







Focal
Utopia 2022 Headphones
$4,499.00 USD
Features
Full-range speaker driver with ‘M’-shaped, pure Beryllium dome: pure, dynamic and perfectly balanced sound
Made in France in the Focal workshops
Design that adapts to all head morphologies: optimum comfort
Premium materials and sophisticated finishes: genuine leather, forged, recycled carbon, aluminum, etc.
Video
What's in the Box?
Warranty
Discover the pinnacle of headphone performance with the Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones, Focal's flagship high-end open-back model and an updated version of the reference Utopia. Built around a 40mm dynamic driver with an M-shaped pure beryllium dome, revised voice coil materials, and acoustic refinements, it delivers the neutral, warm, and highly musical presentation that puts it at the very top of the high-end headphone market alongside legendary models from HiFiMan, Sennheiser, Audeze, and Meze. For audiophiles and serious music enthusiasts building a no-compromise home listening system, the Focal Utopia 2022 is a legendary headphone that combines the clarity, resolution, and realism of the original Utopia with added warmth and musicality for a breathtaking listening experience. In the world of high-end audio gear, the new Focal Utopia 2022 stands as a benchmark for exceptional hi-fi performance–from build quality to sound.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones with one of our Dragon Audio Premium Headphone Cables. Choose from the Silver Dragon, Black Dragon, or Blue Dragon headphone cables for a tailored sound quality. Our top-of-the-line headphone cable, the Silver Dragon Premium opens up the soundstage and energy of the Focal Utopia 2022 while boosting instrument separation and adding top-end resolution. The Black Dragon Premium provides the right balance to the sound with more musicality to the top end and a slightly warmer presentation without sacrificing the Utopia's incredible detail. The Blue Dragon Premium is a calm and neutral-sounding cable that will clean the sound without warming or brightening it.
Premium Materials Dedicated to Sound Quality and Comfort
The Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones sport an all-black design that replaces the earlier silver ring around the honeycomb grille with a black ring, and the new iterations' inside-mounted attachment conceals the small bolts seen before. The Utopia 2022 weighs 490 grams, the same as the 2020 model. Borrowing from the top Focal Headphones–the open-back Focal Clear Mg, closed-back Stellia, and wireless Bathys dynamic headphones–the Utopia 2022 sports a redesigned honeycomb grille on both the ear cup grilles and the speaker grilles. The honeycomb pattern isn't just an aesthetic choice, though. Compared to the 2020 model, this structure improves airflow and reduces acoustic impedance to help the headphones achieve a more open sound. The Utopia 2022 uses black and red double speaker grilles, and the pop of red is visible through the outer grilles, while the flame logo stands out within the blacked-out styling. A new yin-yang pattern surrounds the center rings on the circum-aural ear cups to symbolize the intersection of craftsmanship and technology.
The carbon fiber yoke, made from forged, recycled carbon, is an elegant touch, helping to keep these flagship headphones lightweight at 490 grams and distributing their weight evenly on the head. Because forged carbon is from scraps, the finished product has a marbled appearance, and each headphone will have a slightly different look. The genuine lambskin leather headband and perforated memory foam ear pads—also leather-bound—provide unparalleled comfort and softness with a secure fit and well-judged clamping force. Finally, the best headphones merit top-of-the-range accessories: The new Utopia comes in faux-leather packaging with a black fabric thermoformed carrying case and two high-fidelity cables (10ft and 5ft / 3m and 1.5m with 4-point XLR connectors) for using the wired headphones at home with an amplifier or on the go with Lemo® connectors and a Jack adapter.
Same Driver, With Acoustic Enhancements
The Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones use the same dynamic 40mm loudspeaker with an M-shaped beryllium dome as its predecessor. This dynamic driver is fully open-backed and runs with no passive or active correction, with a frequency response from 5Hz to over 50kHz! The listening experience they deliver is strikingly real, precise and dynamic, with a soundstage that is both wide and deep, supported by precise imaging and stronger detail retrieval, so subtle musical cues are more easily heard.
One thing that has been updated is the composition of the voice coil, which previously was 100% aluminum. Focal engineers opted for a new voice coil made up of 30% copper (to improve reliability) and 70% aluminum (to make it more lightweight). This alloy provides a rejuvenated sound signature that lends even greater neutrality, with improved bass response versus the 2020 model that is tight, articulate, and punchy, plus a smoother high-frequency response than the 2020 version. What's more, the grilles inside the ear cups are now M-shaped, following the curves of the speaker drivers to give improved linearity and even more precision, while the upper midrange and upper mids are a touch more relaxed for a greater sense of ease on long listens.
