Focal Utopia Review (Headphone)

[RustyGates]

Measurements state they didn't.

Now who do we believe? A microphone free of bias and feelings, or a Focal employee who profits from more Utopia sales?

There absolutely is a measured difference between the OG and the 22. The FR is not the same, and there may be other parameters which differ slightly, maybe even slightly lowered distortion. It doesnt sound forward in the high frequencies as my OG used to either, and that is very obvious in listening.

The 22 also has higher excursion limit, it doesn't clip when playing bass heavy tracks at high SPL as my OG used to.

 

[srkbear]

There absolutely is a measured difference between the OG and the 22. The FR is not the same, and there may be other parameters which differ slightly, maybe even slightly lowered distortion. It doesnt sound forward in the high frequencies as my OG used to either, and that is very obvious in listening.

The 22 also has higher excursion limit, it doesn't clip when playing bass heavy tracks at high SPL as my OG used to.

Prove it. I posted a comparative graph from published measurements and they fall right on top of each other. I already said that they fixed the voice coil failure and excursions issues—flaws of their own that they should have offered to fix or trade up for existing owners.

This was a headphone quality improvement. It was not a sonic improvement, unless you have objective evidence to prove it. Your subjective listening experiences do not count—at least not on here.

 

[joefig44]

Recently acquired a Focal Utopia 2022 and based on a recommendation from this site, I bought a used Ferrum Erco DAC/Amp.

Everything sounds fine and all as expected - fantastic in fact!

I use Roon's PEQ with Oratory settings, but I'm wondering if I would benefit from picking up a used RME ADI-2 DAC FS (and letting my Ferrum go) just so I can do the PEQ in the RME rather than in Roon (and also have the PEQ apply to all content and not just Roon content)? I do some light PC gaming and youtube watching, but nothing major.

Or, should I just stick with the Ferrum Erco?

Cost wise, it would probably end up net/net only costing me a couple hundred by the time I sold off the Ferrum and bought the RME used.

 

[solderdude]

and also have the PEQ apply to all content and not just Roon content)?

That would be a good reason to buy the ADI2.

 

[Mr Swing King]

Fun little game that I’ve tried myself with a couple of friends:
Gather all the openback Focals you can; Elear, Elex, Clear, Clear Mg and both Utopias. Fit all headphones with the same completely fresh pads, put on blindfold…and see if you can hear a difference.
If you somehow can add some 40-50 grams to every can other than the Utopia so as the weight doesn’t give anything away…well then you’re on your way.
This was very enlightening btw. It may be for others as well
Edited for horrendous writing.

 

[joefig44]

Anyone ever compare the Oratory PEQ settings to the same Oratory settings but for RME ADI-2 to see if they sound exactly the same?

 

[staticV3]

Anyone ever compare the Oratory PEQ settings to the same Oratory settings but for RME ADI-2 to see if they sound exactly the same?

They do not sound exactly the same, because they do not use the same frequency response measurement as their basis.

This becomes obvious if you just flip between the two PDFs in your browser:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

The "EQ Curve total" graph is noticeably different as a result. The ADI-2 preset has less treble and more bass.

 

[joefig44]

They do not sound exactly the same, because they do not use the same frequency response measurement as their basis.

This becomes obvious if you just flip between the two PDFs in your browser:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

The "EQ Curve total" graph is noticeably different as a result. The ADI-2 preset has less treble and more bass.

Ok - sorry I'm new to all this.

Why is it they didn't use the same FR measurement as their basis? Just a different Utopia used?

Right now I have a Ferrum Erco with my Utopia 2022, and use Oratory's PEQ in Roon and it sounds just fantastic.
But I'm thinking of swapping the Erco for a RME ADI-2 DAC FS so that I can use the PEQ across all content and not just Roon.

I can't seem to find Oratory RME settings for the Utopia 2022 (just the OG Utopia), so I'm wondering if instead I should just keep the Ferrum Erco.

 

[staticV3]

Why is it they didn't use the same FR measurement as their basis? Just a different Utopia used?

@oratory1990?

 

[oratory1990]

@oratory1990?

When I made the setting for the ADI-2 I had only measured one Utopia (2 earcups).

I later measured more units (8 units / 16 earcups by now)

 

[joefig44]

When I made the setting for the ADI-2 I had only measured one Utopia (2 earcups).

