robson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/robson/32/59145_2.png) [@robson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/robson)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 4:31am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/34 "2023-04-17T04:31:01Z")
Here you go ![Pad 1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/f/e/fe80bc9a869492640417af5447e70e63dbd2bb28.jpeg) ![Pad 2](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/9/7/97c0f73f1b37e92ed00932a96f92efb3a426f791.jpeg) ![Pad 3](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/c/e/ceac2f1a0130383f2a6758f4afd80e56bab30b6f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![BuffaloWing](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/buffalowing/32/34683_2.png) [@BuffaloWing](https://forum.headphones.com/u/BuffaloWing)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 4:48am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/35 "2023-04-17T04:48:44Z")
Thanks! Awesome. I assume you have to extend the cups a click or two as a result? ---
**Author:** ![robson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/robson/32/59145_2.png) [@robson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/robson)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 5:43am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/36 "2023-04-17T05:43:45Z")
Correct! 20 characters ---
**Author:** ![Roark](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/roark/32/9724_2.png) [@Roark](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Roark)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 4:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/37 "2023-04-22T04:06:31Z")
You know I have seen folks put on something like this with no pad, more of a sock and I donā€™t understand the purpose of doing that? Now that ZMF Crescent strap is a beast! Reminds me of those headphones from the early 80ā€™s with thicc pads! To each his own on comfort needs but them snaps and thickness look, how do I say this politelyā€¦with all due respect, a snap-on maxi šŸ˜‡ ---
**Author:** ![robson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/robson/32/59145_2.png) [@robson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/robson)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 5:16am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/38 "2023-04-22T05:16:50Z")
šŸ˜† I agree itā€™s fugly, but it sure is comfy! The ā€œsockā€ things Iā€™ve seen on some Focals are worse IMOā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![EmpireZeus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/empirezeus/32/49435_2.png) [@EmpireZeus](https://forum.headphones.com/u/EmpireZeus)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 5:55am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/39 "2023-05-05T05:55:24Z")
I want a pair! Just not at full retail. Beautiful, hopefully they have fixed sound quality issues. ---
**Author:** ![chrisnyc75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/chrisnyc75/32/41282_2.png) [@chrisnyc75](https://forum.headphones.com/u/chrisnyc75)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756/40 "2023-05-05T20:50:37Z")
There are no ā€œsound quality issuesā€ with Utopia, there are ā€œaudio chain issuesā€. šŸ˜‰ [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-2022-dynamic-driver-over-ear-open-back-headphones-official-discussion-thread/18756.md?page=3)