Over-Ear
Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC
65Good
$5,830
Full review dataAbyss AB-1266 Phi TC vs Focal Utopia 2022: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Utopia 2022 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Utopia 2022 - Outstanding overall at around $4999.
Over-Ear
Focal Utopia 2022
81Outstanding
$5,000
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Utopia 2022 leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC
- Focal Utopia 2022
HearWiki score
65
81
Sound
9.0
9.7
Value
3.5
5.8
Price (USD)
$5,830
$5,000
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Focal Utopia 2022 is 4 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- AB-1266 Phi TC2018
- Utopia 202220224 yr newer
Specifications
AB-1266 Phi TCUtopia 2022
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $5,830
- $5,000
- HearWiki score
- 65
- 81
- Released
- 2018
- 2022
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 66 mm planar magnetic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 66 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 45 kHz
- 5 Hz - 23 kHz
- Impedance
- 50 Ω
- 80 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 88 dB/mW
- 104 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 640 g
- 490 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- XLR
- -
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- AB1266 TC
- -
What reviewers said
Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC
The Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC is a high-end open-back planar headphone aimed at audiophiles seeking extreme detail retrieval, powerful dynamics, and a vast soundstage. Its demanding 88 dB sensitivity and 50-ohm impedance require a robust, high-power amplifier to deliver its full potential, while its raw tuning can be divisive and may benefit from EQ to suit individual preferences. The build is exceptionally rigid and premium, though the fit is unconventional and may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Exceptional dynamics and transparency
- Pro:Huge, immersive soundstage
- Pro:Very high resolution and detail retrieval
- Con:Requires powerful amplification to sound its best
- Con:Unconventional fit and heavy weight (640 g)
- Con:Divisive out-of-box tuning; may need EQ
Focal Utopia 2022
The Focal Utopia (2022) is a premium open-back flagship headphone that refines the original's celebrated sound with enhanced clarity, tonal realism, and a luxurious build. It delivers exceptional detail and articulate bass through its 40mm dynamic drivers, making it a top-tier choice for audiophiles despite its high price and open-back nature. The design is an evolutionary upgrade rather than a radical departure, retaining the core 80-ohm impedance and 104dB sensitivity.
- Pro:Exceptional detail and transparency
- Pro:Articulate, well-defined bass
- Pro:Premium, luxurious build quality
- Con:Very expensive at roughly $5,000
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:Included unbalanced cable is relatively short
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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