I later measured more units (8 units / 16 earcups by now)

Thanks, but still unclear if the ADI-2 one sounds same/better/worse than the other one which I'm currently using in Roon PEQ.

I'm considering picking up an ADI-2 for use with my Utopia 2022, but I don't want to upgrade if it's PEQ is worse than what I'm getting from Roon PEQ with your other settings right now.

 

[oratory1990]

Thanks, but still unclear if the ADI-2 one sounds same/better/worse than the other one which I'm currently using in Roon PEQ.

I'm considering picking up an ADI-2 for use with my Utopia 2022, but I don't want to upgrade if it's PEQ is worse than what I'm getting from Roon PEQ with your other settings right now.

The difference between the EQ settings will be no higher than the difference between individual units of the Utopia (which do vary a bit).

In any case, you'll find you yourself needing to adjust and finetune the EQ settings, both to adjust to your personal preferences as well as to compensate for unit variation on the headphone.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Use this

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[Curupira]

Thanks Sir. I do not have an equalization function via TIDAL music.

You can use Peace and dial in those values, you'll just have to turn off Tidal's exclusive mode (if you're using it).

Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO

Download Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO for free. System-wide PC Audio Equalizer and Effects app for Windows 7 to 11. Before reading on, note there's scam website called 'peaceequalizer,com'. Only this site here on SourceForge is the actual website by me, Peter Verbeek.

sourceforge.net

Also, leave Dolby off as it's compressing the signal. And refrain from using Windows digital volume when you already have a dac/amp with volume control, as the former diminishes the voltage sent to the DAC/AMP, reducing it's performance. It won't be that noticeable for you to not like a headphone because of it, just a good habit to have.

 

[gvl]

For starters, ensure you’re using Exclusive mode in Tidal, then Windows sound settings will have no effect. You need EQ for most headphones, if that is your main use case perhaps change your DAC to RME ADI-2 or find a software solution, ie Equalizer APO.

 

[Chagall]

Oh wow...ok let me try these solutions. Cant thank you enough.

It’s possible that what you’re experiencing is simply a matter of being more accustomed to the sound signature of the KOSS compared to the Utopias. The difference between the Utopia and KOSS is definitely there, but your expectation is set so high considering the price. So it's not so much about equipment burn-in as it is about giving your brain time to adjust to a different presentation and break the expectation.

As others have mentioned, even very expensive DACs or amps will not bring the kind of change you're hoping for - they don't matter! Oratory's EQ adjustments will have a much more noticeable impact.

 

[staticV3]

Thanks for the tip just changed it!

View attachment 446173

Keep in mind that with Tidal set to Exclusive mode, Software EQ solutions like Peace or Eqaulizer APO will not affect the sound.

If you want to have EQ, but keep Tidal set to Exclusive, then you will need to find a Hardware EQ solution, like the RME ADI-2 or JDS Element IV.

 

[Curupira]

Oh jeez...getting too complicated.

I just bought this Benchmark and I LOVE what it did for my Koss electrostatics. Incredible, even mesmerizing increase in detail and precision compared to a $300 Burson DAC.

If the Utopias cannot totally trounce the $600 Koss electrostatics with the same DAC/amp, Im sending them back.

I'd recommend you try the Harman profile (the dropbox link) for them using the Peace app I linked before doing that. If you dislike dialing in the numbers, you can try AutoEQ's calculation I got from sai's measurements of the 2022 Utopias below (just import them using Peace, and don't forget to "save"). Just be careful with adding too much bass or listening too loud, as excessive percussion in Focal's headphones can damage them.

If you still don't like the Focals after all of that, there's no point in keeping such a expensive headphone around just for collectionism. And don't let other people say that you need X amplifier or Y DAC or Z cable blessed by the vestal virgins for it to sound right: if you don't like their sound for what it is, you either get used to it or move on.

 

[gvl]

Thanks for the tip just changed it!

View attachment 446173

I’m not a Tidal user but this seems wrong, you’re setting Tidal exclusive mode for the built in sound card, not the external DAC.

 

[gvl]

Keep in mind that with Tidal set to Exclusive mode, Software EQ solutions like Peace or Eqaulizer APO will not affect the sound.

You can use JRiver EQ with exclusive mode. It installs a virtual sound device that you select for output in Tidal, and JRiver has a bunch of DSP options, PEQ including. It isn’t free, but not expensive either.