Features:
- High-end, open-back, audiophile headphones; for home use
- Full-range speaker driver with pure Beryllium M-shaped dome: pure, dynamic and perfectly balanced sound
- Made in France in the Focal workshops
- Design that adapts to all head morphologies: optimum comfort
- Premium materials and sophisticated finishes: genuine leather, forged, recycled carbon, aluminum, etc.
What's in the Box?
- Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones
- Carrying Case
- 1x 5 ft. Jack 1/8" Cable with Lemo connectors
- 1x 10 ft. 4-pin XLR Cable with Lemo connectors
- 1x Jack adapter, 1/8" point socket- 1/4" point plug
FAQ
Does the Utopia 2022 have a different tonality than the original Utopia?
While Focal wasn't looking to fundamentally alter the tuning of the Utopia, they were looking to achieve a smoother top end, as some customers felt the treble on the original could be a bit peaky. By utilizing M-shaped grilles inside the ear cups that follow the curves of the driver, Focal was able to achieve more linearity in the treble. Both the original model and the new version are highly detailed and transparent sounding, but the Utopia 2022 has some midrange warmth to it, which is wonderful for vocals, and is arguably the more musical sounding of the two headphones.
If possible, listen to both versions side by side, as the better match may come down to personal taste and system synergy. For some OG Utopia owners, the change may feel more like a side-grade than a strict upgrade, since the tonal balance is different rather than universally better.
Is the Utopia 2022 difficult to drive?
With an impedance of 80 ohms and a sensitivity rating of 104dB, the Utopia 2022 is relatively easy to drive. This means you can use most any DAC/headphone amp to power your headphones. While you could conceivably power the headphone with your phone, you will not get optimal sound quality.
Does the Utopia 2022 have a new driver?
The Utopia 2022 uses the same beryllium M-shaped dome as the original. The only thing that has changed within the driver is the composition of the coil, which has been updated from 100 percent aluminum to 70 percent aluminum and 30 percent copper. Focal has indicated there had been some instances of coil failure on the original utopia, and the addition of copper helps boost the reliability of the voice coil.
How does the Utopia 2022 compare to the Clear Mg open-back headphone?
The Focal Clear Mg uses a magnesium and aluminum driver, while the Utopia 2022 uses a beryllium driver. Beryllium tends to produce a more analytical sound, while magnesium lends a warmer sound. That being said, both the Clear Mg and the Utopia 2022 do have some warmth. The difference is in the resolution. The Utopia (both versions) is simply a more detailed headphone. We like to say that the Clear Mg gets you about 60 percent of the way to the Utopia.
How does the Focal Utopia 2022 compare to the Focal Stellia Headphones?
The Focal Utopia 2022 and Focal Stellia are both high-end headphones from Focal, with the main difference being that the Stellia is closed-back and the Utopia is open-back. Sound-wise, the Utopia 2022 has a more spacious soundstage with exceptional clarity and neutral tonal balance while the Stellia provides better noise isolation and is known for its warmer sound and greater versatility with various audio sources. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference and intended use, with the Utopia 2022 being ideal for critical home listening and the Stellia better suited for use in varied environments.
How does the Focal Utopia 2022 compare to the Focal Celestee Headphones?
The Focal Utopia 2022 and Focal Celestee are both high-end headphones from Focal but differ in design and performance. The Utopia 2022 is an open-back model with Beryllium drivers, offering great sound with a wider soundstage, while the Celestee is a closed-back design with aluminum/magnesium drivers, providing better isolation and portability. The Utopia is considered to have more detail and clarity, but it comes at a much higher price point than the Celestee. In terms of comfort, both models are well-built and comfortable. Compare the two models before deciding, since your preferred presentation may differ depending on your gear and tastes.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Physical Specifications | |
| Type | Circum-aural, open-back headphones |
| Weight | 1.08 lbs (490g) |
| Carrying Case | 9.8" × 9.4" × 4.7" (25 × 24 × 12cm) |
| Audio Specifications | |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz |
| Impedance | 80 Ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz |
| THD | <0.2% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL |
| Driver Specifications | |
| Speaker Driver | 1 9/16 inch (40mm) pure beryllium 'M'-shaped dome driver |
| Connectivity Specifications | |
| Short Cable | 5ft (1.5m) cable with 1/8" (3.5mm) asymmetric TRS Jack and 2 × Lemo® connectors |
| Long Cable | 10ft (3m) cable with symmetrical 4-point XLR and 2 × Lemo® connectors |
| Included Adapter | 1/8" (3.5mm) female to 1/4" (6.35mm) male jack adapter |
