Focal UTOPIA

Focal Utopia 2022 headphones with all original cables, carrying case, and storage case. Purchased in November 2022 from crutchfield. The stock cables have lemo connectors at the headphone side and terminate in either 4 pin XLR or 3.5 mm jack with screw on 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) adapter. Length of the 4 pin XLR cable is probably around 3 meters and the length of the single ended cable is probably around 1 to 2 meters.

Comes with free ZMF grand palladium cable termimated in 4 pin XLR with lemo connectors at the headphone side and double helix cable (DHC) lemo to 3.5 mm adapters for use with other headphones. Also comes with ZMF 4 pin xlr to 6.35 mm adapter of the same material. The length of the cable is around 2 meters. These cables were the ones used the most with the headphones.

The Utopia is a balanced, dynamic, and exciting sound. These headphones taught me the true meaning of punchy, slammy, snappy bass. They are quite intimate with intense, detailed mids and clear, airy treble. I hear the soundstage of these headphones as being more in my head, but the sounds come from all around the head and the sound field is surpisingly deep. Sounds are layered nicely and easily distinguishable from one another. Extremely sensitive and easy to drive, these headphones place a magnifying glass on your upstream system. These are one of the few headphones that will allow you to see the differences in how DACs, amps, cables, etc. affect the music signal. It is quite an interesting experience. Headphones are pretty comfortable as well, and everything that touches your head is premium leather.

These sound great out of portable systems as well. I have tried them with the chord mojo 2/poly v3 streamer, the Topping g5, and the ifi audio go blu. Even out of a cell phone, you will be able to run these to uncomfortably loud volumes. However, I will always recommend a good desktop setup for maximum enjoyment.

Headphones work great with solid state amps or tube amps. I have had great listening sessions out of a Benchmark Media Systems Stack (DAC3B, HPA4, AHB2) and have found equal enjoyment using the ampsandsound Agartha Rev 2 with stock tubes or takatsuki 300Bs out of the 32 ohm jack. In any case, the utopia is truthful enough that you will be able to build a system to your preference using these as the microscope for discerning different audio equipment. This is how I ended up with the Benchmark stack!

I have never heard any mechanical clipping with very bassy music despite what online reviews and impressions may indicate. I believe if you listen at reasonable levels it will not clip.

I love these headphones, but after some comparison, I simply prefer the presentation of planar magnetic headphones. Hoping to send these to a happy home at a reasonable price so others can experience the engineering achievement that is the Focal Utopia 2022.