[New] Focal Diva Utopia

[VintageFlanker]

Focal just announced their first DSP-based active (Hi-Fi) speakers today.

These will act as an all-in-one connected system. They so join other traditional manufacturers such as KEF, Dynaudio, Sonus Faber or DALI in that new market. Except these ones come at a fairly high price tag (I mean it : 35k€ / pair), and that way, aim big boys like the Kii Three BXT, or the upcoming floorstanders from Dutch & Dutch. (Edit: finally not coming anytime soon, thanks @EAXAE )

I have very high expectations that these would measure stellar (or would be very disappointed if they do not). Focal often show a decent sense of engineering, with well designed speakers, sometimes textbook flat (Sopra series, ST6...). Put their in-house drivers and enclosures, with an active crossover design together : what could go wrong ? Oh yes, I'm hyped, not that I could ever afford them...

Diva Utopia - 3-WAY ACTIVE WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER | Focal

DIVA UTOPIA combines the best of Focal Acoustics and Naim Electronics. This active bass-reflex speaker offers high-quality sound, the latest wireless technologies, and extensive connectivity for exceptional listening experiences.

www.focal.com

Full specifications : https://media.focal-naim.com/dam/diva-utopia/4_fp_diva_utopia_en.pdf

 

[napfkuchen]

... and that way, aim big boys like the Kii Three BXT or the upcoming floorstanders from Dutch & Dutch.

No cardioid design, also "only" 400w total amp power, so not really up the specs of Kii or Dutch & Dutch. More like Kef LS 60, but without coaxial design and for deeper pockets.

 

[dfuller]

Weird choice to not have a balanced analog input on an active speaker, I'm not going to lie.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Weird choice to not have a balanced analog input on an active speaker, I'm not going to lie.

Not that weird considering these are some standalone all-in-one system. But yeah, it's better with than without. Also, no SW Out, even if the target audience would probably not use it.

Honestly, I'm way more concerned by the lack of Roon Ready certification. Barely acceptable for a product of this class, that should come with extensive steaming features.

No cardioid design, also "only" 400w total amp power, so not really up the specs of Kii or Dutch & Dutch. More like Kef LS 60, but without coaxial design and for deeper pockets.

They claim up to 116dBSPL @1M for the pair (anechoic, I guess), so that should be fine. LS60 is completely in another league : 64kg piece VS 62kg pair. 121x42x56cm VS 109X21.2X39.4cm. On a more personal note, I'm way more interested in non-coax designs.

 

[kharan]

I'm not too worried about power, Focal usually designs decently high efficiency drivers. Their entire Sopra and Utopia line up is 91/92 dB with a passive crossover. With an active crossover and 4x6.5", it shouldn't be an issue unless you're planning for a high end home theater.

 

[Matias]

The Maestro Utopia measured OK on axis but not very smooth off axis, so I would not expect textbook EIR from the Diva Utopia as well...

Focal Maestro Utopia Evo loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

 

[dfuller]

Not that weird considering these are some standalone all-in-one system. But yeah, it's better with than without. Also, no SW Out, even if the target audience would probably not use it

More that unbalanced like this easily causes ground loops.

 

[HeadDoc12]

Focal just announced their first DSP-based active (Hi-Fi) speakers today.

These will act as an all-in-one connected system. They so join other traditional manufacturers such as KEF, Dynaudio, Sonus Faber or DALI in that new market. Except these ones come at a fairly high price tag (I mean it : 35k€ / pair), and that way, aim big boys like the Kii Three BXT or the upcoming floorstanders from Dutch & Dutch.

I have very high expectations that these would measure stellar (or would be very disappointed if they do not). Focal often show a decent sense of engineering, with well designed speakers, sometimes textbook flat (Sopra series, ST6...). Put their in-house drivers and enclosures, with an active crossover design together : what could go wrong ? Oh yes, I'm hyped, not that I could ever afford them...
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Diva Utopia - 3-WAY ACTIVE WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER | Focal

DIVA UTOPIA combines the best of Focal Acoustics and Naim Electronics. This active bass-reflex speaker offers high-quality sound, the latest wireless technologies, and extensive connectivity for exceptional listening experiences.

www.focal.com

Full specifications : https://media.focal-naim.com/dam/diva-utopia/4_fp_diva_utopia_en.pdf

The marketing tells me to think Tuning Fork, but I am getting some HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey vibes. Also surprised they used all class AB for amplification in 2024. For that money (which in my case is entirely dependent on what kidneys go for these days), I also want them to hit 20 Hz.

