Focal Utopia – My favorite headphone!
Chain
Holo Spring 3 KTE (USB) → Allnic HPA 3000GT (BAL) → Danacable Lazuli Ref → Focal Utopia
General character
Overall I’d say the U (Utopia) takes a very forward, focused, and forced approach to the music without the downsides meaning they are not fatiguing or harsh in any way. They are a very picky set of headphones meaning that whatever you plug into it from DAC to AMP to cables, it can change the way they respond. But generally, I find that the overall character remains as a highly engaging but “reference” sounding set of headphones. When I say “reference” I mean that the overall sonic character is influenced mainly by the type of music and/or the kind of chain you use. Of course, the U still has its own character and sonic quirks but, for the most part, it is pretty transparent. However, I don’t think it’s the most natural and life-like sounding, at least compared to the Susvara that I briefly listened to. But instead, it is very accurate to the recording with an added emphasis on engagement and dynamism. Relaxing headphones, such as the Aeolus, are great but I’m an engaging listener so this is what I tend to seek out the most when I want to listen to music–the U fits that preference of mine like a glove!
Highs/Mids/Lows
The treble on the U is, imo, its standout quality. It is raw, resolving, and at the same time refined with no sense of brightness whatsoever–grain-free coupled with loads of extension. I kind of feel like the treble on the U is as “infinitely” scalable as the 6XX (series) headphones. I don’t really have much to say here; it’s excellent and sublime. Period.
I’ve generally been a fan of how Focal deals with the midrange, particularly with the Clear and Utopia. Compared to the VC, the U aren’t as tonally weighty or warm but clear as day. The way I have it right now (paired with the Allnic) has just the right amount of sweetness that I wanted. Midrange is also very engaging and intimate. I love how piano and string notes in particular sound on the U as it gives a sense of fullness and vigor; it plays it with such confidence (the Clear is like this too).
Bass on the U has excellent slam and grip but it really is dependant on chain and synergy. The Danacable I have on this does improve grip and overall body quite noticeably. I confirmed this by using the Dana on both the VC and Aeolus via DHC adapters. It’s a great cable and synergy match for the U, while it wasn’t so much with the VC. Aeolus was a good pairing but kind of made it deviate from its original sound profile imo. Using the Allnic with the U, the bass hits even harder and gains this bold tactility to it while still expressing great control and speed. It’s a confident kind of bass that’s very enjoyable while still being very agile. Quantity-wise the VC does beat out the U a bit but the U represents impact and physicality with more authority. I do find that on the U the bass impact is more or less dependant on the recording whereas the VC bass is generally always tuned upward. The most surprising part, to me, was that the U bass extends lower than the VC even though the graphs suggest that the VC rolls off just a tad later than the U. I had tracks that have some heavy sub-bass drops and I couldn’t hear it at all with the VC (at least with the Auteur pads), while I can pick it up on the U (sample track).
Soundstage/Imaging/Detail/Timbre
The soundstage on the U is on the intimate side, but it has nice depth. I don’t particularly care for soundstage that much on headphones to be honest, so the U’s more intimate soundstage is perfect for me. I think the pairing with the Spring and Allnic portray a bit too much soundstage in terms of position. It feels like the crowd is just a bit separated from me than I would like (maybe I just need to get used to it). Anyway, I’ll follow up on it in the forthcoming Allnic thread, and either way, it’s not a downside by any means.
The U also images very well; it’s precise and focused. Each element has its own place and is isolated with ease. The sizing of instruments I feel is a bit one-size-fits-all meaning instruments that are big and small sound almost the same in magnitude if that makes sense. But that’s probably more of the DAC than anything else.
Detail is superb with great macro and micro-dynamics, but tilting more into the macro. It is much more detailed and nuanced than the VC by a pretty chunky margin imo. I could clearly hear the bass distortion on the U in one track whereas the VC barely picked it up.
Moving onto timbre, I feel that the U has a more accurate representation of timbre than the VC. Many people associate ZMFs in general with having a more natural timbre, and while I agree with that to some extent I think the Utopia, in particular, conveys timbre as it was recorded in the music. In other words, the VC conveys it as you would hear it in real life while the U conveys it as you would hear it recorded through a microphone. Now I don’t have any reference for this since I’ve never been present in these recordings, but that’s just my pure subjective thoughts in regards to timbre. Either way, I don’t hear any major problems with it that is cause for any complaints (maybe to the most dedicated timbre heads they’ll find fault) as long as you have good synergy.
Misc
The U’s other standout quality, imo, is that it excels when played in low to mid-level volumes (I listen at a rough measurement of around 70-75dB). High volume sounds okay but I wouldn’t suggest it most of the time (risk of hearing damage aside). It also has the added benefit of being safer for your hearing and, in addition, your brain perceives dynamics better at lower volumes.
The Utopia (and Clear) is my favorite when it comes to watching any kind of entertainment. I had originally thought the VC would take the cake here because of the warmer midrange and added bass response, but nah. Dialogue is the most important and both Focals present it the best in whatever kind of entertainment you throw at it.
Aesthetics-wise the U look unappealing in videos/pictures but when held in person they’re stunning to look at imo. I hate all things glossy but it ends up looking pretty good on the U.
Pads…sigh…y’all know how much a set costs. Don’t think I need to say anymore.
