Abyss Diana V3 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

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Focal Utopia 2022 leads on 3 of 4 measures.

Abyss Diana V3 TC
Focal Utopia 2022

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

9.7

Value

4.2

5.8

Price (USD)

$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

Abyss Diana V3 TC (2023) against Focal Utopia 2022 (2022). These are 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.

Diana V3 TC20231 yr newer
Utopia 20222022

Specifications

Diana V3 TCUtopia 2022

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $5,000; $5,000
HearWiki score: 70; 81
Released: 2023; 2022
Availability: Discontinued; Still sold new
Driver: 63 mm planar magnetic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: planar; dynamic
Driver size: 63 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 6 Hz - 26 kHz; 5 Hz - 23 kHz
Impedance: 69 Ω; 80 Ω
Sensitivity: 90 dB/mW; 104 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Weight: -; 490 g
Water resistance: none; -
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: No; -
Connector: XLR; -
Balanced connection: -; Yes
Model code: Diana TC Signature; -

Specification comparison of Abyss Diana V3 TC vs Focal Utopia 2022
Spec	Abyss Diana V3 TC	Focal Utopia 2022
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$5,000	$5,000
HearWiki score	70 / 100 Good	81 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2023	2022
Audio
Driver	63 mm planar magnetic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	planar	dynamic
Driver size	63 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	6 Hz - 26 kHz	5 Hz - 23 kHz
Impedance	69 Ω	80 Ω
Sensitivity	90 dB/mW	104 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Design
Weight	-	490 g
Water resistance	none	-
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	No	-
Connector	XLR	-
Balanced connection	-	Yes
Model code	Diana TC Signature	-

What reviewers said

Abyss Diana V3 TC

The Abyss Diana V3 TC is a compact, open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptionally fast, articulate sound with a wide, spacious presentation. Its premium build and striking industrial design are matched by strong transparency, though it demands a powerful amplifier to unlock its full potential. While it excels in clarity and detail, its high price and potentially loose fit are notable considerations.

Pro:Fast, articulate planar sound
Pro:Spacious and well-separated staging
Pro:Premium, compact build with distinctive design

Con:Requires a powerful amplifier
Con:Very high price
Con:Fit may feel loose for some listeners

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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New comparison Abyss Diana V3 TC Focal Utopia 2022