Focal Diva Utopia

[Puddingbuks]

I have had focal aria 948 and electra BE 1028.

When I switched to my Dutch & Dutch speakers, the difference was stellar, especially in imaging / stereo image. The focal have way less distinct imaging.

 

[Karmacoma]

I have had focal aria 948 and electra BE 1028.

When I switched to my Dutch & Dutch speakers, the difference was stellar, especially in imaging / stereo image. The focal have way less distinct imaging.

The imaging improvement is due to the cardioid response of the d&d, that's the main point of this technology, and also to the nice waveguide, so it's really not surprising.
Once you step aside of their radiation angle though, you might prefer the feeling of having a non cardioid speaker because of that cancelation happening ( I wouldn't, just saying there could be cons for some).

 

[Puddingbuks]

The imaging improvement is due to the cardioid response of the d&d, that's the main point of this technology, and also to the nice waveguide, so it's really not surprising.
Once you step aside of their radiation angle though, you might prefer the feeling of having a non cardioid speaker because of that cancelation happening ( I wouldn't, just saying there could be cons for some).

I have the “8M” version which isn’t cardioid. It was once available besides the “8C” cardioid version.

 

[Pearljam5000]

I have had focal aria 948 and electra BE 1028.

When I switched to my Dutch & Dutch speakers, the difference was stellar, especially in imaging / stereo image. The focal have way less distinct imaging.

Yeah but to be fair those are lower end or older Focals
I assume newer Utopias sound much better

 

[Puddingbuks]

Yeah but to be fair those are lower end or older Focals
I assume newer Utopias sound much better

Yes assume, assume is the….

That beryllium tweeter of the electra was outclassed by the relatively simple D&D tweeter.

I still would like to hear those Diva’s but they are out of my reach financially.

I also wonder how they would compare to their studio line, trio 11 for example.

 

[Digital_Thor]

Yes assume, assume is the….

That beryllium tweeter of the electra was outclassed by the relatively simple D&D tweeter.

I still would like to hear those Diva’s but they are out of my reach financially.

I also wonder how they would compare to their studio line, trio 11 for example.

Yep... A good Seas Prestige tweeter used right, is much better than exotic storytelling

 

[Pearljam5000]

Yep... A good Seas Prestige tweeter used right, is much better than exotic storytelling

Focal's beryllium sounds very good
It's not a gimmick

 

[Digital_Thor]

Focal's beryllium sounds very good
It's not a gimmick

Well... I do find quite a few Focal speakers to be a bit on the "hot" side in the upper midrange and lower tweeter. So I would rather have a speaker with a smoother power response in this area, than "just" a very good tweeter. And this is where the Seas Prestige shines in D&D, because they understand that it is good overall quality of all factors in a complete speaker, that gives us an overall better experience.
I EQ'd one of my friends Focal Alto Utopia BE, to tame 1,5dB of excess volume around 3-7kHz, which made the speaker fatiguing in the long run. The speaker actually measures quite well, so that EQ solved more problems, than it potentially created.
My point was merely that the right driver for the right job, is way more important, than just a good driver in itself.
It might not be a gimmick, but maybe it is not truly necessary either, Because I do not know how to judge a tweeter properly, when I don't know whether it is linear and smooth. Because - is my perception of more/better detail - just more volume or dispersion at a given frequency range?

 

[Soniclife]

I have the “8M” version which isn’t cardioid. It was once available besides the “8C” cardioid version.

I personally think based on time with the 8c that the tweeter waveguide combo is the star of the show, the cardioid gets all the attention but the top end is special.