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Dan Clark Audio CORINA vs Focal Utopia 2022: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Focal Utopia 2022 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Focal Utopia 2022 - Outstanding overall at around $4999.

Score breakdown

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

Dan Clark Audio CORINA
Sound9.2
Value6.5
Focal Utopia 2022
Sound9.5
Value6.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Dan Clark Audio CORINA vs Focal Utopia 2022
SpecDan Clark Audio CORINAFocal Utopia 2022
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$4500$4999
HearWiki score87 / 100 · Outstanding88 / 100 · Outstanding
Released20232022
Audio
DriverElectrostatic 88mmdynamic
Driver size88 mm40 mm
Drivers per side-1
Frequency responseflat to 6Hz5Hz-50kHz
Impedance-80 Ω
Sensitivity-104 dB/mW
Wireless
Multipoint pairing-No
Features
Active noise cancelling-No
Design
Weight465 g490 g
Balanced connection-Yes

What reviewers said

Dan Clark Audio CORINA

The Dan Clark Audio CORINA is a premium electrostatic headphone that delivers a smooth, natural, and highly resolving sound, standing out for its musicality and full-bodied character rather than the bright treble often associated with this technology. Its comfortable design and precise imaging make it a top-tier choice for critical listening, though it demands a powerful amplifier and represents a significant investment.

  • Pro:Rich, engaging mids with excellent vocal clarity
  • Pro:Smooth, non-fatiguing treble for extended listening
  • Pro:Superb imaging and instrument separation
  • Con:Very high price point
  • Con:Requires a powerful, high-quality electrostatic amplifier
  • Con:Inefficient design limits portability and pairing options

Focal Utopia 2022

This premium open-back flagship pairs a refined dynamic driver with a robust, luxurious frame, delivering exceptionally detailed and transparent sound. While it's an evolutionary step from its predecessor rather than a complete overhaul, the improvements in refinement and articulation make it a top-tier choice for discerning listeners. Its steep price and open-back nature, however, limit its appeal to dedicated audiophiles with deep pockets.

  • Pro:Exceptional clarity and micro-detail retrieval
  • Pro:Articulate, well-defined bass response
  • Pro:Superb build quality and premium materials
  • Con:Very expensive price tag
  • 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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