I don’t want to give the Focal Utopia back.
I don’t get this romantic very often. But the Utopia — a new pair of ultra high-end headphones from French manufacturer Focal — isn’t a good gadget so much as it’s luxury.
It’s made from rare materials, crafted with obvious care, and, put simply, better sounding than any headphone I’ve ever tested. If any device deserves to have the word “premium” attached to it, the Utopia is it.
It’s also $US4,000 ($A5,500). That’s a lot! (It also explains my opening paragraph.) Yet, after testing the Utopia for the past couple of weeks, that price doesn’t feel completely absurd. Here’s what I mean.
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
Focal reps told me the company spent four years developing the Utopia, and it shows. It feels like a headphone that was pored over before it was sold.
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
I won't get too deep into how Focal has built the drivers here, but they use a rare metal called beryllium, they're uniquely strong and lightweight, and they allow the Utopia sound as high-fidelity as it does.
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
If you're the pickiest listener in existence, you could argue that the bass isn't the strongest, but that's only when compared to other ultra-premium cans. It's still rich and impactful. In general, it's as close to a 'three-dimensional' sound as I've heard.
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
The Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse amplifier.Having such a high-quality amp played a big role in my enjoyment here.
It's worth noting, though, that the Utopia isn't as difficult to 'drive' as other high-end headphones, so you don't have to pay that much more for an amp to hear things.
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
If it wasn't clear, what all this means is that the Utopia is made for lounging around the house -- or really, hanging in the studio -- not taking on the road.
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
This is something you quickly realise when using high-end audio gear: Most modern music is bad. Not artistically, but technically. People have prioritised cost and convenience when it comes to consuming music, and studios have reacted accordingly. You have to dig to find the files worth using, which hammers home just how deep of a niche audiophilia is.
Business Insider/Jeff Dunn
Does that mean you should pay $4,000 for it? I think you already know if you're willing to do that. If you're financially secure enough to be on the fence, all I can say is that the Utopia is a joy.
I won't miss that cable, though.
Business Insider Emails & Alerts
Site highlights each day to your inbox.
Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.