 

[quattro98]

I like the appearance of Focal speakers (especially the use of bright colors). In the darker pictures of the speakers, the finish looks suspiciously close to the gray packaging with the remote and the spikes.

 

[TankTop]

From the photos it appears like the tweeter has a bit more of an integrated waveguide so these may measure better that other Focal speakers. With the side mounted bass drivers you may actually get a bit of a cardioid dispersion pattern but maybe not. Lack of a subwoofer output is disappointing though as I’m sure anyone here would want to reinforce the bottom end. Some of the photos look great and some don’t, wish they would post some photos without the side panels as they are removable

 

[VintageFlanker]

More that unbalanced like this easily causes ground loops.

Yeah, sure. But at the end, to plug which device, exactly? DAC ? Makes not that much sense since signal will be converted by ADC before the DSP, then converted again by the internal DAC before feeding the amplifier. CD player ? Just use the Toslink input. TV ? HDMI eARC. So the only use case I see for the RCA input would be a phono preamp (that will be digitalized all the same), and balanced is rarely a thing with these.

On the other hand, having only two wired digital inputs (Toslink and eARC) is barely acceptable either...

Also surprised they all class AB for amplification in 2024.

Speaking honest: That's the thing I'm the least surprised about. I even anticipated it when I first heard the rumours. Focal owns Naim, so they had to create a crossover between both brands, at least for marketing purposes.

Is it that relevant ? Clearly not. Would the internal amps be more reliable this way ? I don't know.

 

[boXem]

Focal owns Naim, so they had to create a crossover between both brands, at least for marketing purposes. Is it that relevant ? Clearly not

Even less now that Naim has also embraced class D.

 

[JustJones]

Focal uses class G and AB in their studio monitors as well.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Even less now that Naim has also embraced class D.

Recently, yes, but not for their higher end amps.

Focal uses class G and AB in their studio monitors as well.

And no DSP as well for their monitors. Maybe this "modern" design was an opportunity to embrace the future...

 

[Sacha]

Putting carpet on it was definitely a choice

 

[VintageFlanker]

Putting carpet on it was definitely a choice

Sure... Oh, one last thing : that is a definitive no-go for cat owners...

I give this two weeks before it looks like garbage.

 

[kharan]

What kind of poor person doesn't have a dedicated listening room not open to pets and immature human specimen?

 

[Sokel]

Putting carpet on it was definitely a choice

Going through the thread I was thinking "please let this not be carpet"

I really,I mean REALLY like the design,but carpet finish???

At least they seem big enough to fill a modest room,amplification seems to have adequate cooling and traditionally Focal never bothered me with its sound,it does the job and that's it.

 

[Kremmen]

Sure... Oh, one last thing : that is a definitive no-go for cat owners...
View attachment 396199
I give this two weeks before it looks like garbage.

Very true!

I daren't even use wood veneer or vinyl wrap floorstanders in our living room. We used to have six cats (my other half had them when we met 10 years ago) and even though I loved them, I used to live in dread of my gear getting wrecked, especially after seeing what they did to the sofa and staircase carpet, etc.

There are only two of the tinkers left now, but one is like a rabid bull. It sometimes sounds like the roof's fell in when we're sat in the living room. Bookshelf speakers on stands is the way to go. Floorstanders go in the man cave. My cat-free zone!

BTW, I can't imagine how I'd feel if someone spilt a full glass of red wine over the fabric on these Focals. I imagine there'd be an awkward conversation to be had. I'm not a fan of the fabric finish, but otherwise I think they look great.

 

[TankTop]

Those covers are removable.

I mentioned earlier the tweeter looks set back a little Draper possibly with a waveguide. Surprised nobody has commented on it yet